Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘May Allah have mercy on him’ (Part 54)
A great man in the field of Da’wah (invitation) and reformation
The Da’wah to Return to Islam:
Mawlana Nadwi, a man whose heart was filled with sorrow, found his motivation for preaching far surpassed anything else. Whether during his travels or in his writings, he consistently prioritized the message of Da’wah. In every situation—whether at home or abroad—he was a devoted and sincere preacher, fearless in speaking the truth and undeterred by criticism or threats from any tyrant.
To pave the way for a superior method of Da’wah and reform, grounded in wisdom, experience, knowledge, and understanding, Maulana Nadwi adopted two approaches: delivering speeches and writing articles at various scholarly and religious levels, as well as authoring books and treatises. His slogan for the call to Islam was “Ila al-Islam min Jadid” (A Return to Islam Anew). With this, he engaged the minds of men, women, and children, filling their hearts with the light of faith and the spark of belief.
By presenting examples of the profound faith of the noble Sahaba (may Allah bless them), as well as narrating the life and practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and the pious predecessors, he encouraged others to emulate them, extracting subtle and beneficial lessons. Maulana Nadwi firmly believed that a sincere preacher could not truly fulfill the essence of Da’wah unless inspired and supported by Allah. He held that the genuine pioneers of Islamic Da’wah in India were individuals of soft hearts who declined royal gifts and constantly reflected on whether the Islamic community was progressing towards goodness or sinking into corruption. They were mindful of both the favorable and adverse attitudes towards Islam.
Thus, they used all their wisdom and insight to strengthen the foundations of Islam, striving tirelessly to achieve their religious and Islamic goals. Imam Nadwi traversed various fields of Islamic Da’wah. For this purpose, beyond his private and public gatherings and his valuable writings, he prioritized Da’wah over all else during his travels, friendly meetings, discussions with Islamic scholars, conversations with contemporary intellectuals, visits with rulers and leaders, and even radio interviews. He spared no effort in guiding humanity.
To participate in Da’wah programs, he would endure long hours on buses, trains, or airplanes without complaint. Dr. Muhammad Hussain Barighsh writes: “I observed him both in India and abroad, enduring long and arduous journeys for the sake of attending Da’wah events and scholarly gatherings despite his old age and frailty. He traveled by bus and train, sometimes for over thirty consecutive hours.”
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