Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi also spelt Abul Hasan Ali al Hasani an Nadvi was an Indian Islamic scholar and author of over fifty books in various languages. He was a theorist of the revivalist movement.
Education
He was born on 24 November 1914. He received his early education at his home in Takia, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India. His mother initiated his early training in Quranic studies; he later entered formal education in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. His father, Hakim Syed Abdul Hai, wrote an 8-volumes Arabic encyclopedia called . 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.
Writings
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, 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 wordjahiliyya to describe not a particular age in history but a state of moral corruption and materialism. He wrote 'Qisas al-Nabiyeen' 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, to develop a society based on Islamic principles that could become a model 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.
After his death, the International Islamic University, Islamabad, 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’
In 1951, during his second pilgrimage to Makkah the key-bearer of the Kaaba, opened its door for two days and allowed Abul Hassan 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
Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi died on 23 Ramadan, 1420 AH in Raebareli, India at the age of 85.
