The Directorate of Students Advisor Office, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences, organized a seminar on the book Al-Muhallab bin Abi Sufra, authored by Honorable Justice Dr. Muhammad Anwar. The session brought together faculty members, students, and researchers to revisit an important yet often overlooked chapter of early Islamic history.
The program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an followed by the National Anthem of Pakistan.
Opening the discussion, Dr. Masood Khattak, Deputy Students Advisor and Assistant Professor at the Department of Politics and International Relations, provided an overview of the book. He underlined its contemporary relevance, noting that the work corrects long-held assumptions regarding the introduction of Islam in South Asia. He appreciated the author’s scholarly effort in highlighting the contributions of a significant but forgotten figure of the Muslim world.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Ghufran, Director Students Advisor, emphasized the need to cultivate a strong reading culture among students. He described Al-Muhallab as a valuable contribution to modern Islamic historiography and encouraged students to explore it for a deeper understanding of Islamic history through a research-based approach.
Delivering the keynote address, Honorable Justice Dr. Muhammad Anwar discussed the historical significance of Al-Muhallab bin Abi al-Sufra and outlined the central arguments of his research. He stated that Islam reached this region nearly fifty years before the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim, primarily through the campaigns of Al-Muhallab. He explained how Al-Muhallab advanced through Kabul, present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, establishing the earliest Islamic presence in the region.
Justice Anwar highlighted that a distinguishing feature of the book is its detailed mapping of Al-Muhallab’s routes, supported by early Arabic sources and diverse historical references. This, he added, makes the research academically sound and historically meaningful.
The book presents a comprehensive biography of one of the earliest Muslim military commanders whose contributions remain underrepresented in South Asian historiography. It argues that Al-Muhallab’s expeditions introduced early forms of Islamic governance, cultural values, and civilizational practices to areas that are now parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Justice Anwar also spoke about the military strategy and leadership qualities of Al-Muhallab, noting his tactical planning, operational skills, and ability to navigate diverse terrains. He explained that Al-Muhallab established administrative structures and cultural practices that influenced local societies. The work relies on primary chronicles, archaeological findings, and classical Islamic historiography, challenging conventional narratives and inviting scholars to reassess early Islamic interactions with South Asia.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, IIUI, praised the scholarly value of the book and called it a significant contribution to the understanding of early Islamic history. He said that Al-Muhallab’s campaigns laid foundational elements of Islamic civilization in the region, leaving a long-lasting impact on local cultures.
Dr. Ghufran and Prof. Afridi thanked the distinguished speaker and presented him with a souvenir in recognition of his contribution.
