Radiant Beacon of Spirituality: Hazrat Maulana Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (Rah.)
By Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi
First Acquaintance with Peer Sahib:
It was around the year 2006 when this writer first had the opportunity to read the travelogue “Lahore Se Taa Khaake Bukhara Wa Samarqand” by Hazrat Maulana Hafiz Peer Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (Rahimahullah). From the very moment I began reading the book, I continued reading without pause. The travelogue not only refined my intellectual and scholarly taste; but also left a deep and lasting impression through the author’s spiritual insight and intellectual maturity. Following this reading, I began to hear frequent and respectful mentions of Hazrat Peer Sahib in gatherings of friends and colleagues as well. Someone from our own circle shared that during the blessed month of Ramadan, Peer Sahib would travel to the African country of Zambia to observe Itikaaf. There, a large number of his Khulafaa, disciples and people from all walks of life would join him in spiritual retreat. Hearing this further deepened my appreciation of his religious services and the far-reaching spiritual influence he exerted.
Arrival in Zambia and Desire for Meeting Peer Sahib:
By the will of Allah, this writer became associated with Moon Rays Trust School, Mpulungu, Zambia, in December 2009 in connection with educational services. After arriving in Zambia, I learned that Peer Sahib (Rah.) would observe Itikaaf during the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan at Masjid Umar, located in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. This information brought me immense joy, for the personality with whom I had already developed a deep spiritual attachment through his writings now seemed within reach in person. The prospect of benefiting directly from his blessed company appeared close at hand. This realization awakened in my heart a renewed and intense longing to meet him.
Preparing for the Itikaaf of Ramadan 2010:
During the blessed month of Ramadan in 2010, this writer, accompanied by some teachers from his institution, arrived in Lusaka with the intention of observing Itikaaf in the company of Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.). Upon reaching Masjid Umar, we felt an extraordinary scene of religious devotion and spiritual vitality. Members of the Indian-origin community of Lusaka, the Masjid’s management and the devoted followers and associates of Hazrat Peer Sahib were all engaged in the preparations with remarkable enthusiasm and discipline. Comprehensive arrangements were being made for the accommodation of the Mutakifīn. Some individuals were busy arranging bedding and essential comforts, others were occupied with setting up and fine-tuning the sound system, while in another area, the designated residence for Hazrat Peer Sahib and senior scholars was being carefully prepared. In short, throughout the day, everyone fulfilled their respective responsibilities with sincerity and dedication. The Masjid presented the appearance of a spiritually uplifting center, fully prepared to welcome the Mutakifin.
First Direct Encounter:
Shortly after the Asr Salaah, Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) arrived. This was the first occasion on which I was blessed with a face-to-face meeting with him. He was dressed in a loose, collarless white Jubbah reaching mid-calf, with his trousers above the ankles, a large white turban adorning his head and a sturdy staff in his hand which was almost equal to his own height. His face was framed by a full, white beard, and he wore glasses. His entire appearance was a living embodiment of dignity, simplicity and adherence to the Prophetic Sunnah. This first direct encounter left a profound impression upon my heart. Allah Almighty had endowed his personality with a rare, magnetic grace: whoever beheld him even once felt irresistibly drawn toward him, and, without conscious effort, became devoted to him in the depths of the heart.
Organized Daily Schedule for the Itikaaf:
With the arrival of Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) at the Masjid, the formal arrival of the Mutakifīn began. Participants came from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, the Indian subcontinent and several African countries, alongside a large number of devotees from Zambia itself. Even before the call to prayer for Maghrib, the Masjid was filled to capacity, and the atmosphere in every direction reflected a profound spiritual gathering. A carefully organized daily schedule had been established for those observing Itikaaf, and it was followed with strict regularity. The routine included Suḥur, Tahajjud, the Fajr Salaah, followed by a Hadith lesson after Fajr; then Ishraq Salaah, followed by a lesson in Tafseer. After Asr, one of Hazrat Peer Sahib’s Khalafaa would deliver a reformative and spiritual talk, and after the Taraawiḥ Salaah, Hazrat Peer Sahib himself would address the gathering. Throughout the days of Itikaaf, the participants observed this regimen under the direct supervision and spiritual guidance of Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah,) making the retreat both disciplined and deeply enriching.
