Khuda Hafiz Dr Israr Ahmed
The passing away of Dr Israr Ahmed is a loss I feel personally and a pain I bear with a heavy heart. Indeed writing a post on the fountain of knowledge that was Dr Israr Ahmed does not come easy. I draw solace from the fact that Pakistan and the Muslim masses at large are mourning the passing away of the greatest Islamic scholars to have graced us in recent times.
Dr Israr Ahmed was both passionate and principled and served Islam and Pakistan selflessly with distinction and without compromise. As a principled opponent to some of his views I respected his views and his tolerance in hearing and responding to dissenting views with intellectual rigour demonstrating a knowledge of almost every field from physics to history.
I personally became enchanted with Dr Israr Ahmed’s passion during a debate series on aspects of theology aired on ARY TV many years ago where he debated with Dr and Justice Javed Iqbal (the lucky son of Allama Iqbal) and Professor Mehdi Hasan, a Pakistani Historian par excellence. From that day nearly five years ago to this day I have a fondness for all three men who have served Pakistan with distinction in their respective fields.
Tears are never far away as I mourn the passing of Dr Israr Ahmed. I will draw solace from knowing that Dr Israr Ahmed will be missed by millions across the world to whom he spoke to almost every day via his Dars-ul-Quran on Islamic TV channels such as Peace TV.
A torch lit by luminaries like Allama Iqbal showed Dr Israr Ahmed the way and today Dr Israr Ahmed’s torch will show the next generation the way forward in achieving success in this world and the hereafter. May ALLAH grant Dr Israr Ahmed paradise and for his family and followers fortitude.
Khuda Hafiz Dr Israr Ahmed Saab.