A Lifetime of Service in Medina
Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Siddiq, a renowned Quran teacher at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, Saudi Arabia, passed away this week. He had devoted more than 60 years of his life to teaching the Holy Quran within the walls of one of Islam’s holiest sites.
According to a statement from Jamia Ashrafia Lahore, a leading Islamic seminary in Pakistan, his funeral prayer was held inside the Prophet’s Mosque. He was later buried in Jannat al-Baqi, the historic cemetery adjacent to the mosque where many companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are laid to rest.
Scholar of Pakistani Origin
Though born in Pakistan, Sheikh Siddiq spent much of his life in Saudi Arabia. His dedication to Quranic education earned him respect across the Muslim world. Colleagues and students often described him as a humble scholar who combined deep religious knowledge with a gentle teaching style.
Jamia Ashrafia’s spokesperson noted that Sheikh Siddiq’s contribution to Quranic studies spanned generations. “His students are not limited to one country,” the spokesperson said. “From Asia to Africa and beyond, countless Muslims learned the recitation and memorization of the Quran from him.”
Revered Teacher at the Prophet’s Mosque
Teaching at the Prophet’s Mosque is regarded as one of the highest honors in the Muslim world. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit Medina during Hajj, Umrah, and throughout the year. Many seek guidance from scholars who dedicate their lives to teaching inside the mosque.
For over six decades, Sheikh Siddiq held daily sessions, guiding students in tajweed (the art of correct pronunciation and recitation) and hifz (memorization of the Quran). He was considered among the senior teachers whose presence symbolized continuity and tradition within the Prophet’s Mosque.
An Irreplaceable Loss for Religious Circles
His passing has been described as a profound loss for Islamic scholarly circles. Religious institutions in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia paid tribute to his lifelong service. Senior clerics emphasized that his role was not confined to teaching but also to mentoring students in discipline, humility, and service to faith.
Many of his former students now serve as teachers, imams, and scholars in different parts of the world. Through them, his legacy continues to influence new generations.
Broader Context: Pakistan’s Contribution to Islamic Scholarship
The death of Sheikh Siddiq also highlights the role played by Pakistani-born scholars in global Islamic education. Since the mid-20th century, a number of Pakistani graduates of traditional seminaries, including Jamia Ashrafia and Jamia Binoria, have gone on to teach in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Many have held posts at prestigious institutions such as Al-Azhar in Egypt and Islamic universities in Saudi Arabia.
His career reflects this wider tradition of transnational Islamic scholarship, where knowledge and teaching extend beyond national borders.
Burial at Jannat al-Baqi
Being laid to rest in Jannat al-Baqi is regarded as a high honor among Muslims. The cemetery is the final resting place of several family members of the Prophet Muhammad, many of his companions, and thousands of scholars who served Islam throughout history. For his students and admirers, Sheikh Siddiq’s burial there signifies recognition of his lifelong devotion to the Quran.
A Legacy That Lives On
While his passing has left a void, his decades of work ensure that his influence remains alive. Generations of Muslims who learned to recite and memorize the Quran under his guidance are seen as his enduring contribution. His life is remembered as an example of dedication, humility, and service to the preservation of the Quran.
