Identity: Eminent journalist, religious and historical writer, and author of moral and reformative literature for children.

Mufti Shaukat Ali Fahmi was born on 24 October 1901 in the historic city of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He is regarded among those distinguished journalists, writers, and scholars who rendered notable services to Urdu journalism, religious literature, and historical writing. He was associated with the literary circle of Khwaja Hasan Nizami and was considered one of the important representatives of that tradition. His ancestors were also connected with significant socio-political movements of history; notably, members of his family are especially mentioned among the motivating forces behind the Revolt of 1857, which began in Meerut.

Mufti Shaukat Ali Fahmi began his journalistic career in 1921 along with his cousin Muhammad Anwar Hashmi by launching the monthly magazine Din Duniya. Owing to its distinctive religious, literary, and social identity, the magazine soon gained popularity. Over time, its circulation and influence increased significantly, and it came to be regarded among the important Urdu religious and social journals of its era.

Throughout his long journalistic career, he edited numerous newspapers and magazines. He possessed practical experience in almost every form of journalism, including daily, tri-weekly, weekly, and monthly publications. Alongside Khwaja Hasan Nizami, he launched the daily newspaper Adil. He also edited Taqat, a pictorial and informative newspaper modeled after Maulana Abul kalam azad’s famous paper Al-Hilal. Later, he also founded a monthly magazine titled Islami Duniya.

Mufti Shaukat Ali Fahmi was not only a journalist but also a prolific and widely read author. He wrote between thirty and forty books, most of which dealt with religious, historical, moral, and reformative themes. The hallmark of his writing was its simplicity, clarity, and fluent style, which made his works popular among both general readers and scholars. His historical writings, in particular, received extraordinary appreciation among Urdu readers.

His important works include Mukammal Tarikh-e-Islam, Mukammal Tarikh-e-Hind, Hind aur Pakistan ke Auliya, Hindustan par Mughalia Hukumat, and Inquilab ki Khooni Tarikh. He also wrote extensively for children. His well-known children’s books include Bachchon ke liye Tarikhi Qisse, Bachchon ki Bostan, Bachchon ki Gulistan, Bachchon ki Khutut Nigari, Akhlaqi Kahaniyan, Aulad ki Tarbiyat, Quran ki Kahaniyan, and Paighambaron ki Kahaniyan.

Death: Mufti Shaukat Ali Fahmi passed away on 14 April 1993.