Talib Jauhari

Talib Jauhari is a Pakistani Islamic scholar, Shia Zaakir, poet, historian and philosopher of the Shia Sect of Islam. He remains widely renowned as a prominent Shia scholar who achieved nationwide fame through his religious broadcasts.

Early life and education

Jauhari was born on 27 August 1929. He pursued advanced religious studies in Najaf, where he studied under Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei. During this period, he was a student of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr.

His academic circle included several notable figures. He was a class fellow of Sayyid Ali Sistani and Zeeshan Haider Jawwadi. These connections shaped his deep understanding of Islamic theology and philosophy.

Career

Jauhari served as a promoter of Shia-Sunni unity in Pakistan. His speaking style gained immense popularity among the public, which led to his involvement with the Pakistan Television Network (PTV). He gained widespread recognition through the religious lecture program titled Majlis-e-Shaam-e-Ghareeban.

As a prolific writer, he produced various works covering theology and history. His book Alamaat e Zahoor e Mehdi is regarded as one of the most comprehensive Urdu texts regarding Imam Mehdi. He also authored Ahsan al Hadees, which serves as a detailed Qur'anic exegesis. Other religious titles include Zikray Masoom, Nizaam Hayat-e-Insani and Khulafaey Isna A'shr.

His literary contributions extend to the field of history and philosophy. He wrote Hadees e Karabala to discuss Imam Husayn ibn Ali and the events at Karbala. In 2005, he published the philosophical work Aqliyat-e-Ma'asir. Jauhari was also a poet who saw three compilations of his poetry published during his lifetime. These collections are titled Harf-e-Namoo, Pas-e-Afaq and Shakh e Sada.

Personal life

Jauhari died on 21 June 2020 at the age of 91. He was admitted to a private hospital on 10 June 2020 due to cardiovascular complications. While some reports noted he was on a ventilator, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah stated in a speech at the Sindh Assembly that Jauhari died due to COVID-19.

He was survived by three daughters and three sons. His sons—Allama Riaz Jauhari, Allama Asad Jauhari and Allama Amjad Raza Jauhari—are all religious public speakers and orators. In 2014, his son-in-law Syed Mubarak Raza Kazmi was killed in a sectarian attack at 13/B, Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Karachi.

Awards and recognition

The Government of Pakistan awarded him the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. This honor recognized his significant contribution to religious activities. Following his passing, Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed their sadness.