Maulana Saad

Maulana Saad Kandhlawi is a religious figure and the current Amir (leader) of the “Maulana Saad” group. Before starting his group, he was one of the World Shura members of Tablighi Jamaat. His group was created after he abandoned the Shura after they declined his request to be the new Ameer (leader) of Tablighi Jamaat. He has since declared himself the Ameer and claimed his group as the original Tablighi Jamat.

Maulana Saad Biography

Name – Maulana Saad
Real Name – Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi
Nick Name – Maulana Saad Sahab
Address – Maulana Saad’s Residence in Banglawali Masjid, Farmhouse in Shamli District, UP
Birthday – 10 May 1965
Age – 57 Years (as of January 2023)
Gender – Male
Nationality – Indian
Religion – Islam, Sunni
Profession – Indian Muslim scholar, Head of the Tablighi Jamat Nizamuddin Offshoot, New Delhi, India.
Qualification – Madrasa Kashiful Uloom, Nizamuddin (Incomplete)

Maulana Saad Age / DOB

Maulana Saad was born on the 10th of May 1965 at Kandhla, Shamli District, UP, India. Maulana Saad age is currently 58 years old as of August 2024.

Maulana Saad Family Tree

Maulana Saad’s father is Maulana Muhammed Haroon Kandhlawi, son of Maulana Yusuf Kandhlawi and son of Maulana Ilyas Kandhlawi, the founder of Tablighi Jamaat. His lineage can be further traced to Mufti Ilahi Bakhsh Kandhlawi and can be further traced down to the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s greatest companion Abu Bakar As-Siddiq RA.

Click here for the Full History of Tablighi Jamaat

Maulana Saad Father

Maulana Saad’s Father is Maulana Haroon Kandhlawi. He passed away on the 28th of September 1973 when Maulana Saad was 8 years old. Maulana Harun Kandhalawi was 35 years old at the time of his death. His death was due to a sickness where he was hospitalized for 13 days.

Maulana Saad Early Education

After Maulana Saad lost his father at an early age, Maulana Saad was fostered by Haji Mumtaz from Basti Nizamuddin (Nizamuddin local residence). Since Muslim women do not generally go out of their houses, Haji Mumtaz would be the one to take Maulana Saad around and manage his early education.

Maulana Saad Religious Education

Maulana Saad started his education at Madrasa Kasiful Uloom, Nizamuddin Markaz, India, in 1987. While he was there, some of his teachers included Maulana Yaqub and Maulana Ibrahim Dewla.

According to one of the Madrasa’s Council members, Maulana Saad never completed his A’alim/Religious studies and has never received a certificate.

Source: A Mewati insider explains the Nizamuddin controversy

Due to his special status as the great-grandson of Maulana Ilyas (the founder of Tablighi Jamaat), he was generally treated with a golden spoon. He was often absent from his classes for long periods of time unchecked. He never completed his A’alim/Religious studies. As he did not receive a formal certificate, he is technically not an Ulama/A’lim.

The title “Maulana” generally refers to a qualified A’alim. However, despite not being an A’alim, he is still being called a “Maulana” due to his respected position.

Maulana Saad’s Character

Maulana Saad is known to be a persuasive public speaker. His speeches would garner attention as it is generally mixed with simple but direct points which at times would be controversial (See: list of Maulana Saad’s Controversial Speeches).

Maulana Saad is also a hot-tempered person. He would often display his anger publicly. His lack of good character has been documented in Ahwal Wa Atsar by Maulana Shahed Saharanpuri who was a long time residence in Nizamuddin Markaz. Maulana Shahed was also the grandson of Shaykul Hadith Maulana Zakariyya and the son-in-law of Maulana Inamul Hassan (the previous Ameer of Tablighi Jamaat)

The following are some incidents mentioned in the book:

#1 Maulana Saad claims that Maulana Zakariyya and Inaamul Hassan are the enemies of Da’wa

Maulana Saad’s father, Maulana Haroon was the maternal grandson of Maulana Zakariyya Kandhlawi. Maulana Inamul Hasan who was the third Ameer of Tabligh and was the brother in law of Maulana Yusuf (the second Ameer and grandfather of Maulana Saad).

Yet, despite these close family ties, after the demise of Maulana Inamul Hasan in 1995, Maulana Saad would often say:

The enemies of Da’wa are two: Maulana Zakariyya because he did not make my father Ameer; and Maulana Inamul Hasan.

