Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, ‘May Allah Have Mercy on Him’ (Part 44)
A great man in the field of Da’wah (invitation) and reformation
Islamic Awakening and Allama Nadwi, May Allah Have Mercy on Him
Allah Almighty said to Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him): “And We have not sent you except as a bearer of good news and a warner to all people.”
Since the Islamic calling originates from the holy nature of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it is not limited by time or place, nor is it confined to a specific nation or group; rather, it is a general and comprehensive calling that encompasses the entire world. Allah Almighty bestowed such a significant mission upon the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
Islamic awakening, rooted in the Islamic call and the message of Muhammad (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him), must be comprehensive and cover the entire Islamic world for its true meaning to be realized. However, in an era when the supporters of Islam have either abandoned it, confined themselves to the framework of the mosque and school, or become complacent with the name of Islam while neglecting the genuine spirit of Islamic awakening, the effort to raise the banner of awakening among all classes, directions, and regions of the Islamic world becomes a highly commendable and invaluable endeavor.
By examining Islamic history in recent times, it is evident that individuals and personalities who have entered the stage of reviving Islamic and religious life with such a universal call are very few. Undoubtedly, Allama Nadwi played a significant role in relation to the Islamic awakening, breathing fresh spirit and faith into the weary body of Muslims, and he left behind remarkable works in this field.
Allama Nadwi, with his lofty thoughts, broad perspectives, and sincere, profound, and conscientious insights, observed the weaknesses of Muslims. For this reason, he was always anxious and concerned, like a fish out of water. From the very beginning of his life and during his intellectual infancy, he was troubled by the backwardness of the Islamic nation in faith and was constantly in thought.
Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi writes: “When he was fourteen or fifteen, his friends noted that a hatred for idle talk had developed in his heart. If such talk arose in a gathering, Rumi would silently leave. He was very fond of reciting the Quran and would sit in the mosque, reciting until late. Moreover, a sense of humility and repentance pervaded his being, and from that time, he contemplated reforming the people in his locality. For this purpose, on the day of Eid al-Adha, Rumi delivered a speech in the Eidgah. This was his first speech, but it was so powerful and fluent that it brought tears to the eyes of the listeners.”
This inner pain and burning desire for change intensified over time, fueled by a growing awareness of the situation of Muslims and the Islamic world. The pain was rich with spirituality and thought and driven by effort and goodwill; this motivation led him to focus his attention more broadly in this direction.
The more awake he became, the more painful it was the more aware he grew, the paler his face became.
Continues…