Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Life and Work)

Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Life and Work)

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Book Specification

Item Code: NAC832
Author: Abdul Kader Choughley
Publisher: D. K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Language: English
Edition: 2012
ISBN: 9788124606117
Pages: 327
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 8.5 Inch X 5.5 Inch
Weight 580 gm

Book Description

About the Book

The volume presents a comprehensive study of the life and works of Sayyid Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (1913-1999). Sayyid Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi is seen as an important scholar in the modern Islamic resurgence who has made significant contributions to contemporary Islamic thought. He was one of the few Indian ‘ulama to have taken seriously the dynamic role of Islam in a multi-religious society. The book discusses the early life, family and education of the scholar and Ms major writings that are concerned with the themes of the primacy of the Qur’an and the sunnah as harbingers of world civilization, islet (reform) and tided (revival) as anchors of Islamic resurgence, the methodological approach of da’wah, Islam and the West, and Islamic order in an Indian setting. With quotations and references from published translations of Ms Urdu and Arabic works including his autobiography, it details the importance of Ms coherent approach to the diversity of issues in the twentieth century and the importance of his autobiography Karwan in this context. It deals with Ms participative role in the Indian mainstream activities, examining the social and spiritual crises facing Muslims. With an overview of contemporary Islamic movements it illustrates Sayyid Nadwi’s major contributions towards the dynamics of the revivalist trends. The book will undoubtedly be of interest to scholars and students of Islamic studies.

Acknowledgements

The inspiration to write this book came from Sayyid Abul Hasan ‘Au Nadwi himself. During my correspondence and meeting with him, I was impressed by his suggestion that I should undertake a comprehensive study of his works. It has almost been twenty-five years ago (1986) when 1 read the first volume of Karwan-i-Zindagi. Thereafter my interest intensified and an irrepressible urge to write on his life and writings have culminated in this modest attempt.

Sayyid Muhammad Rabey Nadwi, Rector of Nadwat-al‘ulama (Lucknow) has been exceedingly kind to make available books and manuscripts during my brief stay there. His keen interest and supportive role is much appreciated. Another scion of the Hasani family is Sayyid Bilal Abdul Hayy, who deserves special mention. He has been largely responsible for locating books and articles which have not been easily accessible for my study purposes.

I am very much obliged to my friends, Anver Essa and Imraan Seedat whose support in every possible way has motivated me to study Islamic scholarship in South Asia. Muffi Ayub Moola has always been a source of inspiration. His monitoring on the progress of the study and the special du’as for its successful completion are things I cherish most.

To Muniera, words will not suffice to express my sincerest gratitude for her hard work in not only typing the manuscript meticulously (I can’t recall the number of “revised” manuscripts) and for her editorial collaboration. I have been guided by her insightful comments on linguistic finesse which has greatly enhanced the value of this work. My two nephews, Aqeel and Nabeel, have been in more than one way associated with the production of this book. Their frequent questions on the format of the book and on the life of Sayyid Abul Uasan ‘Au Nadwi has been the most productive phase in my study.

I dedicate this book to my grandsons, Zayd, Rayhaan and Yusuf, with the hope that the spirit of Islamic studies may sustain their future lives.

Finally, the cumulative experiences of my studies in Islamic history and Quranic studies have been directly received from my Ustad, Professor ‘Abdur Rahman Doi. May Allah bless his soul?

About the Author

Abdul Kader Choughley is involved in research on contemporary Islamic thought in South Asia. He is the author of Islamic Resurgence: Sayyid Abut Hasan Ali Nadwi and his Contemporaries (2011). His current research projects include The Muktubat (Letters) Genre: Islahi Perspectives and Da’wah to the Modern Mind: Life and Times of Fazlur Rahman Ansari.

Introduction

THE study aims to examine the contributions of Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan' Ali Nadwi (1913-99) to contemporary Islamic thought. A long and eventful career spanning over 70 years, Maulana Nadwi (hereafter Alimia) is considered an important scholar in Islamic resurgence. This term is applied to specific historical settings in our study; it covers the twentieth century during which globalisation and modernity have influenced Islamic discourse on multiple levels. The 'ulama regarded as bastions of traditional Islam have not been immune to the rapid changes taking place across the Muslim world brought about by technological advancement. In his 'Ulama in Contemporary Islam, Zaman has pointed out to the dilemmas facing Muslim societies in grappling with challenges and the 'ulama'e role as custodians of Islamic traditions. Their constituency is reflected in the institutions they are associated with and their interpretations underpin their respective responses to geo-political developments.

