Draft:Zahedi Ahmadzai

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Jan Muhammad Zahedi Ahmadzai
پوھنمل زاھدی احمدزی
Zahedi Ahmadzai
Born	Jan Muhammad 1948 Daud Khel, Logar, Afghanistan
Nationality	Afghan
Education	Dar Ul Uloom Arabia, Kabul (High School) Kabul University (Bachelor's in Arabic Literature) Wifaq Ul Madaris Al-Arabia, Pakistan (Certification in Dawre Hadith) University of Peshawar (Master's in Islamic Studies) University of Peshawar (Master's in Pashto Literature)
Occupation(s)	Author, Scholar, Herbal Medicine Practitioner (Hakim)
Known for	Pashto literature, Islamic scholarship, Unani medicine
Notable work	د اسلامي اندود په رڼاکې د ژبو تاریخ او پیدایښت (The History and Origin of Languages in the Light of Islamic Thought)
Spouse	Married in 1973
Awards	Gold Medal (Islamic Unani Medical College, Lahore), Silver Medal (Writing, Pashto Literature)

.Zahedi Ahmadzai (Pashto: پوھنمل زاھدی احمدزی) from Afghanistan is a renowned Pashto-language author, Islamic scholar, poet, and researcher. Over his lifetime, he has made significant contributions to Pashto literature and Islamic scholarship, promoting a pure Islamic ideology and advancing traditional medicine practices.

Early Life and Education

Family Background:

Zahedi Ahmadzai, born Jan Muhammad Zahedi, is the son of Mulla Fazal Ahmadzai. He descends from a prominent lineage; his grandfather, Mir Afzal Ahmadzai, and great-grandfather, Malik Muhammad Shareef, opposed the First British invasion of Afghanistan, showcasing a history rooted in resilience and leadership.

Early Education:

Ahmadzai began his early education at home, where he received instruction from local teachers in a mosque setting. He studied formally up to the ninth grade under the guidance of a dedicated private tutor. His intermediate Islamic studies were shaped by a series of respected scholars from various regions, each contributing to his foundational knowledge in Islamic teachings. Among his notable teachers were Mulla Noor Muhammad, known as "Padkhabi," and Naik Naam Akhunzada Abdul Haq from Zurmat in Paktia. He also studied under Moulve Abdul Ghani from Bagram Qalai Buland in Kabul, Moulve Miskeen from the northern district of Purza, Moulve Multan "Khosti" from Khost province, and Moulve Juma Muhammad from Chamkani in Paktia. Additionally, he gained further insights into Islamic studies at Khor Kacha in Zurmat, Paktia, benefiting from the rich diversity of perspectives offered by his teachers.

As a young man eager to deepen his understanding of Islam, Zahedi Ahmadzai traveled to Pakistan, where he began his studies under the guidance of Spande Molve Sahib in Bannu, Pakistan. This foundational period of study equipped him with critical insights and encouraged him to pursue further Islamic scholarship. Seeking advanced knowledge, he then moved to Peshawar, a city known for its vibrant centers of Islamic education. In Peshawar, he enrolled at Dar Ul Uloom Seddiqua and Ahya Ul Islam Regi, two respected institutions renowned for their distinguished faculty and comprehensive Islamic curriculum. Here, he expanded his intellectual horizons and refined his perspectives under the tutelage of highly qualified scholars.

Driven by a desire for further specialization, Ahmadzai continued his academic journey to the district of Haripur in what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province, or NWFP). He was admitted to Jamia Darul Uloom Rahmania, an esteemed institution where he completed his primary Islamic studies. This period of intensive education laid a solid foundation for his future contributions to Islamic scholarship and literature.

Unani Medicine Training:

After graduating from Dar Ul Uloom Rahmania, Zahedi Ahmadzai developed a deep interest in Unani medicine, a traditional healing system based on herbal treatments. Motivated by this passion, he traveled to Swat and then to Dir, where he pursued further studies in the field of herbal medicine. By 1966, Ahmadzai had established a strong foundation not only in Islamic studies but also as a budding student of Unani medicine, blending his knowledge of faith and healing practices.

