Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, May Allah Have Mercy on Him (Part 36)
The Spiritual Moments of Allama Nadwi’s Life (may Allah have mercy on him)
Courage and Insight:
Imam Nadwi (R.A) exhibited both courage and insight in his mission of calling people to Allah and conveying the message of Islam. He lived a life of asceticism and independence, never seeking the favor of the wealthy or the powerful. He undertook his mission with complete detachment from worldly desires. His heart and soul were filled with the light of divine knowledge and spirituality, empowering him to proclaim the truth from every pulpit and touch the hearts of people across the globe.
With his straightforward addresses, Mawlana Nadwi (R.A) highlighted truths that, if neglected, would lead to ruin in both this world and the Hereafter. From scholars and intellectuals to kings and rulers, he called for Islamic awakening and the salvation of humanity through Islam.
Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani writes: One of Mawlana Nadwi’s (R.A) most prominent characteristics was his courageous faith, truthfulness, and fearlessness, combined with wisdom and insight. These traits stemmed from his exceptional asceticism and independence. His relationships with the Arabs were also focused exclusively on inviting them to Allah, to the extent that even requesting assistance for building schools and religious institutions was difficult for him.
It was based on this complete detachment that Mawlana Nadwi addressed the leaders of Arab nations with remarkable courage, clearly warning them of the dangers they faced in order to awaken their resolve and rekindle their faith. He pointed out their shortcomings, directly addressing figures such as King Faisal and King Fahd in personal meetings, letters, and messages, enlightening them with the realities they needed to confront.
Regarding Mawlana Nadwi’s spiritual insight, Hasani notes: Through his faith-based vision and profound spiritual understanding, Mawlana often offered opinions on contemporary issues that even leading scholars and guides found difficult to grasp at first. However, the truth of his views would soon become evident.
One notable example was his stance on Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. At a time when most scholars and leaders regarded Atatürk as an Islamic freedom fighter and a sincere leader resisting British colonialism, Mawlana Nadwi, upon returning from his first trip to Turkey, openly stated that the British had used him as a tool. He described Atatürk as an enemy of Islam and humanity, forewarning that he would uproot Islam in Turkey. This opinion was not well-received at the time, and many criticized Mawlana for his stance. However, as time passed and the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, the truth of Mawlana’s insight became apparent to all.
A similar situation arose concerning Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, and Libyan military leader Muammar Gaddafi. Mawlana expressed his opinions about them early on, which initially faced widespread opposition. Yet, over time, the accuracy of his insights became clear to everyone.
Imam Nadwi (R.A), through critical analysis and precise evaluation of the state of the Muslim world and its leaders, provided illuminating perspectives. These perspectives, rooted in the divine insight granted to him by Allah, often proved true within a short span of time.
