Pranjal mishra at 06:59, 7 March 2026

2026-03-07T06:59:56Z

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{{Short description|Indian Muslim community leader (born 1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name = Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani
| image = Maulana Syed Ahmed Wali Faisal Rahmani in Sheikhpura.jpg
| caption = Rahmani in [[Sheikhpura]], Bihar
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1975|5|12}}
| birth_place = [[Munger]], Bihar, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Islamic scholar, religious leader
| known_for = ''Ameer-e-Shariat'' of [[Imarat-e-Shariah]] (Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand), ''Sajjada Nashin'' of Khanqah-e-Rahmani, Munger
| title = Ameer-e-Shariat VIII
| predecessor = [[Wali Rahmani]]
| father = [[Wali Rahmani]]
| education = {{ubl|Jamia Rahmani, [[Munger]]|[[Al-Azhar University]]|[[University of California]]}}
| office1 = ''Ameer-e-Shariat'' of [[Imarat-e-Shariah]] (Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand)
| term_start1 = 9 October 2021
| predecessor1 = [[Wali Rahmani]]
| office2 = ''Sajjada Nashin'' of Khanqah-e-Rahmani, Munger
| term_start2 = 9 April 2021
| predecessor2 = Wali Rahmani
| office3 = Secretary of [[All India Muslim Personal Law Board]]
| term_start3 = 3 June 2023
| term_end3 = 25 November 2024
| religion = [[Sunni Islam]]
}}

'''Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani''' (born 12 May 1975) is an Indian Muslim community leader. He is the eighth ''Ameer-e-Shariat'' of [[Imarat-e-Shariah]], an Islamic organization operating in Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand.<ref name="qaumiawaz">{{cite web |date=9 October 2021 |title=مولانا فیصل رحمانی امارت شرعیہ بہار، اڈیشہ و جھارکھنڈ کے آٹھویں امیر شریعت منتخب |trans-title=Maulana Faisal Rahmani Elected Eighth Ameer of Imarat Shariah Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand |url=https://www.qaumiawaz.com/national/maulana-faisal-rahmani-elected-eighth-ameer-of-imarat-shariah-bihar-odisha-and-jharkhand |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=[[Qaumi Awaz]] |language=ur}}</ref> He is also the ''[[Sajjada Nashin]]'' (spiritual successor) of Khanqah Rahmani, a ''[[khanqah]]'' in [[Munger]], Bihar, succeeding [[Wali Rahmani]].<ref name="millattimes">{{cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Zafar |date=9 April 2021 |title=مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی ازہری خانقاہ رحمانی کے نئے سجادہ نشیں منتخب، تقریب میں امیرشریعت آسام ، امیرشریعت کرناٹک اور خلفاء سمیت متعدد علماء کی شرکت |trans-title=Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Appointed as the New Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Rahmani, Ceremony Attended by Ameer Shariat of Assam, Karnataka, and Several Scholars |url=https://urdu.millattimes.com/archives/68924 |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=Millat Times |language=ur}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani was born on 12 May 1975 in [[Munger]] to [[Wali Rahmani]].<ref name="Huda">{{cite web |last=Qasmi |first=Muhammad Sanaul Huda |date=10 July 2023 |title=مفکر ملت حضرت مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی حفظہ اللہ |trans-title=Thinker of the Nation: Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani (May Allah Protect Him) |url=https://www.baseeratonline.com/archives/200589 |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Baseerat Online |language=ur}}</ref><ref name="baseeratonline">{{cite web |last=Qasmi |first=Nazish Huma |date=17 October 2021 |title=ہاں میں امیر شریعت احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی ہوں۔۔۔! ہاں میں ہوں |trans-title=Yes, I Am Ameer Shariat Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani...! Yes, I Am |url=https://www.baseeratonline.com/archives/159374 |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Baseerat Online |language=ur}}</ref> He received his early education at Jamia Rahmani in Munger, under the supervision of his father.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hayat-e-Wali |last=Hasan |first=Shah Imran |publisher=Rahbar Book Service |location=Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi |year=2016 |page=45 |url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/hayat-e-wali-part-001-shah-imran-hasan-ebooks}}</ref> He later moved to the United States for higher studies, where he completed a degree in engineering from the [[University of California]].<ref name="awazvoice">{{cite news |last=Khosa |first=Aasha |date=10 October 2021 |title=IT professional Maulana Rehmani heads Imarat-e-Sharia |url=https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/it-professional-maulana-rehmani-heads-imarat-e-sharia-6647.html |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=Awaz The Voice |language=en}}</ref> Following his graduation, he briefly taught at the University of California and then joined the software company Accenture, where he was a manager.{{Sfn|Hasan|2016|p=46}} He later took a two-year leave from work to pursue Arabic language and literature studies in Egyptian villages near [[Al-Azhar University]], before returning to the United States.<ref name="twocircles">{{cite news |last=Ahmad |first=Sami |date=12 October 2021 |title=Bihar: Imarat-e-Shariah’s new chief is a man of technology, who believes ‘massive action’ can change course of Muslim community |url=https://twocircles.net/2021oct12/443859.html |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=[[TwoCircles]] |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hasan|2016|p=46}}

