Hazrat Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him): Life and Services*
*On the occasion of his death anniversary*
Hazrat Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Mian Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) was a famous author, historian, biographer, memoirist, preacher, thinker, writer, commentator of the Quran, and religious scholar. He was counted among the prominent personalities of the twentieth century. He was equally popular in both Arab and non-Arab countries during his time.
*Blessed Birth*
Hazrat Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Mian Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) graced the world on 6th Muharram 1333 Hijri, corresponding to 5th December 1913 AD, in the village of Takia Kalan, district Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
*Name and Lineage*
Name: Ali Abul Hasan bin Abdul Hai bin Fakhruddin Al-Hasani
*Genealogical Chain*
Connects to Abdullah Al-Ashtar bin Muhammad Nafs Zakiya bin Abdullah Al-Mahz bin Al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him).
*Education and Training*
Hazrat (may Allah have mercy on him) received his initial education in Urdu and Persian at home. After that, he studied Arabic language and literature with Sheikh Khalil Al-Arabi. Then, he sat at the feet of Taqiuddin Hilali (may Allah have mercy on him), which led to the development of a high taste for Arabic language and literature. Simultaneously, he learned the English language from a private tutor to gain proficiency and competence in English.
*Graduation and Education*
In 1929 AD, he enrolled in Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow and studied the sciences of Hadith with Hazrat Maulana Haider Hasan Khan Tonki. He studied most of the important books of Hadith with him word by word. After that, he went to Lahore and received lessons in the Holy Quran from Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Ali Lahori.
*Scholarly and Practical Services*
In 1934 AD, he was appointed as a teacher of Tafsir and Literature at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama. In 1949 AD, he was made the Deputy Secretary of Education of Nadwatul Ulama. After the death of Allama Syed Sulaiman Nadwi in 1953 AD, he was appointed to the post of Secretary of Education.
As time passed, his progress and the sun of his fortune continued to rise. Consequently, in 1961 AD, after the death of his elder brother Maulana Hakim Syed Abdul Ali Sahib, he was chosen for the administration and management of Nadwatul Ulama. Association, companionship, and fellowship with the founder of Tabligh, Hazrat Maulana Ilyas (may Allah have mercy on him), ignited the passion for Da'wah and Tabligh. For the purification of the soul and the rectification of the inner self, Hazrat (may Allah have mercy on him) met Hazrat Maulana Abdul Qadir Raipuri and Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Ali Lahori to rectify his inner self and elevate his soul, and developed a special relationship. He also kept the esteemed religious scholar Hazrat Maulana Zakariya Kandhlawi (may Allah have mercy on him) as his mentor and patron.
*Unparalleled Nature and Exemplary Temperament*
Hazrat (may Allah have mercy on him) had great comprehensiveness in his nature and great moderation in his temperament. He always stayed away from sectarian and minor differences. He was always actively involved at the national and communal level and guided the Muslims. He addressed everyone from the hut of the فقیر (faqir) to the royal palace and won everyone's heart. He was a dervish-like person. His selfless nature was far removed from worldly pursuits. He was a very successful and nation-nurturing elder.
*Death*
He passed away in his homeland, Takia Kalan, Raebareli, at 11:55 AM on 22nd Ramadan al-Mubarak, 1420 Hijri, corresponding to 31st December 1999 AD. He answered the call of death and was buried in a mosque in Takia Kalan itself.
*Writings and Compositions*
He has 199 small and large Arabic compositions and 304 small and large Urdu compositions.
*_Famous Arabic Compositions_*
(۱) ماذا خسر العالم بانحطاط المسلمين (What the World Lost Due to the Decline of Muslims)
(۲) رجال الفكر والدعوۃ (Men of Thought and الدعوۃ (Da'wah))
(3) الاركان الاربعه (The Four Pillars)
(4) مختارات من ادب العرب (Selections from Arabic Literature) (5) قصص النبيين (Stories of the Prophets)
(6) القراءۃ الراشدہ (The Righteous Reading)
*Famous Urdu Compositions*
(1) Insani Duniya Par Musalmanon Ke Urooj o Zawal Ka Asar (The Impact of the Rise and Fall of Muslims on the Human World)
(2) Tarikh Dawat o Azeemat Panch Jilden (History of Invitation and Determination, Five Volumes)
(3) Islamiyat o Maghribiyat Ki Kashmakash (The Conflict Between Islam and the West)
(4) Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Aur Unki Deeni Dawat (Maulana Muhammad Ilyas and His Religious Invitation)
(5) Seerat Syed Ahmad Shaheed (Biography of Syed Ahmad Shaheed) (6) Purane Chiragh Panch Jilden (Old Lamps, Five Volumes)
*_Famous and Well-Known Positions, Offices, and Honors_*
(1) Nazim Nadwatul Ulama (Administrator of Nadwatul Ulama)
(2) Rukn Majlis-e-Shura Darul Uloom Deoband (Member of the Advisory Council of Darul Uloom Deoband)
(3) Sadr All India Muslim Personal Law Board (President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board)
(4) Sadru Muassis Alami Rabita Adab Islami (President and Founder of the World Islamic Literature League)
(5) Rukn Ta'sisi Rabita Alam Islami Makkah Mukarrama (Founding Member of the Muslim World League, Makkah)
(6) Rukn Majma al-Lugha al-Arabiya (Member of the Academy of the Arabic Language)
*The Essence of Abul Hasan's Life*
The blessed life of Hazrat (may Allah have mercy on him) is full of religious, scholarly, communal, political, and social services. Every moment of his energy and strength was spent in guiding and leading the Muslims. May Allah Almighty reward him generously for his services on behalf of the entire Ummah. Amen.