Mufti Dr Sarfraz Ahmad Naeemi (May Allah have mercy on his soul), secretary-general of the Ittehad Tanzeematul Madaris-e-Deeniya, was  martyred along with several others when a suicide blast hit a historic religious institution, Jamia Naeemia Madrassah , situated in Garhi Shahu area of Lahore. The blast occurred after the Friday prayers on 12 June 2009 when the people were making their way out of the mosque after offering the Friday prayers.

Mufti Dr Sarfraz Naeemi received his religious education from prominent scholars of his time, including his father Allamah Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naeemi (May Allah have mercy on his soul). Allamah Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naimi is the founder of Jamia Naeemia in Lahore, Pakistan. He got his early education from Jamia Naeemia and then did PhD from the Punjab University .

Through his love for knowledge, his intelligence, oratory and writings, Dr Mufti Sarfraz Ahmad Naeemi, established himself in the scholarly circles very quickly. He was a powerful speaker, courageous writer and highly acclaimed thinker. His whole life has been marked with knowledge, wisdom, Sharia, Tasawwuf and continuous hard work.

Mufti Sarfraz Ahmad Naimi, did not become famous and recognised just because he was a son to Allamah Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naimi (May Allah bless his soul), but rather he became prominent and celebrated because of his high calibre, great qualities  and many talents. Allah Almighty had blessed Dr Sarfraz Naeemi with immense qualities and attributes through which he served the cause of Islam.

Mufti Dr Sarfraz Naeemi (May Allah have mercy on his soul) taught religious sciences for 50 years and his students are today serving Islam throughout the world, including Europe, America and Africa.

Through his teachings and lectures, Mufti Dr Sarfraz Naimi served the cause of Islam tremendously. In his messages, he always urged his students and the listeners to put into practice whatever good they learnt from him. He constantly urged the Muslims to be practical with Islam. He himself lived a very practical and simple life. Despite the fact that he had access to all luxuries of life, Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi resisted those temptations to over-indulge in the worldly matters.

Dr Sarfraz Naeemi (May Allah have mercy on his soul) will always be remembered for his openness and courage to tackle difficult and delicate issues within the Muslim community. He was ambassador of peace and talked above petty-politics. He was concerned with uniting the Muslim community and therefore urged scholars that despite their differences in opinion, they should work together on those issues that affect the fundamentals of Islam. One such issue, in our times has been the rise of “Taliban” terrorists, extremists, suicide-bombers.

Mufti Dr Sarfraz Ahmad Naimi recently issued a fatwa denouncing terrorism and extremism in all its forms. Mufti Sarfraz Naimi rightly said that extremists an d suicide-bombers do not form part of the Muslim community. They do not fight for Islam rather they have their own political agendas and personal goals to achieve.   It is believed that it was due to his speaking out against the extremists that he was targeted in a suicide blast.

Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad saheb (may Allah have mercy on him), the founder of Leeds Makkah Masjid and Deen Foundation, admired Mufi Sarfraz saheb because of his immense love for the beloved of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), his love for knowledge and his courage.

As a result of his martyrdom, a huge vacuum has been created and will not be filled for many years. We can only pray that Allah Almighty raises the status of Dr Mufti Sarfraz Naimi in His presence and sends His blessings onto his resting place. And we pray to Allah Almighty that he enables us to follow in the footsteps of Mufti Dr Sarfraz Naimi saheb.

Members of Deen Foundation would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family of Dr Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi saheb, in particular his son, Mufti Raghib Naimi, to his students and  to his followers all over the world.

Filed under: Deen Foundation