14/05/2026
As per the Hijri Calendar, today, the 26th of Dhul Qa‘dah 1447 Hijri, marks one year since our beloved Chief Qazi Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub Sahib departed from this temporary world. He passed away on the night of 26 Dhul Qa‘dah 1446 Hijri, corresponding to Saturday, 24th May 2025.
Words fall short in describing the humility, kindness, grace, and sincerity that defined his noble character. His whole life was devoted to the service of the Ummah for the sake of Allah.
Indeed, Qazi Sahib was a true lover of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and his entire life reflected the Sunnah. Even in his old age and ill health, he would enthusiastically attend gatherings and functions held in remembrance and honor of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Despite coming from a pious and renowned lineage of Islamic scholars, Qazi Sahib always remained humble and grounded. He met the poor with the same warmth and dignity with which he met the rich. He treated the common man and those in authority equally. His very presence among us was a source of strength and reassurance.
Our Qazi Sahib was truly “Qazi ibn Qazi.” His respected father, Qazi Mohammed Azizuddin Sahib, also served as the Government Chief Qazi. His great-grandfather, Shamsul Ulama Qazi Ubaidullah Sahib, was the first Government Chief Qazi under British-ruled Madras. Among his great-uncles were Qazi Mohammed Habibullah Sahib and the world-renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Md. Hamidullah Sahib. For centuries, this noble lineage has continuously served as Qazis and Fuqaha of their time.
His pious ancestors include Diwan Mohammed Ghouse Sharf-ul-Mulk Bahadur Sahib, who was the author of the monumental Nasrul Marjan fi Rasmi Nazmil Quran, a profound 18th-century masterpiece that meticulously mapped the visual script and orthography of the Quranic text. He also served as the Diwan to the Nawabs of the Carnatic.
Through Qazi Sahib's beloved wife's family, he was also a relative of Quaid-e-Millath Mohammed Ismail Sahib.
Qazi Sahib's educational qualifications included B.Sc. General, M.A. Arabic, Afzal-ul-Ulama, M.Phil., and PhD. He was also honored with Al-Ijazatul Aalia from Al-Azhar University, Egypt. His vast knowledge, wisdom, and balanced understanding of religious and social matters earned him the respect of scholars, officials, and ordinary people alike. Yet despite his immense learning and status, he remained humble, gentle, and devoted solely to the service of people.
Qazi Salahuddin Sahib was the 19th Traditional Qazi of this lineage and served as the Government Chief Qazi from 1986 until 2025, four decades of dedicated service. In such a position, many would seek influence, fame, wealth, or privileges. Yet those who knew Qazi Sahib understood well that he never pursued any of that.
Even when the government officials offered him privileges, he consistently refused them. Whenever asked why, he would simply say that he desired nothing from people, and that his reward lay only in the pleasure of Allah.
He continued to serve the people from his traditional office in Royapettah, founded by his pious forefathers. Even today, by the will of Allah, that noble service to the Muslim community continues under his successors.
His funeral was attended by thousands upon thousands of people from every walk of life. From high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens, every eye wept and every heart felt heavy. That day still lingers in our memories as though it were only yesterday.
It has now been one year since his passing, and the void left behind can never truly be filled. There can never truly be a replacement for our beloved Qazi Sahib.
Qazi Sahib has performed Hajj four times and completed numerous Umrahs. His final Umrah was in the blessed month of Rabiul Awwal in 2019. Throughout his life, he traveled extensively across India and abroad for religious and community events, visiting states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan, as well as countries including Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, the UAE, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
During his lifetime, there were challenges and attempts to alter the traditional system of service rendered by him and his forefathers. Yet, by the will of Allah, that legacy of service continued steadfastly.
The lives of Qazi Sahib and his noble predecessors have taught us to always remain patient because Allah is with those who are patient, and that Allah is the Best of Planners. This lineage has witnessed empires rise and fall, rulers and colonizers come and go. Their reliance has never been upon the world, but only upon Allah.
Through his life and character, Qazi Sahib showed us that serving the people does not require titles or privileges, but sincerity, sacrifice, tawakkul, and a heart devoted solely to the pleasure of Allah.
Many are often surprised to learn that Qazi Sahib never charged a single rupee for any of his services. This was not only his personal practice, but also that of his forefathers. Even today, his traditional office continues to serve the people freely, without fees or worldly expectations.
It is the immense love people have for Qazi Sahib that even after his passing, he continues to be remembered daily in our prayers, gatherings, and hearts.
It is through the years of hard work, sacrifice, barakah, and duas of our beloved Qazi Sahib that his traditional office continues to serve the Muslim community today under the leadership of Qazi Mohammed Akbar Sahib, and In Sha Allah, it will continue to do so for generations to come.
May Allah continue to elevate the ranks of our beloved Qazi Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub Sahib and his noble predecessors, envelop them in His infinite mercy, and grant them the highest stations in Jannathul Firdaus.
May Allah bless the successors of Qazi Sahib with strength, wisdom, sincerity, and steadfastness so that they may continue serving the Muslim Ummah with honor and dedication.
