A Short Biography of Allama Seyed Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi


Allama Seyed Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi spent his childhood and completed his primary education in Multan, Pakistan. He then continued his studies, and went on to obtain the Sultan- Ul- Fazil degree from the Institution of Wafaq al-Madaris. After obtaining his degree, Allama sahib left for the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, for further studies. In 1976, he returned to Multan, for the purpose of educating and propagation of Shia Islam.

Allama Iftikhar Naqvi remained the prayer leader in the well-known area; Jhouk. At the same time; he also took up position as an honorary lecturer at Jamia Jafferia in Shia-Miani, Multan.

Towards the end of 1978, Allama sahib became the Vice Principle at the Jamia Ahl ul Bait based in Islamabad. This was where he got the opportunity to work alongside Allama Sheikh Mohsin Ali Najafi and where he became one of the main organizers behind the Shia Convention.

However, following the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979, the Allama left for the Holy city of Qum in 1980, to attend the newly established courses in subjects such as philosophy, politics, sociology, adyan and other subjects. On completing the course, he returned to Islamabad and resumed his role by preaching and educating.

It was around this time, the local mo’mineen of Mianwali District (Multan) received planning permission to build a religious school. However, they were undecided on a leader who could take on the tough responsibility of construction and leading a school in such a basic and backward area.

Eventually; a group of youths including Seyed Qamar Abbas Shah, who were familiar with the Allama and the work he had already done in Islamabad; requested a senior Aalim to persuade the Allama to come to Mianwali for the purpose of religious education. They also contacted him directly, themselves by writing letters to him whilst he was in Qum, Iran.

However, the Allama remained in two minds on whether to take over these responsibilities or to continue with his previous role in Islamabad. Hence, he performed an istikhara from the Quran. The ayah that came as a result of istikhara was from Surah Bani Israel; Ayah number 88:

‘‘Say: If men and jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Quran, they could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others.’’ (17:88)

Considering this as a will of God; Allama left for Mianwali, in the month of Ramdhan in the year 1986. There he met the momineen of the area; who offered 7 kanal of land donated by Seyed Muhib Hussain Shah of MaRi Indus; and paid 7500 Rupees that were gathered by the locals. On the request of the Allama, the 7 kanal was increased to 10 kanal and with his continuous effort and hard work, and within three months, surprisingly enough money was raised to lay the foundation of the religious school.





The background behind Madressah Imam Khomeini.


In March 1981, in MaRi Indus, district of MiaN wali, there was a common gathering of mo’mineen held at the place of Seyed Muhib Hussain Shah. It was acknowledged at the gathering that MiaN wali was an area that seriously lacked any sense of formal religious education and that there was an urgent need and desire to establish religious education in the area.

The original figure behind the idea was actually Allama Muhammad Hussain Baltistani, from Rwand o Baltistan; who at the time was a student at Jamia Mohammadiya in Sarghoda. Allama Muhammad Hussain came to MaRi Indus during the month of Ramdhan, to lead the prayers for the mo’mineens.

It was around this time the Allama spoke to Seyed Muhib Hussain Shah about the need and importance of a religious school in the area. Follwing this discussion; on the 21st of March, 1981, on the joint efforts of Allama Muhammad Hussain Baltistani and Seyed Muhib Hussain Shah, a large meeting was held with the local residents. The meeting resulted in an agreement to build a religious madressah, which would be named Madressah e Imam Khomeini.



The background of District MiaNwali.


It is important to remember that the district MiaNwali has the honour of including the hometown chakRala, which belonged to the great personality Allama Seyed Muhammad Baqir Hindi. His children and relatives are amongst those people living there at present.

Whereas religious schools existed throughout Pakistan, interestingly the home district of Allama Baqir Hindi was deprived of them. This despite the fact the students of the Allama, and even students of those students had established religious schools all over, therefore it was thought important to establish such schools in MiaNwali as well.

The Wish of Mohsin e Millat


Another motivating factor was a visit to Pakki Shah Mardan (an area in Mianwali), in 1980; by the late Allama Seyed Safder Hussain Najafi. He warned the locals that if they did not establish a religious school, he would refuse to return to the area. For this reason also, that not long after, it was agreed to establish a religious school.






The Naming of the Madressah


Around this time, the question of the name of the school came about. Seyed Qamar Abbas from Pakki Shah Mardan, and Ghulam Asgher Khan Kabeer Khail From Moch, put forward the suggestion of Madressah Imam Khomeini.

The reason being that the Imam was the same great personality who had recently introduced Shiaism to the world at an international scale, and at the same time not only removed the ignorance from the Iranian society through the process of the Islamic Revolution but also contributed immensely to the Wider Islamic World. Hence in recognition of the Imam’s invaluable contribution, the Imams name should be designated for the Religious School.

