Timeline
Eighty years, in moments
From a birth in Lucknow in 1936 to a memorial gate raised in his name in 2024: the dated record of a life and its remembrance.
9 Sep 1936
Born in Lucknow
Born into the family of Fakhr-ul-Waizeen Maulana Mirza Mohammad Tahir.
Youth
Sultan-ul-Madaris
Religious studies at Lucknow's Sultan-ul-Madaris, graduating Sadr-ul-Afazil.
Youth
University of Lucknow
Master's degree in Persian Literature.
1958
First Mumbai Muharram
Begins addressing Muharram majalis at Masjid-e-Iranian (Mughal Masjid), South Mumbai.
Decades
Teacher of Persian
Teaches Persian literature at Shia Post-Graduate College, Lucknow, for many years.
Decades
A global minbar
Majalis across India and in Pakistan, the Middle East, the UK, the USA and Australia, including a 19-majlis series in Dubai on Sirat-e-Mustaqeem.
23 Jan 2005
Founding president, AISPLB
Elected first president of the All India Shia Personal Law Board.
2006 – 07
The model nikahnama
Board drafts a model Shia marriage contract granting women the right to seek divorce; presented at the AISPLB convention in Mumbai.
2008
Fifty years in Mumbai
Completes fifty consecutive years of Muharram recitation in Mumbai.
Jan 2016
Last public stand
In Mumbai for a protest against the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
26 Feb 2016
Passes away
Dies at Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, aged 79.
27 Feb 2016
Laid to rest in Lucknow
Funeral prayer led by Ayatullah Hameed-ul-Hasan; buried beside his father at Karbala Imdad Hussain Khan.
3 Apr 2016
Majlis-e-Tarheem
A memorial majlis is held in his honour.
26 Feb 2017
First death anniversary
Commemorated at the Bada Imambara, Lucknow, with UP Governor Ram Naik, poet Rehan Azmi and Maulana Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi of Pakistan.
Nov 2024
Khateeb-e-Akbar Gate
Foundation stone laid in Lucknow for a memorial gate in his name, near the Nakhas police chowki.