اقبال
Iqbal-ul-Arab Ala Darasat-e-Iqbal
An early scholarly work examining Allama Iqbal's thought and legacy from an Arabic literary and critical perspective.
Biography
A Life Devoted to Arabic Scholarship
Prof. Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Azhar was one of Pakistan's most respected authorities on Arabic language and literature — a scholar whose career bridged the classical tradition of Arabic letters with modern academic institutions in Lahore. Over four decades, he shaped generations of students as a teacher, administrator, editor, and public intellectual.
From a Shepherd to the Heights of Fame
By his own account, Dr. Azhar's life journey began humbly — working as a shepherd before education carried him toward Oriental College, University of the Punjab. His breakthrough moment came when he delivered an impromptu Arabic translation of a speech by Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi at a public gathering, an act of scholarly quick thinking that carried his name to national and international recognition.
As recounted in his own interviews — see Interviews & Media below.
He served as Head of the Department of Arabic at Oriental College, University of the Punjab, Lahore, and later as Dean within the university. He went on to become Principal of the College of Shariah & Islamic Sciences (COSIS) and Dean of the Faculty of Languages at Minhaj University Lahore, where he continued to mentor scholars until late in his life.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Azhar was a prolific editor and publisher of scholarly research — steering multiple volumes of the research journal Mujalla Tahqeeq through the 1980s and early 1990s — and a widely read columnist, contributing analysis on international affairs, the Islamic world, and South Asian geopolitics to Pakistani and Arab newspapers for decades.
In recognition of his services to scholarship and education, he was honoured with Pakistan's civil award, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
He held a firm educational philosophy: that no society can progress without serious researchers and scholars, and that mastery of Arabic, Persian, and English was essential for presenting an authentic and informed understanding of Islam to the world. This conviction guided his teaching and his public writing alike.
Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Azhar passed away on 7 December 2023. His funeral prayer was held at the Jami Masjid, B-Block, Punjab University Town-1, Lahore. His passing was publicly mourned by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, founder of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, who remembered him as an outstanding teacher whose scholarly services would be remembered for a long time to come.
Career
A Career in Service of Scholarship
A timeline of the institutions and roles through which Dr. Azhar shaped Arabic and Islamic scholarship in Pakistan.
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Academia
Head, Department of Arabic
University of the Punjab, Lahore
Led the Arabic department, teaching and guiding students in classical and modern Arabic language and literature, and establishing himself as a leading authority in the field.
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Leadership
Dean
University of the Punjab, Lahore
Took on senior academic leadership responsibilities at Punjab University, extending his influence beyond the Arabic department.
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1983 – 1992
Editor & Publisher, Mujalla Tahqeeq
Research Journal
Oversaw and published numerous volumes (Jild 5–15) of the scholarly research journal Mujalla Tahqeeq, contributing to the wider ecosystem of Arabic and Islamic research publishing in Pakistan.
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Leadership
Principal, College of Shariah & Islamic Sciences (COSIS)
Minhaj-ul-Quran / Minhaj University Lahore
Headed COSIS, guiding the institution's academic direction in Shariah and Islamic sciences and mentoring M.Phil and postgraduate students.
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Leadership
Dean, Faculty of Languages
Minhaj University Lahore
Continued shaping language education at Minhaj University, emphasizing Arabic, Persian, and English as essential tools for scholarly and public discourse on Islam.
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Ongoing
Columnist
Pakistani & Arab Newspapers
Wrote extensively on international affairs, the Islamic world, and South Asian geopolitics, with columns archived across major Urdu publications including Daily Pakistan.
Publications
Books & Scholarly Works
A body of written work spanning Arabic literary criticism, biography, and poetry — published between 1977 and 2017.
خطلي
Shaikh Abul Fazal Khutli
A biographical and critical study centered on the life and scholarship of Shaikh Abul Fazal Khutli.
شعرا
Miratus-Shora
A compiled survey of poets and poetic tradition, reflecting Dr. Azhar's engagement with Arabic and Urdu literary heritage.
فريدة
Marif-e-Farida
One of his later works, continuing his lifelong engagement with Arabic literary and Islamic scholarship.
مرآة
Mirat-ul-Sher
A literary work exploring poetic tradition, available in print through international booksellers.
تحقيق
Mujalla Tahqeeq — Jild 5–15
A long-running series of the scholarly research journal Tahqeeq, published across more than a dozen volumes and issues.
Publication records compiled from Rekhta's author archive and international booksellers.
Interviews & Media
In His Own Words
Video interviews spanning national radio, academic conversation, and his own account of a life that began as a shepherd and led to the halls of Oriental College, Punjab University.
37:42
From a Shepherd to the Heights of World Fame
Tells the full story of the Colonel Gaddafi speech translation and the mystery of the missing cassette recording.
34:17
Life's Journey Began as a Shepherd — Part 1
Dr. Azhar recounts his early life and the path that led him from herding sheep to scholarship.
22:18
Life's Journey Began as a Shepherd — Part 2
The continuation of his life story, tracing his rise through academia in Lahore.
24:33
Interview with Prof. Dr. Zahid Munir Amir
A scholarly conversation on Arabic language in Pakistan, academia, and his life history at Oriental College, Punjab University.
27:15
Radio Pakistan Interview
A broadcast interview reflecting on his career and contribution to Arabic scholarship.
Legacy
Tributes & Remembrance
"In his death, the country has been deprived of an excellent teacher and scholar who had dedicated his life to the promotion of the Islamic sciences and Arabic language. His scholarly services will be remembered for a long time to come."
Guiding Philosophy
Dr. Azhar believed no society could progress without dedicated researchers and scholars. He urged students to master Arabic, Persian, and English as the essential languages for presenting an authentic understanding of Islam to the world.
Institutional Impact
Across the University of the Punjab and Minhaj University Lahore, he trained generations of Arabic scholars, M.Phil candidates, and researchers, leaving an enduring mark on Islamic higher education in Pakistan.
Public Voice
Through decades of columns in Pakistani and Arab newspapers, he brought scholarly depth to public conversations on the Islamic world, Kashmir, and South Asian affairs.
Condolences were also offered by leaders across Minhaj-ul-Quran International, including:
- Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Chairman, Supreme Council
- Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President, MQI
- Office-holders and alumni of the College of Shariah & Islamic Sciences
Gallery
Photo Gallery
A small collection of photographs from academic gatherings and lectures.
Family
Wife & Children
Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Azhar is survived by his wife and children, who carry his memory forward.
Wife
Shakeela Azhar
Son
Farooq Azhar
In Memoriam
Son
Ali Azhar
Son
Salman Azhar
Daughter