New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Islamic Studies and Research organised the Dr. Abdul Haq Ansari Memorial Lecture on Sunday at the Islamic Academy, bringing together scholars, academicians, and students to reflect on the contributions of one of India’s leading Islamic thinkers. The lecture focused on Dr. Ansari’s role in the promotion and development of Islamic thought.
The memorial lecture was delivered by Prof. Kunwar Mohammad Yusuf Amin, former Professor at Aligarh Muslim University. He paid tribute to Dr. Abdul Haq Ansari’s scholarship, discipline, and lifelong engagement with Islamic studies. Prof. Amin spoke about the deep influence of certain books on a scholar’s intellectual life and recalled how Dr. Ansari’s works shaped his own academic journey. He also highlighted the impact of Maulana Ansar Sahib’s Teachings Related to Health and Disease in Islam on his thinking.
Prof. Amin recalled his close association with Dr. Ansari and described him as a rare scholar who combined traditional Islamic education with modern Western academic training. Dr. Ansari studied at Madrasa-e-Islah, later earned a PhD in philosophy, and pursued advanced studies in comparative religion at Harvard University, along with academic engagement at Oxford. According to Prof. Amin, this background enabled Dr. Ansari to address complex intellectual questions with depth and clarity.
He identified four key areas of Dr. Ansari’s work: the Islamic concept of the purpose of life, Islam and Sufism, critical engagement with Western ideas such as democracy, and the study of Hindu religion and culture in relation to Islamic dawah.
Dr. Hasan Raza, Chairman of the Islami Academy Trust, presided over the programme and shared personal memories of Dr. Ansari’s lectures. Born in 1931 and passing away in 2012, Dr. Ansari served as Professor of Islamic Studies at Visva-Bharati University and remains an influential figure in Islamic scholarship.
A book titled Inheritance Shares of Muslim Women by Anwar Alam was released during the event. Prof. Haseeb Ahmad delivered the welcome address, while Anis ur Rahman Nadvi conducted the programme and Ashfaq Ahmad proposed the vote of thanks.