== Career ==
Before returning to India, Rahmani worked in the United States. He was associated with the [[University of California]] and worked at [[Adobe Inc|Adobe Systems]] and [[BP]].<ref name="awazvoice" /> He later joined [[Accenture]], where he had a managerial role.{{Sfn|Hasan|2016|pp=45–46}} In addition to his professional work, he is associated with Jamia Rahmani (in Munger), where he is involved in managing and directly overseeing teaching Arabic language through online classes aimed at Quran memorization students as well as studies for middle school and high school students and a program for college preparation.{{Sfn|Hasan|2016|p=46}}

In 2015, he was appointed as the ''Sajjada Nashin'' of Khanqah-e-Rahmani by his father, [[Wali Rahmani]]. His formal ''Sajjada Nashini'' ceremony took place on 9 April 2021.<ref name="millattimes"/> Following the death of his father on 3 April 2021, he was elected as the eighth ''Ameer-e-Shariat'' of [[Imarat-e-Shariah]] on 9 October 2021.<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite news |date=9 October 2021 |title=مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی امیر شریعت منتخب - امیر شریعت کے انتخاب |trans-title=Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Elected Ameer-e-Shariat |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/urdu/national/state/bihar/maulana-ahmad-wali-faisal-rahmani-elected-ameer-e-shariat/na20211009182016836 |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=[[ETV Bharat News]] |language=ur}}</ref> His election was conducted through voting, a departure from the previous practice of consensus-based selection.<ref name="news18">{{cite news |last=Saqibe |first=Imtiyaz |date=9 October 2021 |title=مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی امارت شرعیہ بہار، اڑیسہ، جھارکھنڈ کے آٹھویں امیر شریعت منتخب |trans-title=Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Elected as Eighth Ameer of Imarat Shariah Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand |url=https://urdu.news18.com/news/nation/east-india-maulana-ahmad-wali-faisal-rahmani-elected-as-eighth-ameer-of-imarat-shariah-bihar-orissa-and-jharkhand-imt-379079.html |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=[[News18 Urdu]] |language=ur}}</ref> He secured 347 votes against 197 votes received by his closest rival, [[Anisur Rahman Qasmi]].<ref name="muslimmirror">{{cite news |title=After months of conflict, Maulana Wali Rahmani’s son elected as Imarat-e-Sharia chief |url=https://muslimmirror.com/after-months-of-conflict-maulana-wali-rahmanis-son-elected-as-imarat-e-sharia-chief/ |work=Muslim Mirror |date=10 October 2021 |access-date=30 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

As ''Ameer-e-Shariat'', Rahmani has focused on modernizing Imarat-e-Shariah while maintaining its traditional role in religious guidance.<ref name="baseeratonline"/> His initiatives include the expansion of ''Darul Qaza'' (Islamic arbitration centers), strengthening educational institutions affiliated with Imarat-e-Shariah, protecting Waqf properties and addressing land reform issues, implementing self-sufficient maktab (primary Islamic schools) programs, and enhancing the use of technology in religious and educational activities.<ref name="twocircles"/><ref name="awazvoice"/> Rahmani has emphasized the need for technical education among madrasa students. Under his leadership, Imarat-e-Shariah introduced digital tools to modernize Islamic education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahmani |first=Wali |author-link=Wali Rahmani (influencer) |date=2024-11-29 |title=Story of Wali Faisal Rahmani, a leader dedicated to Indian Muslims |url=https://enewsroom.in/ahmed-wali-faisal-rahmani-indian-muslim-leadership/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=eNewsroom India |language=en-US}}</ref>

Rahmani was elected secretary of the [[All India Muslim Personal Law Board]] in June 2023<ref name="Huda"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sahay |first=Sanjay |date=2024-10-04 |title=Cong to make Waqf bill key poll issue... |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/congress-targets-waqf-amendment-bill-as-key-issue-for-state-assembly-polls/articleshow/113920378.cms |access-date=2025-03-31 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and resigned in November 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 November 2024 |title=آل انڈیا مسلم پرسنل لا بورڈ کے سکریٹری کا استعفیٰ |trans-title=Resignation of the Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board |url=https://urdu.hindusthansamachar.in/Encyc/2024/11/25/All-India-Muslim-Personal-Law-Board.php |access-date=30 March 2025 |publisher=[[Hindustan Samachar]] |language=ur}}</ref>

