Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Islahi, calling his death a great loss of the JIH and the Muslim community. Author of many best circulated Islamic books, well-known orator and a senior member of the JIH’s Central Advisory Council, Maulana Islahi passed away on Tuesday morning at a hospital in Noida, UP after a short illness.
In a condolence message released on December 22, Mr. Husaini said that JIH lost the second elderly and experienced person, after the death of former Kerala JIH chief T K Abdullah, within two months. The most significant achievement of Maulana Islahi, the JIH chief said, was his popular Islamic books that influenced several generations. Mr. Husaini said, “His most famous book, “Etiquette of Life in Islam” (Adaab-e-Zindagi), has become an essential part of the bookshelves of millions of Muslims for decades, worldwide. This book is also gifted to brides and bridegrooms on the occasion of marriages to learn how to live their married life as per the principles of Islam. The top quality of his books is that these are written in a simple but effective language and are equally popular among women, children, and the elderly. His God-gifted ability to write or convey the basic Islamic teachings in a simple and easy but charming style is unprecedented.
The JIH chief said that another achievement of Maulana Islahi was that he extensively introduced the Indian Islamic organisation, all over the world. Mr. Husaini said, “God chose two Yusufs for the introduction of Islamic organisation, across the globe. While, late Maulana Muhammad Yusuf, a former JIH president who introduced the Islamic organisation in the Arab world, Maulana Yusuf Islahi introduced it in Western countries. Maulana Islahi was very popular in the western world and used to visit America, Australia, Japan and the European countries often for delivering lectures on Islam. For the last few decades, he spent almost half of every year in these countries, delivering lectures on various aspects of Islam. Like his books, Maulana’s speeches were equally attractive and popular among the people. In all matters including dressing, dining, conversation, sitting, maintaining a high degree of politeness, modesty, good breeding and manners were the most remarkable aspects of his personality. May Allah forgive the deceased and accept his services and good deeds. Ameen.”