Maulana Syed Muhammad Shahid Al Hussaini Saharanpuri was a respected scholar, the son-in-law of Maulana Inamul Hasan Kandhlawi (grandson of the renowned Shaikh ul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Kandhlawi), and the General Secretary of the world-famous Islamic educational institution, Jamia Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur, India. He is also the author of many books.
Maulana Syed Shahid Al Hussaini possessed extraordinary abilities and qualities. He devoted his entire life to the service of the Quran and the development and propagation of Mazahir Uloom. He was a member of the Muslim Personal Law Board, a member of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, and the founder of Madrasa Tahfiz-ul-Quran Saharanpur. He was also the driving force behind numerous institutions and organizations.
Born in 1951 in Saharanpur, he began his education in 1956 at the khanqah of Abdul Qadir Raipuri. In 1960, he completed memorization of the Quran under the guidance of Maulana Muhammad Yusuf and Maulana Inamul Hasan. In 1966, he enrolled in Jamia Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur for further studies and graduated from the Hadith course in 1970. He studied Bukhari and Muslim from Maulana Muhammad Yunus Jaunpuri.
From 1972, he began teaching at Mazahir Uloom, a relationship that continued until his death, spanning over half a century. He spent his days and nights in the service of Islamic knowledge, particularly focusing on the Quran and Hadith. In the history of Mazahir Uloom, there has rarely been such a hardworking, dedicated, and insightful personality.
He was constantly engaged in writing and compiling, resulting in many comprehensive and well-researched books on various subjects. Dozens of books stand as his literary legacy, including his autobiography, letters from elders, biography of Maulana Muhammad Inam ul Hasan Kandhlawi, history of Chishti Sheikhs, scholars of Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur and their scholarly and literary services, letters on Sufism, and letters of the Sheikh.
Maulana Syed Shahid Al Hussaini had been seriously ill for some time and was under the care of several doctors. Even during his illness, whenever he felt a little relief, he would engage in study, writing, or compilation.
Finally, on Friday, October 6th, just before Maghrib prayer, he took his last breath at his residence in Saharanpur. As soon as the news spread, the atmosphere in scholarly circles became somber, and scholars and common people gathered at his residence.
He is survived by two sons, Mufti Syed Muhammad Salih and Maulana Yasir Al Hussaini, and three daughters. His funeral prayer was offered on Saturday, October 7th, after Fajr prayer at Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur, attended by a large number of people.
Prominent scholarly figures expressed deep sorrow over this incident, describing the passing of Maulana Syed Shahid Al Hussaini as the end of an era for Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur and a loss for the entire Muslim ummah. May Allah shower His mercy upon him. Ameen.
