Akhtar Ahsan Islahi

Saleem Shehzad

Akhtar Ahsan Islahi was born in 1901 in a village of Azamgarh in UP India. Both his parents died early
and he was bought up by his maternal family. Mawlvi Shafi‘, the founder of Madrasah al-Islah, was the
son of his maternal grandfather’s brother.

It was around in 1914 that Akhtar Ahsan Islahi got admitted into the Madrasah and graduated in 1922.
Two of his prominent teachers at the madrasah were Mawlana ‘Abd al-Rahman Nigrami and Mawlana
Shibli Mutakallim Nadvi. One of his class-fellows, Mawlana ‘Abd al-Bari Nadvi remembers him as a
very proficient and intelligent student and a very good football and volleyball player of the madrasah.

Akhtar Ahsan came under the tutelage of Farahi in 1925 when the latter started his Qur’anic lectures
for the teachers of the madrasah. He also has the unique distinction of serving his teacher. After the
death of his mentor, he as a key member of the Da’irah Hamidiyyah, was entrusted with the task of
editing the manuscripts of his books for the purpose of publishing.

Akhtar Ahsan also became a very active member of the Jama‘at-e Islami of India and till his death
served as its member. For many years, he taught at his alma mater: Madrasah al-Islah and even
remained the head of institution for some time.

He died on 9th October 1958.

His prominent students include Mawlana Muhammad Yusuf Islahi, Mawlana Abu al-Layth Islahi,
Mawlana Badr al-Din Islahi and Dr Sharf al-Din Islahi.