Prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, the deputy chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, passed away on Sunday, May 8, at the age of 70.
Mawlawi, a Lebanese, died on his birth town of Tripoli, Lebanon, on Sunday after a long struggle against illness.
“He was a pioneer and a leading scholar who has played a role in modernizing the Islamic jurisprudence,” the IUMS said.
“He has dedicated his life to Islamic Da`wa and Islamic institutions and knew no listlessness or boredom until he died.”
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has also paid tribute to Mawlawi, who is also the leader of Jama’a Islamiya in Lebanon.
“Hamas extends sincerest condolences to Jama’a Islamiya, the Lebanese people, and all Arab and Muslim peoples over the death of Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi,” Hamas said in a statement.
“Mawlawi’s life was full of giving and sacrifices, a life that he spent in the service of Islamic Da`wa, boosting Islamic thought and enriching Islamic jurisprudence.”
He has also dedicated his life in “defending issues of the Muslim Ummah (nation), topped by the Palestinian cause,” Hamas said.
Mawlawi’s body will be laid to his final rest on Monday in Tripoli.
Muslim Pioneer
Born in Tripoli, Northern Lebanon, in 1941, Mawlawi obtained a BA in Law at Lebanon University, Faculty of Law, in 1967.
A year later, he obtained a BA in Islamic Shari`ah at Damascus University, Faculty of Shari`ah.
Following his graduation, Mawlawi was appointed as a legal judge in the Shari`ah Court in Beirut.
He also received a diploma of advanced studies from the Sorbonne in Paris, France, where he helped found both the Islamic Association and the European College for Islamic Studies.
During his stay in France fro 1980 to 1985, Mawlawi served as the spiritual guide of the Union of the Islamic Organizations in France.
He was awarded by the WAMY (World Assembly of Muslim Youth) as the best Muslim Preacher.
Mawlawi also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the European Council for Fatwa and Research in 1997 in Dublin.
Over the course of his life, Mawlawi participated in several national and international Islamic conferences and lectures.
Amongst his well-reputed works are Tayseer Fiqh Al-`Ibadat; As-Salam `ala Ahl Al-Kitab; Al-Mara`ah Al-Muslimah; Ar-Riq fi Al-Islam; Ahkam Al-Mawareeth; Dirasat Hawla Ar-Ribah; and Silsilat At-Tarbiyyah Al-Islamiyyah.
Source: OnIslam