Alimia is among few Indian 'ulama to have taken seriously the dynamic role of Islam in multi-religious India. The predicament of Indian Muslims who as a minority see themselves increasingly beleaguered and threatened by the rise of Hindu militancy is one of his primary concerns. He insists Muslims must come out of their separatist mentality and search for opportunities that exist and work alongside their religious counterparts to build a viable society. According to Alimia Islamic authenticity is the ideal to which Indian Muslims should aspire because they too are connected to the world of Islam at large. This explains his presentation of islah (reform) and tajdid (revival) as tools of Islamic resurgence. It is interesting to note that scholarly tradition combined with Islamic activism contributed significantly to Alimia's profile as a spokesman for Indian Muslims and a reformer of international repute. His versatility is best illustrated in his major writings which seek to elaborate the following themes:

• The primacy of the Qur'an and sunnah as harbingers of world civilisation.
• Islah and tajdid as anchors of Islamic resurgence
• da’wah: A methodological approach
• Islam and the West: a critique
• Islamic order in an Indian setting.

The diversity of themes are embodied in Alimia's multi- volume autobiography Karwan-i-Zindagi. Our study focuses on Alimia's salient accounts which mirror his presentation of views in relation to socio-political developments in both India and the Muslim world. A time line approach is adopted to give chronological and thematic significance to his contributions to Islamic reformist thought. Alimia is a traditionalist 'alim whose understanding of Islam is characterised by his doctrinal orientation and a global view of Islam, both of which affirm the return to an ideal past reflected in the exemplary lives of the salf-al-salih (early representatives of Islam).