Maulana Saad (Ahwal Wa Atsar, p425)

Maulana Saad later realized the toxicity and danger of his words. He would later stop criticizing Maulana Zakariyya and would only criticize Maulana Inamul Hasan instead.

It is a Sunnah (tradition) of the holy prophet SAW that before Da’wa parties were to depart, a Musafaha (farewell handshaking ceremony) was to be conducted. In the 2014 Bhopal Ijtema, it was decided that he and Maulana Zuhair were to conduct the Musafaha ceremony together.

Maulana Saad did not like this at all. He felt that it should be him alone that should conduct the ceremony. He walked off the stage during the ceremony attended by a million people and expressed his anger towards to Ijtema Shura committee.

Source: Ahwal Wa Atsar Page, p76

#3 Maulana Saad disrespects his teacher and most senior elder in Nizamuddin

Maulana Yaqub was the most experienced worker and teacher in Nizamuddin. He was not only the teacher of Maulana Saad but the teacher of Maulana Saad’s father as well.

Once, with full disrespect, Maulana Saad looked directly into Maulana Yaqub’s eyes and scolded him in front of everyone:

“What do you know about the work of Da’wa? I am doing the work here!”

Source: Ahwal Wa Atsar, p489

Once, in a Bayan (public speech), Maulana Saad made a scoffing remark to Maulana Yaqub, as Maulana Yaqub denied his Emirate (leadership). Maulana Saad said: “That person who said there is no Amir (referring to Maulana Yaqub), is Majnun (Crazy). There is no Amir here except me.”

In August 2016, Maulana Yaqub wrote a letter explaining the 2014 Tablighi Jamaat Crisis.

Source: Maulana Yaqub’s Letter

#4 Maulana Saad tells the senior elders of Nizamuddin to go to hell

On one occasion, Maulana Saad was so angry at a group of elders for not accepting his leadership that he told them all to “go to Jahannam(Hell)”.

Source: Actual audio recording

#5 Maulana Saad occasionally expresses anger and sometime insults to his followers

During his speeches, Maulana Saad has been known to express anger towards his listeners especially those who use mobile phones during his speech.

Maulana Saad scolds a person playing with his mobile during his speech calling him ‘Shaytan’ (Devil)

In a gathering in Nizamuddin Markaz, Maulana Saad was recorded in anger insulting a Muslim and ordering him to be thrown out of the Markaz.

“What are you doing??..Shaytan…catch him..Jaahil..i am shouting since morning at him for talking on the mobile…catch and bring that donkey here..catch him catch that donkey with a black cap..the one at the front.. he is like Shaitan..from where he come?…go and throw him out..go..make him run from this place and throw him out…he has become Shaitan and has come to this place…i am saying since this morning to call him…he is like donkey…[unclear]…ummat peoples are wandering here… doing haram work….[unclear]…”

Maulana Saad extremely angry, raising his hand to hit a follower

In a widely shared CCTV footage, Maulana Saad was caught being extremely angry and raising his hands trying to hit a follower. The follower was trying to capture a video of him.

Maulana Saad was appointed to the World Shura at a young age

In 1993, at the age of 29, a young Maulana Saad was appointed into the World Shura, the highest council in Tablighi Jamaat. The purpose of the World Shura was to assist the Ameer of Tablighi Jamaat. At that time, the Ameer was Maulana Inamul Hasan.

After Maulana Inamul Hasan passed away, the World Shura decided in a 1995 agreement that there would be no more Ameer but a rotating Faisal (deciding Chair person) during the Shura meetings instead. The rotating Faisal would emulate the role of an Ameer. Since there was no formal Ameer, the agreement also ceased the practice of Bay’ah (the pledge of allegiance to the Ameer).

Source: Ahwal Wa Atsar, p421, C Amanatullah, Maulana Yaqub’s letter, Haji Abdul Wahab’s statement

Maulana Saad takes control of the Markaz Treasury

In August 1996, Maulana Izharul Hasan, who was in charge of the Nizamuddin Markaz’s finances passed away. Maulana Saad took over the Markaz’s treasury and finances. Until now, the financial accounts of Nizamuddin Markaz are only known to Maulana Saad and have never been audited.

