Sheikh Syed Abul Hasan 'Ali Nadwi, one of the most prolific writers and original thinkers of our time, author of well over fifty books in various languages, and a scholar of rare distinction, passed into the mercy of Allah in December 1999.

Maulana was a founder member of the Muslim World League (Rabita), a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), a member of the World Supreme Council of Mosques, and a member of the Fiqh Council of Rabita. 

He was also a member of Advisory Council of the Islamic University of Madinah al-Munawwarah, a member of its Supreme Council, and a member of the Academy of Arts and Letters of Damascus, Syria. He was also a founder member of the League of the Islamic Literature in India.

Perhaps better known as a member and rector of Nadwatul Ulama (India) and president of the Academy of Islamic Research and Publications.

More Information on the Author

Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (24 November 1914 – 31 December 1999) also spelt Abul Hasan Ali al Hasani an Nadvi affectionately called as Ali Miyan was an Indian Islamic scholar and author of over fifty books in various languages. He was the theorist of the revivalist movement.

Education

He was born on 24 November 1914.He received his early education at his hometown Takia, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India. His mother initiated his early training in Quranic studies then he later entered formal education in Arabic, Persian and Urdu.

His father, Hakim Syed Abdul Hai, wrote an 8-volumes Arabic encyclopedia called Nuzhat al Khawatir (biographical notices of more than 5,000 theologian and jurists of the Sub-continent). His mother was also a pious and learned woman who composed her own poetry that was published by the title of 'Kaleed-i-Bab-i-Rehmat' His elder brother, Maulana Dr. Sayyid Abdul Ali Hasani, was also a prominent Islamic scholar and a Medical Doctor.

Nadwi received most of his advanced education at the Dar al-'Ulum of the Nadwat al-'Ulama in Lucknow. He also received a gold medal from Allahabad University and also took lessons at the famous, Darul Uloom Deoband.

Writtings

Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi primarily wrote in Arabic, although also in Urdu, and wrote more than fifty books on history, theology, and biography, and thousands of seminar papers, articles, and recorded speeches.

His 1950 book Maza Khasiral Alam be Inhitat al-Muslimeen (lit. What did the world lose with the decline of Muslims?), translated into English as Islam and the World, was largely responsible for popularizing the concept of "modern Jahiliyya." The Islamist author Syed Qutb commended Nadwi's writings for his use of the word jahiliyya to describe not a particular age in history (as earlier Muslim scholars did) but a state of moral corruption and materialism.

He wrote 'Qisas al-Nabiyeen' (translated as 'Stories of the Prophets') for his nephew that became famous among the Arabic learners and the book was soon included in the syllabi for teaching Arabic at various institutions around the globe. Being a fan of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Ali Nadwi also undertook the task of introducing Iqbal and his Islamic thoughts to the Arab world. Thus, he wrote 'Rawa'i' Iqbal' which was subsequently rendered in to Urdu as 'Nuqoosh-i-Iqbal'.

He wrote a detailed biography of his father in Urdu entitled 'Hayat-e-Abdul Haiy'. He also wrote a biographical account of his mother in 'Zikr-e-Khayr'. While he also penned his autobiography, 'Karawan-e-Zindagi', in 7 volumes.

An adherent of pan-Islamism, he opposed secular Arab nationalism and pan-Arabism. He also had a lifelong association with the Tablighi Jamaat

Dr. Shah has summarized some of his salient thoughts in the following words:

'Maulana Ali Nadwi sincerely and staunchly believed that the real threat to the modern world, especially the Muslim world, is neither the lack of material development nor the political disturbances, rather it’s the moral and spiritual decline. He firmly believed that Islam alone has the ability to overturn this and thus Muslims must wake up to make an effort in this regard. By staying back, he argued, the Muslims were not only failing themselves rather the entire humanity! He stressed on Muslims, especially those living in a Muslim majority countries (like Pakistan), to develop a society based on Islamic principles that could become a model (for its moral and spiritual values) for the rest of the world. He was a strong critic of nationalism and stressed upon working for the humanity, collectively. He also laid much emphasis on the crucial role women for upholding the teachings of Islam in a society. Instead of trying to shut their doors for the incoming western influence, he believed that the intellectual Muslims should study the contemporary Western ideologies and form their own ideology in its response, withholding the 'superior moral values of Islam'. He opposed 'Islamic groups' from clashing with the 'secular elite' in Muslim majority countries and instead encouraged for an 'inclusive approach' wherein the 'secular elite' could be gradually and positively called towards Islam, without causing any chaos in the society. Similarly, he also urged Muslims living as a minority to maintain peace and create a valuable position for themselves through hard work and exemplary morals

Positions, Honours And Awards

• 1962 Founding member/Secretary of the first inaugural session and foundation of Muslim World League in Mecca.
• 1980 King Faisal Award.
• Founding Chairman of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
• 1984 President of 'League of Islamic Literature'
• 1999 'Islamic Personality of Year' award established by Sheikh Mohammed of United Arab Emirates.
• 1999 Sultan of Brunei Award

After his death, the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Pakistan, arranged a seminar in his honor and published the speeches and articles presented therein as ‘Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi – Hayat-o-Afkar Kay Chand Pehlu’

Access to the Kaaba

In 1951, during his second pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah the key-bearer of the Kaaba (Islam's holiest building), opened its door for two days and allowed Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi to take anyone he chose inside.

He was given the key to the Kaaba to allow him to enter whenever he chose during his pilgrimage

Death

Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi died on 23 Ramadan, 1420 AH (31 December 1999) in Raebareli, India at the age of 85