Navigating through the complexities of life and achieving success in the face of challenges is not something everyone can master. However, Advocate Arshad Mobin Ahmad, a senior lawyer at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment throughout his journey. Join us as we explore the life and achievements of Arshad Mobin Ahmad, a man driven by the spirit of serving humanity.

MAG: Tell us something about your early life. Where did you receive your education?

AMA: At the time of the partition of British India, we migrated with our parents from the city of Agra in India to the city of Karachi in Pakistan. We settled in Karachi's famous commercial areas of Old City Kharadar and Mithadar, near Jodia Bazaar and Sarafa Bazaar, where I completed my education. When we arrived in Pakistan with our parents and siblings, I was just a few months old. Therefore, there is a few months' difference between my birth and the founding of Pakistan.

To briefly speak about my education, I obtained my LLB degree from Islamia Law College, Gurumandir, in 1976. My passion for studying paved the way for continuous education, and I passed my MA (Political Science) in 1987 and MA (International Relations) in 1990. All these degrees were obtained from Karachi University. Additionally, I also successfully completed two diploma courses (Labor Law and Technician Law).

MAG: When and how did you start your professional life? Please tell us something about it as well.

AMA: It's a long story. I will briefly share a few things here. I aspired to become a Chartered Accountant, so I joined a CA firm in November 1964 and continued my studies. My mother passed away when I was very young. After I passed my matriculation, my father also left this mortal world in 1965. It was his heartfelt wish that I become a good person through education. My elder sister then took on the responsibility of raising me and making important decisions in my life. Circumstances changed, and I got married in 1967. I had to change my educational career path and took a job in a well-known private company to earn an income before my marriage.

After ten years, since I had completed my B.Com, I left the job and managed to secure a good position in a renowned company. I then decided to pursue a career in law, enrolled in LLB, and by the grace of Allah and my parents' prayers, I successfully obtained my law degree in 1984. I then left my job and started practicing law. Since then, I have been associated with this profession.

During my 38-year journey in law, I faced many ups and downs, which I confronted with great courage and bravery. By the grace of Allah, my two sons and two daughters have also passed the bar exam and are registered as lawyers, and they are all working with me in the same law firm. The thought that inspired me to serve humanity and pursue a career in law took root in my mind when I once heard that doctors and lawyers dedicate their lives to serving humanity, and Allah will reward them well for this service.

MAG: There is often talk about the Bar and the Bench. What do you have to say about this?

AMA: When it comes to the Bar and the Bench, it can be said that they are like the two wheels of a vehicle. If even one of them is not functioning properly, the vehicle cannot move forward. Just as a judge is important, so is a lawyer. Both play a role in delivering justice. Today, like many other fields, the situation is challenging; however, I believe there is room for improvement.

Yes, the fundamental purpose of both the Bar and the Bench should solely be the "pursuit of truth" and "delivering justice." Judges and lawyers should both seek the truth. If both work together in this quest, the system will progress, and it will be possible to provide justice to the innocent. Unfortunately, today, the public is not satisfied with our judicial system.

MAG: Could you also tell us something about your social work?

AMA: Since childhood, I have been interested in social work and have been involved in various related activities. Furthermore, welfare societies in my community were also doing their work, and I had the opportunity to serve in important administrative positions in these societies as well. However, to promote education and play a role in it, with the cooperation of friends, I registered a welfare organization named "Diamond Educational Society" with the relevant government body of Pakistan in 1992. This organization is a charitable institution providing services in the field of education.

MAG: How did you develop an inclination towards writing books while being engaged in the busy profession of law?

AMA: I strongly felt that the lack of Islamic teachings was increasing among our younger generation. Life presented such busy schedules, issues, and challenges that, while I was aware of this, I never got the chance to address it. When I decided to fulfill this long-standing desire, as per my habit, I began my effort in 2019, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. I confined my professional and other activities to my reading room at home.

I was able to do this because my children had not only entered the field of law but had also taken on some of my work responsibilities. I have discussed this in detail with my lawyer colleagues in my book. After two years of continuous hard work and research, I was able to publish my first book, "Ilm Ki Pehli Kiran" (The First Ray of Knowledge), in January 2021. I had 1,000 copies printed at my own expense and distributed them for free as a Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) for my deceased parents, as the book had grown quite lengthy. Therefore, I had to leave out two chapters.

I also wanted to release a book for the reward of my late elder sister’s soul, so I succeeded in that after a year of effort. By the grace of Allah, I managed to publish my second book, "Ilm Ki Shuaain" (The Rays of Knowledge), in the same manner as the first one. However, this book also became quite lengthy, and I could not include two important chapters from the first book in it. I have included them in my third book titled "Ilm Ke Bikhre Moti" (Scattered Pearls of Knowledge), which I wrote with a new perspective and thought, and, by the grace of Allah, successfully published it as a tribute to the souls of my wife’s late parents.

There are many things that cannot be fully conveyed in words or detailed explanations. Instead, sometimes a few verses of poetry suffice, but only for those who understand. That is why I have used poetry throughout my writings. I will conclude this conversation for now with a verse from my friend Sadiq Raaz:

"Nahi hai Raaz koi raaz-e-dil mein
Sabhi kuch toh bataye ja raha hoon"
(There is no secret in my heart; I am revealing everything.)