Teaching and Early Career:

Ahmadzai's teaching career began at Moulve Naseeb Ali Shah Madrassa in Bannu, where he served for one year. Following this experience, he returned to his hometown of Logar and continued teaching at a local madrassa for an additional year. In 1968, Ahmadzai resumed his studies in Unani medicine with renewed dedication, ultimately graduating in 1970 as a qualified herbal practitioner.

At the age of 22, Ahmadzai was required to serve in the Afghan army by the government, led by President Mohammed Daoud Khan. However, due to his prior studies in Islamic education, he was permitted to take an exemption examination in Islamic studies. Ahmadzai successfully passed the test, which granted him an exemption from military service.

Higher Education:

After completing his high school studies at Dar Ul Uloom Arabia in Kabul, Ahmadzai was accepted into Kabul University, where he enrolled in the Arabic Literature department. In 1976, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree, further solidifying his academic credentials. Shortly after completing his degree, he moved to Kunduz, where he began his career as a herbal medicine practitioner, or Hakim. Known for his expertise in herbal treatments, he quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest practitioners in the region. Ahmadzai married in 1973, balancing his family life with his professional and scholarly pursuits.

Legacy and Influence

Zahedi Ahmadzai's contributions as an Islamic scholar, author, and practitioner of Unani medicine have made him a respected figure in his community. His work in Pashto literature and Islamic education continues to inspire future generations of scholars and practitioners.

Refugee Years

Zahedi Ahmadzai’s life in Kunduz was marked by success as a highly regarded herbalist and a respected community figure. However, in 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Ahmadzai was forced to flee to Peshawar, Pakistan, where he sought refuge and continues to reside to this day.

Higher Studies and Achievements

In 1986, Ahmadzai earned an international certification in Dawre Hadith from Wifaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia, Pakistan. Building upon his scholarly achievements, he completed a master's degree in Islamic Studies (Islamiat) at the University of Peshawar in 1989. Ahmadzai’s dedication to the Pashto language and Islamic scholarship garnered him a silver medal in writing, recognizing him as one of the foremost Pashto authors of his time.

Ahmadzai served as a lecturer for four years at a local Afghan university in Peshawar. He also started another master's degree in Pashto Literature from University of Peshawar, graduating in 1992. This academic achievement enhanced his literary skills and positioned him as a strong figure in Pashto literature. In the same year, he was appointed as the head of the Department of Sharia and Law at Syed Jamal ud Din Afghan University.

In 1994, Ahmadzai was awarded a gold medal by the Islamic Unani Medical College in Lahore in recognition of his contributions to Unani medicine. The following year, in 1995, he accepted a position as a lecturer at Afghan University in Peshawar, where he dedicated nearly a decade to teaching before his eventual retirement.

Publications

Zahedi Ahmadzai has authored numerous influential works that cover a range of topics, from Islamic thought and cultural critique to traditional medicine. One of his most prominent books, د اسلامي اندود په رڼاکې د ژبو تاریخ او پیدایښت ("The History and Origin of Languages in the Light of Islamic Thought"), examines the history and development of languages from an Islamic perspective. Ahmadzai has also contributed to discussions on Afghan culture and literature, particularly in his work په افغانستان کې د لبرالیزم غورځنګ, which explores the rise of liberalism in Afghanistan. This book is available through the Internet Archive.

Additionally, Ahmadzai’s publication فکري استعمار ("Intellectual Colonialism") delves into the impact of external ideologies on Islamic societies, offering a critical examination of intellectual colonialism. This work can also be accessed on the Internet Archive.

Beyond his contributions to literature and Islamic thought, Ahmadzai has made significant advancements in the field of traditional medicine. His book د حکمت صندقچه: شرح طبی قانونچه provides insights into Unani medicine, reflecting his expertise as a herbal medicine practitioner. More details about this work are available in the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University catalog

Since 2006, Ahmadzai has authored over 250 books, which include original works as well as translations from Arabic and Urdu into Pashto. His translated works aim to make significant Islamic texts accessible to Pashto-speaking audiences.

During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Ahmadzai also made his mark in journalism. He was the editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper called Ikhlas and a monthly magazine named Tarjuman ul Haq. These publications provided a platform for intellectual discourse and served as a voice for the Afghan community in exile.