MAULANA DR. KAUSER YAZDANI NADWI, a renowned Islamic scholar, author, journalist and activist and former Secretary for Dawah, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, reveals the various facets of his life, family, studies and activism in an interview with DR. WAQUAR ANWAR. Excerpts:
Please tell us about your family and education.
My native place is Qattalpur in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. My father died when I was young. My mother could not afford continuation of my education after intermediate. So I arranged my further education on my own. I did graduation from Shiblee College, Azamgarh, and Masters and doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in the Hindi language from Agra University. I also completed Aalimiat from Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, and Fazeelat from Rampur. It was all self-arranged, call it self-made, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah).
You had family relationship with Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani?
The sister of my grandmother was married to Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani. We are further related on maternal side. He was from Tanda which is also my maternal native place (Nanihaal).
So from a family close to Jamiatul Ulema you joined Jamaat-e-Islami. You must have invited troubles!
All men before my generation had allegiance to Jamiatul Ulema but I joined Jamaat-e-Islami. Such shift of allegiance from Jamiat to Jamaat obviously led to troubles and discord for me. With passage of time and my unyielding attitude this was resolved and accepted in my family.
How did you join the Jamaat?
Some of my friends in the intermediate class were associated with the Jamaat; they introduced me to its literature and leaders. The local leaders introduced me to the Central leadership. By the time I did graduation I had become its member (rukn). Serving the Jamaat was my primary concern and I had decided to think about anything else only if my offer was not accepted by the Jamaat. So when the call came I was more than ready! I was called by the Central leadership because the decision for a newspaper in the Hindi language had been taken and a person was required for the purpose. I vividly remember that date when I joined Markaz (Centre) of the Jamaat. It was March 4, 1957. I worked as editor of Kanti for more than 35 years. Then I was engaged in the Markaz where I served as Secretary for Dawah up to my retirement. You may note that I continued my education with the permission of the Central leadership and they, particularly Maulana Abul Lais Islahi Nadwi, were kind enough not only to give me permission but also to encourage me in my academic pursuit. So MA, PhD and Aalmiat and Fazilat were all done while I was editor of the Kanti.
Why you did higher studies in Hindi and Islamic Studies?
I completed my studies in the Hindi language with the intention that I had committed my life to propagation of Islam through this language. Further, I had a feeling that my Islamic studies should be from original sources and I should do full-fledged religious course. Allah was kind enough to bestow success in all the academic pursuit. Neither Hindi nor Arabic was my basic subject up to graduation. I learnt these languages with a missionary zeal. Although I have done doctorate in Hindi, you will not find me using Hindi words, as such, in my conversations. I took higher degrees in both the languages with the sole objective of serving the cause of the Jamaat. After I had completed my courses in these languages, I became confident that my writings will be considered authentic! I had come closer to the Jamaat when I was in intermediate class and everything thereafter was directed towards the mission of life I had adopted. There was no looking back. Now when I see my life I become possessed with thankfulness to Allah, the Almighty. I feel my every wish has been fulfilled. It was nothing but His kindness on His humble servant.
What was your topic for PhD?
The topic of my PhD was Sufi Darshan evam Sadhna ka Kramik Vikas tatha Kutban, Manjhan evam Jaysee…. (Development of Mysticism in Hindi with reference to the Poetry of Kutban, Manjhan and Jaysee).
What is special about these three poets?
Kutban, Manjhan and Jaysee were Muslim poets of the Hindi language and this made me interested in their poetry. It is worth noting that there are nearly six hundred Muslim poets who have contributed to the development of the Hindi language.
How are these Muslim poets placed in the Hindi literature?
Apart from these three poets other Muslim poets who have a high place in the Hindi language are Mulla Daud, Kabir, etc. They are poets of the first rank, like Meer and Ghalib of the Urdu language.
You did Aalimiat from Nadwa but Fazeelat from a madrasa in Rampur.
I did Fazeelat from Rampur in the madrasa of Maulana Abdul Wahab, a scholar of high degree. Besides, this madrasa was nearer to the Markaz of the Jamaat. The classes were held for two hours after Fajr (daybreak) prayers. Thus there was no break in my duties.
How you managed your academic and job related engagements?
Pursuing higher education was my secondary concern. I utilised the time available at the most, keeping the Jamaat’s work to be my primary concern. I did MA by attending two hours class daily at Moradabad being a daily passenger and without absenting myself from the duties at the Markaz. For PhD I had to visit Ghaziabad often, that too without failing my assignments in Markaz. Markaz by that time had shifted to Delhi and this journey to and fro of Ghaziabad was possible. Amir Jamaat Maulana Abul Lais Islahi Nadwi gave me special permission and facilitated my endeavours.
