Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, “May Allah Have Mercy on Him” (Part 17)
A Trip to the land of Lions and Conquerors
Keywords: Allama Nadwi, travel, Afghanistan, Asia
For those who have been trained in the Islamic movement and understand its rules and rituals well, today’s geographical divisions hold little meaning or validity.
نه افغانیم و نی ترک و تتاریم چمن زادیم و از یک شاخساریم
تمیز رنگ و بو بر ما حرام است که ما پروردۀ یک نوبهاریم
“We are neither Afghans, nor Turks, nor Tatars.
We grow grass roots, and we are from the same branch.”
“It is forbidden for us to be separated by color and smell.
Because we are the products of the same spring.”
One of the journeys of Sayyed Abulhasan, may Allah have mercy on him, took him to Afghanistan, a land renowned for its conquerors and the lions of Islam, distinguishing itself with unique characteristics seldom found in other countries.
Dear readers!
One of the benefits of the following content is that this travelogue was penned by the blessed hand of Allama Nadwi and translated by our dear brother, Mr. Maulana Abdul Naser Amini. Therefore, we present the contents here without any alterations, allowing everyone to benefit from the spirituality and grace inherent in these writings.
This travelogue recounts the journey of Hazrat Imam Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, to Afghanistan, the land of brave mujahideen and courageous conquerors. Hazrat Imam Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi visited this Islamic country in 1393 AH (1973 AD). At that time, the ruler of Afghanistan was Mohammad Zahir Shah, while his cousin Mohammad Dawood Khan oversaw the intellectual and cultural affairs of the country.
Hazrat Sayyed, may Allah have mercy on him, carefully assessed Afghanistan’s intellectual and cultural situation and recognized that a massive intellectual invasion was threatening the nation. He warned that, unless religious scholars and preachers began to address these problems, significant disasters were imminent. Unfortunately, the predictions made by Hazrat Sayyed, may Allah have mercy on him, came to fruition, and this issue persists to this day.
Hazrat Sayyed, may Allah have mercy on him, was always attentive to the affairs of Afghanistan due to the deep intellectual, cultural, and political connections between India and Afghanistan, as well as Afghanistan’s unique status in the political framework of the Islamic world. When news about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan reached him, he fell ill from a severe fever. As he detailed in his travelogue, he was aware of the brilliant potential of the Afghan people and possessed significant knowledge regarding the existing and impending dangers facing the nation.
Among Hazrat Imam’s noble ancestors was Sayyed Ahmad Shahid, who revived jihad in the name of Allah, established an Islamic government in Peshawar, and traveled to Kabul to pave the way for a strong Islamic government in Afghanistan. Hazrat Imam Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, was deeply distressed by the recent events in Afghanistan and fervently wished for the success of the Afghan jihad, hoping for the unity of the mujahideen and for the flag of Islam to be raised over the Hindu Kush mountains, believing that the enemies of Islam should not oppress this land.
Upon the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hazrat Sayyed advocated for an emphasis on scientific and cultural development, urging attention to the younger generation and the incorporation of religion into the hearts of the populace through wisdom and effective preaching. Unfortunately, his advice was not taken as seriously as it should have been, and after his passing, Afghanistan found itself under foreign rule. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a broad and comprehensive intellectual, scientific, and cultural movement alongside the jihad and military defense.
It is imperative for intellectuals and young scholars to awaken and strive for the education of the new generation with renewed zeal, determination, and careful planning. They should draw inspiration from the enduring instructions of Hazrat Allama Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him, as articulated in this article. Despite the passage of time, these teachings remain relevant and fresh. By engaging in innovative planning, collaborating through regular consultations, utilizing the experiences of others, and fostering unity and solidarity through prayer, one can achieve significant progress on this life-giving path.
In conclusion, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed Abdul Naser Amini and Mohammad Amin Osmani, who have dedicated themselves to the translation of this work; may Allah bless you.
I hope our dear readers recognize the value of this precious guide and thoughtful writing and recommend it to others.
