The Pakistani economist, philosopher, politician and Islamic scholar Prof. Khurshid Ahmad passed away in Leicester on Sunday after a protracted illness, his family and party confirmed. He was 93.
Born in 1932 in Delhi, India, Ahmad served in key positions during his illustrious career, including being elected three times as a member of Pakistan’s upper House, the Senate, and serving as deputy chief of the country’s Planning Commission along with being the author of several books on Islamic literature, economics and social issues.
After the partition of India in 1947, his family moved to Pakistan and settled in Lahore.
He enrolled at the prestigious Government College, which has since become a university, to study business and economics in 1949.
Ahmad earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Karachi in 1962 and travelled to the UK to pursue a doctoral degree, receiving it from the University of Leicester in 1968.
In 1970, Leicester University awarded him with an honorary doctorate in Education, and in the same year, he joined the department of philosophy there to teach contemporary philosophy.
He served as president of Islami Jamiat Talaba, the country’s largest student organization, for two terms in the 1950s and as deputy chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the country’s mainstream religiopolitical party, for nearly two decades until 2015.
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Together with another prominent religious scholar, Ahmad founded the UK Islamic Mission, which later became one of the largest Muslim organisations in the UK.
He was also a founding member of the Institute of Policy Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank on public policy.
His work in the field of Islamic economics helped develop Islamic economic jurisprudence.
He also edited Tarjuman-ul-Quran, a reputable Islamic magazine, for nearly two decades.
He was awarded the prestigious King Faisal International Prize in 1990 and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence), Pakistan’s highest civilian award, in 2011.
Legacy
Professor Khurshid Ahmad (1932–2025) left a profound legacy as an Islamic scholar, economist, and political figure, shaping Islamic thought, economics, and public policy globally.
A pioneer in modern Islamic economic thought, Ahmad advocated for an interest-free financial system rooted in Islamic principles. He authored over 70 books, including seminal works like Islamic Economics: A Global Perspective, translated into multiple languages. His efforts earned him the first Islamic Development Bank Prize (1988) and the King Faisal International Prize (1990).
He co-founded The Islamic Foundation in Leicester, UK (1973), fostering Islamic scholarship and interfaith dialogue in the West.
He established the Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad, a think-tank influencing Pakistan’s policy landscape.
He chaired the Markfield Institute of Higher Education (UK), mentoring generations of Muslim scholars.
As a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and a senator (1985–2012), Ahmad promoted ethical governance and social justice. Notably, he rejected a parliamentary pay raise in 2003, calling it a “political bribe,” earning public admiration.
Recognised with Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2011), Ahmad’s lectures and writings inspired Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in the UK, Malaysia, and Pakistan. His emphasis on education, morality, and economic equity resonated across cultures.
Ahmad’s work bridged Islamic and Western thought, promoting dialogue and understanding. His scholarship continues to guide research in Islamic finance, governance, and social ethics.
Condolences
The passing of Professor Khurshid Ahmad has elicited widespread condolences and reflections on his legacy across various platforms and communities.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief, highlighting Ahmad’s contributions to Islamic economics and praying for his soul and family.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described his death as a significant loss to the Islamic world, praising him as a pioneer of modern Islamic economic thought and co-founder of The Islamic Foundation in the UK. Anwar hoped Ahmad’s intellectual legacy would inspire future generations.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) spokesperson confirmed Ahmad’s passing and noted his burial in Leicester, UK, where he was chairman of the Markfield Institute. JI leaders, including Ameer Hafiz Naeemur, mourned his loss, emphasising his role as a close associate of JI founder Abul A’la Maududi and a visionary economist.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) paid tribute, calling Ahmad a “towering figure” in Islamic thought and a mentor to British Muslim leaders. They credited him with laying the groundwork for Muslim scholarship in the UK through The Islamic Foundation.