In the year when this writer was blessed with the opportunity to participate in the Itikaaf, Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) delivered a deeply moving and captivating Tafseer of Surah Yusuf. To listen to his discourses and lessons in Tafseer, not only the Mutakifeen; but also large numbers of the city’s youth and elders, scholars and students as well as people from all walks of life would gather at the Masjid on a daily basis. As a result, Masjid Umar presented the vibrant image of a living center of learning and spirituality.
Blessed Tradition of Itikaaf in Zambia
For nearly 15 years, Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) continued this blessed tradition of Itikaaf in Zambia, a practice that proved profoundly enriching and full of spiritual blessings in every respect. During this period, countless Ulama, students and common Muslims pledged allegiance (Bayʿah) at his righteous hand, embarking upon a journey of inner reform and benefiting from sustained spiritual training. Women and youths alike would listen attentively to his discourses and seek guidance from his teachings. Many individuals who, due to personal circumstances, were unable to travel to his native country to benefit from his presence found in Zambia a unique opportunity to enter into bayʿah and partake in his spiritual companionship. In this way, the radiant stream of Hazrat Peer Sahib’s spiritual grace and blessings gradually reached several parts of India. Numerous distinguished Indian scholars, among them several respected teachers of Darul Uloom Deoband, pledged allegiance at his hand and were granted khilaafah by him. Thus, Hazrat Peer Sahib’s religious and spiritual services assumed the form of a truly global movement, the influence and impact of which continue to be felt to this day.
Distinctive Qualities of Hazrat Peer Sahib:
Two qualities stood out most prominently in the personality of Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) setting him apart in a distinctive way. The first was his deep and abiding love for Allah Ta’ala, and the second was his complete and conscientious adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAWS). He remained frequently engaged in remembrance (Dhikr) and supplications, observed Muraaqabah regularly, and consistently encouraged his disciples to practice daily Muraaqabah as well. In his view, this process of inner purification and spiritual self-reform formed the very foundation of true spiritual progress.
As far as adherence to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) is concerned, every aspect of his life stood as a living example of it. His eating and drinking, sleeping and waking, sitting and standing, walking and movement, as well as his dress and appearance: all were in complete conformity with the Prophetic Sunnah. In this regard, a particularly noteworthy incident is often recalled. During his university days, Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) once presented himself before the eminent scholar of Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore, Hazrat Maulana Mufti Jameel Ahmad Thanvi (Rah.). Mufti Sahib asked him, “For what purpose have you come?” With great simplicity, Hazrat Peer Sahib replied, “I am deeply devoted to the Sunnah. I wish to conduct every aspect of my life in accordance with it. That is why I have come to you to learn from you and to act upon what you teach me.” Hearing this, Mufti Sahib (Rah.) was immensely pleased. A detailed discussion then followed on matters related to eating and drinking, dress and appearance, sleeping and waking, and other aspects of the Sunnah. This conversation continued for nearly two and a half hours. At its conclusion, Mufti Sahib said to him, “You are welcome to come to me whenever you wish. Sit in the Darul Ifta; when I am free, I will call you and attend to you.” Thereafter, Hazrat Peer Sahib began to visit Mufti Sahib regularly, seeking guidance from him on matters of Salaah, Wudhu, purification and other practical religious issues, and conscientiously acting upon that guidance. It was through this close association and mentorship of Mufti Jameel Ahmad Thanvi (Rah.) that a deep love for the scholars of Deoband took firm root in Hazrat Peer Sahib’s heart. He thus became a sincere admirer and devoted follower of the Deobandi scholars, a devotion that later became clearly reflected in both his speeches and his writings, where the influence of the scholars of Deoband remained prominently evident.
Peer Sahib’s Intellectual and Scholarly Development:
Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) was formally trained as an electrical engineer in modern educational institution. At first glance, this did not appear to be the field in which he would later render his most significant services. Yet Allah SWT chooses whom He wills for the call to His religion and the moral and spiritual reform of His servants, and He prepares them accordingly. The life of Hazrat Peer Sahib stands as a clear illustration of this divine wisdom. Hazrat Peer Sahib himself would recount that while he was still a school student, he once spent a summer vacation memorizing six Juzs (sections) of the Glorious Qur’an under the guidance of a Hafiẓ. When the school resumed, his elder brother wished to enroll him again in school, but Hazrat Peer Sahib was reluctant and expressed a strong desire to pursue education in a Madrasah. His brother advised him to continue his formal schooling while arrangements would be made separately for a religious teacher. Accordingly, Peer Sahib began studying the books of the traditional Aalim course during his free time alongside his school education. In this way, he studied classical texts such as Sharḥ Mi’at Aamil and similar works.
