Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hassan Nadwi ‘may Allah have mercy on him’ (Part 40)
The Spiritual Moments of Allama Nadwi’s Life (may Allah have mercy on him)
The Restlessness of the Hereafter (Day of the Judgement) and the Ummah
One of the precious characteristics of Hazrat Imam Sayyed Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, was his deep and enduring contemplation regarding the Hereafter and the well-being of the Ummah. This profound concern created a restlessness within him, robbing him of calmness and instilling a peculiar impatience in his demeanor.
Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani Nadwi writes that history bears witness to the impatience of his great ancestor, Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah bless him. Hazrat Ali was said to be so restless in the dark of night as if he had been bitten by a snake. This description is equally applicable to Hazrat Maulana Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, who was neither calm nor at peace during the day or night. As mentioned in the attributes of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was always in deep thought, silent for a long time, and burdened by successive sorrows.”
Mawlana Mujibullah Nadwi, one of Maulana’s first disciples, recounts: “On our first trip, we went to Malhoor with Abul Hasan Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him. We slept in the courtyard of the mosque during the summer. Mawlana Nadwi was sleeping next to me. At three o’clock in the night, when I opened my eyes to perform Wudu, I found Mawlana was no longer in his place. I took the ewer and went to the gardens to perform Wudu, when I heard a woeful sound from a distance. As I drew closer, I saw that Mawlana had spread his mat and was engaged in the Tahajjud prayer, and there was a note of pity in his voice. It is stated in the hadith that when the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, performed the Tahajjud prayer while reciting the Qur’an, a sound like that of a boiling pot emerged from his chest.”
Mawlana followed the Prophet Muhammad closely, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He could have performed this prayer in a corner of the mosque courtyard, but he chose not to for two reasons: first, to avoid waking others, and second, to ensure that his prayer remained private.
Relationships of Love and Affection
Imam Nadwi’s heart was filled with love and passion for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, leaving no room for jealousy or hatred. He consistently made efforts to foster love with his acquaintances, disciples, and relatives, which was a clear reflection of the shining path of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is noted that everyone who knew him felt he loved them the most. He would listen to his acquaintances and inquire about their needs and well-being. Every acquaintance eagerly awaited the opportunity to serve him, yet Hazrat Maulana would discourage them from doing so. Occasionally, he would offer corrections but would never speak ill of anyone for his own benefit. When faced with mistakes, he often chose to overlook them.
Halal Food
The family of Hazrat Imam Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, was rich in knowledge and piety, and the gentle rain of enlightenment continuously showered grace upon them. From the beginning of his noble life to his heights of wisdom, Imam Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, consistently benefited from the life-giving teachings of this noble lineage. His esteemed father, like his renowned ancestors, endeavored to prevent forbidden and doubtful sources of income from entering their household and dedicated himself fully to protecting the family’s integrity, along with embodying other virtues that formed the foundation of their character and lineage. His offspring were to be shielded from haram interactions, as the future and role of each individual depended on this aspect of life. As the poet says:
“The secret of religion is the truthfulness of speech and the consumption of halal, in solitude and observance of beauty.”
Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani notes: “His honorable father, Maulana Abdul Hai Hassani, was particularly mindful of two matters: 1. Causing distress to others, and 2. Accumulating haram property.”
In Mawlana’s family, there was always a strong emphasis on halal food. His father, Hakim Sayyed Abdul Hai Hassani, was especially vigilant to ensure that no haram or suspicious wealth entered their home. Such precautions significantly influenced the whole family, leading even the servants and workers to be conscious of this issue, striving to keep the children of the family free from questionable property.
Through this vigilance and avoidance, profound effects were cultivated within the family. Imam Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, also maintained a significant sensitivity toward this familial principle, and as a result of this great caution, Allah Almighty granted him profound insight and guidance. Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani writes: “He placed great emphasis on halal food. If there was even a slightest doubt, he would exercise caution and was highly discerning in this regard; there are many occasions when he attended invitations but did not consume a single bite. Sometimes people would present suspicious food to him as a test, but the Maulana would abstain. In instances where he inadvertently consumed forbidden food, he would immediately expel it from his body. Therefore, haram food had no place in his physique.”
Continues…
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