Mufti Taqi Usmani: Prominent Pakistani Mufti in the Field of Islamic Sciences

Devin Halim Wijaya28 January 2025

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Prominent Pakistani academic Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is known throughout the world for his work in Islamic economics and other field of Islamic laws. The son of Mufti Muhammad Shafi the former Grand Mufti of Pakistan was born in Deoband India on 3th October 1943. He holds a Takhassus degree which is the equivalent of a Ph. D. as part of his formal education. This article will be talking about his works in different fields of Islamic sciences and knowledges around the world.

Legacy within the Islamic judicial field

Islamic Economics, Hadits, Sufism and Fiqh are among the branches of Islamic sciences that Mufti Usmani has taught since 1959. He presided over the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan from 1981 to 1982 before joining the Supreme Court of Pakistans Shariat Appellate Bench in 1982. His involvement with these organizations shows how committed he is to bringing Shariah principles into Pakistans legal system. His decisions have shaped contemporary Islamic jurisprudence particularly in the fields of personal status and finance.

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Contributions to the field of Islamic economics

As a pioneer in Islamic economics Mufti Usmani is well-known. He has served on the Shariah supervisory boards of numerous Islamic banks and financial institutions around the world as either chairman or a member. At the moment he is the Chairman of the International Shariah Standard Council which was founded in Bahrain by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions. He plays a key role in creating internationally accepted Islamic financial standards. The modernization of Islamic finance and its accessibility to the international market are major accomplishments of Mufti Usmani. He played a key role in the launch of Sukuk or Islamic bonds which are now a major financial tool in modern Islamic finance. His knowledge and direction have aided financial institutions in creating Shariah-compliant products that are competitive in the global market. His efforts uphold Islamic principles by ensuring that contemporary banking systems can function without conducting interest-based transactions. Moreover Mufti Usmani is a permanent member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy a Jeddah Saudi Arabia-based branch of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Additionally he held the position of Vice Chairman of the Academy for nine years which demonstrated his impact on international discussions and decisions pertaining to Islamic jurisprudence. Because of his involvement in these forums widely recognized legal opinions on financial issues such as Islamic insurance (Takaful) and microfinance options for the poor have been developed.

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Literary Works and International Impact

In Arabic, English and Urdu Mufti Usmani has written over 60 books on subjects like Islamic economics, Hadith, Fiqh and Quranic interpretation. Many scholarly circles and financial institutions have made extensive use of his books including Introduction to Islamic Finance. In his many works on current affairs he offers advice on the application of Islamic finance in contemporary economies. He has been the Chief Editor of the Urdu monthly magazine Albalagh since 1967. Since 1990 he has also served as the leader of the English-language monthly magazine Albalagh International. . His contributions to Islamic literature aid in advancing a more thorough comprehension of Shariah and how it applies to contemporary society. Mufti Usmani has had a significant impact on the development of the global Islamic financial sector so his influence extends beyond academia. Numerous nations have incorporated financial models derived from his academic works such as Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. He has influenced policymaking to support Shariah-compliant financial systems while preserving economic stability through his advisory positions in central banks and financial regulatory organizations.

Public Talks and International Engagement

In addition to his judicial and financial contributions Mufti Usmani is a highly sought-after religious leader and speaker. Throughout his many trips he has given talks and led workshops on Islamic jurisprudence spirituality and financial ethics. Both academics and laypeople respect him as a scholar because of his ability to clearly and concisely explain intricate Shariah rulings. He has been asked to present his research on Islamic economic justice financial risk management and ethical banking at multiple international conferences on Islamic finance. Additionally Mufti Usmani is actively engaged in educational endeavors. He has contributed significantly to the growth of Darul Uloom Karachi one of the worlds preeminent Islamic seminaries. Under his direction the school has created specialized courses in Islamic finance giving students the skills they need to address contemporary economic issues while upholding Islamic values.

Also read:Procrastination as a Reprehensible Trait in Islam and How to Avoid It

In Conclusion

Modern Islamic finance has been significantly shaped and guided by the contributions of Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani to Islamic economics and jurisprudence. Many people are motivated to learn about and incorporate Shariah principles into their daily lives by his efforts and commitment. Allah says in the Quran

“O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Al-Baqarah:208)

Lets pledge to carry out our commitments and contracts in line with Shariah principles as demonstrated by Mufti Usmani in every facet of his life. His research devotion and unwavering support of moral finance have had a significant influence on the world financial system and guaranteed the continued relevance and applicability of Islamic principles in the contemporary era.