Saad Hussain Rizvi (Urdu: سعد حسین رضوی), born on September 21, 1994, in Nikka Kalan, Tehsil Pindi Gheb, Attock District, Punjab, Pakistan, is a prominent Pakistani Islamic scholar, cleric, and politician serving as the second Ameer (leader) of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a far-right Islamist populist political party. At 31 years old, Rizvi has emerged as a polarizing figure in Pakistan’s political landscape, inheriting the mantle from his father, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the party’s founder, and leading TLP through high-stakes protests, electoral gains, and violent confrontations, most notably in the ongoing 2025 pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have gripped the nation. Known for his fiery oratory and staunch defense of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, Rizvi’s leadership has amplified TLP’s influence among Barelvi Sunni Muslims, particularly in Punjab, while drawing criticism for inciting unrest.
Early Life and Education
Rizvi was born into a devout Punjabi Awan family in the rural village of Nikka Kalan, a region steeped in religious tradition. He is the eldest son of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a renowned Islamic scholar and preacher, and his wife, whose identity remains largely private. Growing up alongside his younger brother, Anas Hussain Rizvi, and four sisters, Saad was immersed in a religious environment from childhood, as his father served as a prayer leader at Lahore’s Jamia Masjid Rehmatullil Alameen.
His early education began at Royal Grammar School in Lahore, blending secular learning with religious studies. He then enrolled in his father’s Madrassa Abu Zar Ghaffari, where he completed Hifz-e-Qur’an (memorization of the Quran), earning the title of Hafiz. After matriculation, Rizvi pursued advanced Islamic studies, completing the rigorous eight-year Dars-i-Nizami curriculum across various madrasas in Pakistan. This education rendered him fluent in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Punjabi, equipping him with the scholarly depth to deliver sermons and lead religious discourse. Rizvi’s formative years were marked by his father’s activism, particularly following the 2011 assassination of Salmaan Taseer by Mumtaz Qadri, which galvanized the family’s commitment to defending blasphemy laws.
Political Career
Rizvi’s entry into politics was seamless, joining TLP as a founding member in August 2015 when his father established the party to protest perceived dilutions of Pakistan’s blasphemy legislation. Initially serving as an activist, he rose swiftly through the ranks, becoming the party’s Deputy Secretary-General from 2017 to 2020 and later Central Deputy General Organization Secretary. Under his early involvement, TLP mobilized massive rallies, including the 2017 Faizabad sit-in that paralyzed Islamabad and forced the government’s resignation of key officials.
Following Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s sudden death on November 19, 2020, from respiratory complications amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Saad was unanimously appointed Ameer by TLP’s 22-member Central Majlis-e-Shura on November 21, 2020. At just 26, he led his father’s funeral prayer at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan, attended by an estimated 200,000 mourners, and was interred at Madrassah Abu Zar Ghaffari. Rizvi’s leadership has sustained TLP’s momentum, securing two seats in the 2018 Sindh Assembly elections with over 2.2 million votes nationwide. He has positioned TLP as a defender of the Prophet Muhammad’s honor, blending religious fervor with populist appeals to the working-class and youth in Punjab.
Rise to Prominence and Key Events
Rizvi’s tenure has been defined by confrontational politics. In April 2021, he was arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act for inciting violence ahead of a planned march against the French ambassador over Prophet cartoons, sparking nationwide riots that killed at least four police officers and led to the temporary banning of TLP. Detained for over a year, his release in October 2021—following Lahore High Court rulings deeming his detention illegal—ignited further celebrations and protests. Rizvi’s oratory, often delivered in viral videos, has drawn tens of thousands to rallies, emphasizing anti-blasphemy stances and critiques of Western influences.
In recent years, Rizvi has expanded TLP’s foreign policy focus, vocally supporting Palestine. During a 2024 Faizabad sit-in, he called for boycotting Israeli products, declaring Benjamin Netanyahu a “terrorist,” and demanding aid for Gaza. This culminated in the October 2025 “Gaza March,” a five-day protest from Lahore to Islamabad against Pakistan’s support for a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan. On October 13, 2025, clashes in Muridke near Lahore turned deadly, with police and Rangers dispersing thousands of TLP supporters armed with sticks and bricks. Rizvi, who had urged calm in a video amid gunfire, was reportedly shot multiple times—sustaining three bullet wounds—and remains in critical condition at an undisclosed medical facility, according to TLP sources. The violence has claimed at least five lives, including a police SHO, with TLP alleging over 250 members killed and 1,500 injured, prompting school closures, internet shutdowns, and motorway blockades across Punjab.
Achievements and Contributions
Under Rizvi, TLP has solidified its role as a mass-mobilization force, amplifying Barelvi voices on issues like blasphemy and minority rights within an Islamist framework. His leadership has boosted the party’s electoral footprint, particularly in Punjab, and fostered youth engagement through social media and grassroots campaigns. Rizvi’s advocacy for Gaza has aligned TLP with global Islamist sentiments, pressuring the government on foreign policy. Despite controversies, he is credited with maintaining party unity post his father’s death and navigating legal battles to sustain TLP’s operations.