Source: C Amanatullah – Tablighi Headquarters Nizamuddin

Maulana Saad has never spent time in Jamaat

One of the key elements of the Tablighi Jamaat movement is to go on Da’wa missions or ‘Jamaats’. These Jamaats are typically organized in 3 days, 40 days or 4 months missions. Each member is encouraged to embark on these missions periodically.

After being appointed to the World Shura, Maulana Saad has never spent any time in Jamaat until today. This was testified by many including Haji Abdul Wahab Sahab who was the Ameer of Pakistan and a World Shura member as well.

Source: Haji Abdul Wahab, Chaudhry Amanatullah, Maulana Yasin Mewati

Maulana Saad declares himself the new Ameer (Leader) violating the 1995 agreement

Maulana Saad assumed himself as the new Ameer(leader) of Tabligh in 2014 by initiating Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) to himself. This move was highly criticized as it violated the 1995 Shura agreement, which stipulated there would be no more Bay’ah and no more Ameer.

The World Shura rejected his move to be the new Ameer

In November 2015, the World Shura met in Raiwind, Pakistan. At that time the World Shura had recently lost its third member (Maulana Zubairul Hassan). Only Haji Abdul Wahab and Maulana Saad was the remaining member left.

During the World Shura meeting, Haji Abdul Wahab was the Faisal (deciding chairman) at that time. Maulana Saad’s declaration as the new Ameer was not accepted. The World Shura was expanded with new members added. The new appointment included Maulana Ibrahim Dewla and Maulana Yaqub.

Source: World Shura Appointment Letter 2015

The decision to expand the World Shura enraged Maulana Saad as he did not want to work in a Shura but wanted to be the new Ameer.

Source: Haji Abdul Wahab’s Statement

Maulana Saad closes down the Markaz in protest

Upon returning from Pakistan, Maulana Saad protested the meeting’s decision and closed down the Nizamuddin Markaz (in India) for local Jamaats. For almost one month, the Markaz was quiet with only foreigners attending.

Source: C Amanatullah – Tablighi Headquarters Nizamuddin

Maulana Saad creates his offshoot Tablighi Jamaat Faction

In December 2015, Maulana Saad created his own Shura where he was the sole Ameer and rejected the existing World Shura.

Since the World Shura was the recognized body as per the 1995 agreement, Maulana Saad has thus broken himself away from mainstream Tablighi Jamaat.

Maulana Saad attempts to disunite Tablighi Jamaat Worldwide

Maulana Saad began to seize control of various Tablighi Jamaat Halaqas (units) in India and worldwide by appointing his loyalists and demoting those who were against him. He sent many Jamaats worldwide to propagate his version of the story creating a slew of disagreements and disuniting Tablighi Jamaat worldwide.

Those who were not in line with him were asked to leave their respected Markazs worldwide.

Source: Letter 18, Collection of Elders Letter, C Amanatullah – Tablighi Headquarters Nizamuddin

The World Shura members from India remain hopeful

The newly appointed World Shura members from India continued to stay in Nizamuddin despite Maulana Saad’s break away from the Shura. They wanted Tablighi Jamaat to continue as usual and were hopeful that Maulana Saad would eventually come to his senses and the situation would resolve by itself.

All hopes to mediate were lost when Maulana Saad resorted to violence

On the 19th of June 2016, on the night of the 13th Ramadhan, a group of Maulana Saad’s 100-150 fanatics stormed Nizamuddin Markaz and severely assaulted anyone who was not in line with him.

14 people were rushed to the ICU including the well-respected Maulana Ahmad Madhi, who was a close companion (Khadim) of Maulana Inaamul Hassan (The third Ameer of Tabligh).

Almost all the elders including members of the World Shura left the very next day. This incident ended all hopes for mediation.

The brutal incident was reported all over the news. Maulana Saad denied his involvement, however, many evidences pointed otherwise. Maulana Ibrahim Dewla himself witnessed a violent incident and was shocked to learn the truth when he confronted Maulana Saad.

For more details see: Markaz Nizamuddin’s First Ever Bloodshed – The Day Our Elders Left

Haji Abdul Wahab takes a Stand against Maulana Saad

Seeing the elders leaving Nizamuddin after the Ramadhan 2016 violence, Haji Abdul Wahab decided to take a strong stand against Maulana Saad.

He rallied and united all the elders
He instructed people to abandon Nizamuddin Markaz saying it has been occupied by irresponsible people.
He delivered an ultimatum to Maulana Saad singling him the source of the Fitna.

