Mawlana Ehtisham-ul-Haqq Asia-Abadi (may Allah bless him) was an outstanding student of Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ (the former Grand Mufti of Pakistan) and disciple of Mufti Rasheed Ludhianvi.
He was a member of the Peace Committee in Makran division of Balochistan province, Pakistan and the Secretary of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia, the largest educational board of Islamic seminaries in Pakistan, in Makran Division.
Mawlana Ehtisham-ul-Haqq founded the Islamic seminary of “Jamia Rasheedia of Asia-Abad”. Therefore, he is the master and teacher of hundreds of scholars in his hometown.
The rector of “Jamia Rasheedia Asia-Abad” seminary was assassinated by unknown gunmen on Sunday evening July 19, 2016. His elder son, Mawlana Shabbir-Ahmad also lost his life in the incident as he was accompanying his father.
Shaikh Ehtisham-ul-Haqq was born in “Kech” district of Makran, Balochistan in Pakistan on November 12, 1948. His father was a farmer.
When he was born, people were absolutely in ignorance about their religious beliefs as long as they used to bury the corpses without offering funeral prayers on them.
Mawlana Asia-Abadi learned the Holy Qur’an from Mullah Mohammad Murad in his hometown, “Asia-Abad” where he passed his primary education. Then, he continued his education in a secondary school in “Nazarabad”.
Moreover, he passed the books of three years during two years in “Miftah-ul-Uloom” seminary in Punjgur city, Pakistan.
He had a great interest in studying and reading books as he used to spend his time in reading.
Educational journey to Karachi
In a letter, Mawlana Ehtisham-ul-Haqq communicated with late Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhianvi when he was a student in “Miftah-ul-Uloom” seminary. Then he left Balochistan to Karachi in order to continue his academic curriculum there.
By the advice of Mufti Rasheed Ahmad, he joined Darululoom Karachi.
On every Friday and Friday night, he would take part in sermons of Mufti Rasheed Ahmad to get benefit of his lectures.
Mawlana Ehtisham-ul-Haqq Asia-Abadi graduated from Darululoom Karachi in 1975. Then he joined the class of Specialization in Fiqh (jurisprudence) under the close supervision of late Mufti Rasheed Ahmad.
He was engaged with the field of fatwa and responded to hundreds of questions. He wrote more than 24 juridical articles when he was studying in jurisprudence subject.
Mawlana Asia-Abadi returned to his hometown. In October 1976, he founded “Jamia Rasheedia” seminary in Asia-Abad town as his mentor, Mufti Rasheed Ahmad advised him.
He began teaching his students in the shade of a tree from zero level but the seminary progressed as much as there were high levels including Fiqh specialization in the next years.
Political activities
Mawlana Asia-Abadi took part in political actives, too. He was ameer/chief of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam in Turbat for many years.
Mawlana Ehtisham-ul-Haqq was trying to follow the laws of Islam in politics as Islam believes that politics should not be for personal interests but for serving people.
Researches and scientific works
In addition to religious and social activities, Mufti Ehtisham-ul-Haqq was engaged with authoring and scientific works, too. He wrote and translated more than 30 books in various subjects. Some of these books have been published and others will be published soon.
The list of books written against Zikri sect by Mawlana Asia Abadi:
“ذکری دین کی حقیقت”; (The real face of Zikri religion)
“ذکری مذهب کے عقائد و اعمال”; (The deeds and tenets of Zikri sect)
ماهي الذكرية؟”; What is Zikriah? In Arabic
The list of books translated into Balochi by Mawlana Asia Abadi:
“تعلیمالاسلام”, Ta’leem-ul-Islam;
“اربعین نووی “, Al-Arba’een An-Nawawi;
“العقیدة الطحاوية”, Al-Aqeedah al-Tahawiah.
The list of books written in Balochi by Mawlana Asia Abadi:
“چت و چینک “، “مات و پتءِ حق “، “عالمگیرین مذهب “، “كتاب الصبر”.
He has a Diwan (collection of poems), namely “The Aphorism of Aasi” that includes his own poems in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. It has not been published yet. Apart from this book, he has a published book, “the Words of Aasi”, which contains only Urdu poems.
“فتنوں کی دنیا” the World of seditions and trials, “اصول الافتاء” the Principles of Issuing Fatwa, Dars-e-Hadith, Dars-e-Qur’an and Majmu al-Fatawa are some other books of the late martyred scholar. He was working on Ahsan-ul-Fatawa to add the references of the book and translate the Noble Qur’an into Balochi language, but the sinister elements killed him and did not allow him to complete his works.
Scientific activities
Mufti Ehtisham-ul-Haqq Asia-Abadi had a distinguished role in resolving tribal disputes and conflicts of the Baloch tribes in Iran and Pakistan.
He had a special position among the Baloch tribes for his peace-making efforts. He used to reconcile disputes of the Baloch tribes by extinguishing the flames of serious conflicts, sedition and disputes that would led to killing and bloodshed.
Martyrdom
The most honored and respected scholar of the region, Mufti Ehtisham-ul-Haqq along with his son was assassinated in a shooting incident on their car on Sunday, July 24, 2016.
Their funeral prayer was held by the presence of thousands of scholars, devotees, representatives of political parties, organizations and people from different classes. Too many tears were shed and everyone showed his deep grief.
Source: Bayyinat monthly magazine, Jamiat-ul-Uloom al-Islamiyah Binnori Town, Karachi; Dhul-Qa’dah, 1437
Written by Mohammad Aijaz Mustafa
Translated into English by Abdor-Rahman Mohammad Jamal