The Passing of a Senior Aalim of South Africa – Maulana Mansoor Ul Haq Nazir رحمه الله

(1953 – 2026) Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un Mautul Aalim, Mautul Aalam (The death of an Aalim is the death of the world) The Muslim community of South Africa has been deeply saddened this week by the passing of a very senior and respected Aalim of South Africa, Maulana Mansoor Ul Haq Nazir رحمه الله, on Thursday, 24th September 206. Maulana originally hailed from Pakistan but spent the greater portion of his life serving the Deen in South Africa. Maulana was among the pioneer Ulama who contributed significantly to the development of advanced Islamic education in South Africa. He was one of the distinguished students of Allamah Muhammad Yusuf Binnori رحمه الله, one of the leading Ulama and Hadith scholars of the twentieth century. Maulana Mansoor Ul Haq studied at Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamiyyah in Newtown, Karachi, Pakistan, together with his younger brother, Maulana Mumtaz Ul Haq Nazir رحمه الله. He was specially chosen by Allamah Binnori رحمه الله to serve alongside Maulana Cassim Sema رحمه الله after the establishment of the first Darul Uloom in South Africa, at Darul Uloom Newcastle in Natal, in 1973. Maulana was a highly dedicated and capable teacher who served Darul Uloom Newcastle with distinction from 1976 until 1991. He also served as the Deputy Principal of the Darul Uloom. He was highly respected for his expertise in Hadith, Fiqh, Tafseer and the Arabic language. He had mastered many other languages as well and could read, write and converse in them. His contribution to South Africa was phenomenal, forming an important link in the teacher-to-student chain that helped shape and develop higher Islamic education in South Africa. At the end of 1991, Maulana resigned from Darul Uloom Newcastle and relocated to Pietermaritzburg, where he served as the Imaam and Principal at the Mountain Rise Masjid and Madrasah for several years. In the latter part of his life, Maulana relocated to the town of Rustenburg, where he served diligently until he was overcome by illness. Maulana had taken Bay’ah at the hands of Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله of Karachi, Pakistan, a well-known Murshid in the field of Tasawwuf and spiritual purification of the soul. He was granted the mantle of Khilafah by his esteemed Shaikh. He was an exceptional calligrapher and renowned for his beautiful handwriting and calligraphy. In a remarkable testament to his dedication and skill, Maulana handwrote the entire Qur’an using his calligraphic abilities. Maulana had lost his respected wife a few years ago and spent the last few years of his life as a widower. He was extremely ill during the last three years of his life. Maulana is survived by his five children and many grandchildren. His Janazah Salaah was led by his son-in-law, Maulana Azhar Bulbullia, amidst a very large gathering that included many Ulama and well-wishers from across South Africa. He was laid to rest in the Rustenburg Cemetery. May Allah bless him with complete forgiveness and grant him a place in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. May Allah Ta’ala accept his magnanimous contributions to knowledge in South Africa, and may his students across the globe be a means of his Sawaab-e-Jaariyah. Ameen Ya Rabbal Aalameen. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport Durban, South Africa Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099 Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163 Website : www.jamiat.org.za