Birth and Life of Abu al-Hasan al-Nadwi
Abu al-Hasan Ali bin Abdul Hai bin Fakhr al-Din al-Hasani al-Nadwi was a distinguished Islamic scholar, thinker, and writer. His lineage traces back through both parents to Imam Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). Sheikh Abu al-Hasan was born on the 6th of Muharram in the year 1333 AH, which corresponds to 1914 CE, in a village named Takiya Kalan in the Rai Bareli district.
This village is located in one of the northern states of India. The esteemed Sheikh hailed from an Arab family known for its piety and adherence to Islamic traditions. His family, famously referred to as the Al-Hasani family, was led by his father, a prominent scholar in India, who took an active role in his upbringing and education from a young age.
He earned the title “al-Nadwi” after the Dar al-Uloom of Nadvat al-Ulama, an institution based in India, marking a connection similar to a graduate of Al-Azhar being referred to as an “Azharian.”
Sheikh Abu al-Hasan began his education early, initially learning the Arabic alphabet, followed by reading Urdu texts, and subsequently memorizing the Holy Quran. He attended a local school associated with the village mosque, where he also learned Persian from a private tutor appointed by his father, the esteemed Sheikh Mahmood Ali.
The revered Sheikh passed away in the year 1420 AH, corresponding to 1999 CE, during the last days of Ramadan. On that day, after performing ablution, he began reading Surah Al-Kahf and passed away, departing to the mercy of his Lord.
Al-Nadwi’s Academic Life
Abu al-Hasan’s brother decided to ensure his proficiency in the Arabic language, entrusting him to the esteemed Sheikh Khalil bin Muhammad bin Hussein al-Ansari al-Yamani. Under his guidance, Abu al-Hasan mastered the essentials of morphology and syntax by the age of twelve.
In 1927, Abu al-Hasan enrolled in the Lankawi University to study Arabic literature, becoming the youngest student at the institution. After completing his studies there, he joined the Dar al-Uloom of Nadvat al-Ulama, where he learned Hadith under the renowned Sheikh Haidar Hasan Khan.
Recognizing his academic competence and literary talent, Sheikh Abu al-Hasan was appointed as a teacher at the Dar al-Uloom of Nadvat al-Ulama in 1934, at just twenty years of age. He continued in this role for a decade, teaching Tafsir, Hadith, and Arabic language and literature until 1944.
Al-Nadwi’s Intellectual Approach
Sheikh al-Nadwi was both a da’i (caller) and an Islamic thinker who established a pragmatic approach to his missionary and reformative endeavors. He devised two distinctive methodologies to further his mission: the first involved delivering public and private speeches across various communities.
He engaged directly with the people, fostering a rapport with them and sharing in their daily lives during both good times and hardships. The second approach entailed writing and authoring books and pamphlets, all aimed at promoting a modern and distinct interpretation of Islam.
His outreach targeted the minds of men, women, and particularly children, emphasizing the importance of raising them with a solid Islamic foundation. Sheikh al-Nadwi’s efforts were centered on filling hearts with the light of faith and conviction.
He innovatively crafted his methods to achieve these goals, offering models of Dawah that directed attention and hearts toward profound spiritual awareness grounded in sound belief, worship, and righteous conduct. His style was characterized by his frequent citation of evidence from the Holy Quran and the Noble Sunnah, relying on the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions.
The core of his Dawah philosophy revolved around educational methodology, social behavior, the role of mosques, and literary initiatives. Thus, his approach formed a unique and established school, free from partisanship and religious extremism.
Al-Nadwi as a Pioneer of Islamic Literature
Abu al-Hasan dedicated almost half a century to the fields of Islamic advocacy, thought, and literature, particularly focusing on Islamic literature. He emphasized two major aspects: the first being practical efforts to promote and elevate the cause of Islamic literature to global recognition.
His endeavors included hosting international conferences and engaging in interviews centered on Islamic literature. The second aspect was creative, reflected in his numerous contributions to Islamic literature, alongside his significant role in founding the World Islamic Literature Association, which he presided over for 23 years.
Sheikh al-Nadwi is credited with pioneering efforts that played a crucial role in advancing the cause of Islamic literature worldwide. He was the first to call for an Islamic literature conference in 1988 at the Nadvat al-Ulama in Lucknow, India.
At the conclusion of the conference, a recommendation was made for Arab and Islamic universities to include Islamic literature in their curricula. Among his notable contributions was his ongoing support for the World Islamic Literature Association, aiding its members—writers and enthusiasts of Islamic literature—in publishing their works despite various challenges.
Al-Nadwi’s Travels in Pursuit of Knowledge
Sheikh al-Nadwi undertook numerous journeys aimed at advocacy and reform. Some of the noteworthy trips included:
- 1939 Journey
This exploratory trip involved visiting several distant cities to learn about various advocacy institutions and meet influential figures, such as Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Rai and Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas.
- 1950 Journey
In this journey, the Sheikh traveled to the Hijaz, Egypt, Sudan, and the Levant (Jordan, Syria, and Palestine), documenting his impressions of these countries in his book “Memoirs of a Traveler in the Arab East,” where he also delivered numerous lectures and speeches, all aimed at advocacy and reform.
- Stay in Egypt
The Sheikh spent six months in Egypt, during which he authored his renowned book “What Did the World Lose by the Decline of Muslims?” and met with many eminent scholars and imams, including Al-Ghazali and Al-Qaradawi. He also delivered several lectures and speeches in various Egyptian mosques and institutions.
Positions and Awards Held by Al-Nadwi
Sheikh Abu al-Hasan al-Nadwi’s life was characterized by remarkable achievements in Islamic advocacy and reform, earning him numerous prestigious positions and awards, including:
Throughout his career, he held several key positions, such as:
- Teacher at Dar al-Uloom of Nadvat al-Ulama in 1934.
- Director of the Islamic Instructions Center in 1943.
- Member of the Administrative Council of Nadvat al-Ulama in 1948.
- President of the Human Message Movement in 1951.
- Founder of the Islamic Scientific Society in Lucknow in 1959.
Sheikh al-Nadwi received several awards and honors, including:
- The King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 1980.
- An honorary doctorate in literature from the University of Kashmir in 1981.
- The Islamic Personality Award from the Government of Dubai in 1998.
- The Sultan Hasan Bolkiah Brunei Award for Islamic Studies in 1998.
- The Imam Waliullah al-Dihlawi Award from the Institute of Subject Studies in India in 1999.
- The first-class award from the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
Al-Nadwi’s Publications
Sheikh al-Nadwi authored numerous significant works, among which are:
- A book titled “What Did the World Lose by the Decline of Muslims?”
This book, authored by Sheikh Abu al-Hasan al-Nadwi, was published in 1945, spanning 262 pages, and is a notable contribution to Islamic thought.
- The book “No Betrayal, Not Even to Abu Bakr”
This work was published in 1992 and consists of 28 pages, contributing to Islamic thought.
- The book “The Treasures of Iqbal”
Authored by Abu al-Hasan al-Nadwi and published in 1960, this 128-page book falls under Islamic literature.
- The book “Stories of the Prophets for Children”
This work by Abu al-Hasan al-Nadwi was published in 2001, covering 288 pages, and addresses Islamic literature aimed at children.