About Founder

The Shariah Board of America was established under the blessed leadership of Hazrat Mufti Shah Mohammed Navalur Rahman Sahib (may Allah preserve him). His esteemed personality is well recognized not only in India but also across scholarly circles worldwide. Allah Almighty has blessed him with countless virtues. He is refined in temperament, generous in character, humble in nature, exceptionally intelligent, and a master of profound insight. Along with embodying knowledge, practice, and sincerity, he stands unparalleled in both scholarship and preaching.

Name, Lineage, Birth, and Residence

His full name is Mohammed Navalur Rahman ibn Ghulam Mohammed ibn Hussain. According to official passport records, he was born on July 20, 1958.

His ancestral hometown is Mughal Gadda, Taluka Shadnagar, District Mahbubnagar, from where he later moved to Hyderabad. Initially, he resided in Qazipura, then settled permanently in Yousuf Nagar, Tappa Chabutra. In 1992, he traveled to the United States for religious needs and services, although he had previously visited America once on an invitation for dawah (Islamic outreach).

Education

Memorization of the Qur’an: He completed his hifz under the tutelage of Hafiz Khalilullah Sahib (rahimahullah) in Mughal Gadda.

Islamic Studies (Dars-e-Nizami): He began his studies at Madrasa Misbah al-Uloom, Latur, and later continued under the direct guidance of Hazrat Maulana Masihullah Khan Sahib (rahimahullah), completing his Dars-e-Nizami and Ifta (specialization in Islamic jurisprudence).

Although he had also enrolled at Darul Uloom Deoband, circumstances led him to pursue further studies at Miftahul Uloom, Jalalabad.

Teachers

Among his most distinguished teachers are:

Tasawwuf (Spiritual Training and Purification)

In the path of Ihsan and Tasawwuf, his initial spiritual training was under Hazrat Masih al-Ummah, Maulana Masihullah Khan Sahib (rahimahullah), whose blessed company he enjoyed even during his student years. After completing his formal studies, he spent six months in the close service of Hazrat, where he was honored with bay‘ah (pledge of allegiance) and spiritual guidance.

Upon returning to the Deccan, his noble father, Hazrat Shah Sufi Ghulam Mohammed Sahib (rahimahullah), a distinguished khalifa of Hazrat Shah Mohammed Hussain Sahib (rahimahullah) and a spiritual brother of Hazrat Manazir Ahsan Gilani Sahib (rahimahullah), conferred upon him the khilafah (spiritual succession) in all four major Sufi orders.

Later, direct and indirect ijazah (authorization) was also granted by Hazrat Masih al-Ummah, details of which are documented in the spiritual lineage (shajrah). This affirms that Hazrat Navalur Rahman Sahib also possesses a direct spiritual chain linked to Hazrat Masih al-Ummah (rahimahullah).

Academic & Religious Services

After completing his studies, he began teaching at Darul Uloom Sabeel al-Salam, Hyderabad, as one of its earliest teachers. He then taught at Darul Uloom Hyderabad for nearly 18 years, where he specialized in Hadith, Fiqh, and Ifta. Through his lessons and sermons, thousands benefited and were inspired towards Islamic revival.

In 1992, he migrated to America, where for the past 33 years he has been serving the Muslim community tirelessly.

Jamia Ihya al-Uloom

Before leaving for the U.S. in 1992, he founded Jamia Ihya al-Uloom near his residence in India. The institution offers Hifz, Nazirah, and Aalimiyyah courses, and continues to function under his supervision. He remains its Shaykh al-Hadith, delivering lessons both in person (during visits to India) and online.

Rahmat-e-Alam Foundation & Darul Uloom Chicago

In 1998, he established the Rahmat-e-Alam Foundation in the U.S., which oversees three main branches:

Shariah Board of America

Established to provide guidance for family and social issues, especially through its Darul Ifta wa Qadha (fatwa and arbitration services). To date, it has resolved hundreds of cases and issued thousands of fatawa both online and locally. Several branches have since been established in the U.S. (New York, California) and in India.

Zabiha Supervisory Board

To promote awareness about halal consumption, he established the Zabiha Supervisory Board. After immense effort, many major slaughterhouses, restaurants, and distributors were certified. Today, hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the U.S. rely on these halal-certified outlets.

Hilal (Moon-Sighting) Committee

Due to confusion and disputes regarding moon-sighting, the Hilal Committee was established. Today, its announcements are widely trusted across the United States.

Publications

Because of the significance of his lectures, highly regarded even by senior scholars, the Shariah Board of India has begun publishing them. Notable works include:

Dawah, Tarbiyah, and Public Engagement

Beyond his teaching and organizational responsibilities, Hazrat Sahib has been deeply engaged in dawah missions, spiritual gatherings, reformative sessions, and Qur’anic discourses. His style of speech is simple yet profoundly impactful, captivating audiences while nourishing their inner spiritual thirst.

For nearly 40 years, he has consistently undertaken Chilla (40-day journeys of dawah) without interruption. His spiritual discourses are rich in the sciences of Tasawwuf, making them transformative for seekers.