Source: Haji Abdul Wahab’s Audio, Ultimatum letter

Maulana Saad’s influence starts to decline

Maulana Saad has been on the decline since breaking away from Tablighi Jamaat:

In 2020 March, Nizamuddin Markaz was shut down following the Covid-19 hotspot where it became a super spreader. Many foreigners were jailed for up to 6 months.
In 2020 April, the media exposed Maulana Saad’s large farmhouse mansion with plush interiors, CCTVs, electric fences, dogs, swimming pools, luxury cars, and exotic animals [source1, source2, source3, source].
In 2020 March, a money laundering case was opened against Maulana Saad as authorities found a large sum of money in his bank account.
In 2022, the Indian courts enforced strict conditions on Nizamuddin Markaz: No Tablighi activities, no lectures, no foreigners, and CCTVs must be installed at all entrances, stairs, and every floor [source]. Nizamuddin was reopened in late 2022 under these strict conditions.
2018 – 2025 – Maulana Saad was barred 8 times from entering Tongi Ijtema, the largest Muslim gathering after Hajj.
2016-2023 – Many Fatwas were issued on Maulana Saad to save the public from his ideologies.
2023 – A strong and detailed fatwa was issued by Darul Uloom Deoband. They prohibited people from spreading Maulana Saad’s views and mentioned his followers would be answerable to Allah SWT.
2024 – Mufti Taqi Uthmani publicly sends a letter criticizing Maulana Saad’s deviation and controversial speeches
2025 – Following the Tongi Ijtema attack perpetuated by Saad’s fanatics, the government of Bangladesh has declared that the Saad Group (under Wasiful Islam) will no longer be able to conduct their session in the Ijtema.

Maulana Saad Family

Maulana Saad’s Family members are Binti Salman Mazahiri (his wife), Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad (eldest son), Maulana Saeed Bin Saad (second son), Maulana Ilyas Bin Saad (youngest son), and 2 daughters. They are a wealthy family, owning luxury cars and living in a large mansion.

Maulana Saad Wife

Maulana Saad’s Wife is Binti Salman Mazahiri. She is the daughter of Maulana Salman Mazahiri, who is the principal of Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur. They were married in 1990.

Maulana Saad’s Wife is known to be an extrovert and would give strong speeches to ladies who came for Masturat (ladies) Jamaat in Nizamuddin Markaz. This is despite herself never spent any time in Jamaat just like her husband.

Maulana Saad’s Wife’s father, Maulana Salman Mazahiri (Maulana Saad’s father-in-law), was one of the signatories of the Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur’s stand against Maulana Saad.

Source: Mazahirul Uloom’s stance/fatwa

Maulana Saad Son

Maulana Saad has three sons, namely Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad (eldest), Maulana Saeed Bin Saad (second), and Maulana Ilyas Bin Saad (youngest). Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad is deemed to be his successor and the next amir of his group.

All three of his sons appeared in Tongi Ijtema 2023 and gave talks there. Maulana Yusuf Bin Saad was selected to give the final dua (Akheree Munajat), which is usually done by his father.

Maulana Saad Net Worth

Maulana Saad’s networth is estimated to be USD $270 Million Dollars (₹2000 Crore Indian Rupees). This is based on a 2020 reports, following the Nizamuddin COVID 19 Hotspot investigation, where Maulana Saad himself admitted (to the enforcement agencies) that he has assets worth USD $270 Million Dollars (₹2000 Crore Indian Rupees).

Exclusive information has been obtained indicating that, according to Maulana Saad himself, he has amassed property worth more than ₹2,000 crore through his international network

News Nation, April 25, 2020

His three sons managed the foreign funding accounts, through which Maulana Saad has amassed this ₹2,000 crore ($270M USD) of assets.

India TV, April 18, 2020

These figures are however based on investigative journalism and have not been officially confirmed by enforcement agencies or courts.

Source: News Nation, India TV

See Article: Maulana Saad Money Laundering Case

Maulana Saad Money Laundering Investigation

Maulana Saad came under scrutiny after a large religious congregation was held at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz in March 2020. The event became a COVID-19 hotspot, prompting the Delhi Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against him on March 31, 2020.

He was later booked under serious charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. This criminal case became the predicate for financial probes into Saad’s activities.

See Article: Maulana Saad’s Money Laundering Case

Maulana Saad and Deoband

Maulana Saad’s ideologies have been openly criticized by Darul Uloom Deoband.