What is the secret of popularity of Maulana Abul Lais Islahi Nadwi?
He was fully committed to the Jamaat and he maintained personal contacts with his workers. Suppose I am sick he would enquire about and you may say it was an organisational approach. What about his concern when my wife or any other family member was sick? Such personal contact and concern coupled with his leadership trait made him popular. He was a leader all the time. You meet him and one or two instructions would be waiting for you! He was a leader who always kept an eye on everybody and was always concerned about everyone severally. This was not the case of other presidents of the Jamaat.
What work did you do in Hindi for Jamaat?
In addition to my work for Kanti as its editor I have translated several books and have also written a number of books but the translation of Talkhees Tafheemul Qur’ān into Hindi is dearest to me. I intend to complete the translation work of Tafheemul Qur’ān, all volumes, provided I am invited by the Jamaat to do this work. My original works in Hindi include books on the life of the Prophet (May Allah bless him) and on Khulafa-e- Rashideen (the trustworthy four Caliphs).
You were the first zonal president (Amir Halqua) of the Jamaat in Delhi. What was the position of the Jamaat in Delhi then?
When I took charge of the Jamaat’s work in Delhi there was only one small unit in Old Delhi. So whatever work could spread I was involved in it.
You could do the work of Jamaat in Delhi, besides Haryana along with your responsibilities as Editor of Kanti magazine. How you could do all this?
I had distributed time for all this. I used to start writing work after Fajr (daybreak) prayers at my house. I used to reach the office before 9 AM, and continue the assignments relating to Kanti up to Zuhr (afternoon) prayers. After lunch either I used to come back to the office or proceed on field work for spread of the Jamaat’s message in Delhi, New Delhi or Haryana areas. This was a daily routine. I used to go for field work daily either after Zuhr or Asr (evening) prayers. Coming back late in the night I was ready the next day morning to repeat the programme. Allah made it all possible and I could do the field work without any compromise on my office duties and academic work. Later the Central leaders of the Jamaat provided me with a vehicle and that increased my frequency and reach in the field.
How could you break the ice in Haryana, given its special condition?
You see, there is only one method of doing field work. That is to make and maintain contacts. There is no method other than personal contacts. I did it regularly and continuously and ultimately the doors of the hearts were opened and the Muslims who had discarded Islam owing to the turmoil of partition of the country got confidence to revert to their original faith.
How about familial responsibilities?
Yes, like anybody else, I too had responsibilities of the family. Till the day my wife was alive she gave me full cooperation. After her death I had the added responsibility to take care of the children. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) I could take care of my familial responsibilities too and everything has been fine. My children got nice education, they got good jobs, they were married and they are all settled leading happy family life. What else I could think about. It is all because of the Grace of Allah.
As Secretary for Dawah you were involved in propagation of Islam in India. What method you adopted and what problems you faced?
The work of propagation of Islam in this country can be done smoothly. I have not experienced any insurmountable impediment although I have done this work for a long period in different parts of the country. If there is any obstacle it is from the Muslims themselves! The modus operandi is very simple. Discuss about Islam, give books for reading and reply to doubts and queries. That is all we are required to do. Hundreds of people have reverted to Islam on this simple method.
What about misconceptions about Islam?
Misconceptions about Islam abound. They are mostly because of lack of information about Islam. One popular misconception about Islam is that it is not ‘our’ religion as it is a religion of the Arabs and so for ‘us’ it is a bad religion. Further, there are people who consciously spread misinformation about Islam and antagonise the masses against Islam and Muslims. The Brahmins have successfully kept the Indian masses under their control for centuries and they succeeded in erecting the defensive walls to check the spread of Islam even during the hey-days of Muslims in India, during the period they were ruling this country. Now the grip of the Brahmins is loosening and scope of Dawah work is increasing.
What change you find in the Jamaat’s work?
There was a time, say up to first forty years of the Jamaat’s formation that everyone was very sincere without any concern about personal amenities. Now the situation has changed. Even full time workers’ officialdom and personal concerns have increased at the cost of sincerity. Now it has a become a routine job beginning at, say, 9 A.M. and continuing up to, say, 5 P.M. Earlier the atmosphere was of total devotion to the object of the Jamaat. There are exceptions, no doubt, but my feeling is based on overall atmosphere.
What are your engagements these days?
After retirement from the Jamaat I have kept myself busy in translation work into the Hindi language. I have translated Bukhari in three volumes. A publisher provides me books for translation and I do the job. My pen has not retired.