Subsequently, after gaining admission to Lahore University, his pursuit of formal religious education was temporarily interrupted. However, he soon reconnected with a learned scholar and resumed his studies in the traditional Aalim curriculum, during which he also studied Ṣaḥiḥul Bukhari, one of the most authoritative collections of Hadith. At the same time, he completed his studies in electrical engineering and, remarkably, was also blessed with the completion of memorizing the Glorious Qur’an during his university years. It is noteworthy that two esteemed religious institutions: Jamia Rahmania, Jahanian Mandi and Jamia Qasimul Uloom, Multan, later conferred upon him honorary degrees of Aalimiyyah. In 1972, Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) earned his BSc degree in Electrical Engineering. He subsequently began his professional career in the same field and rose to the position of Chief Electrical Engineer.
His Path into Sufism:
Hazrat Peer Sahib’s association with Sufism began during his years as a student at Lahore University. Initially, he established a spiritual connection with a venerable elder of the Naqshbandi order, Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Zawwar Husain Sahib (Rah.). Under his guidance, Peer Sahib studied lesson by lesson the collection of the Letters of the Mujaddid of the second millennium, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564–1624). Following the passing of Maulana Sayyid Zawwar Husain, Peer Sahib entered into a formal relationship of spiritual reform in 1980 with the eminent spiritual guide, Khawaja Ghulam Habib Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (Rah.). In 1983, Khawaja Sahib bestowed upon him khilaafah. After the demise of his revered mentor, Peer Sahib devoted himself fully to serving the field of Sufism. In this capacity, he traveled extensively across numerous countries, and today his Khulafaa and disciples can be found in many parts of the world. Through them, his spiritual legacy and inner reformative mission continue to flourish.
Distinctive and Enduring Contribution
One of the most remarkable and enduring contributions of Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) was his highly effective role in guiding students of schools and colleges, as well as individuals engaged in modern and professional disciplines, back toward the path of faith. He successfully connected them to the spiritual tradition of Sufism while at the same time linking them to formal religious education. As a result of their association with Hazrat Peer Sahib, numerous individuals embarked upon the study of Islamic sciences and made notable progress in this field. This transformation stands as a clear and lasting testimony to his reformative efforts, spiritual training and profound influence on the hearts and lives of those who came under his guidance.
Birth and Early Upbringing of Hazrat Peer Sahib:
Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) was born on 1st April 1953 in Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan, into a devout and spiritually grounded family. His parents were known for their piety, devotion and strong religious temperament. His revered mother, in particular, was deeply committed to the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and to the regular observance of Tahajjud. Her spirituality and devotion left a profound and lasting imprint on Hazrat Peer Sahib’s personality. From an early age, he developed a natural inclination toward a religious environment showing love for Salah, remembrance of Allah, and noble character. His initial moral and spiritual upbringing was shaped primarily by his mother, whose influence was both formative and enduring. She not only awakened in him a deep religious consciousness, but also instilled values of simplicity, piety and a strong bond with Allah. This pure and nurturing upbringing later became the solid foundation upon which Hazrat Peer Sahib’s scholarly, practical and spiritual life was firmly built.
Final Days and Sad Demise:
Hazrat Peer Sahib (Rah.) had been unwell for some time. In the final weeks of his life, his condition deteriorated further, requiring dialysis several times a week. Despite the severity of his illness, he endured these trials with remarkable patience, gratitude and complete trust in Allah SWT. Eventually, the appointed time arrived, and on the morning of 14th December 2025, Peer Sahib departed from this transient world and returned to his beloved Allah. His funeral Salaah was held on 15th December 2025, led by his eldest son, Hazrat Maulana Habibullah Naqshbandi (Hafizahullah). A large gathering of scholars, spiritual leaders, disciples and admirers from within the country and abroad participated, reflecting the breadth of his influence and the depth of love people held for him.
May Allah Almighty grant Hazrat Peer Sahib complete forgiveness, raise his ranks and bless him with the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus! May He bestow patience and fortitude upon his family, followers and all those connected to him! Aameen! ••••
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