Syed Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi (1914 -1999)

Syed Abul Hassan 'Ali Nadwi was one of the most prolific writers and original thinkers of 20th century. He
was the author of well over fifty books in various languages, and an undisputed scholar of rare distinction.
Early Life and Education
Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi, or “Ali Miyan” as he was popularly known, was born in a family of
Islamic scholars on the 6th of Moharam 1333 H (1914) at Takia Kalan (Daira Shah Alamullah). He began his
formal Arabic education under the guidance of Allama Khalil Arab Ansari Yamani and Dr. Taqi Uddin Helali
Marakeshi, eventually completing his learning of Arabic language and literature under them.
In 1926, he gained admission in Nadwatul Ulama. He attended the Dars of Hadith by Allama Muhaddith
Haider Husain Khan and Sahiyen-Sanana-Abudaud and Sanan-Tirmzee word by word from him. In the
session of Nadwatul Ulama of Kanpur, Maulana attended and impressed the one and all by his Arabic
conversation. The Arab guest made him their companion on the tour of the city as a guide.
A year later, he took admission in Lucknow University and obtained the degree of Fazil from the university.
He studied the select Urdu literature, which helped him in his Dawah work. Until 1930, he also learned
English language, which helped him to study English books on various Islamic topics and gain useful
information directly. He received the teaching in the commentary (Tafseer) in selected surah from his Sheikh
Maulana Khalil Ahsan and studied the complete Tafseer of Al-Quran at Lahore in 1932 by Maulana Ahmad
Ali Lahoree.
Literary and Da’wah works
In 1931, he wrote his first article on Syed Ahmad Shahid at the age of 17 years, which was published in the
journal Al-Manar edited by Sayyid Rashid Rida of Egypt. Three years later, he was appointed as a teacher in
Nadwatul Ulama. He taught Tafsir, Hadith, Arabic literature, History and Logic. His first book, “The Life
History of Syed Ahmad Shahid” was published in 1938, which became popular amongst the Deeni and
Dawah circles.
In 1943, he established an Association by the name of ‘Anjuman Taleemat-e-Deen’ and delivered Lectures on
Tafseer and Sunnah which became very popular particularly in Modern educated persons and persons in
Govt. service. This was followed by this 1945 selection as a member of the administrative council of
Nadwatul Ulama.
He was later proposed as deputy Director Education Nadwatul Ulama by Allama Syed Sulaiman Nadwi and
was appointed and after the death of Allama Syed Sulaiman Nadwi, he was made the Director of Education in
1954 - following the foundation of his famous movement Payam-e-Insaniyat in 1951. He also became the
editor of the journals Al-Baas and Al-Raid and founded the Academy of Islamic Research and Publications In
1961, after the death of his brother Dr. Abdul Ali Hasani, he was appointed the General Secretary of
Nadwatul Ulama.
He was invited by education minister of Saudi Arabia in 1968 to participate in the critical study of the
curriculum and system of the department of Sharia. He delivered many lectures in Riyadh University. He was
also in the editorial board of the Arabic Journal "Al-Zia" of Nadwatul Ulama in 1932 and the Urdu journal
Al-Nawa 1940 and published an Urdu Journal Tameer in 1948 and took the responsibility of editorial of a
journal from Damascus in 1959. He was the chief controller of all the above papers which were published
from Nadwa.
A prolific writer, his works have been prescribed in the courses of study in a number of Arab Universities.
His notable Arabic work Maza Khasera al-Alamb’inhitat-il-Muslimeen was not only widely acclaimed but
also carved out a place for him in the literary circles of the Arab world. Several of his works have since been
translated into Arabic, English, Turkish, Bahasa Indonesia, Persian, Tamil and some other languages.
Karvaan-e-Zindagi, his autobiography in 8 volumes, and Purane-Chiragh (life sketches of contemporary
personalities), his biography of Syed Ahmad Shaheed, his biography of Hazrat Ali (KW) and his Tarikh-e-
Dawat-o-Azimat are his permanent contribution to Urdu literature.
