Usman Ghani Qasmi

Muhammad Usman Ghani Qasmi (1922–2011) was an Indian Islamic scholar of the Deobandi tradition, a teacher, and an author. Born in Chilmil, Begusarai, he completed advanced studies at Darul Uloom Deoband and served at several seminaries in India, including a long tenure at Mazahir Uloom (Waqf), Saharanpur, from 1989 until his death. He also founded Madrasa Husayniyah in Chilmil, Begusarai.

Early life and education Muhammad Usman Ghani Qasmi was born in 1922 (1341 AH) in Chilmil, which was then part of Munger district in the Bihar and Orissa Province of British India. The area now falls within Begusarai district, Bihar, India. He received his early education in local madrasas in Begusarai and later moved to Bangladesh, where he studied at Madrasa Ashraf al-Ulum, Bara Katra, Dhaka.

Upon returning to India, he continued his studies at Madrasa Mu‘iniyah, Sanha, Begusarai, and then at Darul Uloom Imdadiyah, Darbhanga. In 1946, he enrolled in Darul Uloom Deoband for higher studies and graduated in 1950 (1369 AH). His teachers at Deoband included Hussain Ahmed Madani, Ibrahim Balyawi, Izaz Ali Amrohi, and Fakhrul Hasan Moradabadi.

Career After graduation, Qasmi began teaching in Bangladesh and also assisted his father in trade while engaging in reform work in his locality.

In December 1962, he founded Madrasa Husayniyah in his hometown Chilmil, Begusarai, naming it after his teacher Madani. Construction began in 1972, and he also briefly taught there. From 1963 to 1975, he taught at Madrasa ‘Aliyah Furfura Sharif, Hugli, where he lectured on Sahih al-Bukhari and Tafsir al-Kashshaf.

In 1983, he joined Darul Uloom of Tarapur, Gujarat, where he taught Sahih al-Bukhari and Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi. regarded as the first complete Urdu Sharh of the book before Tuhfat al-Qari by Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri. The first edition was published by Dar al-Ta’lif, Chilmil, followed by later editions from Zakariya Book Depot, Deoband.

Among his other writings are:

Personal life Qasmi was married twice. His first wife died in 1955; they had three daughters, all of whom passed away during his lifetime. After her death, he married again and had three daughters and one son, Muhammad Imran Qasmi, who is still living. His second wife died two years before him, on 5 Ramadan 1430 AH (27 August 2009).

Death Qasmi died on 13 January 2011 (8 Safar 1432 AH). His funeral prayer was led by his son, Muhammad Imran Usmani, at the courtyard of Mazahir Uloom (Waqf), Saharanpur, and he was buried in the Haji Shah Kamaluddin graveyard beside his Sheikh Muzaffar Husain Ajrarwi.