about muhammad shaikh
Honorable Credentials
The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2012 Book
The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2012 Book has acknowledged works of Muhammad Shaikh by including his name in the book for the third consecutive year since 2010, under Category “Preachers & Spiritual Guides”. Preachers rely on charisma to inspire millions through multimedia while spiritual guides traditionally teach through live study circles and individualized directives to their disciples. Muhammad Shaikh has been regarded in the book in the following manner
“Shaikh, Mohammad” As the founder of the International Islamic Propagation Center (IIPC), (a da’wa organization based in Karachi), Pakistan, Muhammad Shaikh is well-known as an influential public speaker. He has given numerous lectures on the Qur’an and also founded the English-language IIPC TV channel which broadcasts to viewers across the globe. He was ranked 4th most influential Muslim in the world on a public poll by Reuters in 2009, here is the link to the 2010 edition where Muhammad Shaikh is ranked 4th in the preacher’s category,
Download The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2012 Book
(Photo: “The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2012” by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Aman Jordan.http://rissc.jo/ )
The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2011 Book
Muhammad Shaikh has been acknowledged as one of the most influential Muslim from across the world by The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2011 Book for the second time in a row since 2010 under Category “Preachers & Spiritual Guides”‑ Preachers rely on charisma to inspire millions through multimedia while spiritual guides traditionally teach through live study circles and individualized directives to their disciples. Muhammad Shaikh has been honored by the management of the Book in the following manner
“Shaikh, Mohammad” As the founder of the International Islamic Propagation Center (IIPC), (a da’wa organization based in Karachi), Pakistan, Muhammad Shaikh is well-known as an influential public speaker. He has given numerous lectures on the Qur’an and also founded the English-language IIPC TV channel which broadcasts to viewers across the globe. He was ranked 4th most influential Muslim in the world on a public poll by Reuters in 2009.
Download The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2011 Book
(Photo: “The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2011” by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Aman Jordan.http://rissc.jo/ )
The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2010 Book
Muhammad Shaikh has been recognized as one of the most influential Muslims from across the world. This recognition has helped him in securing Runners-Up position in the book. This honor has been bestowed upon Muhammad Shaikh on account of his life-long dedication to Islam. He was also voted as the 4th Most Influential Muslim in the World in an online poll conducted by Reuters – Faith world in 2009. Muhammad Shaikh is selected after TOP 50 as the ONLY PREACHER from all over the world to secure Runners-Up position in the book.
This is what it says in the book about Muhammad Shaikh Karachi, Pakistan
“Shaikh, Mohammad [new]
Founder of the International Islamic Propagation Center (IIPC), a da’wa organization based in Karachi, Pakistan, Muhammad Shaikh is well-known as an influential public speaker. He has given numerous lectures on the Qur’an and also founded the English-language IIPC TV channel which broadcasts to viewers across the globe. He was ranked 4th most influential Muslim in the world on a public poll by Reuters in 2009.”
Download The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2010 Book
(Photo: “The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2010” by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Aman Jordan.http://rissc.jo/ )
Ranked 4th Most Influential Muslim in the World on a public poll by Reuters in 2009
Reuters conducted an independent online poll on its blog named Faithworld in 2009 to find out “Who are The Most Influential Muslims in the world for the year 2010.” This online poll was conducted on the platform of Reuters to find out public views and suggestions about the nominations and candidates to be included in the book – 2010 Edition.” The online poll was closed after more than 1.8 million votes had been casted. In this online poll Muhammad Shaikh from Karachi, Pakistan got over 150 thousand votes and secured 4th Rank Worldwide.