Among many of his notable works which are translated into English include: Path to Medina, Western
Civilization: Islam and Muslims, and Saviors of Islamic Spirit.
Memberships and Associations
In his formative years, the Maulana was associated with the Jamat-e-Islami for a few years after its
establishment by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi. Spiritually a disciple of Maulana Abdul Qadir Raipuri, the
Maulana belonged to the Sufi Silsila Qadiriya Naqshbandia.
He was an Honorary Member of the Academy of Arts and Letters, Damascus and Academy of Arabic
Language, Amman and served as Visiting Professor in a number of Arab universities
Internationally recognized, he was one of the Founder Members of the Rabita at-Alam-al-Islami, Makkah,
(1963), and served on the Higher Council of the Islamic University, Medina, the Executive Committee of the
Federation of Islamic Universities, Rabat, and as the Chairman of the Board for the Centre of Islamic Studies
of the Oxford University. The lectures he delivered at Indian, Arab and Western Universities have been
highly appreciated as original contribution to the study of Islam and on Islam’s relevance to the modern age
The Maulana was one of the founders of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) (1964), the
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) (1972) and the All India Dini Talimi Council. He presided
over the Milli Convention in 1979. He also extended his patronage to the Islamic Fiqh Academy and the All
India Milli Council when they were established.
To promote communal harmony, the Maulana became one of the founders of FOCUS, which was later
transformed into Society for Communal Harmony. He also established a movement ‘Pyam-e-Insaniyat’ to
preach the gospel of universal love and brotherhood.
Honors and awards
In 1956 he was made visiting member of Arabic Academy Damascus. At the first inaugural session and
foundation of World Muslim League in Mekkah Mukarama in which His Royal Highness the King of Saudi
Arabia Saud Bin Abdul Aziz and King of Libya Idris Sanussi were present. Maulana performed the duties of
secretary at that session. At the inauguration and foundation of Medina University, Medina, he was made the
member of the advisory council and remained as member till the administration was changed, and was a
Foundation member of the League of Islamic Universities.
In 1980s, he was made a Member of Arabic Academy of Jordan, won the King Faisal Award, became
Chairman of Islamic Centre Oxford, was given an Honorary Degree of Ph.D. by Kashmir University. In 1999,
the Maulana was awarded Dubai International Holy Quran award by the government of Dubai. He also won
the Sultan Brunei Award by Oxford Islamic Center on his work of ‘Tareekh Dawat-o-Azeemat’
Personality and Uniqueness
Maulana was a man who personified Islamic values, soft-spoken, cultured and courteous to the core, humility
and modesty, patience and tolerance, moderation and balance, generosity and compassion – all Islamic
values. Neither a politician, nor a publicist, essentially a scholar, a man of religion, a spiritual person, a
modern Dervish, a Mard-e-Momin who combined in himself the highest values of the Shariah and the
Tariqat, of orthodoxy and Sufism and who commanded respect for his transparent sincerity, for his simple
living and for his selfless devotion to the common cause of the Community and the Nation, a man who lived
for Allah alone and who wanted nothing but the good of all is no more.
The great political battles of the Muslim community during the last decades of the century were fought under
his guidance. The A.I. Muslim Personal Law Board launched in 1985 the movement for legislative
nullification of the Supreme Court judgment in the Shah Bano Case, which the Muslim Indians saw as the
thin end of the wedge for interference with the Shariah and for distorting the Islamic identity of the
community. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorcees) Act, 1986 was its fruit; though it had
several inbuilt flaws, which has landed the community subsequently in endless litigation.
In the last decade of his life the Maulana served as the final arbiter, the last word, the Marja’, the ultimate
point of reference, on any intra-communal differences, even if he did not play any active role in resolving
them. He counseled commitment with patience and wisdom, movement within the framework of democracy
and rule of law, and dignity and not rhetoric in utterances. Assiduously sought by eminent political
personalities from Indira Gandhi to Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Maulana acted as the bridge between the
government and the national parties, on one hand, and Muslim community, on the other.
His demise is the end of an era in the history of the Muslim India and has created a void impossible to fill in
the foreseeable future.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, Ameen!