Hence, the name of such a great personality was accepted; a personality who for the first time in centuries did for Islam in a way no one else ever had, by introducing Islam with a new perspective, that spread waves of movements worldwide.

However, one thing that should be clear is that at the time the idea of the religious school came about, and the name of the Madressah established, Allama Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi was not present in Pakistan, nor had he any plans of establishing himself in MiaNwali.

The name of the Madressah was actually designated before the Allama returned from Qum. However, he was actively involved in the construction and the organization of running the Madressah once it was made, something he is still responsible for to this day.



Gathering Resources and laying the Foundation of the Madressah


Allama Seyed Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi and his supporters traveled to various districts within MiaNwali and outside the area for the sake of fund raising. Momineen donated funds generously; may God reward them all for their generosity and goodwill. Ameen.

Finally on the advise of the Momineens, the Allama layed the foundation stone of the Madressah on the 31st of August 1986, whilst an initiating ceremony was held. It has been a long time since then; and Alhamdulillah, the institution is achieving success after success and has progressed immensely.

The False Conception that the Allama was sent by Iran

The decision for the Allama Seyed Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi to go MiaNwali was taken due to the insistence of senior Ulemas of Pakistan; as well as an istikhara performed by the Quran. After the revolution, people assumed that he was sent by Iran, most likely because the Madressah is named after Ayatullah Imam Khomeini and it was established soon after the Islamic revolution. However, despite what some people believe, Iran played no part in the decision for the Allama to go there.

The reason being that the Allama was an unknown student in Iran at the time. As a student, he himself was not aware of any madressah to be built in Mianwali, so on what basis would the Iranians know about it either. Therefore, he was as unaware as MiaNwali itself was to the Iranians.

However he was recognized by Iran only after he worked for a period of time on the platform of the Millat e Jafferia group in Pakistan, following which he received national and international recognition. Similarly he worked and gained recognition in other religious fields too.

The Reasons and Goals of the Institution

As this school is a religious education center, it has the same goals as any other religious institution, such as to train the students spiritually and socially at such a level that they can go on to lead other people in an effective manner. The main aims are that these students are not only knowledgeable in religion, but can lead by example through their character and behaviour.

Religious Workshops for University Students.

According to Allama Ifitkhar Naqvi, the madressah is based in a poor area, in a small village called MaRi Indus. The village is based on the northern coast of the River Sindh and there is no main road nearby. Considering it is in such remote area, introducing it on a national scale was always going to be a huge problem.

According to the lessons we received from Ayatullah Shaheed Baqir as Sadr and Ayatullah Imam Khomeini, that there should be no gap kept between religious and scientific scholars, similarly there should be no distance between religious students and university students.

Keeping this line of thought, the Allama kept workshop programme for university students. The students came to the Madressah and took part in the religious training workshop. The programme continued for ten years, from 1986 until December 1996; during which thousands of students took part in the experience, which they found to be extremely beneficial for them.

However, despite the immense benefits of the workshops, due to the limited resources and funding available, the programme had to be put on hold; albeit temporarily.

Modern Academic Studies


The course that Allama Iftikhar Naqvi took part in Qum, Iran, also included academic subjects that are relevant to modern times. Subjects such as Philosophy, Science, and analysis of traditional Islamic knowledge, Politics, Sociology, Comparative Studies etc. were studied in-depth.

In essence, all these relevant subjects come under the title of Islamic Knowledge, as religion is believed to be a complete way of life. Although there have been constant efforts to portray a sense of divide and separation between the two, however to consider modern academic studies as a separate field from religion, is more or less incorrect from a religious perspective.

Allama Iftikhar has always tried to make sure that his students are also taught in modern relevant subjects, by starting up short courses for them, which alongside Religious Education include subjects such as Science, Economics, Computer Studies, English Language, Economics, Maths etc.

Alhamdulillah, all the hard work and effort of Allama has paid off and the distance between the Madressah and University Students has decreased in the intellectual sense. In the local district MiaNwali, Allama was the first person to take these steps, after which many other religious schools followed suit, by also re-adjusting their syllabus to include modern relevant subjects.

Madressah Imam Khomeini is essentially a religious school, where the main focus is on teaching Islamic knowledge and research and analysis on various Islamic topics. Students are trained to excel in piety, and morally, so that when they go out into the world, not only can humanity benefit from them extensively, but they can also educate people to be able to reform themselves to become true Mo’mineens.