== Political and social stances ==
In January 2020, Rahmani supported the anti-[[CAA protests]] in Bihar, including the Subzibagh demonstration in [[Patna]]. Alongside other community leaders, he emphasized that the protests were aimed at protecting constitutional values rather than being driven by religious identity. Rahmani raised concerns that the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)]], [[National Register of Citizens|National Register of Citizens (NRC)]], and [[National Population Register|National Population Register (NPR)]] could undermine India's secular fabric and disproportionately impact marginalized communities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Santosh |date=2020-01-20 |title=Bihar: ‘Not about religion, protest against bid to create rift’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-not-about-religion-protest-against-bid-to-create-rift-caa-nrc-6225145/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120040609/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-not-about-religion-protest-against-bid-to-create-rift-caa-nrc-6225145/ |archive-date=2020-01-20 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2023, Rahmani, as a secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), was involved in efforts to ensure women's rightful share in inheritance under [[Sharia law]]. The initiative aimed to address concerns over women being denied inheritance rights and was part of a broader social reform effort by the Board.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Esha |date=2023-09-19 |title=AIMPLB to start ‘movement’ to ensure women get rightful share in inheritance |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/aimplb-working-committee-women-share-in-husbands-property-women-property-share-sharia-law-8945885/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013145035/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/aimplb-working-committee-women-share-in-husbands-property-women-property-share-sharia-law-8945885/ |archive-date=2023-10-13 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2024, Rahmani, with other Muslim leaders, signed a joint statement opposing the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA) 2019. The statement argued that the law violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution by selectively granting citizenship based on religion and excluding Muslims. It also criticized the timing of its implementation before general elections, calling it politically motivated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Lalmani |date=2024-03-13 |title=CAA undermines principle of equality: Muslim bodies |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-undermines-principle-of-equality-muslim-bodies-9210918/lite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312223848/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-undermines-principle-of-equality-muslim-bodies-9210918/ |archive-date=2024-03-12 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Salam |first=Ziya Us |date=2024-03-12 |title=Muslim bodies condemn CAA notification, want it repealed |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/muslim-bodies-condemn-caa-notification-want-it-repealed/article67943625.ece |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In June 2025, Rahmani, as Ameer-e-Shariat, publicly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, (which was to override Islamic management of donated lands for Muslim institutions and mosques) describing it as a threat to religious autonomy and waqf properties. He stated that the law could allow state interference in religious endowments and heritage sites, and claimed that some BJP Members of Parliament had expressed support for his stance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waqf law protest likely to draw large crowd today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/waqf-law-protest-likely-to-draw-large-crowd-today/articleshow/122132796.cms |website=The Times of India |date=28 June 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Waqf Act Bihar Assembly Election 2025: मुस्लिम समुदाय वक्फ कानून के विरोध में लामबंद |url=https://www.jansatta.com/national/muslim-organisation-imarat-e-shariah-hold-a-mega-rally-in-patna-against-waqf-law/4024623/ |website=Jansatta |date=29 June 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Santosh |title=‘Some BJP MPs backing our Waqf stand’: Top Muslim body chief on eve of Patna rally |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/some-bjp-mps-backing-our-waqf-stand-top-muslim-body-chief-on-eve-of-patna-rally-10095011/ |work=The Indian Express |date=29 June 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref> Addressing the “Waqf Bachao, Dastoor Bachao” rally at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, he said the Act violated fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution and undermined established legal principles. The event, organised by Imarat-e-Shariah with participation from opposition leaders including [[Tejashwi Yadav]], [[Salman Khurshid]], and [[Kanhaiya Kumar]], drew thousands of attendees. Rahmani called the legislation "draconian" and demanded its rollback, asserting that the movement was a constitutional and peaceful expression of the community’s will.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muslims hold rally in Patna demanding rollback of Waqf Act |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/mahagathbandhan-will-throw-waqf-act-into-dustbin-after-forming-government-in-bihar-tejashwi/article69751808.ece |work=The Hindu |date=29 June 2025 |access-date=22 August 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==See also==

* [[List of Deobandis]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Faisal Rahmani, Ahmad Wali}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Islamic religious leaders]]
[[Category:Indian Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:Hanafi fiqh scholars]]
[[Category:Deobandis]]
[[Category:Indian Sufis]]
[[Category:Al-Azhar University alumni]]
[[Category:University of California alumni]]
[[Category:People from Munger district]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:21st-century Muslim scholars of Islam]]

Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani - Revision history

Pranjal mishra at 06:59, 7 March 2026