Maulana S.M. RabeyHasani Nadwi, Rector Nadwatul Ulama and President All India Muslim Personal Law Board was a distinguished scholar of Islam. He was a man of literature. He passed away in Lucknow on April 13, 2023.
He was the scion of an illustrious family that produced a host of scholars, thinkers and spiritual preceptors like Shah AlamullahHasani (d.1685), Syed Ahmad Shaheed (d.1831), Hakeem Syed Abdul Hai Hasani (1923), Dr. Syed Abdul Ali Hasani (d.1961), Syed Muhammad Al-Hasani (1979), Syed Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (d.1999), Maulana S.M. Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi (d.2019) and so on.
Allah Almighty bestowed upon him extraordinary knowledge and wisdom. His multifaceted genius can be discussed in various dimensions – as a great Islamic scholar, as a thinker, as an educationist, as a historian, as a litterateur, as a theologian, as a teacher, as a reformer, as an orator, as a journalist, as a jurist, as a writer, as a philanthropist, as a biographer of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as a spokesman for the plight of the poor and the like.
Truly speaking, he was a true replica of his predecessor Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi. He was not only Maulana Ali Mian’s nephew but also had been his confidante for several decades. Maulana Dr.Abdullah Abbas Nadwi writes, “Sheikh Rabey was with Sheikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi at all times, whether at home or during a journey. He represented Sheikh Nadwi on many occasions and spoke on his behalf many times. If Sheikh Nadwi accepted any responsibility, it was Sheikh Rabey who was to implement it.” He further says, “Maulana Rabey’s looks also had become like that of Sheikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.” No doubt, Maulana Rabey was indisputably his true heir.
HIS EDUCATION
Maulana Rabey was born in 1929 at Takiya Kalan, Raebareli, U.P.(India). He had his elementary education at home and got higher education at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow. Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, Maulana Mohammad Shah Haleem Ata, Maulana Mufti Mohammad Saeed, Maulana Syed Hameeduddin, Maulana OaisNagrami were his teachers of eminence. After completing education from Nadwatul Ulama, he went to Deoband and achieved immense academic gains from Maulana Syed Husain Ahmad Madani and other distinguished Ulama of Deoband.
He also spent about one year in Hijaz (Saudi Arabia) where he gained considerable benefits from prominent scholars of Hijaz.
HIS CHARACTER AND CAREER
Maulana Rabey himself writes, “My grandfather, Syed Khaliluddin Ahmad Hasani (nephew of Syed Shah Ziaun Nabi Hasani) who was a prominent landlord had made special arrangement for my father to acquire necessary skills to take care of his personal and household needs. Thus, my father’sresponsibilities were limited to taking care of matters pertaining to land and agriculture, and he made our maternal uncles(Sheikh Nadwi and his older brother Dr.Syed Abdul Ali Hasani) fully responsible for our education and upbringing.” (Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi An Eminent Scholar, Thinker, and Reformer)
He derived considerable benefits andinspiration from them. In a true sense, Dr.Abdul Ali planted the seed of worthiness in him and Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi nurtured it.Then, wherever he went, he bloomed into a rose. Undoubtedly, he was a man of transparent heart and noble qualities. He was a paragon of morality. He never showed egotism, pride, and haughtiness. He had a throbbingheart for the entire nation. He met everyone cheerfully.
He was kind-hearted, self-conscious, and righteous. He possessed sturdy intellect and common sense.He always kept himself away from name and fame.The most striking aspects of his life were his istighna(expecting nothing from anyone except Allah), sincerity, simplicity, and piety. He meticulously followed Sunnah. Like his predecessor Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, he led a pious and exemplary life. He was a true descendant of salafsaliheen(pious people).
AS A TEACHER
Maulana RabeyHasani Nadwi was appointed teacher in 1949. He was a dedicated teacher. He was an embodiment of all sublime qualities and virtues necessary for a good teacher. His method of teaching was unprecedented. It was his sword that he wielded so effectively that very few people could match. Scores of students quenched their thirst for knowledge from him.
He left behind a galaxy of students who impart education in their respective areas. No doubt, it is an everlasting tribute to him. His myriad contributions in the field of education will always be remembered.
AS RECTOR OF NADWATUL ULAMA, LUCKNOW
After the demise of Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, MaulanaRabeyHasani Nadwi was elected Rector of Nadwatul Ulama in 2000. Darul Uloom made great stridesin various fields of education under his rectorship. Besides various hostels, separate building for higher classes, a few grand halls, extension of central Mosque and Matbakh (Mess) were constructed underhis rectorship. No doubt, he dedicated his whole life to the cause of Nadwatul Ulama’s growth. He played a constructive role in Nadwa’s progress and development. His remarkable contributions to and achievements in the cause of Nadwatul Ulama will always be remembered.
AS AIMPLB PRESIDENT
After passing away of Maulana Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi, Maulana RabeyHasani Nadwi was elected President of the Board on June 22, 2002.For two decades, Maulana Rabey held the post. He played a pivotalrole in tackling key issuesfaced by the Board. Accordingly, scores of important issues have been solved during his tenure.
