Syed Mohammed Madni Ashraf (Urdu: ??? ???? ???? ???? , Hindi: ???? ??????? ???? ????) often referred to as "Shaikhul Islam," or "Mujaddid E Azam "or most commonly Madni Miyan, (born on 27 August 1938 CE or 1 Rajab 1357 AH) is an Muslim jurist, theologian, ascetic, hadith traditionist, spiritual leader, and author from Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, Uttar Pradesh, India.
He is a great-grandson of Sufi saint Sultan Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, founder of Ashrafi Movement.Huzoor Shykhul Islam got the Title of Raeesul Muhakkekeen (leader of the researchers)from Ghazali e Daura'n Allama Syed Ahmed Saeed Kazmi r.a.
from Pakistan (who was an esteemed scholar at the time) for the great research regarding Videography and Photography permisability in Islam.
He proved this from different references from within the Qur'an and Hadith and other books and give the fatwa of 'Jawaz' that both are allow for good deeds.
His teachings and preachings are spread all over the world including Asia, Europe & African countries.
He has become "one of the most venerated" intellectual figures in Islam, who has a "profound influence affecting almost every area of" the traditionalist (literalism-oriented) perspective within Sunni Islam.
He is the founder of two charitable trusts, Shaikhul Islam Trust and Mohaddise Azam Mission, organization's whose aim is to spread the real message of Islam in all spheres of world throughout social service in disasters, spiritual and religious works, operating charities to provide marital expenses for girls from destitute households, and teaching in centres of both religious and academic levels.
Syed is a patron of various social, academic and other developmental activities of Sufi Sunni Muslims in India.