Profile

He performed valuable services for the restoration of democracy, public service and protection of basic human rights in Pakistan. Pursuing the same path, he first went through imprisonment in 1949 and then remained in India as a prisoner of war for two and a half years after the fall of East Pakistan in 1971.

Mr Khurram Murad chose the difficult path of research and reflection instead of counting on the available information. After moving from Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom, he served as the Director-General of The Islamic Foundation, a well-known scientific and research institution from 1977 to 1987. Analyzing the fundamentals of disagreement and consensus between the West and the Muslim World, he pointed out the path by which the Western World can choose to live in peace while the Muslim World too can opt for reverential life. He did a good job of liaising with Muslim organizations in Europe.

He provided intellectual and scholarly assistance in the establishment of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) to prepare a highly educated and skilled workforce and to meet the standard educational needs of ordinary students. Since then, the Institute after going through an evolutionary phase has now developed into the University of Management and Technology Lahore, which is expanding with every passing of a day.

Khurram Murad was an engineer by profession. He figured out the message of the Qur’an from the early stage of his life, responded to its call and spent his whole life spreading this message and calling the servants of God towards it. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, wherever he lived, wherever he went, he prepared his audience to invest their lives, time, abilities, wealth and everything in the way of Allah and seek His pleasure and take the path to heaven. This is the path to success and ascension for Muslims. And to walk this path, connect with the Qur’an for which this book is a guide.

For publishing quality research literature in the Sindhi language, he took practical steps to establish ‘Mehran Academy’. He also set up Manshoorat to produce low-priced, but quality literature in Urdu and Idara Sam-o-Basar for the production of audio-visual comparisons.

Manshoorat is playing an active role in publishing productive literature in the country since its inception in 1993. More than 500 books and booklets have gained general popularity. Even some booklets’ over 300,000 copies have been sold out. According to the broad concept of religion, Manshoorat is publishing every genre of literature related to every aspect of life.

Under his supervision, besides several scientific research projects, more than 100 books were brought out. He has published 117 books in Urdu and 40 books and booklets in English. He was also the editor of The Muslim World Book Review, a British-based quarterly magazine, and Lahore, and monthly Tarjuman-ul-Qur’an. He passed away on December 19, 1996.

He was also a creative writer and an effective critic of many popular ideas of his time such as Secularism, Liberalism, and Darwanism.  For some, he gave a new direction to the emerging Islamic Movements and many of them were led by him.  He was very sure of himself and his ideology.  Yet, he clearly influenced the secular ideas of many people, including politicians and educated class.

Khurram Murad left this temporarily world on December 19, 1996. The world of intellect and reasoning became many shades darker. Islamic Movements around the world became orphans. The magnificent career, spanning over many decades, heralded an era of philosophical excellence that, in my opinion, had one thing as its driving force: Khurram Murad wrote books with his heart, he gave lectures when there was a dire need. And what an effect he had. All he interacted turned the ordinary into the extraordinary and made them understand the philosophy of life. Never claiming to be great, Khurram Murad made stuff that was more effective, inspirational, and spiritual than most thinkers of his era would do. He talked to common people’s hearts; he made them realize their souls; and he turned their little thoughts into a rollercoaster of feelings. He made them aware that more than anything else it was the manifestation of their responses to life in the guidance of prophets. When you read his books, sitting anywhere, you think animatedly, hold your breath tight, windows of your heart open up with curiosity, you come to know you are blessed, you’re special and that you’re really interacting with a Socrates of your time. 

The above 35 books Khurram Murad penned up touched the hearts of every one of us. His books reinforce the idea that the most important aspect of our life is making happy to our God and seek His pleasure. Khurram Murad loved to write books and address the people from all walks of life. Whatever the audience, whatever the topic, whatever the theme, the man poured his heart into his work and the result, as the fans saw, was phenomenal; he made a mark uniquely his own. Many people changed their lives due to influence from his speeches.

Whether it was the book about lovely stories from “Stories of the Caliphs”, “The Desert Chief”, “Who is Muhammad?”, wishes of heart in “The Longing Heart”, eloquent interpretations of Quranic verses in a series of volumes, what’s difference between Islam and the Western World, requirements of the body and soul in  “In the Early Hours: Reflections on Spiritual and Self Development”, and what is the most important thing to be done in life in the book “The Last Will” etc are the finest pieces of literature. 

One book that is talked about as much as Khurram Murad’s list of intellectual works is “The Last Will” that has been the best seller around the world. The book tells what (Late) Khurram Murad before he died bequeathed his family, friends and relatives; the theme is very excellent where in family has been employed as a metaphor but in fact it stands for all Muslims of the world. 

Khurram Murad will be remembered. He will be remembered because he was one of a kind. He will be remembered because he wrote thought-provoking books. He will be remembered because he added depth to the function of Islamic Movements around the globe. He will be remembered because he added superiority to our life. He will be remembered because he made speeches that made you think over, contemplate, sigh and re-think the love of God. He will be remembered because he awakened Muslim Ummah from deep sleeping and play its needed role in the modern setting. He made you want to fall in love with God, with the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). And if you were in love, his speeches and writings made you look at your parents with love, respect and care because God himself directed so in the Quran and there was no alternative in the world for you. Through ILM in some, Khurram Murad made leaders of tomorrow to go ahead to the destination, not to give up on principles. The dialogues of his books and speeches made the oft-repeated, oft-ignored words reverberate into declarations of humanity. Khurram Murad made love for God eternal. The grey shades of fascination which is in reality human faith in religion and God burst into a kaleidoscope of colors into a long-lasting bond.

He will be remembered for teaching us how to live and die for God. He will be remembered for inspiring youth, old and young equally around the world. He will be remembered for making young generation realize that how great they can be. He will be remembered for promoting inter-faith dialogue among religions. He will be remembered for fostering harmony among Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. He will be remembered for inviting world scholars and philosophers to unite for common cause and advocate the truth. He will be remembered for making us discover our souls and connect with God. He will be remembered for making us cry through his lectures and remember the hardships of the Day of Judgment. He will be remembered for making us realize the truth of this life and how can we beautify it with good deeds. He will be remembered because he told us how to live a respectful life and do good. He will be remembered because he presented the best solution of Pakistan’s problems. He will be remembered because he tried to untie the Ummah on one platform. He will be remembered because he guided us through the journey of our life and that who we are, why we have come here and where we have to return. May God be pleased by Khurram Murad (RA) and his soul find peace in paradise. Ameen.