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2009/11/17/poll-the-worlds-top-500-muslims-read-and-vote/
(Photo: Reuter’s blog Faith world, 2010/Screenshot)
Certificate in Comparative Studies
In 1988, Muhammad Shaikh was selected by Sheikh Ahmed Deedat to undergo a training course on Daw’ah and comparative religion at the IPCI headquarters in Durban, South Africa. In this journey Muhammad Shaikh was accompanied by 29 other Daee’s from across the world, while being the only trainee selected from Pakistan by Late. Shaikh Ahmed Deedat. At the completion of this Dawah and Comparative Religion course Muhammad Shaikh was awarded a certificate from IPCI, presented by the honorable Sheikh Ahmed Deedat in Durban, South Africa.
(Photo: Muhammad Shaikh receiving certificate from Sheikh Ahmed Deedat. Location: IPCI. Durban, South Africa.)
Chairman’s Biography
The year was 1952, five years after the independence of Pakistan. The birth of Muhammad Shaikh took place. He was born to an average family. Received early religious education and guidance from his father and was raised a culturally practicing Muslim.
In his prime Muhammad Shaikh joined Merchant Navy and traveled major portioned of the world. On his journey’s during his service in Merchant Navy he met with several Christian missionaries who asked if you have read The Quran and when he answered yes they asked him to tell them something from the book so that he can prove that The Quran is not a plagiarism from the Bible. Since he was not able to respond from the Quran because he had not read it with translation he realized that he has been reading The Quran in Arabic language only, like most of the non Arabic speaking Muslims all over the world are doing the same. From that point onwards began to read The Quran with translation.
Eventually in 15th December, 1986 a life-threatening incident took place, which shook Muhammad Shaikh. This led him to making a covenant with Allah (God) that if his life is spared, he will dedicate it to the cause of Allah (God).
Since then he stands true to his covenant with Allah by promoting/propagating the Ayats/verses of the book of Allah in form of various topics from The Quran. He understood the unique intellectual approach in compiling relevant Ayats/verses of a particular topic from different Surah(s), Chapters of Al-Quran. He ponders and by the assistance of Allah/God is able to clarify the essence of the particular subject through his lectures in English and Urdu in a form of a relevant booklet.
Once his journey began he noticed his surroundings started to change. People he knew were now opposing him his friends, colleges and even his family members were in disagreement with his preaching and understanding. However, Muhammad Shaikh was determined to follow the path Allah had chosen for him and as this journey requires sacrifices which began. He continued to keep his patience with loved ones.
From that point onwards, he was confident that the message of The Book needs to be highlighted and delivered to Mankind. He created a platform IIPC.
While Muhammad Shaikh was busy in his research on Quran an opportunity presented itself. Sheikh Ahmad Deedat a renowned Comparative religion scholar on Bible invited him to visit him in South Africa, Durban. Muhammad Shaikh already had a firm understanding on The Quran decided to avail this chance and learn The Bible to compare and differentiate between the two books. He spent three months in South Africa.
Muhammad Shaikh was back in Pakistan and it was time to take this one step further. He decided to speak publically and in 1991 he delivered his first lecture in a small gathering on the topic of “What Al-Quran says about Al-Quran”. The response was surprising and soon another lecture followed on “What Al-Quran says about Islam & Muslim”?
People began to get inspired by Br. Muhammad Shaikh, his dedication to serve Allah. They supported his cause in 1992 by organizing his first public lecture in an auditorium called Finance and Trade Center in Karachi, Pakistan on “What Al-Quran says about Muhammad (PBUH)”?
From 1992 to 1996 He delivered five more lectures on the following topics, “What Al-Quran says about, Al-Kitab, Qiblah, Essa (PBUH), Vision of Ibrahim (PBUH) and Shaitan? At the same venue.
The propagation of Quranic Ayats had begun and more and more people came to listen to his talks. So many that he had to go to a bigger auditorium. Hence the lectures were held at Bahria Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan. Here two more lectures were held on “What Al-Quran says about, Book of Moosa (PBUH) and Children of Israeel” from 1996 to 1997.
With support comes confrontation and the time had come to face criticism and threats. The Auditorium was no longer available to him anymore. A minor set back in Muhammad Shaikh’s continuous broad vision. The work for Allah does not stop.
