In the quiet halls of the Islamic Society of Baltimore, long before the hum of modern programs and polished administration, there walked a man whose footsteps echoed with purpose. Dr. Mohammad Zulfiqar Awan was not just a founding member, he was a guardian of discipline, a steward of sacred knowledge, and a teacher whose legacy stretched far beyond the classroom.
By profession, he taught science in Baltimore City schools, but his heart belonged to the Quran. Every Sunday, he would arrive early at the masjid, his presence unmistakable. With meticulous care, he inspected every door, desk, and corner—not out of pride, but out of a deep sense of Amanah. The masjid was not just a building to him; it was a sanctuary, a trust, a place where young hearts would be shaped by faith.
Though the times were hard and resources scarce, Dr. Awan held the line. The caretaker, Shahjee—a humble student with little more than a small room—bore the weight of the masjid’s upkeep. Dr. Awan’s standards were high, sometimes stern, but beneath that exterior was a man who carried the burden of leadership during a fragile era. He knew that the masjid’s dignity must be preserved, even when the means were meagre.
Yet Dr. Awan’s greatest legacy was not in administration, but in ink. Over years of study and reflection, he handwrote his own tafsir notes—pages upon pages of Quranic interpretation, drawn from classical sources and personal insight. These notes became the foundation of his weekly Sunday tafsir sessions, where he taught not just the meanings of verses, but the spirit behind them. His handwriting bore witness to a soul in love with divine revelation.
After retiring, he returned to Pakistan, seeking to continue his service with Minhaj-ul-Quran. But the path was not smooth, and after a decade of unsettled matters, he returned to the U.S.—quietly, humbly, as if guided back to the soil where his seeds of service had first been planted.
On July 30th, 2023, Dr. Zulfiqar Awan returned to his Lord. His handwritten tafsir notes, once tucked away in boxes, were rediscovered—fragile pages, yet timeless in their message. They are now a silent testimony to a life spent in pursuit of understanding, a legacy that whispers to future generations: “Know your Quran. Live by it. Teach it.”
“Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, can expect a trade that will never perish.” Surah Fatir (35:29)
Dr. Awan’s life was such a trade—quiet, consistent, and rooted in sincerity. His recitation, his teaching, his service to the masjid and community were all investments in the eternal. May Allah accept his deeds, forgive his shortcomings, and grant him a place among those who lived by the Quran and died with it close to their hearts.