Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘May Allah have mercy on him’ (Part 66)
The Boundless Ocean of Knowledge and Wisdom
Summary of the Discussion
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi made optimal use of the golden opportunities in his life, producing valuable and enduring scholarly works throughout his life. He immortalized his name in the golden pages of Islamic scholarship and intellectual history. Alongside his remarkable moral qualities—discussed in previous sections—he was a genius and a distinguished scholar. In every aspect of his life, he remained an unparalleled example, and decades after his passing, his name and legacy endure. May Allah be pleased with him.
For scholars and eminent writers, efficient time management is vital. Such discipline brings immense blessings and enhances scholarly productivity. Time management is a defining trait of devout individuals, as it allows them to dedicate themselves to both spiritual deeds and academic pursuits. Similarly, Mawlana Nadwi was highly sensitive about time and never wasted a single moment.
As Mawlana Nazr-ul-Hafiz Nadwi explains: “From an early age, Mawlana had a deep passion for reading. He used to say that spending time in the family library further fueled this interest. I read my father’s books, including Yād-e-Ayyām and Gul-e-Rāna, so many times that I memorized them. When I got my hands on Raḥmatul-lil- ‘Ālamīn, I studied it with great attention and reflection, becoming so engrossed in its content that nothing else occupied my mind. Even when my mother brought me food, I would eat under the study lamp while reading. I continued reading even while traveling on trains and airplanes.” [1]
For Allama Nadawi, reading was not just a habit but a “lifeline.” Even during illness, he never stopped studying. Mawlana Nazr-ul-Hafiz further states: “As long as he was healthy, he wrote himself. His writing process was unique—certain sections of Qiṣaṣ al-Nabiyyīn and his Urdu and Arabic essays were written in trains, railway stations, bus terminals, and even in airplanes. He wrote these works with such precision and contemplation that he seemed completely immersed in the world of authorship and composition.” [2]
His passion for reading was so intense that nothing could hinder him—not eye surgery, physical ailments, or heavy responsibilities. This passion only grew with time. He writes: “During a period when my right eye was troubling me due to surgery, I would stay awake all night. During Tarawih prayers, I would listen to the Qur’an from my caretakers, and during the day, I would ask someone to read Arabic and Urdu books to me while I listened attentively. Thus, within just a few months, I was able to listen to more than 8,000 pages.” [3]
This extraordinary love for knowledge enabled Mawlana Nadwi to gift the world with timeless scholarly masterpieces. It is a well-known truth that “No pain, no gain.” Through meticulous planning and effective time management, he acquired boundless knowledge and reaped the vast ocean of wisdom.
Mawlana Sayyed Muhammad Rabi Hasani Nadwi writes: “Mawlana Nadwi never considered learning from others to be beneath him. Even if he heard a well-expressed thought from one of his students, he would humbly accept it. When attending international academic gatherings and meeting with global intellectuals, he did not limit himself to administrative discussions; rather, he opened the doors to deep scholarly debates. This is why scholars around the world looked at him with admiration and respect.” [4]
Mawlana Nadawi had profound expertise in various disciplines, including Tafsir, Hadith, History, Seerah, Rijal, and Literature. He leveraged these vast fields of study to produce invaluable contributions to the academic world.
Continues…
[1] Nazarāna-e- ‘Aqīdat, p. 57.
[2] Nazarāna-e- ‘Aqīdat, p. 59.
[3] Nazarāna-e- ‘Aqīdat, p. 62.
[4] Mawlana Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi: A Historic Personality, p. 70.
