Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, ‘may Allah have mercy on him’ (Part 69)
Sirat (Biography)
The scope of Mawlana Nadwi’s studies in the field of biography was established from the beginning of his life through listening to the stories and anecdotes of religious leaders and some of his family members. It expanded daily and flourished greatly through reading the books “Rahmatul-Alameen” and “Sirat Khairul-Bashr.” It can be said that the subject of biography was one of Mawlana Nadwi’s favorite areas of study. Mawlana was born into a family that maintained a strong and solid connection with the biographies of the Prophet and the great figures of Islamic history. For instance, his venerable father wrote the thick book “Nuzhatul Al-Khawatir” in eight volumes, which can be considered one of the great masterpieces of this family in the field of biography. In the initial stages of his poetic and spiritual life, Mawlana Nadwi turned to biography and wrote a treatise on the life of Sayyed Ahmad bin Irfan Shahid, which was widely accepted and printed by Allama Rashid Reza Mesri in Egypt. Later, he presented the biographies of Mawlana Fazlur Rahman Ganjmuradabadi, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas Dehlavi, Mawlana Abdul Qadir Raipuri, and Mawlana Muhammad Zakaria to the Islamic community, all of which serve as evidence of his expertise and depth in the field of biography.
Apart from these, Mawlana Nadwi conducted extensive research on the lives of the elites of science and mysticism, during which he uncovered valuable insights and precious points. He authored the valuable book “Rejal Al-Fikr Wal-Dawa,” which he presented as a guest professor at the University of Damascus at the request of Dr. Mustafa Saba’i. Many scholars, thinkers, and prominent figures participated in and benefited from these rich discussions. This book is also one of Mawlana’s masterpieces on biography.
Mawlana Nadwi was highly skilled and meticulous in the field of biography. He praised every personality he wrote about according to their ability, virtue, and genius, avoiding exaggeration and excessive language. Moreover, he neither distorted the reality of the matter nor neglected to describe the individual adequately. Mawlana Nadwi writes, “Describing a character or writing a biography of a person is not as easy as some people think, because this requires certain qualifications.”
First, he emphasizes the need for real and extensive knowledge of the character, preferably gained through socializing and companionship, which is one of the best qualifications. Otherwise, it must come from proper research and staying updated on the character’s life, motivating the writer to follow the news and recognize the character’s traits.
Second, he explains that having the ability to express and interpret is essential. The writer must possess a vocabulary of distinguishing words and phrases.
Then, accuracy, trustworthiness, and a sense of responsibility are paramount. The writer must create a balanced representation of the character’s stature, ensuring that their description is neither exaggerated nor minimized, as both would be unadmirable.
Another crucial aspect is the motivation for writing in this field, which includes a heartfelt desire, unity of thought, answering the call of conscience, defending the dignity of the oppressed, restoring credibility, etc.
Furthermore, the degree of warmth or coldness in words should be observed, placing each individual in their appropriate context.
Since Mawlana Nadwi’s family possessed special skills in the art of biography, he cultivated a deep love and interest in this field, making biography an inherited art for him. Mawlana Nadwi writes, “Due to all these reasons, writing biographies has been among the most beloved, lightest, and easiest subjects for me. This art has always been my favorite job. At a time in my life when writing was becoming less feasible for literature lovers, I began to write biographies of distinguished men, scholars, and reformers, primarily in Urdu and to a lesser extent in Arabic.”
His profound passion for this art led Imam Nadwi not only to chronicle the lives of notable Muslims but also to devote himself to the biography of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His long-standing acquaintance and deep love allowed him to accomplish this significant task with great beauty. In this regard, he wrote the books “Caravan of Medina” and “Nabi Al-Rahmat,” which are excellent examples of writing on the biography of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Muhammad Waseem Siddiqui writes:
“The biography of Mawlana Nadwi distinguishes itself from other biographers. He endeavored to write a comprehensive biography that encompasses both old and new sources. He was fully qualified to present truths and realities in their original forms, free from personal biases, tastes, opinions, distortions, and philosophical arrangements.”
In his scientific and practical life, Mawlana significantly benefited from the Prophet’s biography, channeling his enthusiasm into overcoming numerous challenges in this field. He studied many books, which provided him with a wealth of knowledge on the science of biography.
Mawlana Nadwi states: “I began to study the old and new books of biography in Arabic and English. Consequently, the Prophet’s biography became the essence of my speeches and writings, influencing minds and hearts, while proving and clarifying my points through strong reasoning and vivid examples from his life. Indeed, the Prophet’s biography awakened my latent talents.”
There is hardly any important work by the author that did not draw inspiration from the beauty and eloquence of the Prophet’s biography or was not shaped by deep contemplation of the Prophet’s life.
In short, Mawlana Nadwi was a highly skilled biographer whose love for this noble art has been intertwined with his soul and spirit since childhood. Over time, this fruitful endeavor yielded the gift of prophetic love to the world.
History
Another subject extensively utilized by Mawlana Nadwi is history. He conducted in-depth studies in this field and viewed it as an interpretation of the Quran. Consequently, his valuable works frequently incorporate historical events effectively.
Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani writes: “With the guidance and support of Dr. Abdul Ali, Mawlana Nadwi enhanced his interest in history, achieving excellence in it through his studies. As a great preacher, he studied history and drew conclusions that a typical historian might not reach. He himself stated, ‘I relied primarily on the Holy Quran, and then on history, considering history to be an interpretation of the Holy Quran.'”
Through his study of history, Mawlana Nadwi extracted beautiful and nuanced points, using them in lectures, articles, treatises, and other writings. He crafted profound meanings with delicate care, often centering his discussions on historical events, anecdotes, or quotes. Immersing himself in the vast sea of history, he successfully unearthed pure and valuable insights.
Additionally, he paid close attention to history in the context of Da’wah and preaching, presenting accurate and verified events gracefully while applying them to contemporary conditions. Mawlana exemplified the role of a historian fulfilling his duty to the highest standards, greatly benefiting the journey of reforming the nation.
Continues…
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