Truly speaking, he was an erudite scholar.The comprehensive knowledge and intellectual brilliance of Maulana Rabey had been acknowledged by his contemporaries. Because of his vast knowledge in religious and secular sciences, he had been entrusted many important positions and offices, and was also conferred several prestigious awards, including President Award for his outstanding service in the arena of Arabic language and literature.
POSITIONS
The positions he held are Rector, Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow; President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board; President,World Forum of Islamic Literature; Member Muslim World League; Executive Member of Darul Uloom Deoband; Patron, Islamic Fiqh Academy, New Delhi; President,Academy of Islamic Research and Publication, Lucknow; President, Dar -e-Arafat Raibareli, U.P.; Patron, Maulana Azad Memorial Academy, Lucknow; Patron, Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Academy, Bhatkal, Karnataka; Member Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies(UK); PresidentAll IndiaPayam-e-Insaniyat Movement; President,DeeniTaleemi Council, U.P. and honorary member of a host of institutions in and out of India.
AWARDS
The awards he received are President Award in 1982 and Shah Waliullah Award by Institute of ObjectiveStudies,New Delhi in 2015.
AS A WRITER
He was a prolific writer. He authored more than four dozenbooks in Arabic and Urdu.His literary work is multidimensional. His creative work is complete in itself. He wrote almost in every style in prose. His various books are included in the syllabus of different institutions, including Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow. Some of his major publications are as under:
Arabic Publications:
- Mansurat filAdabil Arabi
- Al-Adabul Arabi Baina Arzin waNaqd
- Fi Zilalil Al Seerah
- Harakat Nadwatul Ulama :Fikratuha wa Minhajuha
- Fi Watan Al Imam Al-Bukhari
- Maqalat fi Al TarbiatewalMujtamiye
- Al Adabul Al Islami: Fikratuhu Wa Manahijuhu
- Tarikhul Al Adabil Al Arabi: Al Asrul Islami
- Al Adabul Islami wa SilatuhuBil Al Hayate
- AzwaaAlal Al Adbil AlIslami
- Mukhtar Al Shiril Arabi (Two Volumes)
- Muwafiqat Wa Mufariqat Fil Madinatil Al- Gharabiah
- RawayeminalAdabil Islami Al Qadeem
- AzwaaAlalFiqhil Islami wa MakanatulIjtihademinhu
- Al GhazlulUrdee: Muhaviruhu wa Makanatuhu fi Shiree
- AzwaaAlalAdabil Islami
Urdu Publications:
- Deen wa Adab
- JugrafiaJaziratul Adab
- Hajj wa Maqamat-e-Hajj
- RahbareInsaniyat
- Qur’ān Majeed InsaniZindegi Ka Rahbare Kamil
- Fiqh Islami Aur Asr Jadeed
- Muslim Samaj:JimmeDariyan Aur Taqazey
- Samaj ki Taleem wa Tarbiat
- Aalame Islam: Andeshe Aur Imkanat
- GhubareKarwan
- Samarqand wa Bukhara Ki Bazyaft
- Halate Hazera Aur Musulman
- Nuqushe Seerat
- Do Mahine America Mein
- UmmateMuslema: Rahbar Aur Misali Ummat
- Yadu ke Chirag
- AuraqeZindegi
- KhutbateRabey
- TuhfayeGhuzrat
- Muallim Al- Insha (Salis)
- Ashab Rasul SallalhuAlaihe wa Sallam
- Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Ek Ahad Shaz Shakhshiyat
Translated Books:
- Fazayele Al Dawat- e-Ilal Allah
- Baina Al-Tasawwufewal Hayat
AS A JOURNALIST
He was also an accomplished journalist. He carved a niche in the arena of journalism. Because of his vast knowledge in all religious sciences, including jurisprudence, and a profound knowledge of different languages like Urdu, Arabic, English and Persian, he forthrightly shed light on every subject at length. Hundreds of articles are to his credit. He was a patron of five magazines published from Nadwatul Ulama like Al Raid, Al Baasul Islami,Tameer-e-Hayat, The Fragrance of East and Sachcha Rahi and regularly contributed to them.
The passing away of Maulana Rabey Nadwi is a personal loss to me. Like his younger brother Maulana S.M.Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi(1933-2019), he had also been a great inspiration to me. My first book, The Plain Truth had been released by him in 2008, and he also gave Rs.5,000 to me as reward. I have been lucky enough that my latest book, Islam and Education was also released by him on March 21, 2023 at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama,Lucknow.
Decidedly, Maulana’s death is a great loss to Nadwatul Ulama in particular and to the Millat-e Islamia in general. His demise has caused anunbridgeablevacuum.The Muslim world deeply mourned over his death. Prominent Islamic scholars of the world sent their condolence messages to Maulana S.Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi.The congregational funeral prayers were offered in various countries in absentia. Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Former Chief Ministers Akhlesh Yadav and Mayawati and others sent their condolence messages.
The most surprising event was his last journey. His funeral prayer was led twice:the first led by Dr.Saeedur Rahman Azami Nadwi at Nadwa and the second led by Maulana S. Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi at Takia Kalan.He was buried in his ancestral graveyard at Takia Kalan, Rai Bareli. It is estimated that more than fifty thousand people attended his rites. May Allah pardon his allshortcomings and adorn his grave with luminosity and refulgence and grant peace to his soul! Aameen!
[The writer is Faculty Member, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow]