Qārī Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail (May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him), was born in Canada and began his journey to acquire Islamic knowledge at a young age at the Institute for Islamic Studies in Dewsbury, UK.
After completing his memorization of the Holy Qur’ān (ḥifẓ), he studied the Islamic sciences for many many years and received multiple ijāzāt in them. From the earliest days of his studies, he was known as an outstanding student, always at the top of his class. He would go on to be one of the first students to learn the Qirāʾāt after it was introduced in his institution in Dewsbury, UK. He received ijāzah in tajwīd and in the ten qirāʾāt (ʿasharah ṣughrah and kubrā) of the Qurʾān from Mawlana Yusuf Darwan and Mawlana Imtiyaz Ahmad Wali (may Allah preserve them). Mawlana Imtiyaz noted him to be an exceptional personality, the epitome of good character and someone who possessed an academic mind, mastering the Qirāʾāt to a remarkable standard.
His zeal for knowledge led him to Karachi, Pakistan, where he studied ḥadīth and specialized in the sciences of fiqh under the tutelage of Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani (may Allah preserve him). Additionally, he specialized in Islamic Finance and served as an advisor for Islamic Banks.
Following his studies, he went on to serve as an Imam, teacher and counselor for three different masajid in the Austin, TX (USA) area where he was known to be a universally loved leader who displayed tremendous tolerance. He had a keen passion for interfaith dialogue and activism and was commended across the city for his efforts. As one local Rabbi noted, ““He was a dear, dear man, a truly sweet soul and a person of genuine courage and compassion.”
Throughout the last decade of his life, whilst performing his full-time duties as Imam, Mufti Mohamed-Umer taught the sciences of tajwīd and qirāʾāt to students all over the world. Over 50 students have received ijāzah from him in the ten canonical recitations of the Qurʾān. Many more have received ijāzah from him in tajwīd. While teaching his students, Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail compiled both written and audio commentary in English on the texts he taught. His work benefited students by providing them access to this branch of sacred knowledge. Spanning over 700 pages, his commentaries are line-by-line translations and explanations of hundreds of lines of poetry and utilize dozens of sources and techniques to elucidate the vast and complex sciences of tajwīdand qirāʾāt. For the non-scholar and non- Arabic speaker, these works are a blessing.
As Imām al-Shāṭibī states in his seminal text, Ḥirz al-Amānī wa Wajh al-Tahānī (commonly known as al-Shāṭibiyah), "May Allah grant abundant rewards on our behalf to the Imams who relayed to us the Qurʾān authenticated and precise."
Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail (May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him) left behind his wife and three daughters, dedicated students, and an endearing community. He passed away on September 2nd, 2019/1441 AH and is buried in the ICGA Cemetery, outside of Austin, Texas. He was 45 years old. His janaza was attended by hundreds all across Texas, including the mayor of the city who stated Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail "brought communities together, he brought this city together." We can add that now through the publications of his works posthumously, he is bringing together students and teachers of the Qur’an together from all over the world. May Allah accept all his efforts and service to the ummah in all the ways in which he endeavored to serve it and grant him the highest level of Jannah and fill his grave with light and make it like one of the gardens of Jannah. Amin.