LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DR. SHEHZAD SALEEM Last month, a ceremony was held at the Ghamidi Center in honor of Dr. Shehzad Saleem. This event was organized in recognition of the 37 years of scholarly and dawah services of Dr. Shehzad Saleem, a renowned scholar of Al-Mawrid America, during which he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Muhammad Hassan Ilyas, Director of Research and Communication at the Ghamidi Center, performed the duties of host at the event. On this occasion, Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, other scholars of Al-Mawrid America, as well as the relatives and friends of Dr. Shehzad Saleem, participated both online and in person and expressed their reflections on his scholarly, intellectual, and personal qualities. The recording of this event is available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
IJTIHADI APPLICATIONS Within the ongoing video series addressing 23 objections under the auspices of the Ghamidi Center, a new subject has been initiated under the title “Ijtihadi Applications.” In these sessions, the ijtihadi applications made by Javed Ahmed Ghamidi to date and the criticisms directed at them by scholars are brought into discussion. In the sessions held in August 2025, the focus was upon the ijtihadi applications of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi in the matters of zakat and divorce. These sessions may be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
DOCUMENTARY ON MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD In August 2025, a comprehensive documentary was produced highlighting all the significant aspects of the life of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The script and research for this one-hour-and-thirty-five-minute-long documentary were undertaken by Mr. Naeem Ahmad Baloch, a scholar of the Ghamidi Center. He not only provided a detailed examination of the struggle in Maulana’s life but also offered a thorough portrayal of the political, social, and religious conditions of that era. Produced under the supervision of Muhammad Hassan Ilyas, the documentary was presented at the highest level through graphics and visuals by the relevant team of the Ghamidi Center. The narration was rendered by Mr. Khalid Syed. This documentary, under the title “Maulana Abu al-Kalam Azad: A Lost Treasure,” is available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
HUJJATULLAH AL-BALIGHAH The Ghamidi Center has launched a new scholarly series titled “Hujjatullah al-Balighah.” In this series, Mr. Hassan Ilyas presents his questions and critiques concerning the important discourses in the celebrated work Hujjatullah al-Balighah of Shah Wali Allah al-Muhaddith al-Dihlawi before Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, who then provides his views and commentary upon them. This series is being broadcast sequentially on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center. Students and seekers of knowledge have deemed it very beneficial from an academic perspective.
PHILOSOPHY SERIES Some time ago, the Ghamidi Center recorded an academic series under the title “Philosophy.” This series contains reasoned discussions on the fundamental concepts of philosophy, its practical dimensions, a comparative analysis of Western and Eastern philosophy, and its role in religious and scientific contexts. This series is not only a valuable addition for scholars and researchers but also offers students and general readers a rare opportunity to understand the otherwise complex subject of philosophy in a comprehensible manner. It has been produced in audio format. Mr. Hassan Ilyas hosted the series, while Javed Ahmed Ghamidi participated as the guest discussant.
This “Philosophy Series” is now being released sequentially for viewers on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center. THE LIFE STORY OF DR. SHEHZAD SALEEM In August 2025, Mr. Hassan Ilyas conducted a detailed interview with Dr. Shehzad Saleem, a renowned scholar of the Ghamidi Center. In this conversation, Dr. Shehzad Saleem shed light on his scholarly and intellectual journey, the circumstances of his first meeting with Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, his family background, and various aspects of his personal life. Additionally, he also discussed the difficulties and challenges encountered in the course of his academic journey. The recording of this interview may be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center. THE INNOVATION OF DECLARING THE LAWFUL AS UNLAWFUL In his article, Syed Manzoor ul Hassan has clarified that declaring the lawful as unlawful or the unlawful as lawful is tantamount to fabricating lies against God, which the Quran sternly prohibits. Issuing self-fashioned verdicts in religious matters is not only an innovation but also an audacious act of legislating in religion, which is manifest misguidance. In the light of the Quran and Sunnah, such conduct has been identified as the cause of deviation among previous communities, and Muslims have been strongly warned to avoid it. This article is available in the August 2025 issue of Ishraq America.
VOICE OF RESEARCH In the ongoing online seminars organized under the title “Voice of Research” by the Ghamidi Center, two subjects were discussed last month: “Is the Quran a Book of Science?” and “Gaza: A Trial for the Muslim Ummah.” On the former, Mr. Salman Ahmad Sheikh, while addressing the subject, spoke on key points such as: “Human Intelligence versus Artificial Intelligence,” “Does the Quran mention computing?” “Is artificial intelligence a satanic enterprise?” and “Can computer intelligence surpass that of human beings?”
On the latter subject, Dr. Ghitreef Shehbaz Nadwi, while speaking on the current situation in Gaza, elaborated on the following major points: “The silence of the Muslim world is a sign of moral bankruptcy,” “The real issue is not the lack of resources but the lack of leadership and political will,” and “What is required now is strategy and awakening.” The recordings of these seminars are available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
ASK GHAMIDI In the online question-and-answer sessions conducted under the title “Ask Ghamidi” by the Ghamidi Center, some of the significant questions asked last month included: “Is unconscious faith necessary for Paradise?” “Would it be correct to impose the responsibility of maintenance (nanfaqa) upon women?” “Why does the Quran only mention fair maidens (hur)?” and “Can the government demolish a mosque?” The recordings of these sessions are available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
WEEKLY LESSONS IN QURAN AND HADITH In August 2025, during the live lessons on the Quran and Hadith by Mr. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi under the auspices of the Ghamidi Center, he taught verses 87–112 of Surah al-Anbiya and verses 1–20 of Surah al-Hajj. As for the lessons in hadith, some of the important points discussed included: “The Messenger of Allah’s declaration of dissociation from a tyrannical and hypocritical ruler,” “What is faith?” “Excess in acts of worship,” and “The sin of abandoning one’s wives.” These lessons on Quran and Hadith can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
BOOK STALL OF THE GHAMIDI CENTER In August 2025, the Ghamidi Center participated in the 62nd annual convention of ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) held in the United States, where it set up a bookstall displaying the works of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi and other scholars. A large number of people visited the stall and purchased books.
