Baba Yunus Muhammad

“Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remain steadfast – on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. They are the companions of Paradise, abiding therein eternally, as a reward for what they used to do.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:13–14).

With deep sorrow and reverence, I join the global Muslim community in mourning the passing of Professor Khurshid Ahmad, who departed this world on 13th April 2025 in Leicester, United Kingdom, at the age of 93. An extraordinary scholar, thinker, and pioneer whose towering intellect and unwavering commitment to the Islamic worldview reshaped the contours of modern Islamic economics and socio-political thought, his death marks the end of an era and the beginning of his eternal reward, Insha’Allah. Professor Khurshid Ahmad was not merely a scholar; he was a movement, an architect of the discipline of Islamic economics, who redefined economic paradigms by placing Islamic values at the heart of human development and social justice. His foundational contributions to the field of Islamic economics elevated it from abstract theorization to a dynamic discipline that now challenges prevailing paradigms of development, justice, and wealth distribution across the globe.

Professor Khurshid Ahmad was born in 1932 in Delhi and later migrated to Pakistan, where he would go on to shape the intellectual and political trajectory of the country – and the wider Muslim world – for more than six decades. He held a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Karachi and later obtained an M.A. in Islamic Studies and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Leicester, where his academic foundation in both conventional and Islamic disciplines laid the groundwork for a revolutionary synthesis of knowledge.

In the 1970s, he co-founded the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, which soon emerged as one of the most important research and educational institutions in the West dedicated to Islamic scholarship, economics, and interfaith understanding. Under his stewardship, the Islamic Foundation became a sanctuary for critical thought and a beacon for the moral revival of Muslim societies through authentic and contemporary applications of Islam.

As a Senator in the Parliament of Pakistan, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad brought his intellectual commitments into the political arena, advocating for policies grounded in justice, equity, and Islamic moral philosophy. His contributions as Federal Minister for Planning and Development and his work in shaping Pakistan’s socio-economic vision were both principled and transformative. He was an enduring figure in Jamaat-e-Islami, where he merged activism with scholarship in service to the Ummah.

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad’s role as the founding chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad and his leadership in countless international Islamic forums speak volumes of his far-reaching influence. His writings, lectures, and policy proposals reshaped economic discourse by offering an Islamic alternative to exploitative capitalist and materialist models. Through his tireless advocacy, Islamic economics moved from theory to practical models influencing institutions, banking systems, and development programs worldwide.

On a deeply personal note, I had the profound honor of encountering Prof. Khurshid Ahmad in the United Kingdom during a pivotal time in my own journey. My personal journey with Prof. Khurshid Ahmad began in the 1980s, a time when I was earnestly searching for meaning and direction in the world of Islamic economic thought. It was in him that I found a living embodiment of principled scholarship and steadfast commitment to the Islamic worldview. Our early conversations, whether in person or through correspondence, left an indelible mark on me. He welcomed me not just as a student of ideas but as a fellow traveler on the road to intellectual liberation.

Through him, I came to appreciate the subtle intricacies of merging divine revelation with economic praxis. His mentorship and warmth were as powerful as his intellect. He challenged me, inspired me, and ignited in me a lifelong devotion to the cause of Islamic economics and the vision of a more equitable global order rooted in faith and ethics. Those moments of mentorship—through dialogue, correspondence, and reflection—left a permanent mark on my thinking and purpose. To me, Prof Khurshid Ahmad was more than a scholar; he was a teacher of the heart. His life was a radiant embodiment of ‘ilm (knowledge), iman (faith), and ‘amal (action).

As we bid farewell to this giant of our time, we also recommit ourselves to the ideals he championed so passionately. Prof. Khurshid Ahmad’s life was not just a contribution—it was a call. A call to rethink our systems, to recalibrate our values, and to strive for a civilization that reflects the mercy and justice of Islam.

The Africa Islamic Economic Forum (AFRIEF) can rightfully be considered part of the enduring legacy of Professor Khurshid Ahmad. His teachings, vision, and intellectual contributions have profoundly shaped the mission and direction of AFRIEF, and continue to inspire our work today. I firmly believe that the most meaningful tribute we can offer to this great man is to ensure that his intellectual and spiritual legacy not only endures but thrives. To this end, we are committed to launching a range of initiatives in his memory—integrating his thought into university curricula across Africa, embedding his principles into policy dialogues, and advancing development models firmly rooted in the ethics and ideals of Islamic economics.

Finally, Professor Khurshid Ahmad was not just a voice of his time—he was a voice for all time. He reminded us that Islam is not a private affair, but a comprehensive way of life with solutions to the world’s deepest problems. His life was a call to action—a call to build just, moral, and God-conscious societies.

May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive his shortcomings, accept his lifelong service to the Deen, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and raise his status among the Siddiqin, Shuhada, and Saliheen. Ameen.

Baba Yunus Muhammad is the President of the Africa Islamic Economic Forum, Tamale, Ghana.