It motivated him even more and with Allah’s help and with a support of a few people he built his own auditorium.
From 1998 to 2014 Muhammad Shaikh delivered forty-seven more lectures on different topics from The-Quran on his own premises.
In 2004 the same criticism and threats lead an attack on his life. Muhammad Shaikh was shot in his face damaging his lips and lower eight teeth. Miraculously he survived by the will of Allah (God), as he knew after the event that his purpose has not yet been fulfilled. These petty attempts and countless life threats only made him stronger and even more focused on his vision.
He took the message to the world with the modern age tools.
The Internet became his primary tool for propagation. He established two Internet TV channels, in English and Urdu separately. They broadcast religious shows, lectures and discussions 24/7 around the globe. Along with the channels he took social media by storm.
In 2010 Muhammad Shaikh was ranked 4th in an online poll by Reuters to be the most influential Muslim of the world. A book published in 2011 and 2012, called “The 500 Most Influential Muslims of the World” acknowledged Muhammad Shaikh in the preacher category as the only runner-up after the first 50.
In-line with his vision and duty to propagate the message of Allah/God he traveled to Australia, United States, Canada and Dubai to meet people on different platforms and spread the message of Allah. His journey is far from finish. Muhammad Shaikh has a vision and dream to propagate the message of Allah to all mankind with His will. This vision and dream is only getting stronger and stronger.
Early Life
Muhammed Shaikh was born in Karachi, Pakistan on the 6th of October, 1952 to Ghulam Nizamudin and Tameez Jehan Begum. His father hailed from a prominent Muslim family of Delhi and was a graduate of Aligarh University. Shaikh’s grandfather, Ghulam Fareed-uddin was the Chief of Police and honorary Captain in the Indian state of Delhi in pre-partition India and an avid supporter of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and the Pakistan movement. Shaikh’s early childhood and education was at Karachi, where he attended Islamia College. He received basic Islamic education under the watchful eye of his father. His teachers also included the (Late) Maulana Hafiz Qari Abdul Haq from whom he learned to read the Qur’an as a child at Alfalah Masjid situated at PECHS, Karachi. In the same mosque he performed Aitakaaf from the age of sixteen till forty two. Following the family tradition of pursuing an occupation in the uniformed services, Muhammad Shaikh was commissioned as a National Services Inductee in the Military Police and participated in the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Later on he decided to seek a civilian role and joined the Merchant Navy where he reached the rank of second officer. The Merchant Navy enabled him to sail to distant lands and experience diverse cultures and beliefs. His younger brother Mohammad Abid also served in the Pakistan Army and retired as a Captain in the thirteenth Punjab infantry. His religious inclination received more potency, when he was stationed as an officer on the Shams passenger liner which carried Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, and through this role he had the opportunity to perform the Hajj himself.
Turning Point in Life
An event that had a profound effect on Muhammad Shaikh occurred on 15th December, 1986, when some armed criminals broke into his office in Karachi. Soon a struggle ensued and one of the men pulled the trigger, but miraculously Shaikh was not hit. It was at this point in time, he recalls, that he closed his eyes and prayed to Allah deep in his heart, that if his life were spared, he would dedicate it to His cause – it was as if his prayer was heard, that the armed men all of a sudden broke loose and fled, leaving him physically and psychologically drained at the ordeal. After this near death experience he would decide to study and teach the Qur’an fearlessly and take a firm stand on what was stated within its pages irrespective of the status quo opinions. This near death experience, the spiritual experiences gained during the Hajj and dialogues with Christian missionaries while on sea voyages would motivate him to defend his faith and learn the Qur’an in more detail so as to answer allegations. All of this would eventually pave the way for an organized mission to promote the Qur’an.
