Among the most conspicuous Madaris was the one at Lahore, founded only a month after independence i.e. on 14 September 1947 by Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) an extremely noble apostle (Khalifa-e-Arshad) of Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA). Due to great regards & esteem for his illustrious spiritual guide and in recognition of his services to prevail upon the Ulamah for united efforts for the creation of an independent homeland (Pakistan) for Muslims, Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) named this Institution at Lahore as JAMIA ASHRAFIA.

Founded initially in an old quadrangular three-storied building in Nila Gumbad Anarkali at the centre of the thickly populated area of Lahore, JAMIA ASHRAFIA soon became recognized as the most authenticated pivotal seat of Islamic learning in Pakistan. The individual piety & high theological caliber of Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) attracted nearly all distinguished Islamic scholars of the time to visit Jamia Ashrafia. Qari Muhammad Tayyab (RA), Allama Syed Suleman Nadvi (RA), Maulana Abdul Majid Derya Abadi (RA), Maulana Zafar Ahmad Ansari (RA), Maulana Maseehullah Khan (RA), Maulana Ehteshamul Haq Thanwi (RA), Mufti Muhammad Shafi (RA), Maulana Khair Muhammad Jalandhri (RA) and many others always felt honoured to be the guests of JAMIA ASHRAFIA during their visits to Lahore. The scholastic orations of these great men of letters and authorities on Islamic Knowledge were most anxiously awaited by the public, which thronged at JAMIA’S MOSQUE in large numbers from all over Lahore and the areas around. Due to the extreme sincerity & Lillahiyyat of Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA), the following three scholars of internationally recognized caliber agreed to join the regular teaching staff of the JAMIA.

1.  Maulana Rasool Khan (RA)

2. Maulana Idrees Kandhalvi (RA)

3. Mufti Jamil Ahmad Thanwi (RA)

The reputation of high qualify of Islamic education being imparted by such noble dignitaries of high intellectual caliber soon spread over the whole country and thus the Jamia’s building at Nila Gumbad became rather too inadequate to accommodate the pressing demand of a large number of students from all parts of Pakistan, Although there were no financial resources to acquire a bigger campus, yet accepting the prayers of His God-Fearing devotees, the Most Gracious & Almighty Allah created means from the unknown and a spacious 120 Kanals ideally located piece of land between the Canal Road, and Ferozepur Road was purchased on 28 March 1955. Following the tradition of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) the construction work at this new extensive campus of the JAMIA began by laying the foundation stone of the Mosque at the site.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Masjid Hassan was really very moving when quite a good number of god-fearing Muslims joined in prayers with the Founder Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) and his noble associates.

With continued trust & faith in Allah, the gigantic project of construction of buildings on this new vast premises was also immediately taken in hand, and soon in 1957 the majority of the staff & students shifted to this new campus on Ferozepur Road, Lahore. Regular teaching of Daura-e-hadith was initiated at this new campus by Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Idrees Kandhalvi in 1958. Today, this main campus comprises a beautiful Mosque, a huge Administrative & Teaching Block, Two spacious Boarding Houses (One for local & the other for foreign students), a Hospital with facility of medical services to the staff & the students of this JAMIA and the population of the area around, and quite a number of residences for the teaching staff & the other employees of the JAMIA.

After having accomplished all these targets with sincere intention to earn Allah’s good-will, the Founder of the JAMIA Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan(RA) breathed his last on 1st June 1961.

          Inna Lillahe wa Inna Elaihey Rajeoon

          May the noble soul rest in peace in Heaven.

After demise of the noble Founder of the JAMIA, his eldest son Mufti Mohammad Obaidullah (MZ) was unanimously nominated to take up the arduous responsibility of Raisul Jamia.

Mufti Mohammad Obaidullah being a graduate of Darul Uloom-e-Deoband proved worthy of choice, and has since made significant contribution for further development of the JAMIA.