Ikramullah Shahid Research Center

Midrarul Uloom Library

Midrarul Uloom Library was founded by Maulana Midrarullah Midrar, the father of Ikramullah Shahid, on August 14, 1991. Maulana Midrarullah Midrar had a deep love for knowledge and books, and it was this passion for learning that led him to establish the library. After his death in 1994, his son, Ikramullah Shahid, took upon himself the mission of expanding the library and devoted himself wholeheartedly to increasing its collection and preserving its intellectual heritage. For Ikramullah Shahid, books were not merely objects for reading; they represented knowledge, heritage, and a lifelong mission. Wherever he travelled, he made every effort to find and bring books back for the library. During his journeys to different cities and regions, he paid particular attention to acquiring books, rare publications, journals, magazines, and other scholarly materials. Building the collection and expanding Midrarul Uloom Library became a mission of his life. Through his continuous efforts, passion for books, and love of knowledge, the library gradually developed into a substantial and diverse repository of learning. The sons of Ikramullah Shahid also made significant contributions to the development and preservation of the library. Iftikhar Ahmad Farooq, Professor Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, and Dr. Muhammad Jawad Ikram have contributed substantially to the growth of the library, the expansion of its collection, and the preservation of its scholarly heritage. Particularly, Professor Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, made a significant contribution to the expansion of the library and the growth of its collection. During his lifetime, Ikramullah Shahid advised his sons that, after his death, they should all work together, under the supervision of Professor Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, to expand, care for, and preserve the intellectual heritage of Midrarul Uloom Library. Following the death of Ikramullah Shahid in June 2024, his three sons—Iftikhar Ahmad Farooq, Professor Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, and Dr. Muhammad Jawad Ikram—have continued to take care of the library and work toward preserving and developing its intellectual heritage. Ikramullah Shahid's grandsons, particularly Muhammad Yahya, Muhammad Saad, and Muhammad Eesa, are also contributing to the care of the library and helping carry this valuable family and scholarly legacy forward. The library contains an extensive collection covering the Holy Qur'an, Qur'anic Studies, Hadith, Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic Law, Islamic History, the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood), Qadiyaniyyat, and Parveziyyat, among many other Islamic subjects. It also contains numerous works on the religions of the world, including Judaism, Christianity, and other faith traditions, as well as books on comparative religion. Its historical collection includes works on general history, the history of Pakistan, the Pakistan Independence Movement, the history of the Indian subcontinent, and Afghan Studies. The scope of Midrarul Uloom Library extends far beyond religious and historical studies. Its collection includes books on Science and Technology, General Knowledge, Tourism and Travel, Urdu Literature, English Literature, Pashto Literature, Education, Social Sciences, Politics, biographies and personalities, and many other scholarly and literary subjects. A dedicated Kid's Corner contains educational, informative, and literary books designed to encourage children to develop an interest in reading and learning. One of the most important features of the library is its collection of old handwritten books and manuscripts. The library preserves numerous handwritten volumes, some of which are more than 100 years old. These rare manuscripts are valuable not only for their scholarly and literary content but also as examples of traditional handwriting, calligraphy, bookmaking, scholarship, and the cultural and historical heritage of the region. In addition to books and manuscripts, Midrarul Uloom Library has a considerable collection of old and contemporary journals, periodicals, magazines, and other publications. These publications preserve the intellectual, literary, religious, political, social, and historical discussions of different periods and provide valuable material for researchers seeking to understand the ideas, debates, events, and social conditions of their respective eras. Today, Midrarul Uloom Library stands as a living testament to the love of knowledge of Maulana Midrarullah Midrar, the extraordinary passion for books of Ikramullah Shahid, and the continued efforts of his family. It is much more than a collection of books; it is a scholarly, literary, historical, and cultural heritage built over several decades. Preserving this heritage, making it available for learning and research, and passing it on to future generations remains an important responsibility and commitment of the family. Main Categories of Books in the Library Midrarul Uloom Library contains books, manuscripts, journals, periodicals, and other publications covering a wide range of disciplines. The major subject categories include: 1. The Holy Qur'an and Qur'anic Studies 2. Hadith and Hadith Sciences 3. Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 4. Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) 5. Shariah and Law 6. Islamic Creed and Theology 7. Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood) 8. Sufism 9. Qadiyaniyyat (Ahmadiyya Movement) 10. Parveziyyat 11. Islamic History 12. History of the Caliphates and Muslim Dynasties 13. Islamic Civilization and Culture 14. Comparative Religion 15. Judaism 16. Christianity 17. Other Religions and Faith Traditions 18. General History 19. History of Pakistan 20. Pakistan Independence Movement 21. History of the Indian Subcontinent 22. Afghanistan and Afghan Studies 23. Politics and Political Science 24. Society and Social Sciences 25. Urdu Literature 26. Urdu Poetry 27. Urdu Prose 28. English Literature 29. Pashto Literature 30. Biographies and Personalities 31. Travelogues, Tourism and Travel 32. General Knowledge 33. Encyclopedias and Reference Books 34. Science 35. Science and Technology 36. Computers and Modern Technology 37. Education and Teaching 38. Children's Literature and Educational Books 39. Old Handwritten Books and Manuscripts 40. Rare and Historic Publications 41. Journals, Periodicals and Magazines 42. Other Scholarly, Literary, and Research Materials