Mian Sir Muhammad Shafi

Mian Sir Muhammad Shafi (1869–1932) from Lahore was a lawyer, judge and politician in British India who rose to become a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, a body which was an appointed cabinet in the British government of India. He supported and represented various Muslim educational, national and religious causes. He was a founding member of the All-India Muslim League, and founder and leader of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League.

In connection with the Woking Muslim Mission, Sir Muhammad Shafi was a Trustee of the body known as the Woking Muslim Mission and Literary Trust. At his death an obituary appeared in The Islamic Review (February-March 1932, pp. 41–46), accompanied by a photograph.

At this link we have provided the obituary pages from that issue.

The photo from that issue is shown below:

Close friendship with Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement

Sir Muhammad Shafi was an admirer and supporters of the work of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement and the Woking Muslim Mission. He was a friend of Maulana Muhammad Ali and Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din. It is recorded in the biography of Maulana Muhammad Ali, A Mighty Striving:

1. In August 1916, when Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din left India for his second visit to England:

“At Lahore railway station a large crowd consisting of both Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis was present to bid him farewell. Among them was Mian Muhammad Shafi, who afterwards became Sir Muhammad Shafi.” (p. 157)

2. When Lord Headley visited India and attended the annual gathering of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Lahore on 28 December 1927, presiding over the first session of the day:

“Also present in that session, and delivering speeches during it, were Sir Muhammad Shafi, Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan.” (p. 208)

3. Geti Ara was a daughter of Sir Muhammad Shafi, and herself a prominent Muslim League worker. She was wife of Bashir Ahmad, Pakistan’s first ambassador to Turkey. Upon the death of Maulana Muhammad Ali in 1951, both Geti Ara and Bashir Ahmad wrote tributes to him. She wrote:

   “In the 20th century of the Christian era, Maulana Muhammad Ali has tried to take to every corner of the world the message of unity and truth which the Holy Prophet Muhammad delivered to humanity 1300 years ago. He dedicated his life to present to the world the real and true point of view of Islam. Due to his hard work and effort, of night and day, such a magnificent and superb translation of the Holy Quran was completed which is being highly appreciated in all countries. His books on Islam have been acclaimed in many countries. In my two years of stay in Turkey this fact has become clear that the Turkish people have a truly high regard and estimation for the Maulana’s services to Islam. His good name is well known among the religious sections of Turkey. His book The Religion of Islam is being translated into the Turkish language. …
   
   We are proud of the fact that in the land of the Punjab, which has produced many famous men, this standard bearer of Islam was born who rendered such magnificent services to Islam from which all the Muslims will derive benefit for centuries. I had correspondence with him from Turkey and received his last letter one month before his death. We had close friendly relations with him for years and I had deep respect for him in my heart.” (p. 434)