By Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah
Muhammad Umar Palanpuri (1929–1997) was a renowned Indian Islamic scholar, teacher, and influential preacher, who was deeply involved with the Tablighi Jamaat movement, dedicating his life to spreading Islamic knowledge through heartfelt lectures and da’wah efforts across South Asia and beyond. My mother shared that she frequently listened to Sheikh Muhammad Umar Palanpuri’s bayans when I was in her womb. This inspired me to pen this article in Palanpuri’s honor.
Muhammad Umar Palanpuri was born on 5th of September 1929, in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Waziruddin bin Naseeruddin. He belonged to the Momin community¹ which means that he descended from an Ansari Sahabi (companion of Prophet Muhammad PBUH). Though of an Arab origin, Muhammad Umar’s hometown was Palanpur, which is in Gujrat.² This is why his name had the suffix ‘Palanpuri’.
He completed his early education at Hanifia School in Mumbai, followed by foundational Arabic studies at a local madrasa in his native town of Palanpur.¹In 1944, he joined Darul Uloom Deoband for advanced studies, but health issues and illnesses forced him to pause his education after just one year. His health issues occurred due to his continuous self-study of religious text.
He got married on May 3, 1946, and briefly served as the imam at Mangli Kandori Masjid in Mumbai.³ On March 11, 1955, he resumed his studies at Darul Uloom Deoband, successfully completing the Hadith course under the guidance of the famous Indian freedom fighter – Hussain Ahmad Madani and other esteemed teachers of the Madrasa. From his student days, Palanpuri was an active member of the Tablighi Jamaat. Upon completing his studies, he fully committed to the Tablighi mission, playing a pivotal role in founding, as well as expanding tabligh and dawah throughout Palanpur and rest of Gujarat.
After his first return from Deoband, he took bay’ah with Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi in 1955, becoming his authorized disciple. He later pledged to Inamul Hasan Kandhlawi, and on Zakariyya Kandhlawi’s orders, to him as well, receiving authorization. He maintained a close bond and served as a trusted man to Tablighi Jamaat leaders, particularly Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi and Inamul Hasan Kandhlawi. After Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi’s demise in 1965, he settled permanently at Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi. From there, he made major contributions to Tablighi Jamaat, delivering lectures there for over 30 years after every Fajr prayer.⁴
He journeyed to various countries in Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa for dawah. His sermons and bayans continue to be referenced globally in speeches. Many of his speeches were compiled in written works. He himself also wrote books such as ‘Kamyabi kya hai?’ (What is Success?). He was also a keen enthusiast of Islamic history. If we hear closely into his speeches, it’s easily noticeable that he often quotes historical facts and stories. His interest in history is evident from his Co-authored work ‘Bikhray Moti’ (scattered pearls) which is still a major historical work among the Deobandis.
Muhammad Umar Palanpuri sadly passed away on May 21, 1997, in New Delhi and was laid to rest in Panj Peeran Cemetery.⁴ He is still a renowed Islamic scholar and his Co-authored book ‘Scattered Pearls’ is a famous work among Islamic history enthusiasts.
Sources :
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Momin Qaum Apni Tareekh Ke Ayine Mein (1998) by Mohammad Dindrolvi. Nizami Book Depot. Pg. 282
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Tasawwuf aur Hindustani Mu’ashra (1998) by Muhiuddin Mumbaiwala. Modern Publishing house. Pg. 206
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Sawaneh Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Umar Palanpuri sahab (2000) by Mufti Muhammad Palanpuri. Ahbab Zam Zam publishers. Pg. 63-64
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Darul Uloom Deoband ki Jame O Mukhtasar Tareekh (2020 edition) by Muhammadullah Khalili Qasimi. Shaikh-Ul-Hind Academy. Pg. 736
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