Maulana Masood Azhar is a Pakistani Islamic figure known for his religious teachings and also for being the founder of a group called Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He is a person who became famous not only in Pakistan but also in other parts of the world, especially in the news. Some people respect him as a religious teacher, while others criticize him for being involved in controversial activities.   He studied in Islamic schools, gave religious speeches, and wrote many articles and books on Islam. But he is also linked with some events that caused international attention.    

Maulana Masood Azhar Bio

Maulana Masood Azhar was born in Bahawalpur, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He belonged to a religious family. His father was the head of a small madrasa (Islamic school). From a young age, Masood Azhar was interested in Islamic studies. He went to a famous Islamic school called Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia in Karachi, Pakistan. This madrasa is well-known for teaching the Deobandi school of thought. There, he studied Qur’an, Hadith (sayings of the Prophet ﷺ), Fiqh (Islamic law), and Arabic language. After finishing his studies, he became an Islamic teacher and speaker. Later in his life, he got involved in political and military activities related to Kashmir, a region between India and Pakistan that both countries claim. Because of this, he became well-known internationally.

 

Maulana Masood Azhar Date of Birth

Maulana Masood Azhar was born on 10 July 1968 in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. That means, as of 2025, he is 56 years old.

 

Maulana Masood Azhar Age

• Date of Birth: 10 July 1968
• Current Age (in 2025): 56 years old

 

 

Maulana Masood Azhar Family and Children

There is not much public information about Maulana Masood Azhar’s personal life because he lives very privately. However, some reports say that:

• He is married
• He has children (exact number not confirmed)

He tries to keep his family away from public life. They do not appear in the media, and their names are not widely known.

 

 

His Role in the Kashmir Conflict

After completing his Islamic education, Maulana Masood Azhar became active in supporting the Kashmir freedom movement. He joined a group called Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, which supported the fight in Kashmir. In 1994, he went to India and was arrested by Indian forces in Kashmir. He stayed in an Indian jail for more than 6 years. Later, in 1999, something big happened.

 

The Indian Plane Hijacking Incident (1999)

In December 1999, an Indian airplane named IC-814 was hijacked by five armed men. The plane was taken from India to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The hijackers demanded that Maulana Masood Azhar and two others be released from Indian jail. To save the people on the plane, the Indian government released him. After his release, he returned to Pakistan.

 

 

Founding Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)

After his release, Maulana Masood Azhar founded a group called Jaish-e-Mohammed (Army of Muhammad) in the year 2000. The purpose of this group, according to him, was to support the freedom of Kashmir. The group became very active and gained many followers. However, this group has also been blamed for attacks in India, including:

• The 2001 Indian Parliament attack
• The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack
• The 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed many Indian soldiers

Because of these events, the United Nations (UN) and many countries declared Jaish-e-Mohammed a terrorist organization. Maulana Masood Azhar was also put on the UN terrorist list in 2019.

 

Maulana Masood Azhar Wikipedia Summary

According to Wikipedia and other public sources:

• Maulana Masood Azhar is a religious leader and militant figure
• He was born in 1968 in Bahawalpur, Pakistan
• He studied at Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia, Karachi
• He is the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed
• He was released in 1999 during a plane hijacking deal
• He is on the UN terrorist list
• He has been linked to several attacks in India
• He is believed to be hiding, with some reports saying he is unwell

His Wikipedia page lists many events connected to him, especially regarding the Kashmir conflict and international tensions.

 

 

What Are His Books?

Maulana Masood Azhar wrote several books and booklets on Islamic topics, especially on Jihad (struggle for Allah). His writings were mainly distributed in religious circles and madrasas. Some of his known works include:  

1. Faza'il-e-Jihad

• A book about the importance of jihad (struggle for Islam)
• He wrote it to motivate young Muslims to fight for Islamic causes
• Very popular in some seminaries

2. Maktubat (Letters of Masood Azhar)

• A collection of letters he wrote to followers and students
• These letters talk about patience, sacrifice, and love for Islam

3. Articles and Speeches

• He wrote in Urdu magazines and newspapers
• He gave speeches in madrasas and gatherings
• Many of his speeches were recorded and spread through CDs and cassettes

His books mostly focus on the spiritual and militant aspects of Islam. Some people say they promote extreme ideas, which is why many governments banned his writings.

 

Controversies and Criticism

While some people in Pakistan respect him for supporting the Kashmir cause, many others around the world strongly criticize him for promoting violence.

• India has accused him of planning deadly attacks
• The United Nations listed him as a global terrorist
• Several countries, including the United States, UK, and France, also placed sanctions on him

Pakistan’s government has been pressured by the international community to take action against him and his group.

 

Where is Maulana Masood Azhar Now?

There are different reports:

• Some say he lives in Bahawalpur, Pakistan
• Some reports say he is ill and under house arrest
• Others believe he is in hiding to avoid pressure from international groups

Pakistan's government says they are monitoring him, but his exact location is often kept secret.

 

 

What Has He Done for Islam?

Maulana Masood Azhar says that everything he did was for Islam and the freedom of Kashmir. He sees himself as a soldier of Islam, trying to protect Muslims. He has:

• Written books on jihad and faith
• Given many speeches about Islamic values
• Started a group to defend the rights of Muslims (according to his belief)

But many people disagree with his way of doing things. They believe Islam is a religion of peace and does not support violence.   Maulana Masood Azhar is a famous but controversial figure in the Islamic world. He was a religious teacher who later became involved in military activities. He founded Jaish-e-Mohammed and became known around the world, especially after the 1999 plane hijacking.   Some people see him as a hero for Kashmir. Others see him as a dangerous man who misused religion. His books and teachings are still read in some circles, but many governments have banned them.   Maulana Masood Azhar’s life teaches us how one person can have a huge impact, but it also reminds us that peace, understanding, and justice should be the real message of Islam.