The first-ever criticism of Maulana Saad’s speech came in the form of a letter from Maulana Muhammad Ishaq Utarwi in 2001. Maulana Ishaq claimed that Maulana Saad’s manner of speech is no longer in line with how the previous elders used to deliver lectures.

On 28th November 2016, Darul Uloom Deoband issued its first stance (Mawqeef) or Fatwa on Maulana Saad.

Following the Fatwa, Maulana Saad accused Deoband of being against the work of Da’wa but at the same time started a Rujoo process. Maulana Saa’s Rujoo was found to be deficient and was rejected by Darul Uloom Deoband in January 2018.

In June 2023, Deoband released a more lengthy fatwa on Maulana Saad. The 27-page fatwa delves in great detail why they believe Maulana Saad has deviated from the Ahlus Sunnah. In summary:

It is not permissible to propagate Maulana Saad’s views and ideologies by any means.
Those who are defending him are regrettable. They will be answerable to Allah SWT for their actions.

Due to his popularity in India, Maulana Saad seems no longer interested in making amends with the Darul Ulooms. He continued to persist in controversial statements until today.

In 2025, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, in a recorded statement said that Maulana Saad’s Bayans are “even worse than before”.

his recent statements are even worse than before. He is challenging the Ulema, saying that people should abandon fatwas and follow their hearts instead

Source: Mufti Abdul Qasim Nomani Audio

See: Full List of 60+ Fatwas against Maulana Saad

Maulana Saad Bayan

Maulana Saad is known to be a good speaker. His talks are often engaging as he is critical and often makes thought-provoking statements. Some of his statements tend to be extreme and controversial. This has been the key contentions of the Ulema and Darul Ulooms against him.

Some of his controversial statements include:

Claiming that going for 40 days (in Jamaat) is Fardh despite he himself has not spent 40 days [Proof].
Claiming that working for Halal Rizk is wrong if Muslims are becoming Murtad (leaving Islam)
Claiming that the greatest sin of the Sahaba was to delay going out in the Path of Allah
Likening Nizamuddin to Madinah, and leaving it is like being Murtad (leaving Islam)
Claiming that learning science causes Shirk (idolatry)
Claiming that without doing Gasht (visiting Muslim brothers for Da’wa), our Imaan will not be perfect
Blatantly claiming that those that don’t go Khurooj are similar to Munaafiqs
Claiming that helping Islam is only through Da’wa. Helping via wealth and Intellect is not.
Claiming that Hidayah (guidance) is not in the hands of Allah
Claiming that shuras are the biggest Fitna while he establishes Shuras worldwide
Claiming that leaving Mashwara is a bigger sin than leaving the battlefield
Claiming that wearing long tight pants invalidates Salat
Claiming that it is against Sunnah to give Da’wa outside the Masjid
Controversially claiming that being paid for any religious work is wrong. Scholars should do business instead. If not their Muhajadah is flawed
Claiming that there is only one way of Da’wa, which is his way
Claiming that “IntansurUllah” (Helping Allah) is only restricted to Da’wa. Charity and Defending against enemies are not.
Disrespecting Prophet Suleiman indirectly comparing him to the non-believers for missing Salat
Claiming that the effort of Deen cannot be carried out without deception and manipulation.

Wasiful Islam

Wasiful Islam is the leader of the Maulana Saad’s Faction in Bangladesh.

Maulana Shamim

Maulana Shamim is Maulana Saad’s key supporter in India. He is known to travel all over the world coercing people to obey Maulana Saad. Since it is inappropriate for Maulana Saad to speak about himself directly or ask others to obey him as the Ameer, he uses such people to do so.

Where is Maulana Saad now?

As of 2024, Maulana Saad currently resides in his second home in Nizamuddin Markaz, Delhi. His main home is a large house in Shamli, UP. It is currently managed by his son, Maulana Yusuf bin Saad. According to his relative, Maulana Badrul Hisham, he spends most of his time there and only once a month (for a few days) at his large farmhouse mansion in Shamli District, UP.

Maulana Saad Facebook

Maulana Saad’s official approved page is http://www.delhimarkaz.com/, which officially uploads his latest talks and events. As an individual, we do not know if Maulana Saad has a Facebook page. His fans however have created the following Facebook page: Hazrat Ji Maulana Sa’ad DB Un, which has 80K followers as of 2023.