Who is Mufti Taqi Usmani?
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is one of the most respected contemporary Islamic scholars from Pakistan. He was born in 1943 in Deoband, India, and later moved to Pakistan where he built a distinguished career as a jurist, scholar, and teacher.
He is a leading authority in:
Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh)
Hadith sciences
Islamic finance and economics
He studied under his father, the renowned scholar Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani, and later completed higher Islamic studies at Darul Uloom Karachi. He also earned formal legal education (LLB) and served as a judge in the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Mufti Taqi Usmani is globally recognised for his role in shaping modern Islamic finance according to Shariah principles.
His Struggles and Efforts for Muslims
Mufti Taqi Usmani’s lifelong struggle has been centred on preserving authentic Islamic knowledge while guiding Muslims in complex modern systems.
1. Revival and Preservation of Authentic Islamic Scholarship
He has dedicated his life to teaching classical Islamic sciences, ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed on accurately. Thousands of scholars globally have studied directly or indirectly through his works.
2. Development of Islamic Banking and Finance
One of his greatest contributions is creating practical models for banking and financial systems that comply with Islamic law. He helped establish Shariah-compliant alternatives to interest-based systems and advised many Islamic banks and institutions worldwide.
3. Defense of Islamic Law
He has strongly advocated for the implementation of Shariah principles in legal systems while explaining them with scholarly depth and balance. His writings address modern legal, economic, and ethical challenges faced by Muslims.
4. Guidance Through Writing and Fatwas
He has authored over a hundred books on:
Quranic commentary
Hadith explanation
Islamic jurisprudence
Contemporary legal issues
His fatawa provide structured guidance on complex matters such as contracts, business ethics, family law, and modern technology.
5. Protecting Muslim Identity
He emphasizes adherence to Islamic values in a rapidly secularizing world, encouraging Muslims to maintain religious integrity while engaging with modern society responsibly.
Challenges and Criticism
As a firm traditional scholar, he has also faced criticism:
Some view his opinions as strict or rigid.
Others feel his approach is less flexible towards modern cultural changes.
His strong stance on Islamic law has sometimes been controversial in political and legal discussions.
Despite this, his supporters regard him as a guardian of classical Sunni scholarship and a protector of Islamic legal tradition.
Why He is Important
Mufti Taqi Usmani represents scholarly depth and intellectual authority. Unlike motivational speakers, his influence lies in academic precision, legal expertise, and institutional reform. He has played a crucial role in integrating Islamic principles into modern economic and legal frameworks without compromising core beliefs.
He serves as a bridge between:
Classical Islamic heritage
Contemporary legal systems
Modern financial challenges
Simple Summary
Mufti Taqi Usmani is:
A senior Islamic scholar and judge
A pioneer of Islamic finance
A defender of traditional Islamic law
A teacher of thousands of scholars
A key figure in modern Islamic jurisprudence