Mufti Taqi Sahab


My first meeting with Mufti Sahab was full of excitement. A very close brother like friend Maulana Saeed asked me to join him to meet Mufti Sahab in a masjid near Manama city center. I was in Bahrain then and Maulana Saeed had the pleasure of hosting ulemas in Bahrain.

After Ali Miyan Nadvi Rahimahullah, personally Mufti Sahab stands tall in the list of all our equally respectable ulemas. We all have different perspective and from our own perspective each ulema stands tall for us.


When we reached Manama, we both went to the Manama center masjid where isha jamaat had already finished and second jamaat was on. I had never seen Mufti Sahab before.These were not social media days in late 90s and I had my own imagination of him. Maulana Saeed mentioned Mufti Sahab would be in the ongoing second jamaat. This is when I came to know from Maulana Saeed that in some fiqh jurisdictions multiple jamaat in a masjid located in market zones is possible keeping in mind the business needs. How nice to have fiqh as a methodology around Qur'an and Hadith.


It's only when I read Mufti sahabs article regarding digital and analog pictures, rulings being different for both, I relaxed my approach towards digitised photos. As a software engineer myself, I found his brief but technical explanation very clear. I could have easily thought about this basic digital concept myself, but never did. It was not because I wasn't capable, it was due to my engagement in life with daily chores looking after family and work which for an average Muslim is a duty as well. Mufti sahab despite having these duties spent his own time, energy, effort guiding the ummah and making it easier for people like me who could not interpret everything with proper focus and dedication. This is what sincere devoted ulemas do for us.


When the second jamaat finished Maulana Saeed walked towards a brother and greeted him with salaams. I was still looking around for Mufti Sahab but nowhere to be seen while Maulana Saeed continued talking to this brother. He then turned to me saying "mufti saab".

You can imagine what went through my whole person. I have never been in this state when meeting someone for the first time. The whole of myself was shaking to bits. I said " Oh salaams hadhrat it's you!". I could hardly speak anything else at the time. Thereafter we left, as Mufti Sahab had committments regarding a fiqh conference he was attending in Bahrain. Alhamdullilah I did get to see and meet him several times after that. Once I bumped into him walking towards haram for tawaf; while he walked out, I quickly introduced myself. He didn't recognize me, but despite his schedules he stopped, did duas on my oldest daughter who was in our arms and then swiftly vanished in the crowd like any average Muslim!


Mufti Sahab truly reflects a quote which I heard at one of the speeches from another scholar - "An Alim tries very hard to bring the ummah atleast within the boundaries of Islam. Being aware of the challenges, an Alim seeks inspiration from Qur'an and Hadith and applies fiqh to make it easy for Ummah to implement them in today's circumstances. However, for their personal self they strive to strictly implement Islamic principles and practise them in its purest form". 


The simple, modest and humble lifestyle of Mufti Sahab is one inspiration but even his conversation on the most professional topics and communication is so down to earth and easy to understand that I would scratch my head often...


How important it is to have such Faqih in our lives and around us. These Ulemas don't need  workarounds for themselves. Their lifestyle is already tuned to islamic principles. If Mufti Sahab has written books, traveled around the world given speeches in masajids, madrasahs and institutes it was for our benefit. Those who targeted him should probably know that they are attacking the very people whom they (or their children and families) would one day seek advice about guidance from the Qur'an and Hadith and eventually struggle to implement in their own lives due to the absence of such faqih.


Mufti Sahabs speeches have the balanced approach that is most needed by citizens and administrations alike. There are very few Ulemas who can strike the chord between both the leaders and people alike.


Life and death is upon Allah (SWT), be it a mufti or us. The fact he is unscratched is evidence that Allah SWT likes his works and wants him to continue his efforts until his last moment. I hear people saying that someone was saved and blessed with a new life. That's not true. Mufti sahab was saved by Allah SWT because death was not due. What is a huge favour Allah swt did to us is that Mufti Sahab is unscratched. Allah swt wants mufti sahab to continue his efforts and make a difference in our lives because it's always difficult to do what mufti sahab is doing if he was to be unwell, let alone injured.


Like any other Muslim, Mufti Sahab and myself are only remotely connected through his writings and speeches. However, If there is anyone who should read two rakah shukrana (thanking Allah swt) it should be myself that Allah SWT did a huge favour  to me by protecting Mufti Sahab and keeping him safe, sound and healthy so he can continue providing me with his fiqh knowledge that will help me understand and follow Qur'an and Hadith in my daily life with ease in these challenging times. For those who enjoy his company daily should relish his presence amongst them.


I could not wait to write this once mufti Sahab has left this world which is inevitable for all of us. The reason to write this post now is because we should all realise his active presence amongst us so we make most out of him. Usually we say a vacuum has been left with the demise of our Ulemas. This one is an eye opener and we don't have a vacuum alhamdullilah.


May Allah forgive our sins make it easy for us and bless and protect our Ulemas with good health. Ameen

A nation is like a garden. Every citizen must sow the seeds of prosperity in it. As you sow so shall you reap.