NEW DELHI – Prominent Islamic scholar and author Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Islahi passed away at a hospital in Noida on Tuesday after a brief illness.

Bon on July 9, 1932, in Formulli, Attoc district (now in Pakistan), Islahi acquired his primary education in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. He studied Islam at Mazahir Uloom, went on for higher studies, and Fazeelat from Madrasatul Islah, Sarai Mir. He memorized the Quran and learned Tajweed.

Islahi had been the editor of the magazine titled “Zikra Jadeed” for close to 40 years. He authored and published over 60 books in his lifetime, some noteworthy mentions are Aadab e Zindagi, Asan Fiqh, Islami Muashrah, and Guldasta-e-Hadith.

Quite a few books authored by Maulana Islahi have been translated into English and Hindi among other languages. He joined the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind when he was 25, holding various positions at different times. The scholar was also a member of Markazi Majlis Shura for five terms. He also guided many educational and welfare institutions.

He was also the Nazim (President) of the Jamiatus Salehat, Rampur, a distinctive school focussing on higher Arabic and Islamic education for girls. He also guided  Markazi Darsgahe Islami, Rampur.  Maulana Islahi was also the patron of the Islamic Circle of Noth America (ICNA).