Allama Rasheed Turabi

Allama Rasheed Turabi (9 July 1908 – 18 December 1973), born Raza Hussain, was a Pakistani Islamic scholar, religious leader, public speaker, poet and philosopher of the Twelver Shia sect. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Shia orators of the 20th century, known for his profound knowledge, commanding oratory, and his pivotal role in spreading Shia Islam in Pakistan after Partition.

Born in Hyderabad, Deccan (in present-day India), he was the eldest son of Maulvi Sharaf Hussain Khan, a nobleman from Hyderabad. He received his early Islamic education from his father from the age of 5. He completed matriculation in Hyderabad and intermediate studies at Shia College, Lucknow. He earned a BA from Osmania University, Hyderabad State, and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Allahabad. He also studied Islamic sciences under leading Ayatollahs in Iran and Iraq, including Grand Ayatollah Hossein Borujerdi, Grand Ayatollah Muhsin al-Hakim, and Grand Ayatollah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei. He was also a student of philosopher Khalifa Abdul Hakim in philosophy and English.

He became politically active early, serving as a lieutenant of Nawab Bahadur Yar Jang and acting as a religious orator under the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. He rose to become the chief of the Hyderabad State chapter of the All India Muslim League, and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah personally nominated him as the information secretary of Hyderabad State's All India Muslim League.

He migrated to Pakistan in 1949 upon the personal request of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and settled in Karachi, where he began addressing Shia majalis at the Imambargahs in Kharadar, Khaliq Dina Hall, and Martin Road Pakistan Quarters. His first Shaam-e-Ghareban Majlis was broadcast on Radio Pakistan in 1951, becoming an annual tradition until his death. Over his 57-year career he delivered more than 5,000 religious lectures and speeches, becoming beloved among both Shia and Sunni Muslims for his eloquence, scholarship, and inclusive approach to Islamic unity (Ittehad-e-Bainul Muslimeen).

His last public Majlis was at Khaliq Dina Hall, where he suffered a heart attack in 1971. He continued addressing Majalis-i-Sham-i-Ghareban at Nishtar Park until 1973. He died on 18 December 1973 in Karachi and was buried at Hussainia Sajadia Imambargah in North Nazimabad, Karachi. His 13 children include Islamic scholar Aqeel Turabi, Urdu poet Naseer Turabi, and Taha Turabi.