By: News Desk 92Pavilion | Updated: August 22, 2026
Quick Answer: Hazrat Maulana Peer Hafiz Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi, a leading Sufi scholar of the Naqshbandi order, passed away on December 14, 2025, at the age of 72. His death drew condolences from religious and political figures across Pakistan, including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who called him the pride of Sufism and a leader of knowledge and practice.
A Life Rooted in Islamic Scholarship
Born on April 1, 1953, in Jhang, Punjab, Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi grew up with a strong grounding in Islamic learning before rising to become one of the most influential figures within the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Sufi order. He studied at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, before dedicating his life fully to religious scholarship and spiritual guidance.
He founded and led Jamia Mahad-ul-Faqeer Al-Islami in Jhang, an institution that became a centre for Islamic education, tasawwuf, and moral training for thousands of students over nearly four decades. His teachings emphasised self-purification, ethical living, and a deeper connection with the Quran and Sunnah, and he authored more than a hundred books on Islamic jurisprudence, spirituality, and social issues over his lifetime.
His influence extended well beyond Pakistan’s borders. He delivered religious addresses in India, including at Darul Uloom Deoband and other seminaries, and was named among The 500 Most Influential Muslims for 2013-2014, a recognition of his standing among contemporary Islamic scholars.
His Passing and the Nation’s Response
Naqshbandi passed away on the morning of December 14, 2025, at the age of 72. His demise was confirmed by Maulana Syed Muhammad Talha Qasmi Naqshbandi Mujaddidi, who received the news from Sheikh Bilal, one of the late scholar’s close disciples. His funeral prayer was held the following day at Jamia Mahad-ul-Faqeer Al-Islami in Jhang, with mourners gathering to bid farewell to a figure who had shaped religious life in the region for decades. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Tribute
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman issued a statement from the party’s headquarters on the day of Naqshbandi’s death, describing it as a shared loss for the entire community. He said Peer Zulfiqar Naqshbandi was the pride of Sufism and a leader of both knowledge and practice, crediting him with more than half a century of writing, sermons, and religious guidance.
Fazlur Rehman further described the late scholar as a monument to his predecessors in the Naqshbandi tradition, offering prayers for his eternal peace and extending sympathies to his bereaved family. The tribute reflected the close ties many of Pakistan’s religious-political leaders maintained with the Sufi scholar throughout his decades of service.
A Legacy That Continues
Following his death, tributes poured in from scholars, students, and spiritual communities in Pakistan and abroad, many of whom highlighted his lasting commitment to spiritual reform and ethical guidance. His recorded lectures continue to reach students worldwide, and the institution he built in Jhang remains active in training the next generation of Islamic scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Peer Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi?
He was a Pakistani Islamic scholar and Sufi shaykh of the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi order, known for his teachings on spiritual reform and ethical living.
When did he pass away?
He passed away on December 14, 2025, at the age of 72.
What did Maulana Fazlur Rehman say about him?
He called him the pride of Sufism and a leader of knowledge and practice, and offered condolences to his family.
What institution did he establish?
He founded Jamia Mahad-ul-Faqeer Al-Islami in Jhang, a centre for Islamic education and Sufi training.
This report is based on statements from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), the Associated Press of Pakistan, and reporting from Muslim Mirror, Siasat, and Dawn.
92Pavilion brings you timely, verified updates on Pakistan and the region. Stay with us for continued coverage.