Contents

Acknowledgements v
Transliteration xv
Life and Works of Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi xvii
Introduction 1
Alimia’s Works: A Brief Survey 4
Major Sources for this Study 7
1. Family Characteristics 9
Sayyid Qutb-al-din Muhammad al-Hasani 12
Sayyid Shah Alam-ullah 13
Sayyid Abu Sa’id Hasan 15
Sayyid Ahmad Shahid 15
Conclusion 19
2. Educational Influence: Formative Years 20
Formative Influences 22
Hakim Sayyid Abdul Hayy Hasani 22
Maktubat: Portrait of Sayyidah Khair-un Nisa 22
Arabic Studies: Influence of Shaykh Khalil Yamani 25
Urdu Studies: Literary Influence 26
Tarbiyyah: Alimia’s Academic and Moral Orientation 28
Admission to Lucknow University 29
Lahore: A Historic Visit 30
Maulana husayn Ahmad Madani 21
Allamah Taqi-al-din Hilali 32
Conclusion 33
3. In Pursuit of Academic Excellence 34
Fiqh in a Changing World 35
Nadwah and the Arab World 36
Academic Desiderata 37
Arabic Teaching: A New Approach 41
Quranic studies 41
Dawah: Content and Context 43
Academic Profile 45
Literary Debut: An Appraisal 48
Alimia as a Historian 48
Alimia As a Litterateur 49
Contribution as a an Arabic Author 49
Mukhtarat Min Adab-al- Arab 50
Al-Qira at-ur-Rashidah 50
Salient Features of the Qasas-al-Nabiyyin 52
Conclusion 53
4. Contemporary Islamic Movements: An Overview 54
Academic Research: New Opportunities 54
Maulana Mawdudi and Alimia 55
New Horizons 59
Islam and the World 62
Salient Features of Islam and the World 65
Publication of Islam and the World 67
Dawah Literature: Towards a New Horizon 67
Idarah-Ta limat-i-Islam 68
Conclusion 68
5. Dawah: Content and context 69
Tabligh Jama at: 69
Alimia’s Personal Reminiscences 70
Characteristics of Alimia;s Dawah Programme 74
Dawah in Hijaz 75
To the Hijazis: A Message 76
Dawah : New Perspectives 77
Al Ikhwan-al-Muslimin 80
Ikhwan: A Critique 81
In the heart of Africa : Sudan 84
Syria, Citadel of Islam: A Eulogy 85
Travelogue Series: An Overview 87
Conclusion 89
6 Dawah: New Horizons 90
Muslim Hegemony: An Assessment 90
Religio-Political Activism 94
Reform of Muslim Society 96
In the Realms of Spirituality 98
Towards New Horizons 102
Director of Education : Nadwah 102
Visits to Islamic Institutions 103
Invitation From Damascus university 103
Shaykh ahmad Harun al-Hajjar: 105
Two Radio Lectures 106
Visit to Lebanon and turkey 107
Turky: Land of Contrast 108
World Muslim Congress 109
Baghdad: Scholars’ Paradise 110
Conclusion 110
7. Islamic Authenticity: Challenges and Opportunities 111
Qadianism 113
Academy of Islamic Research and Publications 115
Aims and Objects 116
Aligarh Muslim University 116
Dawah Travels: New Horizons 117
Burma: Predication of Doom 117
Kuwait 119
Demise: Dr Abdul Ali Hasani 120
Educational System : Muslim Response 121
Dini Talimi Council (Religious Education Council) 122
Islamic University of Madinah 122
Communion with Royalty 124
Rabita-al-Alam al-Islami: Muslim World League 128
Europe: A New Horizon 130
The Andalusian Syndrome: Visit to Spain 132
Communal Riots 135
Conclusion 136
8. Islamic Reformist Thought in Alimia’s Writings 137
Literary Initiatives: An Overview 137
The Four Pillars of Islam 138
Hayat-i- Abdul Hayy 139
Nuzhatul-Khawatir : Volume 8 140
India During Muslim Rule 141
Western Civilization Islam and Muslim 142
Towards an Independent Islamic Education 143
Pathway to Medina 145
A Personal Loss 146
Turbulence in the Arab World (1967-1971) 147
Arab Nationalism: A Re-appraisal 148
Assessment 150
The Indian Scenario: 150
Payam-i-Insaniyat 151
Indo-Pakistan War: 1971 153
Alimia’s Assessment 156
Travels 156
Conclusion 157
9. East and West: Cultural Encounters 159
Personal Loss: Family Members 161
In the Political Arena 162
Maghreb: Morocco 164
Towards a New World 166
Dawah for the Western Audience 167
Prophetic Methodology 168
Sojourn in Pakistan 170
Tuhfah Series 172
Signposts of Moral Decadence in Saudi Arabia 177
An Open Letter 177
Sirah Conference 179
King Faisal Award(1980) 179
Centennial Celebration of Dar ul-ulum, Deoband 181
In the Valley of Kashmir 184
Seminar : Orientalism and Islam 185
Seminar in Algeria 188
Sri Lanka 189
Dawah in Hyderabad 190
Conclusion 191
10. Trends in Transnational Institutions 192
Hadith Studies 192
Rabita Adab al-Alam al-Islami 194
Azamgarh (India):1955 197
Theme: Biographical Writing 197
Istanbul( Turkey ): 1996 197
Theme: Contributions of Sayyid Abul Hasan 197
Lahore ( Pakistan ):1997 198
Theme: Travelogues to Makkah and Madina 198
Oxford Center for Islamic Studies 198
The Islamic Foundation 202
Kingdom of Jordan 203
Congress Rule: An Assessment 204
Malaysia: A New Experience 207
Two Conflicting Portraits 209
Conclusion 212
11. Revival of Islamic authenticity 214
Introduction 214
Muslim Personal Law 214
Babri Mosque: A Tragedy 218
The Gulf Crisis 222
Tragic Loss 224
Tayyib-al-Nisa 224
Dr Muhammad Asif Kidwai 225
Dawah Journeys 227
Turky, Defenders of Islam and Re-appraisal 227
Satanic Verses 229
Seminar: Abul Kalam Azad 232
The Russian Revolution: A Re-appraisal 233
Conclusion 236
12. Dawah Paradigms: Translocal Trends 237
Letter to King Fahd bin 237
Political Developments in India: Muslim Response 239
Dawah in England 242
Fundamentalism : An Journey 246
The long Journey 246
Divine Intervention 249
Conclusion 250
13. Honours Beyond Borders: Alimia’s Contributions 251
Aligarh Muslim University 251
Rbita Adab 254
Egypt: Reforms 255
Corporate Islamic Identity: The Road Ahead 256
Police Raid in Nadwah 259
Literary Seminars 260
Honour: Keys to the Kabah 261
Sectarianism : An Overview 261
International Conference : Qadianism 264
Onslaught Against Islam 265
Conclusion 266
14. Towards Journey’s End 267
Dini Talimi Council: 267
Challenges and Opportunities 267
Vande Mataram: An Assessment 269
Muslims in the Plural society 270
Honorary Awards 272
Dubai Awards 272
Sultan of Brunei Prize: 1999 273
Posthumous Awards 274
Health Concerns 274
Tablighi Ijtimah : 1999 275
Embodiment of Patriotism 276
Last Days 277
15. Key Themes in Alimia’s Writings 278
Quranic Horizons 278
Islamic Concept of life 280
Hedith: A Censor of Morals 280
Islam and the Revival of Humanity 281
Renaissance of Faith 283
Divine Blessings 284
Indo-Islamic Culture 285
Muslim Corporate Identity 286
Islam and the West 287
Challenges of Dawah 289
Dawah : Muslim Responsibility 290
Supplication : Evidence of Prophet hood 292
Conclusion 294
Glossary 299
Bibliography 301
Index 307

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