Professor Khurshid Ahmad, one of the leading architects of Islamic economic thought in the modern era and a foundational figure in British Muslim intellectual life, has passed away at the age of 93. He died peacefully in Leicester, where much of his academic and community work was based.
His passing marks the end of an era for generations of Muslims who were inspired by his teachings, writings, and commitment to integrating Islamic values into both economic frameworks and civic life.
Born in 1932 in Delhi, British India, Khurshid Ahmad’s life spanned the momentous upheavals of partition, migration, and the formation of post-colonial identities in South Asia and the West. After relocating to Pakistan in 1947, he immersed himself in the academic world, pursuing studies in economics and Islamic philosophy. His early career was shaped by both rigorous scholarship and an unwavering belief that Islamic principles had a meaningful role to play in modern governance and economic systems.
In 1965, he came to the United Kingdom to undertake doctoral research at the University of Leicester. His time in the UK would prove transformative—not just for himself but for Muslim communities across Britain. In 1973, he co-founded The Islamic Foundation in Leicester alongside fellow thinker Khurram Murad. At a time when British Muslims were still finding their feet as a visible and vocal community, the Foundation became a beacon of intellectual inquiry, community empowerment, and spiritual education.
The Islamic Foundation soon earned a reputation as one of the most influential Muslim institutions in the West, providing a platform for research, publication, and interfaith dialogue. Through it, Professor Ahmad fostered a generation of British Muslims who were rooted in both faith and civic responsibility.
Beyond his role in Britain, Khurshid Ahmad was deeply involved in public life in Pakistan. He served as a senior figure in Jamaat-e-Islami and was elected three times to Pakistan’s Senate. As Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, he worked on incorporating Islamic economic principles into national development policy. His international reputation grew as he became known as one of the world’s foremost authorities on Islamic economics, with his work influencing policymakers and academics alike.
Professor Ahmad’s intellectual legacy includes more than 70 books and countless essays, lectures, and public talks. His landmark work, Islamic Economics: A Global Perspective, is still widely read and taught. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in 1990 and Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, in 2011.
News of his passing prompted tributes from around the world. In the UK, the Muslim Council of Britain hailed him as a “towering figure in contemporary Islamic thought,” and praised the crucial role he played in establishing a British Muslim identity rooted in scholarship, dignity, and civic engagement.
Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the MCB, said:
“Professor Khurshid Ahmad was not only a giant in the field of Islamic economics, but a deeply principled man who believed in the power of ideas to shape communities. He laid the foundations for British Muslim academic thought, and his passing will be felt across generations.”
Farooq Murad, Director General of The Islamic Foundation, offered a personal reflection:
“He was more than an academic—he was a visionary who believed in equipping people with the tools to think critically, to act ethically, and to serve their communities with sincerity. His leadership and integrity have left an indelible mark on our institutions and hearts.”
Tributes also came from wider British Muslim communities, many of whom have engaged with Professor Ahmad’s work over the decades. His role in shaping Islamic education and thought in the West was seen as transformative, especially at a time when young Muslims were searching for frameworks to reconcile their faith with life in Britain.
Shaykh Dr Haitham al-Haddad remarked: “This is a major loss for the Ummah, and particularly for Muslims in the West. Professor Khurshid Ahmad provided intellectual guidance at a time when it was most needed. He understood the context, the challenges, and the hopes of Muslims living here.”
Funeral prayers will be held in Leicester, where he will be laid to rest. Family members, colleagues, and community leaders are expected to attend in large numbers to honour a life devoted to learning, service, and ethical leadership.
Professor Khurshid Ahmad is survived by his children, grandchildren, and an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire long after his passing. His ideas, institutions, and writings remain alive in the hearts of those who believe that faith and reason are not opposites, but essential partners in building a better world.
Clickwalla News Desk