Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘May Allah Have Mercy on Him’ (Part 62)
In the Circle of Devotion to Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri (MAPH)
“The hearts have darkened; perhaps from the unseen, A secluded one may bring forth a light.”
“Neither does Hafiz attain presence through the recitation of the Qur’an, nor does the scholar possess the certainty of faith.”
Mawlana Nadwi was born into a family whose primary occupation was authorship, biography writing, and the study of the lives of great personalities and people of spiritual insight. He was no exception to this tradition and played a significant role in documenting the lives of intellectuals and reformers. One of his earliest scholarly and literary endeavors was writing the eventful and heroic biography of Sayyed Ahmad Shahid.
As time passed and he delved deeper into the lives of pious and enlightened individuals, the flame of love and reverence for these distinguished personalities grew stronger in his heart. He found deep peace and spiritual fulfillment in their company, embedding his devotion to them in the depths of his being.
“O King of lovers, the enchanting storyteller, Tell us of the ones without a trace.”
“You burned away my grammar and logic And ignited in my heart the love of Allah.”
One of the most outstanding figures in the realm of love and spiritual wisdom was Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri (may Allah have mercy on him). He was a man who, with the pure waters of divine knowledge and spirituality, revived and refreshed anxious and withered hearts. By attending his spiritually uplifting and faith-nourishing gatherings, Mawlana Nadwi experienced a unique radiance in his heart. He became one of the devoted disciples of this noble and humble personality, seeing his spiritual journey advance day by day under his guidance and affection.
Mawlana Muhammad Manzoor Nomani writes about Mawlana Abdul Qadir: “In the life of Mawlana, we found the essence and core of Sufism, and in his presence, all attention and concern were directed toward this very essence.” [1]
He further states: “Mawlana always emphasized the importance of sincerity of intention. He considered it an elixir that transforms every deed into an act of worship, nearness to Allah, and a means of divine connection. He advised writers: ‘Whenever you sit down to write something, first turn your attention to Allah, purify your intention, and pray for sincerity and steadfastness.’ Similarly, he would instruct teachers: ‘Before beginning your lesson, purify your intention.'” [2]
Under the spiritual mentorship of such a complete and enlightened guide, Mawlana Nadwi’s character flourished, and he ascended the ranks of piety and knowledge. The training he received from this devout scholar left a deep impact on his life, leading him to become a devoted disciple and benefit from the pure springs of knowledge and wisdom that this righteous man possessed.
Mawlana Muhammad Manzoor Nomani (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: “Although I joined the circle of devotion to Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri before Mawlana Nadwi and even played a role in guiding him toward this great personality, due to the excellence and affection Mawlana Raipuri had for him, Mawlana Nadwi attained such a status that I could only envy and admire.” [3]
Mawlana Nadwi not only benefited from the spiritual blessings of Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri but also had the opportunity to meet and draw inspiration from many other great reformers and scholars. Distinguished figures such as Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas, Shaykh al-Arab wa al-Ajam Mawlana Hussain Ahmad Madani, Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi, Mawlana Ahmad Ali Lahori, and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal were among the luminaries in the spiritual sky of India and Pakistan.
However, the profound and indescribable impact of Shaykh Raipuri on Mawlana Nadwi is undeniable. In his book Karavan-e-Zindagi, Mawlana Nadwi describes this spiritual center: “When I arrived in Raipur, I felt as if the stormy sea of materialism and intellectualism had engulfed the world, and only this small island remained where nothing, but the remembrance and contemplation of Allah existed. Here, even the leaves of the trees seemed to whisper ‘Allah, Allah.'” [4]
Elsewhere, he writes: “The Raipur center in India was entirely free from conventional formalities and restrictions. Shaykh Abdul Qadir strongly avoided rivalry and competition and maintained friendly relations with scholars and leaders of various groups. As a result, Raipur became a gathering place for people from diverse backgrounds—scholars, politicians, school founders, writers, modern and traditional intellectuals, and people from different walks of life all visited the Shaykh to quench their spiritual thirst.”
Many of these individuals had spent their lives serving Islam through preaching, authorship, and reform and held prominent positions in the scholarly and political circles of India. Yet, they still felt the need to purify their sincerity and elevate their moral character through the mentorship of a complete spiritual guide. This very need drew them toward this grand spiritual center.
This longing can be summed up in the words of Hafiz:
“O you who possess the alchemy, cast a glance upon our hearts, for we have no wealth and have laid out our humble offering.” [5]
One of the outstanding qualities of Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri was his ability to explain the essence of spiritual purification (Tazkiyah) and Ihsan in a simple and clear manner, eliminating all doubts and confusions. Mawlana Nadwi benefited immensely from this vast ocean of knowledge, and in addition to absorbing the spiritual blessings of this righteous man, he documented his life and legacy in an exemplary manner.
Mawlana Nadwi authored a detailed book titled Sawanih Hazrat Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri, which remains one of his most valuable works. This book contains profound insights into Tazkiyah and Ihsan and serves as a key reference in understanding the teachings of this great mentor.
One of the primary motivations behind Mawlana Nadwi’s inclination toward spiritual purification and companionship with men of insight was the religious atmosphere of his childhood and the influence of his blessed lineage. He writes: “From a young age, I was introduced to the names of great personalities such as Shah Alamullah Hasani Raibareli, who had taken great strides in the fields of spirituality and devotion. After the names of Allah and His Messenger, the first name mentioned with honor in our household was his. Stories of his piety, adherence to the Sunnah, asceticism, righteousness, and spiritual struggles were frequently narrated in our family, and I grew up in such an environment.” [6]
Mawlana Nadwi was particularly indebted to Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi, who encouraged him to benefit from Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri. In a letter to Mawlana Nadwi, he wrote: “Now, only one shop remains where the merchandise of sincerity, attachment to Allah, and self-purification is found, and nothing other than the remembrance and contemplation of Allah exists.” [7]
Similarly, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas guided Mawlana Nadwi toward Mawlana Raipuri. With a sincere heart, he undertook this journey and quickly attained spiritual heights. As Mawlana Nadwi himself stated, his relationship with Mawlana Raipuri was a source of admiration for others. Acknowledging his own shortcomings, he considered this connection a great blessing and a source of strength for his writing and preaching endeavors. He once said: “This love cannot be described as anything other than maternal affection.” [8]
Thus, under the shade of Mawlana Raipuri’s kindness, spirituality, and wisdom, Mawlana Nadwi traversed the path of Tazkiyah and Ihsan, ascending to the highest ranks.
