Maulana Abdus Sattar Khan Niazi – A Religious Scholar, Political Leader, and Mujahid-e-Millat
Early Life and Education
Maulana Abdus Sattar Khan Niazi was born on October 1, 1915, in Isakhel, District Mianwali, Punjab (then British India). After completing his early education at Government High School, Isakhel, he pursued higher studies in Lahore. He received a certificate in Islamic preaching (Mahar-e-Tabligh) from Ishaat-e-Islam College, Lahore, and later earned a Master’s degree from Islamia College, Lahore, in 1940. He also obtained an Honours degree in Persian and quickly rose to academic prominence. By 1942, he was appointed Dean of Islamic Studies at Islamia College Lahore, a position he held until 1947.
Role in the Pakistan Movement
From an early stage of his student life, Niazi became actively involved in the Pakistan Movement. In 1938, he was elected President of the Punjab Muslim Students Federation, representing the youth in the struggle for independence. Later, in 1941-42, he served as Chairman of the All-India Muslim League Rural Propaganda Committee under the direct guidance of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He was also the Convener of the Khilafat-e-Pakistan Group of the Muslim League in 1947.
In recognition of his dedication, he was elected Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1946. Niazi’s political struggle and loyalty to Quaid-e-Azam earned him respect as one of the most trusted lieutenants of Pakistan’s founding fathers.
Political Career in Pakistan
After independence, Maulana Niazi continued his political and religious journey. In 1950, he became the Secretary General of the All-Pakistan Awami Muslim League under the leadership of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. He later joined the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP), where he served as Secretary General from 1973 to 1989 and was elected as the President of JUP in 1989.
Niazi was twice elected as a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan (1988 and 1990) and also served as Federal Minister for Local Government, Social Welfare, Special Education, Religious Affairs, and Minorities Affairs from 1991 to 1993. In 1994, he was elected as a Senator for a six-year term.
Arrest and Death Sentence of 1953
In 1953, during the Lahore riots against the Ahmadiyya community, Maulana Niazi, along with Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, was arrested by the Pakistan Army. Both were sentenced to death by a military court. However, the sentences were never carried out, and they were later released. This incident highlighted the controversial yet influential role of religious leaders in early Pakistani politics.
Religious Leadership and Poetry
Beyond politics, Maulana Niazi was also a scholar and preacher of Islam. His speeches and writings inspired thousands. He was also known for his Na‘at poetry. One of his famous couplets is:
“Khusrovi achhi lagi na sarvari achhi lagi,
Hum faqiron ko Madinah ki gali achhi lagi.”
This reflects his deep spiritual devotion to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Legacy and Death
Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi passed away on May 2, 2001. He never married and devoted his entire life to religion, politics, and the service of Islam. For his lifelong dedication, he was given the title of “Mujahid-e-Millat”.
He remains a respected figure in Pakistan’s history, remembered as a freedom fighter, Islamic scholar, preacher, and political leader who combined faith with political struggle.
Maulana Abdus Sattar Khan Niazi
