Rasheed Turabi

 Raza Hussain also known as  Allama Rasheed Turabi  (1908 – 1973) was an Islamic scholar, religious leader, public speaker, poet and philosopher.

Early life and education
Turabi was born on (9th Jamadi-us-Sani 1326), 9 July 1908 in Hyderabad, British India. He was the eldest son of Maulvi Sharaf Hussain Khan, a nobleman from Hyderabad. He got his basic Islamic education from his father who taught him till the age of 5. He did matriculation from Hyderabad, Intermediate-high school from Shia College, Lucknow. He was awarded a BA from Osmania University, Hyderabad State, British India and MA in Philosophy from University of Allahabad, India.

Career
Turabi delivered more than 5,000 religious lectures and speeches over the period of 57 years that he spent out of his 65 years of total life in the service of Ahl al-Bayt. Allama Rasheed Turabi introduced many dimensions to the Art of Oratory. The most sought after Urdu public speaker of his times, he was indeed a persuasive and brilliant orator. He was the first person who delivered religious speeches for ten days or more on selected topics. He was a very good student of Khalifa Abdul Hakim, who directed his studies in Philosophy and English.

Along with his formal studies, he drank deep at the fountain of Arabic and Persian literature. Ilm was his main forte. He was among the scholars of Islamic learning who learnt a great deal from Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Syed Hossein Borujerdi, Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Muhsin al-Hakim al-Tabatabai, Ayatollah Mohsin Tehrani, Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei and Ayatullah Shahrestani.

All of the above-named renowned scholars issued Ijazah (authority letters) to Allama Rasheed Turabi to act as a scholar on Quran and Sunnah. It was one of the greatest achievements of any religious scholar of the subcontinent.

Allama Rasheed Turabi started his political career as a lieutenant of Nawab Bahadur Yar Jang. He Had served as a religious orator under the last Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan. Later, he became the Chief of Hyderabad State's All India Muslim League. Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah nominated him as the information secretary of Hyderabad State's All India Muslim League and it is from this platform that Allama Rasheed Turabi rendered valuable service to the cause of Pakistan.

Migration to Pakistan
He migrated to Pakistan in 1949 upon the request of Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and started addressing shia majalis at the Imambargahs in Kharadar, Khaliq Dina Hall and Martin Road Pakistan Quarters in Karachi. He also addressed Eid Milad-un-Nabi Mawlid gatherings at Aram Bagh and Jahangir Park, this went a long way in establishing his popularity within both Sunnis and Shias alike. Later, he started addressing majalis (gatherings) at Nishtar Park and at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar.

His first Shaam-e-Ghareban Majlis was broadcast on the Radio Pakistan in 1951. It became an annual feature till his death. The last Majlis he addressed was at Khaliq Dina Hall where he had a heart attack in 1971. He continued to address 'Majalis-i-Sham-i-Ghareban' at Nishtar Park against his doctor's advice till 1973.

Death and legacy
Allama Rasheed Turabi died on 18 December 1973 in Karachi and was later buried in Hussainia Sajadia Imambargah in North Nazimabad, Karachi. Amongst his 13 children were sons Allama Aqeel Turabi, Salman Turabi and Naseer Turabi.

Among the contributors who have discussed Allama Turabi's career as a scholar of Ahl al-Bayt, specifically the chronicle of Karbala tragedy, are Justice S. A. Rahman, Syed Hashim Raza, Josh Malihabadi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, Syed Taqi Abidi, Hilal Naqvi, Sahar Ansari, Firdous Alam, Syed Muhammad Abidi, Munawar Saeed, Iftikhar Arif, George Ali Murad Khan Talpur II of Khairpur (Son-in-Law), Allama Aqeel Turabi, Salman Turabi and poet Naseer Turabi.

Commemorating the 50th death anniversary of the eminent Allama Rasheed Turabi in 2023, a virtuoso in modern azadari in the Indian subcontinent. His enduring legacy encompasses structuring Majalis, organizing shia processions, and championing public holidays during Ashura. From the local Majalis to the national broadcast of Sham e Ghariban, his contributions stand the test of time. Allama Rasheed Turabi had a spiritual charisma which attracted people to his large gathering in Karachi where people listened to his reasoning and insight. He delivered nearly 5,000 religious speeches in his lifetime.