Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan's grand mufti and renowned religious scholar and author Mufti Rafi Usmani passed away in Karachi on Friday at the age of 86 after protracted illness.
Mufti Rafi Usmani was born in the United-India's Deoband town in 1936. He was also the patron of the Wifaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia, Pakistan.
The late Mufti-e-Azam authored many books including Ahkam-e-Zakat, Islam Main Aurat Ki Hukmrani and Nawadir al-Fiqh.
Condolences started pouring in after the news of the death of the country's grand mufti.
Paying tribute to the religious and literary services of the late religious scholar, President Dr Arif Alvi said that Mufti Rafi Usmani had rendered valuable services in the fields of theology, Hadith and Tafsir.
His services in the fields of religion, education and particularly the promotion of religious education would be remembered forever, he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the death Mufti Rafi Usmani of Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi.
The prime minister said that the services of late Mufti Rafi Usmani for religion would be kept alive forever.
The President and the premier also prayed to Allah Almighty for peace of the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mufti Rafi Usmani and prayed for high ranks of the departed soul in Jannah.
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori also expressed grief over Mufti Rafi Usmani's demise.
In his condolence message shared on Twitter, the Sindh governor said, "This is a great loss for not only Pakistan but also the Islamic world. Mufti sahib's contributions to the promotion of religious teaching are unparalleled."
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah also expressed grief over the death of the renowned scholar.
"Mufti sahib's death is a great tragedy for the Islamic world. His religious services are eternal," the Sindh CM stated.
Syed Murad Ali Shah prayed for Mufti Rafi Usmani to be granted a high place in Jannah.