Hazrat Mufti Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi: Grand Jurist & Spiritual Luminary from Uttar Pradesh
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
30 May 2025
Renowned as Faqeeh-e-Aazam-e-Hind, he was a leading Islamic scholar, prolific jurist (70,000+ fatwas), and authored significant works like Fatawa Sharah-e-Bukhari. A key defender of faith in debates and spiritual successor (khalifa) to eminent saints, he passed away in 2000, buried in Ghosi, Mau, Uttar Pradesh.
Main Points:
1. Educated by India's most eminent Islamic scholars of his era.
2. Trusted by senior scholars to lead critical theological defenses against heterodox groups.
3. Issued ~70,000 juristic rulings (fataawa), compiled into Fataawa Sharah-e-Bukhari.
4. Received khilafat (spiritual succession) from multiple luminaries, including Sadr-ush-Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi.
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(The shrine of Hazrat Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi is located in Ghosi, Uttar Pradesh, India)
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Mufti Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi was honoured with the titles Faqih-e-Azam-e-Hind (Grand Jurist of India) and Sharah-e-Bukhari (Commentator of Sahih al-Bukhari).
He was born in 1320 Hijri (1921 CE) in the Karimuddinpur locality of Azamgarh (Ghausi), Uttar Pradesh. His father’s name was Hazrat Abdus Samad bin Sana-ullah. His great-grandfather, Hazrat Maulana Khairudeen Aazmi, was a revered saint and scholar of his era, known for his spiritual insight and learning.
Mufti Sahib acquired knowledge and spiritual grace (faiyz) from numerous eminent scholars of the Ahle Sunnat, including Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi; Hazrat Hujjat-ul-Islaam Mufti Muhammad Haamid Raza Khan Barelvi; Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Muhammad Mustafa Raza Khan Barelvi; Hazrat Hafiz-e-Millat Hafiz Shah Abdul Azeez Muradabadi; Hazrat Mohaddeeṡ-e-Aazam-e-Pakistan Maulana Sardar Ahmad; Hazrat Sadr-ul-Ulama Maulana Ghulaam Jeelaani; Hazrat Khair-ul-Azkiya Maulana Ghulaam Yazdaani; Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Ma’aqoolaat Maulana Mohammad Sulaimān; Hazrat Maulana Ṡana'ullāh Mohaddeeṡ; Hazrat Hakeem Ahmad Ali Aazami (brother of Sadr-ush-Shariah); Hazrat Shaikh-ut-Tajweed Maulana Qaari Mohammad Uṡmaan Aazmi; and Hazrat Bulbul-e-Faarsi Maulana Sayyed Shams-ul-Haq Mubarakpuri.
In 1359 Hijri (1940 CE), during a gathering at Madrasa Ashrafia Misbah-ul-Uloom in Mubarakpur, he pledged spiritual allegiance (bai’at) at the hands of Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi, becoming one of his earliest disciples. Later, during the Hajj pilgrimage in Shawwal 1368 Hijri (1948 CE), Sadr-ush-Shariah bestowed upon him the spiritual succession in the Qadri Razvi order.
Prominent Ahle Sunnat scholars frequently entrusted him to lead counter-debates against heterodox groups. In the renowned debate at Cuttack (Odisha), Hazrat Maulana Shah Mohammad Habeeb-ur-Rahman appointed him as the chief debater (Sadr Munazir). During a Dawati mission to Junagadh (Gujarat), on the directive of Hazrat Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind, he decisively refuted a Shia critic’s objections regarding the Ḥadees-e-Qirtas and the stature of Hazrat Umar Farooq. In Barhalganj (Gorakhpur), he responded to a challenge issued by a Deobandi scholar against Hazrat Mohaddeeṡ-e-Azam-e-Hind Syed Shah Muhammad Ashrafi, earning profound appreciation. Hazrat Hafiz-e-Millat held such confidence in him that he would specifically summon Mufti Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi to represent Mubarakpur in debates, including the notable discourse at Dariyapur (Malda, West Bengal). Hazrat Sayyed-ul-Ulema Sayyed Shah Aale Mustafa Barkati appointed him president (Sadr) of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama meetings. Hazrat Ahsan-ul-Ulama Sayyed Shaah Mustafa Haidar Hasan Barkaati relied on his scholarly and administrative acumen, consulting him on critical matters.
Mufti Sahib issued approximately 70,000 juristic rulings (fataawa), later compiled into the 2-volume work Fatawa Sharah-e-Bukhari. His authored books include Ashraf-us-Siyar; the 4-volume Tehqiqaat; Sunni Deobandi Ikhtilaaf ka Munsifaana Jaiza (An impartial analysis of Sunni-Deobandi differences); and Nuzhat-ul-Qaari.
As a principal disciple and spiritual successor of Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Aazmi, he also received khilafat from Hazrat Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Muhammad Mustafa Raza Khan Barelvi on 7 Ramazan 1381 Hijri, and from Hazrat Ahsan-ul-Ulama Sayyed Mustafa Haidar Hasan Marehrawi in 1404 Hijri. His own chief successor is Hazrat Ashraf-ul-Fuqaha Mufti Mujeeb Ashraf Nagpuri.
His legacy lives on through his scholarly works, which continue to benefit the global Muslim community. His dedication to preserving and explaining authentic Hadith has left a lasting impact. He emphasized adherence to the Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet) and promoted a balanced understanding of Islam. He encouraged believers to seek knowledge, practice compassion, and maintain good character.
He passed away on 6 Safar 1420 Hijri (11 May 2000 CE). The shrine (mazaar) of Hazrat Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi is located in Ghosi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
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