Islamic scholar and ex-Jamaat chief Dr. M. Abdul Haq Ansari dies of cardiac arrest at 81

Nationally-famed religious leader Professor Muhammad Abdul Haq Ansari, 81, died of cardiac arrest on October 3 at about 4 PM at his residence in Aligarh, according to Radiance weekly editor Ijaz Aslam.

He said: “It is a great loss to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JEIH). He was a great scholar and was chief of the organization for four years (2003 to 2007). During his stay he led with example. Throughout his lifetime he advocated for empowerment of Muslims.”

Professor Ansari, born on September 1, 1931 at Tamkohi in district Deoaria of Uttar Pradesh, was also known among his followers for his Islamic scholarly knowledge.

An Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alumnus (Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1962 from AMU), he travelled to USA in 1972 to read Comparative Religion and Theology from Harvard University.

The news of his death was condoled at JEIH headquarters in Abul Fazal Enclave.

Markazi Maktaba director Atiqur-Rab said his death is a huge loss to the organization and the movement. He and other members including JEIH chief Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari and secretary general Nusrat Ali are going to Aligarh to attend the funeral prayer at 9 AM tomorrow. Other central functionaries of JEIH are also expected to rush to the city.

Professor Ansari joined JEIH at an early stage and continued his association with the organization till his death. Also, the report of his death went wild on social networking site Facebook.

Mohammad Suhail wrote on his Facebook page: “Professor Ansari was elected member of Jamaat’s Central Council of Representatives and Central Advisory Council for many terms. He had been director of Islami Academy since 2005. Professor Ansari has more than a dozen books in Urdu and English to his credit. His books include Tasawwuf and Shari’ah and Learning the Language of the Qur’ān.

“He also participated in and presided over many national and international conferences, and had been on board of many international journals.”

New Delhi-based social activist Navaid Hamid wrote on his FB page: "Saddened to know about the demise of Prof. Abdul Haq Ansari, Islamic Scholar and former Amir of Jamaat e Islami Hind. May Allah raise his darajaat."

CAPTION: Professor Muhammad Abdul Haq Ansari