Personal Life
Rizvi maintains a low profile regarding his family, though reports indicate he is married with at least one daughter; his wife and child were briefly detained during a 2025 police raid on his Lahore residence. Standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a lean build, he embodies the ascetic cleric archetype, often seen in traditional attire during sermons. Active on social media via accounts like @SaadRizviReal92 on X (formerly Twitter), he engages followers with religious exhortations and protest updates, amassing thousands of supporters. Rizvi resides primarily in Lahore, balancing leadership duties with scholarly pursuits.
Controversies
Rizvi’s career is rife with legal and social friction. His 2021 arrest triggered riots that paralyzed Pakistan, leading to a brief TLP ban lifted after government negotiations. Critics, including human rights groups, accuse him of promoting extremism and sectarianism, while supporters view him as a bulwark against secularism. The 2025 Gaza March has escalated tensions, with allegations of police brutality against TLP and counter-claims of protester violence, including arson and attacks on law enforcement. Rizvi’s framing of international issues in religious terms has polarized public opinion, positioning TLP as both a grassroots powerhouse and a national security concern.
Saad Hussain Rizvi’s trajectory from a young Hafiz to a commanding Ameer underscores the enduring appeal of Islamist populism in Pakistan, where his calls for religious honor resonate amid geopolitical strife. As of October 14, 2025, with his condition critical amid nationwide unrest, Rizvi’s fate remains a flashpoint, potentially reshaping TLP’s future and Pakistan’s delicate balance of faith and state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Saad Hussain Rizvi
- Who is Saad Hussain Rizvi?
Saad Hussain Rizvi is a Pakistani Islamic scholar and politician, serving as the second Ameer of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a far-right Islamist party focused on blasphemy laws and religious issues. - How old is Saad Hussain Rizvi?
Born on September 21, 1994, he is 31 years old as of October 2025. - Where was Saad Hussain Rizvi born?
He was born in Nikka Kalan, Tehsil Pindi Gheb, Attock District, Punjab, Pakistan. - What is Saad Hussain Rizvi’s educational background?
He completed Hifz-e-Qur’an at Madrassa Abu Zar Ghaffari and pursued the eight-year Dars-i-Nizami curriculum at various madrasas, making him fluent in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Punjabi. - Who is Saad Hussain Rizvi’s father?
His father is Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the founder and first Ameer of TLP, who passed away in November 2020. - How many siblings does Saad Hussain Rizvi have?
He has one younger brother, Anas Hussain Rizvi, and four sisters. - When did Saad Hussain Rizvi become TLP’s leader?
He was appointed Ameer on November 21, 2020, following his father’s death. - What was Saad Hussain Rizvi’s role in TLP before becoming Ameer?
He served as a founding member, activist, Deputy Secretary-General (2017–2020), and Central Deputy General Organization Secretary. - What is TLP’s main ideology?
TLP is a Barelvi Sunni Islamist party advocating strict enforcement of blasphemy laws and defense of the Prophet Muhammad’s honor. - What major protest did TLP lead under Saad Hussain Rizvi in 2021?
The April 2021 march against the French ambassador over Prophet cartoons, leading to his arrest and nationwide riots. - Why was Saad Hussain Rizvi arrested in 2021?
He was detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act for inciting violence ahead of the planned anti-France protest. - When was Saad Hussain Rizvi released from detention?
He was released in October 2021 after the Lahore High Court ruled his detention illegal. - What is Saad Hussain Rizvi’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict?
He strongly supports Palestine, calling for boycotts of Israeli products, aid to Gaza, and labeling Israeli leaders as terrorists. - What is the October 2025 Gaza March?
A TLP-led protest from Lahore to Islamabad against Pakistan’s support for a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, sparking violent clashes. - What happened to Saad Hussain Rizvi on October 13, 2025?
He was reportedly shot multiple times during clashes in Muridke, sustaining critical injuries, according to TLP sources. - Is Saad Hussain Rizvi married? Does he have children?
Yes, he is married and has at least one daughter; details about his family are kept private. - What is Saad Hussain Rizvi’s height?
He stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. - Has Saad Hussain Rizvi faced any bans on TLP?
Yes, TLP was briefly banned in 2021 following riots over his arrest, but the ban was lifted after negotiations. - How can one follow Saad Hussain Rizvi on social media?
Via his official X account @SaadRizviReal92 or YouTube channel Allama Saad Hussain Rizvi Official for sermons and updates. - Why is Saad Hussain Rizvi controversial?
He is praised by supporters as a religious defender but criticized for inciting violence, extremism, and disrupting public order during protests.
