Allama Sayed Abul Hsan Nadwi, May Allah Have Mercy on Him (Part 14)
His Trip to Europe and Spain
This trip of Maulana, which took place at the invitation of Dr. Saeed Ramadan to participate in the gatherings of the Islamic Center in Geneva, was one of the most fruitful, yet at the same time, one of the most challenging journeys of Maulana Nadwi. During this trip, he visited various cities including Geneva, Lausanne, Berlin, Paris, London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Glasgow. In Spain, he traveled to Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada, where he spoke at IEDAM University and the University of London. Additionally, he participated in two interviews with BBC Radio.
The main and significant part of this trip can be considered the journey to Spain, a country that spent centuries under the banner of Islam and produced some of the most brilliant figures in history in terms of science, industry, and valor. Today, what remains is the magnificent Mosque of Cordoba. The minarets of Spain now stand as silent witnesses to a lost heritage.
Moulana regards the journey to Spain as the most poignant aspect of the trip, referring to it as the lost paradise of Islam, where every minbar and minaret mourns the humiliation and weakness of Muslims and their neglect of this once-great land. Maulana Nadwi felt a sense of closeness and love here more than in any other lost country, as if every corner of this land embraced him. Every bit of this soil conveyed a message of love and humanity. In the prayers he offered, he experienced a profound sense of pity and connection to Allah that he did not find elsewhere. Moulana reflects: “This trip refreshed the wounds of my heart, and all the glory and honor of Islam that I had read about in history books came alive in my imagination.”
Maulana Nadwi noted that our guide (interpreter), who spoke to us in English, repeated a particular phrase numerous times: “When we drove the Arabs from here, it was very painful for me.” This discomfort prompted me to ask him not to repeat it, to which he apologized.
Moulana visited the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and despite the prohibition on prayer, he performed two rak’ahs there. During his stay in Granada, he managed to perform the Friday prayer after many centuries in the room of an Arab student. What deeply pained them was the lack of concern and inattention displayed by Muslims, particularly Arab Muslims, who did not make any effort to reclaim this lost paradise or to promote Islam in the region, let alone the government or monarchy. Thus, they turned their complaints to Allah.
Although Allama Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, had criticized Western and European culture before traveling to Europe, visiting and closely observing these lands confirmed his views. Here are some of Allama Nadwi’s observations and comments:
“Even though Westerners boast about the dignity and rights of women, the status of women in Europe is deteriorating. This poor creature has been relegated to the status of an insulted figure, working as a salesperson in a shop, shouldering responsibilities and carrying goods. Women are harassed and pushed aside in trains and buses while men sit comfortably. All elements of modesty, femininity, and attractiveness have been stripped from her. Now I understand what lies behind the alluring images, romantic movies, and scandalous nudity everywhere: they have destroyed the dignity and charm of women, yet they attempt to reclaim it with these trivialities.”
Having closely observed Europe (especially England) and its civilization, I realized more than ever that their lives resemble a computer existence—mechanical and devoid of spiritual essence. This brings to mind the words of Iqbal:
