News: Death of Mian Farooq Ahmad Shaikh
21 March 2008 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
by Mian Fakhr-ud-Din Ahmad
The Light (UK), May 2008 Issue (p. 4)
We have received the following brief obituary compiled by the venerable Fakhr-ud-Din Ahmad sahib in Rawalpindi, Pakistan:
Mian Farooq Ahmad Shaikh, founder-proprietor of Colony Textile and Jute Mills of Pakistan, Allied Bank Ltd. and Mustahkam Cements industry of Pakistan, breathed his last in Rawalpindi on the eve of 21st March 2008, Eid Milad-un-nabi.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَ اِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
“We belong to Allah and to Him do we return”. [The Holy Quran, 2:156]
He was the illustrious son of Al-hajj Mian Muhammad Ismail of Chinote (Punjab), a devoted follower of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. He joined the Movement along with his brothers Al-hajj Mian Maula Bakhsh and Al-hajj Mian Muhammad — primer mill owners of Punjab.
Mian Farooq shifted his business from Multan to Rawalpindi half a century ago. He motivated the local Anjuman to have a mosque of their own in Rawalpindi. He contributed liberally and devoted his attention to the completion of the project. The mosque was opened by the Hazrat Maulana Sadr-ud-Din, President and Amir [Head] of the Anjuman.
The late Mian sahib was very particular about the offering of Friday prayers. He also arranged for offering Tarawih prayers during the fasting month. He always kept the Holy Quran and other religious literature with him for study while traveling in and out of Pakistan. His behaviour reminds us of the verse in Holy Quran:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تُلۡہِکُمۡ اَمۡوَالُکُمۡ وَ لَاۤ اَوۡلَادُکُمۡ عَنۡ ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ ۚ
“O you who believe, let not your wealth nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah” (The Holy Quran, 63:9).
He served the Central Anjuman as General Secretary and an active and zealous member of the council of trustees. He had the privilege of accompanying Hazrat Amir Maulana Sadr-ud-Din during the performance of Hajj and visits to the Jamaats in the western Hemisphere. This tour lasted for a couple of months.
The late Mian sahib contributed for the welfare and uplift of poor families, spread of education and providing jobs to the unemployed youth. May Allah bless Mian Farooq and shower his blessings and favors on the departed soul, Amen.
Condolences may be sent to the daughter of the deceased, Mrs Sharmeen Azam Jamil, by e-mail to the address [removed] or by phone to [removed] (Pakistan).