At present, Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi holds the respected position of Grand Mufti at Darul Uloom Raheemiyyah, an esteemed Islamic Seminary, where he also serves as a Senior Shaykh al-Hadith. He is widely recognised and highly respected in the subjects of Islamic theology, Jurisprudence, and scholarship.
Throughout his career, he has maintained a balanced and moderate temperament, avoiding prejudice or bias towards different schools of thought. Such bias often leads individuals to justify their own mistakes while dismissing the virtues of others. He avoids polemics and unnecessary disputes, instead focusing on constructive and reformative religious work.
His manner is gentle, sincere, and wise, reflecting the qualities of a true preacher. Along with sound beliefs and orthodox principles, Mufti Qasmi exemplifies righteousness and moral integrity, leading by word and action in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
Like the eminent scholars of Deoband who readily corrected their minor errors when truth called for it, Mufti Qasmi, upon recognising that his criticism of a liberal thinker was too harsh, quickly admitted his mistake and issued a public apology. This display of humility highlights his sincerity and honesty and shows his spiritual connection to the scholarly traditions of the Deobandi elders.
Mufti Qasmi’s personal dealings are characterised by warmth, compassion, and gentleness. With his students, colleagues, and acquaintances alike, he upholds a relationship rooted in kindness and courtesy.
It is this very graciousness of character that has made him beloved and respected among both the learned and the lay. His temperament shows tolerance toward associates, affection for kindred spirits, tenderness toward the young, and deference toward the elders.
In addition to his duties as a teacher of the Dars-e-Nizami curriculum, he regularly delivers the Friday sermons at different venues of the valley and guides the people towards righteousness and piety.
With regards to his participation in various religious and social gatherings, Mufti Qasmi has also maintained close ties with modern educational institutions. Overcoming any sense of inferiority, he readily accepts their invitations and, with sincere concern, conveys the message and core principles of Islam to students in a manner appropriate to their intellectual environment. Through his efforts, many young minds have been drawn closer to faith.
Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi, through his scholarship, sincerity, moral refinement, and deep understanding of religion, rightfully stands among the most learned men of our time — true architects of the Ummah and torchbearers of reform and guidance.
His interest in Study
During his time as a student, he distinguished himself as an exceptionally bright and diligent learner, characterised by punctuality, discipline, and a sincere commitment to academic excellence. Alongside the Dars-e-Nizami curriculum, he demonstrated a deep intellectual curiosity, willingly engaging with books beyond the prescribed syllabus. His consistent academic distinction in every class reflected both his intellectual capacity and unwavering dedication to learning.
Reading additional works became a daily habit, shaping his scholarly temperament and broadening his intellectual horizons. The range of books he studied extended beyond Seerah, Islamic History, Islamic Thought, Literature, and Poetry, all of which became an integral part of his intellectual life.
He benefited immensely from the diverse philosophical, theological, and literary writings of renowned scholars and thinkers. During his student years, his profound engagement with the works of Allamah Iqbal was particularly remarkable; not only did he study Iqbal extensively, but he also memorised several of his poetic and prose compositions.
His participation in academic and literary programmes at Darul Uloom Deoband, particularly Bait-Baazi and Iqbal-Baazi, demonstrated both his literary talent and his admiration for classical and modern Urdu literature. His memorisation of important sections of Kulliyat-e-Iqbal and Mussadas-e-Hali by Altaf Hussain Hali further showcased his literary depth and refined taste.
A memorable incident from his student years happened during his second year in the Arabic class at Madrasa Islamia Khadim-ul-Qur’an, Baghu Wali Masjid. At that time, Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi’s renowned work Tareekh-e-Da‘wat-o-Azeemat (Volume 2) had recently been published.
When a distinguished guest visited Darul Uloom Deoband, he noticed the guest holding a copy of this book. His eagerness to study it was so strong that he earnestly asked for permission to borrow it. Although the guest initially refused, as he was to leave the next morning, he was eventually convinced by the student’s sincerity. The guest agreed on the condition that the book would be returned by dawn.
That night, the young scholar began reading the book under difficult circumstances. The candlelight soon went out, yet his determination remained steadfast.
As the night sky brightened under the full moon, he moved to the rooftop and continued reading by the moonlight. Immersed in the text, he spent the whole night studying the book and by early morning had read a significant portion before returning it to its owner.
This incident exemplifies not only his perseverance and passion for reading but also the early development of his intellectual seriousness. Even in his later years, this enthusiasm remains strong. He continues to read extensively, often finishing around 150 pages in a single sitting and keeps a continual engagement with Islamic history and scholarship.
Since his early youth, he cultivated a deep interest in Kashmir’s history and cultural heritage, which deepened his understanding of society and faith. Today, he is esteemed
among the leading scholars of the Kashmir Valley for his extensive knowledge, insightful thinking, and clear expression.
His specialisation in Islamic history and his eloquent speeches at academic and religious events have garnered widespread respect. His public talks consistently showcase his intellectual clarity, warmth, and scholarly depth, making a lasting impact on his audiences.
Author is Student at Darul Uloom Nadwa Tul Ulama Lucknow and can be reached at shahbaazshah469@gmail.com
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