Mufti Taqi Usmani - Full Biography
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is among the most influential Islamic scholars, jurists, as well as Islamic finance experts in the modern Muslim world. His authored works travel in many fields such as Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic economics and Shariah compliant banking. A man of international reputation, he has published widely in the field of Islamic law, economics, and spiritualism and is one of the most important figures in contemporary Islamic thought.
Born in 1943 in present-day Pakistan, Mufti Taqi Usmani not only has great knowledge, he has also made significant efforts to harmonize Islamic teachings with the demands of modern life. His contribution in the field of Islamic finance, particularly Islamic banking, led to the introduction of financial systems which are Shariah compliant and now exist in many parts of the globe.
Early Life and Education Of Mufti Taqi Usmani
Mufti Taqi Usmani was born in October 3, 1943 in the city of Deoband in British India. The city is well known for the Darul Uloom Deoband, which is one of the largest and most prominent Islamic Seminaries in the world. Mufti Taqi Usmani comes from a family well involved in the field of Islamic scholarship, and his father, Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani, was also a famous Islamic scholar and the previous Grand Mufti of Pakistan.
Mufti Taqi’s early education was based on Islamic studies. He was educated mainly in different religious institutions such as Darul Uloom Karachi where he studied classical texts of Islamic law, Quran, and Hadith for a few years. His education was supplemented by secular studies, in which he took a law degree (LL.B) and a master’s degree in Arabic. His father’s teachings and guidance determined his intellectual journey; as a result, he became an important person in the Islamic world of scholars.
Career and Professional Achievements
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Fatwas
Mufti Taqi Usmani is one of the most prominent Islamic jurists who has made significant contributions to the understanding and application of Islamic law. His teachings on Fiqh – Islamic jurisprudence – are held in high regard all around the world. He was a judge of the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan and the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan where he played his role in the implementation of Islamic law in Pakistan’s judicial system.
One of his major contributions is that he developed modern fatwas (Islamic legal opinions) or opinions on contemporary issues such as Islamic finance, healthcare, social issues, and so forth. His fatwas address issues on Islamic banking, family law, international finance and the governance of states. In fact Mufti Taqi Usmani’s fatwa on forex trading has attracted particular attention where he ruled that foreign exchange trading is haram if it involves speculation, interest (riba) or too much uncertainty (gharar).
Islamic Banking and Finance
Mufti Taqi Usmani is also a pioneer in the field of Islamic finance. His great engagement in the growth of Shariah-compliant banking has contributed to the establishment of Islamic financial institutions worldwide, which follow the Islamic principles of interest prohibition (riba) and ethical investments. He has authored numerous books on the subject, which have become standard references for the scholars and practitioners of Islamic banking.
He was present in the setting up stage of Islamic banks in Pakistan and has served as an advisor to several banks and financial institutions. His teachings have helped to shape the Islamic finance industry, with a focus on ethical investments, profit and loss sharing and asset backed financing. Muslims, not Only in the Middle East – Mufti Taqi Usmani’s work has been instrumental in ensuring that modern financial systems are aligned with the Shariah principles.
Academic Contributions and Teaching
Mufti Taqi Usmani has been a source of teachers for thousands of students. His lectures, books and articles are influential to Islamic Scholars and students of Shariah throughout the world. As a member of the Darul Uloom Karachi’s faculty, he has been teaching jurisprudence (Fiqh), Tafsir (Quranic exegesis) and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) to generations of scholars.
Mufti Taqi Usmani's Books and Writings
Mufti Taqi Usmani has written more than 60 books on diverse aspects of Islam. These books have been translated into several languages including English, Arabic and Urdu and are widely read both by scholastic and non-scholastic readers alike. Some of his most well-known books are:
Quran and Tafsir
Asaan Tarjuma Quran: This is a simple translation of the Quran in Urdu with detailed explanations. It is known for its clarity and simplicity, which makes the Quran accessible to all.
The Noble Quran: This is Mufti Usmani’s translation of the Quran into English along with the notes to the Quran. This translation is very well-regarded and is commonly used among the English-speaking Muslim community.
Islamic Finance
An Introduction To Islamic Finance: Islamic banking and its principles in the modern world is a book that offers an overview of Islamic banking principles.
Islamic Banking and Finance: In-depth discussion of Shariah-compliant finance, covering the principles of Islamic banking, investment, and insurance.
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Fatwas
Usul al-Fiqh wa Adabuhu (Principles of Islamic Lawing and Secating): In this book, Mufti Usmani describes the rules and methodology of issued fatwas in the Islamic tradition.
Islamic Law and Governance: This book covers the application of Shariah law in the many different aspects of governance and statecraft, including some aspects concerning modern legal issues.
Social and Modern Issues
Islam and Modernism: Examining critically the position of Islam towards the modern Western ideologies, such as secularism, democracy, and socialism.
Development of Mufti Taqi Usmani's Fatwa on Forex Trading
In one of the most well-terminal fatwas, Mufti Taqi Usmani has ruled that all forms of forex trading (i.e. buying and selling foreign currencies) is haram if they include the following: speculation, high risk trading and riba (interest). He emphasized the main or fundamental feature of Islamic finance is the promotion of ethical trading on the basis of real assets and sharing of profit.
He explained that forex trading, in the most popular forms, usually included uncertainty and speculation – both of which are forbidden in the light of Islamic law. However, spot forex trading (in which the currency is exchanged immediately) may be allowed if it complies with the conditions of Islamic law (absence of interest and simultaneous exchange of currency).
Mufti Taqi Usmani's Family - Wife and Children
Islam and Modernism: Examining critically the position of Islam towards the modern Western ideologies, such as secularism, democracy, and socialism.
Wife
While information on the details of Mufti Taqi Usmani’s wife is generally private, it is known that she has been a supportive partner in his personal and professional life, playing a critical role in his life. His wife, like the wives of many of the Islamic scholars, has been a part of his work, helping him in various forms of social and education related work.
Children
Mufti Taqi Usmani has children too (as do most other mufti), such as a son, Dr. Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani, who follows in the scholarly footsteps of his father. Dr. Imran Ashraf Usmani is an expert in Islamic finance and jurisprudence and lecturer in various academic institutions.
Age of Mufti Taqi Usmani
Mufti Taqi Usmani was born on October 3rd, 1943 and is 82 years old in 2026. Despite his age, Mufti Usmani is still very active in teaching, writing and issuing fatwas on contemporary issues.
FAQs
Who is Mufti Taqi Usmani?
Mufti Taqi Usmani is one of the important Muslim scholars, jurists, and pioneers of Islamic finance. He is known for his contribution regarding Islamic banking and Fiqh as well as Quranic exegesis.
How to get in touch with Mufti Taqi Usmani?
While Mufti Usmani doesn’t have his own contact details available to the public, you may contact him through the Darul Uloom Karachi for academic and religious enquiries. His official website and Islamic institutions he is affiliated with may be avenues of contact.
What is "What is Christianity?" by Mufti Taqi Usmani?
This book is a comparison between Islam and Christianity giving an explanation of the main beliefs and practices of Christianity as per the Islamic point of view.
How many books is Mufti Taqi Usmani a writer of?
Mufti Usmani has written more than 60 books on various topics of Islam including Islamic finance, Fiqh and Tafseer.
Conclusion
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is a scholar of high repute whose contributions in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, finance and education have had an impact on millions of Muslims all over the world. His Islamic banking principles, translations of the Quran, and Islamic legal opinions have continued to guide the Muslim community in dealing with the challenges of modernity in line with the teachings of Islam.