Key Lessons from the Life and Legacy of Dr. Muhammad Luqman Salafi (رحمه اللہ)
The cycle of life and death is an old one, and there is nothing astonishing about it. However, it is deeply saddening when a death occurs from which the people of the time were benefiting. Every day, we witness countless deaths; in this era of globalization, news of deaths from every corner of the world reaches us every moment. However, not everyone feels sorrow for every death, because it is well known that this is an age-old reality. It has been this way since the beginning, and it will continue until the Day of Judgment. We, too, will be here today and gone tomorrow.
In this timeless cycle of death, some people are deeply mourned and remembered, while for others, no special remembrance is made. Seminars, special issues, and memorial gatherings are organized for certain individuals. I am talking about an outstanding personality from Bihar, whose passing marked the end of a seventy-seven (77) year-old historical era. This iconic figure is Dr. Muhammad Luqman Salafi, رحمة اللہ، who was honored with the special intellectual attention of the legendary scholar Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمه اللہ).
Even though I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Luqman while residing in Saudi Arabia, the light of his efforts continues to illuminate the world. How can anyone avert their gaze from this light? On one hand, educational institutions (such as Jamia Ibn Taymiyyah, College Khadijah al-Kubra, and Markaz allama Ibn Baz for Islamic Studies, etc.) continue to spread the rays of Salafism, and on the other hand, books written by him like Tafseer al-Rahman, Labean al-Quran, and As-Sadiq al-Amin continue to spread the fragrance of the Quran and the Sunnah. These works not only perfume the space with the greatness and uniqueness of the Creator but also enhance the status and fragrance of the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Sunnah.
I have read numerous articles on the occasion of Dr. Luqman’s passing, especially those written by the Taimi brothers, as they were closest to him. Reflecting on these writings and from my own experiences with him, I want to share a few lessons that I learned from his blessed personality. I hope that these lessons inspire others to emulate his example and perhaps another Dr. Muhammad Luqman will arise, illuminating the world with his scholarly efforts, helping to eradicate the darkness of ignorance.
First and foremost, I regard Jamia Ibn Taymiyyah as the second major Salafi institution in India. Not everyone may agree with this statement, as different people have different perspectives, but one point that everyone will undoubtedly agree with is that it is the central institution in Bihar for the Salafi community. This is not to say that other Salafi institutions, such as in Malegaon, Delhi, or Umarabad, are of lesser importance; rather, on a national scale, Jamia Ibn Taimiyyah stands as one of the most prominent Salafi institutions, similar to Jamia Salafiyah.
٭ Dr. Luqman’s brilliance is evident in the institution he established for the propagation of Salafism. The curriculum of Jamia Ibn Taymiyyah is a beautiful blend of contemporary and traditional knowledge, reflecting his deep enthusiasm, broad vision, continuous efforts, and intellectual companionship. His dedication, sacrifice of time, effort, and wealth is clearly visible in this work.
٭ I am astonished at how Dr. Luqman, despite his immense reading and prolific writing, was still able to oversee and manage the affairs of various educational institutions. This is based on my own personal experience. I am currently involved in building a house, and I have become so engrossed in it that I haven’t written a single article in a month. Yet, Dr. Luqman managed to combine writing, research, university administration, and financial matters with such remarkable competence. Even though he resided in Saudi Arabia, he remained fully informed about the activities of his institution.
٭ Dr. Luqman’s life began in poverty, which likely had a profound impact on him, motivating him to make tremendous sacrifices for the betterment of the community and the nation. He achieved through sheer determination what many others could not accomplish together.
٭ Those who were closest to him spoke of his humility, which was clearly visible in his interactions. He was also known for his great hospitality. His ability to be approachable, courteous, kind, and appreciative of everyone, regardless of their status, is a remarkable trait found in great leaders, and Dr. Luqman embodied this quality.
٭ A key characteristic of Dr. Luqman was his constant guidance for students. He did not just give general advice but provided specific encouragement, especially for those struggling, helping them to advance. This kind of support is the highest form of leadership and care for others.
٭ There is a lesser tendency among Salafi scholars to write autobiographies. I firmly believe that every person should document their own life, as it is a valuable resource for future generations. We can only write what we observe about others, but no one knows the complete story of a person’s life except for that individual. Even their parents, siblings, spouse, or children cannot know the full details. Dr. Luqman set an excellent example for us by writing his autobiography, Karwan-e-Hayat (The Journey of Life), encouraging others to follow suit.
٭ Though Dr. Luqman is no longer with us, his vast contributions to the faith will continue to remind us of his presence. He was indeed a personality of historical significance, and not only will he be remembered, but his life’s different aspects will also be studied—whether as a mentor, a scholar of Tafseer, a biographer, a translator, or a Da’i.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that in order to achieve the status of such an extraordinary personality, one must strive diligently for knowledge, regardless of how limited one may feel. After acquiring knowledge, one should formulate a significant plan for life and pursue it with unwavering resolve. Seek the company and blessings of knowledgeable scholars, and never shy away from hard work, even in the face of difficulties. Continue to progress and use your passion and perseverance as tools for success. Dr. Luqman’s life and accomplishments remain with us as a testament to what can be achieved. Read his autobiography, Karaan-e-Hayat, and learn from the precious lessons of his life to benefit not just oneself but thousands or even millions of others. One does not need to open an institution to benefit others; through knowledge, training, research, and Da’wah, we can all contribute to the upliftment of society. The key is to identify how we can benefit our nation and community in the most impactful way.
Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Northern Taif (Masrah)