Renowned scholar Maulana Yunus Jaunpuri dies in India

By Aamir Latif and Abdul Gani

KARACHI, Pakistan/ GUWAHATI, India (AA) - Renowned Islamic scholar Moulana Yunus Jaunpuri passed away at his hometown Saharanpur in India on Tuesday. He was 79.

Jaunpuri felt unwell after morning prayers and was taken to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead, according to a statement issued by Jamia Mazahir Uloom -- the seminary where he had taught for several decades.

His funeral at the seminary was attended by family, friends, and a large number of his followers.

Born in October 1938 in Jaunpur district of India, he was a known figure in scholarly circles.

He got admission in Jamia Mazahir Uloom in 1961, and graduated in 1963, after which he was appointed administrator of the seminary.

In 1971, he was appointed Sheikh-ul-Hadith at the seminary where he served till his death.

His demise has left his followers from across the world in deep sorrow.

Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said Jaunpuri’s death was a huge loss for the community.

U.S.-based Abdul Nasir Jangda, founder of Qalam Institute, said he had been unable to process news of the passing away of the great scholar.

“In addition to his knowledge, the thing that struck you when in his presence was his simplicity, which is an embodiment of the Sunnah [the Prophet’s way of life]. He not only taught it, but more importantly, he lived it. May Allah have mercy upon him,” Jangda said.

Abdus Salam, president of the Indian West Bengal branch of Rabita-e-Madaris-e-Islamia Arabia, said: “The teachings of the great scholar will stay with us.”