Seperation from the Shia Nation in Pakistan


From the beginning, Allama Iftikhar continuously worked for the interests of the wider Shia community in Pakistan. For along a period of time, He represented the Millat Jafferia organization, not only on the national, but also at the international level. During this time he did his utmost to fulfill the needs and requirements of the Shia community.

However, whilst working for the Millat, he found the scope so wide and far, that it was impossible to focus on both projects at once. The Allama realized that work on the Imam Khomeni project, which had by now become a trust, was being unduly neglected. On getting advise and permission from senior clerics, the Allama resigned from the Millat Organization to focus his efforts solely on the Imam Khomeni Trust.

According to Allama Iftikhar sahib himself, The Imam Khomeini Trust is an excellent platform from which talented and exceptional figures can emerge to further serve the nation. Following his representation of the Shia nation at the national and international level, meeting some great personalities around the world, and observing various similar organizations, the Allama concluded that his knowledge and experience is invaluable and should be spread to the nation through the Imam Khomeini Trust itself. For this reason he has made the Trust the central institution from which he continues his work to the present day and for this reason the Trust has progress to a new level as every year comes.

The reason why the Madressah was changed to a Trust.

Religion consists of a broad scope, which covers every aspect of life. Considering this view, Allama changed the name from Madressah to a Trust, in order to cover a wide range of ongoing projects and also to run the Religious Institution in it truest form. I.e. In a broader range of scope.



Departments under the Imam Khomeini Trust.

Something that started out as a Madressah has transformed into a huge Trust today, in which hundreds of social, political, moral, health and various other projects have taken place. The Trust is registered by the Pakistan Government, in the form of an NGO, under the name of the Imam Khomeini Trust.

The Trust is also working on educational, propagational, moral, technical, and welfare training. The projects are adjusted according to the needs and requirements of the local region and community.

Every department has significance on its own merits, which maintains a qualified and sincere workforce, who are putting all their effort into the projects. Every department is permanent and is led by a different individual.

A Short Description of the Welfare Trust

Since 1982, in the district MiaNwali as well as nationally, the Trust is continuously working for the benefits of the Shia nation. The work of IKT can be divided under five main sections:

• Religious Education
• Academic Education
• Public Health and Medical Assistance
• General Public Services and Welfare Services.
• Preaching and Propagation

For more information on these departments, please visit the IKT website.

Yearly Programme in the Trust Community

As the Trust is a religious institution, the programmes held are relevant to significant religious occasions in Islamic history. Events such as the births days and martyrdoms of the Prophet (saw), Bibi Fatima (as) and the Imams (as), Eid e Milaad Nabi, Eid e Ghadeer and on 10th Saffar, where various maatam groups visit to recite for the community.

Every Friday Dua Nudba is recited, every Thusrday night, there is Dua Kumail, Hadith Kissa and Matam programme held for the momineens. Also various other programmes that unite Muslims are regularly held.

Main Force behind the Trust

Allama sahib believes that the institution is under the observations of the 12th Imam (as) and that without the Imam (as) support, Allama himself could not have achieved as much as he has today. He also believes that the very hidden power that brought him to this level will also bring forward such people in the future that will lead the Trust after him. Hence, he has no qualms or worries about the future of the trust as he feels it is in secure hands.

It is also mentioned in the Holy Quran, that those institutions that are based on Taqwa, are the likes of the charitable deed that gives continuous rewards, and God himself has claimed to be responsible for the protection over such institutions.

Alhamdullilah, the Madressah has already produced such students who are studying at the highest level in Qum, Iran and who our nations invaluable treasure. There are also students who have already completed their studies from the Madressah, and are deemed qualified enough to take on the responsibilities with respect to the Education Department later on.

The second possible problem is the financial support, which at present comes from the means of khums, zakaat and sadaqa and other charity money. However, it is expected and hoped that the generous folks that support the institution at present will also continue to do so in the future. It is possible that they will do so even more than they are now. Hence it is not a major worry at present.

Similarly, the Madressah for girls has educated and trained so many young girls, many of whom are still studying in Qum, and others who have returned to support and teach at the madressah. Hence, they are no worries for the future of this Madressah for girls either.

Means of Income

There is no permanent source of income for the Imam Khomeini Trust, and nor is there anything donated or inherited that can be a means of permanent income. All financial income come either from the obligatory donations ( such as khums, zakaat and sadaqa), from voluntary charity and gifts.

Finally, we pray to Allah (swt) to keep us on the straight path, and for the sake of the Ahl ul Bait (as), help us in becoming true momineens and continue to guide and shower his blessings over the Institution. Also may the watch of Imam e Zamana remain upon our religious institutions and us. May God increase the wealth of our supporters, and may their invaluable aid never cease. Ameen.