As per a press release of the University Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din Assistant Professor/Chairman of the Department of Islamic Studies & Arabic has been awarded the Degree of Ph.D. He remained a regular student of Peshawar University for the last few years. His supervisor for the study under reference was the renowned scholar, Professor Dr. Mirajul Islam Zia, Director of institute of Islamic & Arabic Studies University of Peshawar who had got his PhD degree from  Leeds,UK. His topic for the above stated research was, “Astronomical & Geographical factors on essential Islamic Provisions”. He completed his research work within the stipulated period successfully and compiled the same in 409 pages. The thesis was, thereafter, sent to different foreign scholars hailing from developed countries.

They were Prof Dr. Anwarullah, Islamic Legal Specialist, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Bander Seri Begwan, Bruni Darussalam and Dr. Adam Malik Khan, Professor of Islamic Studies Ali Garh Muslim University (UP) India. Both the Examiners examined it comprehensively and sent their satisfactory reports after the lapse of about ten months. Furthermore, they have appreciated his efforts and work in memorable words.

Dr. Anwarullah has asserted that “the Discussion of the student is scholarly and is based on original and authentic sources. The discussion on the thesis is properly arranged under relevant topics and sub topics. The language of the thesis is plain and idiomatic. The Research level is satisfactory. The research on the science of astronomy and Geography is the need of the Muslim world at all times and as such the work of the scholar is appreciable. I will also recommend that this thesis may be translated into English and published for general benefit”.

The defense session of Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din was held on December 31st, 2012, in the University of Peshawar wherein he gave satisfactory replies to all the questions of the all scholars including Examiner, consequently, the examiner recommended him for the award of Ph.D degree.

This is pertinent to note that the afore-mentioned Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din did his science graduation from University of Peshawar, M.Phil from AIOU and Four MA(s) in different subjects as private student from the University of Peshawar. Hailing from a very backward area, District Shangala of Malakand Division, Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din has been a popular religious scholar and heir of a spiritual dynasty of the area. His respectable father named Maulana Pir Muhammad Kamil Shah was a great scholar, a spiritual leader who had also worked in his earlier part as special advisor to the late Wali of Swat. Pir Muhammad Kamil Shah shifted to Mardan in 1984 for the better future and education of his children followed by the intense insist of his Muredeen of District Mardan. He elected a Mohallah named BabaJee Colony Karwan Road for residing over there which is in the back yard of the present Main Campus of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan. He used to serve as khateeb in a Mosque and also looked after a spiritual Monastery here titled as “Khan Qahi Kamiliyya Salihiyya” completely isolated from the affiliation of political parties.

The scholar Dr. Hafiz Salih ud Din is the heir of the academic and spiritual heritage of his father, whose characteristics were discussed earlier. The said Professor started his teaching career as lecturer in 1997, from Govt Degree College Latamber, District Karak. Thereafter, he was transferred to GDC Bakhshali and then to GPGC Mardan, where he performed his duties to the best of his ability not only as a teacher but as an administrator also.  
He has the honor to begin his career as the first faculty member of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan amongst the regular employees. Simultaneously, with the inception of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, one of the four pioneer Department which got approval of the HEC, was the Department of Islamic Studies. At that time along with three more Departments, The department of Islamic Studies was the only one which fulfilled the HEC requirements perfectly and hence it was started.

This is a known fact that in the establishment of AWKUM along with the opening of this Department the services of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amin would always be remembered with great reference and reverence. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amin, in those days was working as Dy: Project Director (AWKUM) while Prof Dr. Ihsan Ali was its Project Director, who became its first Vice Chancellor. Later Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din joined the Department of Islamic Studies and now has completed four years under the patronage of Prof Dr. Muhammad Amin the first Chairman and the then faculty member of this Department.

The most amazing fact regarding Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din is that he gave up his 12 years regular service as lecturer in the Department of Higher Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but preferred to serve for the rest of his life in this University. He took his charge as lecturer in this University; on August 16th, 2009 followed by his promotion to Assistant Professor on May 31, 2011. Subsequently, he took over the charge of Acting Chairman of the Department of Islamic studies on May 24th, 2012. He is still working on the same post with a tremendous developmental change in the Department with full zeal and zest.

Dr. Hafiz Salih Ud Din during an interview appreciated the Co-operation of all friends and well wishers in enabling him to get the Degree of Ph.D, but mentioned two personalities as special ones to have been most kind towards him during all this process. These are respectable Prof Dr. Ihsan Ali, Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan and Prof. Dr. Qibla ayaz Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar to have been extremely instrumental in procuring his Ph.D Degree.

In the end he prayed for the success and prosperity of the nation, country and especially Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan from the core of his heart.