MAULANA SYED ABU AL-ALA MAUDUDI: AN EPOCH-MAKING THINKER! In his article, Mr. Muhammad Hassan Ilyas highlighted various scholarly and intellectual aspects of the personality of Maulana Maududi, writing that he was one of the remarkable thinkers of the twentieth century who presented Islam not merely as a collection of rituals but as a comprehensive system of life. He imparted a new intellectual formation to Islamic terminology, initiated dialogue with the modern age in the light of ijtihadi principles, and gave Islamic thought a new direction through his civilizational interpretation of religion. His writings constituted an intellectual revolution on the levels of language, method, and civilization. Maulana was not only the custodian of tradition but also its critic, reformer, and builder. This article can be read in the previous month’s issue of Ishraq America.
TAFHEEM AL-ATHAR SERIES In the ongoing “Tafheem al-Athar” series organized by the Ghamidi Center, the sessions held in August 2025 addressed important subjects such as: “The Caliphate of Sayyidna Ali – The Political Stance of Amir Muawiyah,” “The Nomination of Yazid as Crown Prince – The Political Stance of Amir Muawiyah,” “The Struggle of Various Clannish Solidarities among the Quraysh,” “The Martyrdom of Uthman (RA) and the Beginning of the Era of Domination,” and “The Movements of Revolt during the Reign of Yazid.” The recordings of these sessions are available on the organization’s YouTube channel.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH HASSAN ILYAS The well-known YouTube channel “Muslim Today” continues to broadcast the program “Ask Hassan Ilyas” in which Muhammad Hassan Ilyas appears as a guest to answer scholarly, intellectual, and religious questions posed by the audience. Some of the important points discussed in August 2025 included: “Do miracles occur today?” “The devotional methodology of Ahmad Raza Khan,” “Why did Sayyidna Abu Bakr burn the hadiths?” and “Issuing verdicts of blasphemy and disbelief against others.” The recording of this program is available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
THE ONLINE KHANQAH OF THE GHAMIDI CENTER In the sessions of the ongoing online khanqah held last month under the Ghamidi Center, some of the important points discussed included: “Feeling fear when speaking with one’s own,” “Should one seek to please or compromise principles?” “Between truth and goodness, which should be given preference?” and “Making hasty decisions.” The recordings of these sessions of the online khanqah can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
ISLAM STUDY CIRCLE In August 2025, Dr. Shehzad Saleem, in the program “Islam Study Circle,” spoke on subjects from the Quran, hadith, and the Bible, under the titles: “Remembrance of God,” “Good Morals,” and “Guard Your Heart.” Furthermore, at the end of the session, a discussion was held on the subject “Count Your Blessings,” and questions related to the topics discussed were answered. This session is conducted in the English language. The recording of the session can be viewed on the institution’s YouTube channel.
FAITH AND BELIEFS Under the “Meezan Lecture Series,” Dr. Shehzad Saleem continues the teaching of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s book Meezan in the English language. Last month, he recorded two lectures on the subject of “Faith and Beliefs.” The recordings of these lectures may be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH “Ilm o Hikmat: With Ghamidi” is a well-known program of Dunya News Channel, Pakistan, which has been airing for several years. It is recorded in Dallas and broadcast weekly. The program is hosted by Mr. Hassan Ilyas, Director of Research and Communication at the Ghamidi Center. Recently, the subject “The Rise and Fall of the Muslim Ummah” was under discussion in this program. A total of twelve episodes of this series were recorded, in which significant epochs of the history of the Muslim Ummah, intellectual decline, and the collective attitudes of the Ummah were analyzed in depth. Last month, after comprehensively covering this subject, the series was brought to completion. All the recordings of this series can be viewed on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ONLINE PRIVATE CONSULTATION SESSIONS OF DR. SHEHZAD SALEEM Every month, Dr. Shehzad Saleem arranges online private consultation sessions with people. In these sessions, individuals seek his advice on various personal and familial issues. Last month, more than thirty such sessions were held. In these sessions, people consulted Dr. Shehzad Saleem regarding problems faced by parents and issues of adolescence.
ISSUANCE OF FATWAS BASED ON RELIGIOUS OPINIONS With respect to the legal applications of the Shariah, people often contact the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning, Al-Mawrid US. They require applied opinions on matters such as marriage and divorce, inheritance, and certain other social and economic aspects. Last month, in accordance with such diverse needs, multiple fatwas were issued. These were delivered by Mr. Hassan Ilyas in the light of the thought of Mr. Javed AhmEd Ghamidi.
ASK DR. SHEHZAD SALEEM Every month, Dr. Shehzad Saleem conducts a live question-and-answer session in which he responds to questions regarding various religious, ethical, and social topics arising in people’s minds. In this session, questions may be asked in both Urdu and English. The recordings of these sessions can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.
TEACHING OF “AL-BAYAN” IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Dr. Shehzad Saleem is engaged in teaching the Quranic exegesis al-Bayan by Javed Ahmed Ghamidi in the English language, so that those who know English may also benefit from it. In August 2025, he delivered lessons in English on verses 56–92 of Surah al-Anam. The recordings of these sessions are available on the YouTube channel of the Ghamidi Center.