Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘may Allah have mercy on him’ (Part 56)
Keywords: Nadwi, Abul Hasan, Da’wah.
Summary
Imam Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, took significant steps towards engaging with those in power and monarchy to fulfill his mission of Da’wah. He began his efforts in this field with the aim of expanding Da’wah and reforming society, which exemplifies the noble hadith: “The people are on the religion of their rulers.” In many cases, the masses tend to follow the path and methods of their leaders.
He entered the field of Da’wah without any worldly expectations, armed with firm determination and a heart full of spirituality. He met prominent figures such as Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, King Fahad, King Hassan II, King Abdullah (King of Jordan), the martyred General Zia al-Haqq, and Najm al-Din Erbakan, effectively conveying his message.
History shows that the relationship between religious and spiritual thinkers and those in power has often been tenuous. True leaders of the Sunnah and Sharia generally avoided close associations with monarchs, believing that their religious safety lay in maintaining that distance. Several factors contributed to this distancing, including the misuse of scholarly authority by rulers, the incompatibility of governmental decrees with Islamic principles, oppression and injustice against the populace, and the usurpation of people’s property.
Religious scholars considered proximity to those in power a serious threat to religion and faith. In their eyes, worldly status, position, and wealth were insignificant compared to spiritual integrity. It is narrated about Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah that when King Nasser asked him if he aspired to seize the monarchy, he responded, “By Allah, your monarchy and that of the Mongol kings are not worth a penny to me!”
In contrast, Imam Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘may Allah have mercy on him’ was one of the few personalities who entered the field of Da’wah with remarkable courage, confronting kings and rulers directly. Nadwi addressed their shortcomings and called them back to authentic Islamic beliefs without compromising his dignity and honor.
Imam Nadwi famously stated:
“I do not seek pleasure from the rulers’ officers; I do not sacrifice my integrity for worldly gains.
From the pain of poverty in my heart, which I have found, I will not trade this suffering for the ease of kings.”
Imam Nadwi’s Sublime Zeal and Unmatched Self-Sufficiency
As a sincere inviter and benevolent scholar, Imam Nadwi did not recognize boundaries in his mission. In his perspective, a humble dwelling and an opulent palace, a hut dweller and a palace dweller, held equal importance. His heart beat with love for the entire Muslim community, and wherever he went, he had no other goal than to invite people to Islam and spread the message of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
However, he was neither intimidated by power nor did he covet anyone’s wealth. He consistently stood firm against those in authority with unwavering self-sufficiency, fulfilling his divine responsibility. His mannerisms and words served as an inspiring model for all genuine callers to Islam.
Mawlana Muhammad Rabeh writes: “Imam Nadwi seized every opportunity to convey the message of Da’wah. He spoke with such exuberance that it was never felt that he harbored any material goals. His motivation in these speeches was solely benevolence and good intentions.”
By engaging with the powerful, Imam Nadwi never sought personal power for himself or for the religious community. His aim was to channel religious principles to agents of power. He stated, “There are two methods for conveying Da’wah: one is for the people of religion to reach the government, and the other is for religion to reach the people in government. I prefer the second method and regard it as more beneficial.”
This perspective was rooted in his belief that the disconnection between rulers and authentic Islamic principles could yield irreparable consequences for Islamic societies. He understood that such a divide could lead to deviations, culminating in the weakness and decline of the community.
Imam Nadwi’s View on Reforming Rulers
Imam Nadwi hoped that by delivering the message of Islam to rulers, significant transformations could occur within the social and religious framework of Islamic societies. He believed that, due to their direct influence, rulers could be instrumental in actualizing Islamic ideals. Therefore, at each stage of his advocacy, he focused their attention on the importance of religiosity within society.
With a Moses-like spirit, he entered the courts of rulers wielding the staff of “La ilaha illallah” to dismantle the idols of materialism, Westernization, apostasy, and indifference toward the Muslim condition. Imam Nadwi presented the true responsibilities of rulers in a meaningful manner, guiding them toward the path of truth.
He consistently highlighted that Da’wah was the foundation of his discussions with rulers. He posited that Da’wah serves as the seed from which political power may grow as its fruit. In his view, it is imperative to invest full attention and care into nurturing the seed of faith and fostering intellectual and spiritual development. The resulting benefits will manifest in due time, by the will of Allah Almighty. He cautioned against fixating directly on results—i.e., government and politics—without respecting the natural progression, deeming such an approach akin to “putting the cart before the horse,” which he regarded as fundamentally erroneous and reflective of unhealthy worldly competition.
Challenges for Rulers in Understanding Religion
Imam Nadwi acknowledged that rulers in Islamic countries often remained distant from comprehending the foundational concepts of Islam for various reasons. In many instances, they lacked the opportunity to reflect on these issues. In such an environment, religious reform within Islamic societies becomes challenging and occasionally unattainable. Hence, he asserted that the essence of Islam must reach the ears of rulers, prompting them to recognize their responsibilities.
In one of his speeches in Damascus, Imam Nadwi declared: “Those in charge of governance have not succeeded in understanding Islam correctly; it has not penetrated their minds and hearts. They have not embraced Islam as a comprehensive system of life, yet they continue to esteem Western culture, believing in its merits.”
Continues…
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