PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS OF DR. ISRAR AHMED TO PAKISTANI SOCIETY

Abstract

Dr. Israr Ahmad (1932-2010) was a famous Islamic scholar who revolutionized the religious, intellectual, and social framework of Pakistan post-independence. He spent his entire life doing da'wah, teaching the Qur'an, and aiming to revive Islam, without getting involved in politics. Dr. Israr left his medical profession, and started Quranic teachings as a reformer on the path of spirituality. Dr. Ahmad emphasized that any trans-formative social change begin with individual ethical awakening, which includes the essential formative principles in Muslim philosophy. He extracted the ideas of eminent philosopher like Maulana Maududi, Allama Iqbal and Shah Waliullah in his teachings. The concept of spiritual awakening and engagement with the Qur'an materialized into his organization that structures Tanzeem-e-Islami (1975) and Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur'an (1972). He attracts the urban middle class, university students, and professionals in the middle class of Pakistani society. He rejected sectarianism, political campaigns and electoral politics. Dr. Ahmad’s delivered lectures on TV and YouTube which played an important role in a holistic spiritual conscience as well as increased openness to Qur’anic interpretation in Pakistan. Dr. Ahmad emphasized that the Qur'an is a complete code of life for every individual and communities. He influenced Muslim communities globally, mainly in the Gulf area, the United Kingdom, and North America. He focused only Qur'anic study groups and rejected sectarianism in every area of Pakistan. His lectures were non-violent and intellectual Islamic revival based upon tawḥīd, tazkiyah, and tafaqquh. In conclusion, Dr. Israr Ahmad's legacy persists to embrace the paradigms of theological and philosophical renaissance. Dr. Israr Ahmed wrote over sixty books in Urdu and English, covering Qur'anic exegesis, Hadith, Islamic philosophy, and social and political thought; his writings, particularly, Bayan-ul-Quran and Islamic Renaissance: The Real Tasks Ahead had a profound impact on the intellectual and religious people of Pakistan and worldwide.