Larkana : Renowned Islamic scholar, teacher of Hadith and Tafsir, and prominent Sunni preacher Hazrat Allama Maulana Mufti Muhammad Abdul Rab Sindhi Ghafari (RA) passed away after a brief illness at Dow University Hospital in Karachi.

Following the tragic news of his death, a large number of devotees and followers from across Sindh gathered at his ancestral village to attend his funeral.

The funeral prayer of the distinguished scholar was led by Pir Abdul Ghaffar Jan Naqshbandi, the custodian of the spiritual shrine of the renowned Sufi saint Hazrat Pir Mitho Saeen (RA).

A large number of religious scholars, spiritual figures, academics, professionals and devotees attended the funeral prayer. Among those present were Sahibzada Muhammad Khalil-ur-Rehman Ghafari, Sahibzada Muhammad Masoom Ghafari, Allama Syed Muhammad Shah Bukhari, Allama Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Khalili, Hafiz Muhammad Qasim Khalili, Mufti Sajid Hussain Farooqi, Professor Dr. Shuja Ahmed Abbasi, Engineer Liaquat Ali Mirani, Bashir Ahmed Abro, Ahmed Bakhsh Karmani, Muhammad Babar Ghafari, Allama Muhammad Hassan Sikandari, Maulana Fida Hussain Sikandari, Maulana Munawar Ali Tahiri, Pir Syed Ahmed Ali Shah, Pir Syed Ghulam Shabbir Shah Bukhari and Syed Mehboob Ali Shah, among others.

Maulana Abdul Rab Sindhi Ghafari was 65 years old. He is survived by eight sons—Abdul Rehman, Habib-ur-Rehman, Maulana Aziz-ur-Rehman, Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman, Maulana Fayyaz-ur-Rehman, Hafiz Khalil-ur-Rehman, Hafiz Qari Maulvi Rafiq-ur-Rehman and Maulana Saif-ur-Rehman—along with a daughter and his wife.

The late scholar devoted his entire life to preaching love and devotion to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Until the final period of his life, he continued delivering sermons and religious guidance at two Jamia Mosques every Friday.

His religious lectures and preaching activities extended across Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and other provinces of Pakistan, as well as other countries. Through his speeches and teachings, he played an active role in spreading the Faiz Ghafariya Naqshbandiya Mujaddidiya spiritual tradition.

Maulana Abdul Rab Sindhi Ghafari also served as the Khatib (Friday prayer preacher) at the Jamia Mosque of the renowned Rampuri Sarkar shrine in Khairpur Mirs for 21 years.

Professor Dr. Shuja Ahmed Abbasi paid tribute to the late scholar, saying that great personalities like Maulana Abdul Rab Sindhi Ghafari are born only once in centuries. He described him as a distinguished intellectual, literary and spiritual figure.

He prayed that Allah Almighty elevate the deceased’s ranks and grant patience and strength to his bereaved family. Ameen.