Association with Sheikh Ahmed Deedat
In the year 1988 Muhammad Shaikh maintained a brief association with the late Ahmed Deedat, South African scholar of comparative religion and founder of Islamic Propagation Center International (IPCI). Initially Muhammad Shaikh was the main distributor of Deedat’s videos in Pakistan and was much inspired by his lectures on comparative religion. During Deedat’s tour of Pakistan, he used to muster support for his talks and also organized his lectures in Karachi. In 1988 Muhammad Shaikh was selected by Deedat to undergo training on Daw’ah and comparative religion at the IPCI in Durban, South Africa where he was joined by Daee’s from around the globe.
It can be observed that although a brief student-teacher relationship was maintained, Muhammad Shaikh does not follow Ahmed Deedat in entirety. He has adopted Ahmed Deedat’s approach on Biblical criticism and Muslim-Christian dialogue, but a comparative analysis of the lectures of these two speakers demonstrates that they have different positions on a variety of issues. E.g. while Ahmed Deedat considers some parts of the Judeo-Christian Scripture to be divine, Muhammad Shaikh maintains that it is entirely a man-made work. Similarly Ahmed Deedat’s lectures were more about analyzing Christianity and its sources from a Muslim standpoint, while Muhammed Shaikh’s presentation is more about Qur’anic exegesis, and how it differs from the Bible. While this disparity is evident, Muhammad Shaikh holds the highest reverence for his former teacher, and continues to broadcast his debates and lectures through IIPC TV.
Approach to The Quran
Evident from his lectures, Shaikh’s main standpoint is that the Qur’an needs to be seen through its own inflection and in its pure form without any alteration whatsoever, as it is a divine text accessible to all who want guidance from it. While viewing his presentations it is apparent that his point of difference is almost entirely with the Judeo-Christian tradition, namely the Bible and he is rarely directly critical of Muslim traditionalism. However by explaining the Qur’an through the inflection of Ayaat, he makes it obvious in a subtle manner that most traditional beliefs that have crept within Islamic canon have their origin from the Bible and not the Qur’an. He thus appeals to his listeners to prefer the Qur’anic viewpoint instead of the Biblical or traditional one. This call to the Qur’an in its pristine form has brought Muhammad Shaikh at loggerheads with the traditional schools of thoughts and conservative religious scholars, who find his approach to be novel and see their own traditional faith strongly challenged by his teachings. While viewing his lectures it can be seen that his expositions on numerous contemporary subjects such as Hijab, Jihad, Riba, Qitaal, Vision of Ibraheem, Book of Moosa, Kaabah and Qibla etc. is radically different from classical as well as contemporary scholarship and offer unique insights for Qur’anic understanding, much different from the tradition based or politicized version of the faith.
Opposition from Extremists and Assassination Attempt
It is evident from the debates held at the end of his talks that most criticism to Mohammad Shaikh is from traditional and conservative elements, who find his presentations to go against their narrow interpretations.
This opposition reached a climax and brought another testing time in the spring of 2005. An armed intruder broke into the IIPC building in Karachi and fired gunshots at Mohammad Shaikh from a very close range. Luckily the assassin’s bullets did not prove fatal, and the brother was immediately rushed to hospital and under went life-saving surgery. Following the assassination attempt Mohammad Shaikh recuperated for a few months and later in the same year after recovering, performed the Hajj along with his family. Even to this day visitors to his programs can witness that he has not been deterred by threats and opposition and still continues to lecture audiences in Karachi as well as global audiences through the internet.
Mission of Dawah
As a Da’ee, Muhammad Shaikh strives to give preference and promotion to the Qur’an as the center point for Islamic beliefs and the principle text for governing everyday life of a Muslim. His availability for Dawah is all year round, even though he has come under physical attack in the past and faces opposition from the extremists of strife-ridden Pakistan and anti-Islam forces. He has often commented to colleagues at the center that he started his mission solely for Allah and will keep it going solely for His sake as worldly hazards are no match for the divine displeasure that will result when one fails to do his duty.