IOS organizes two-day national seminar on “Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: Personality, Intellectual Legacy and Guiding Imprints”

IOS organizes two-day national seminar on “Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: Personality, Intellectual Legacy and Guiding Imprints”

New Delhi: A two-day national seminar on ‘Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: Personality, Intellectual Legacy and Guiding Imprints’ was organized by the Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) New Delhi at its conference hall on November 25 and 26, 2023.

Inaugural Session

The seminar began with the recitation of a Verse from Qur’an by Maulana Adnan Ahmad Nadwi of the IOS. In his on-line inaugural speech, director, Al-Nadwa Educational Islamic Centre, Canada, Maulana Dr. Saeed Faizee Nadwi, referred to his association with the Maulana spanning over several decades, and said that he benefited from him intellectually. The Maulana was very kind to him and was ever willing to help him on matters arising out of Islamic theology. He held that a big gap had been created by the Maulana’s death which could be filled by Allah only. The services being rendered by the Maulana’s successor, Maulana Bilal Abdul Hayee Hasani, were very convincing laudable, he observed.

In a message which was read out at the seminar, Maulana Shah Ayetullah Qadri, Sajjadah Nashin, Khaneqah Mujeebia, Phulwari Sharif, Patna, said that the instincts of his utterances and personality were influenced by the training and guidance of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi. In fact, he represented Ali Miyan’s intellectual and spiritual life. He was the spiritual son and successor to him in true sense of the term. The influence of Ali Miyan was visibly reflected in his personality. That was the reason the circle of his intellectual and practical life was very wide. The Maulana was the Sheikh of his circle as also the chief of an institution, he added.

In his special address, Amir of Markazi Jameeat Ahle Hadis Hind, Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salafi referred to his association with Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi and said that the life of such great persons inspired the community to seek guidance from them. Their life and work also reminded the Muslims how seriously and responsibly they guided the community. He called upon the Muslims to learn from the life of the Maulana and translate it into their practical life.

Another special invitee was the noted Islamic scholar and professor emeritus, department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, who paying his rich tributes to Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s qualities and his guiding instincts, observed that he worked on the lines of his mentor, Maulana Ali Miyan. He provided leadership to the Ummah till his last breath. It was a matter of satisfaction for every member of the community that its dignity was in secure hands. These hands could never be compromised. He said that the Maulana was the custodian and reflection of the legacy of Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Maulana Ali Miyan. His successor, Maulana Syed Bilal Abdul Hayee Hasani Nadwi, the present rector of Nadwa was following in his footsteps, he added.

Speaking as the guest of honour, rector, Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, Maulana Syed Bilal Abdul Hayee Hasani Nadwi shed light on the personality and the services of Maulana Rabey Hasani. He said that the important aspect of the Maulana’s life and his personality was his humility. He never gave importance to himself and always kept himself away from high offices. But, Allah bestowed on him a great responsibility to head the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. Initially, he refused to be the president of AIMPLB, but the leaders of the Ummah unanimously elected him as chief of the board at its convention despite his absence at the meet. He was persuaded by the stakeholders of the board to take up its stewardship. The same had happened when the question of the rectorship of Nadwa arose. He was unwilling to accept its rectorship. Instead, he suggested the name of Dr. Abdullah Abbas Nadwi for the post. But since Maulana Abdullah Abbas was elder to him, he virtually ordered him to take up the post of rector of Nadwa, Maulana Bilal, said.

Maulana Bilal Nadwi held that Maulana Rabey Hasani was the epitome of extraordinary quality. Besides being a perfect teacher, he commanded respect and popularity among his students. He began his career as a teacher in 1949 and continued to do so till his death without a break from the classes he took. His lectures on Qur’an used to be very effective. Mostly, he used to teach subjects like language and literature. During the last days of life, he concentrated his lectures on Bukhari Sharif and was deeply immersed into it. Referring to the Maulana’s end, he said that on the last day of his life he offered the Zohar prayer without a problem and died before Asar. He said that Maulana Rabey rose after the death of Maulana Ali Miyan like rise of the moon after sunset.

In his presidential remarks, former union minister for minority affairs, K. Rahman Khan paid tribute to the services of Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi and the leadership he gave to the Muslim community. He said that the Maulana was the senior-most in age among all the Islamic scholars and the ulema. He discharged his responsibilities as the leader of the Millat with grit and courage. As the rector of Nadwa, he maintained high standards of Islamic knowledge and philosophy. In his death, the Islamic world lost a great Islamic scholar and teacher, Rahman Khan concluded.

The occasion was marked by the release of the book, “Mohaddis Azmi: Shakhsiyat, Kamaalat Aur Ilmi Futuhaat”, (written by Prof. Abdur Rahman Momin and) published by the IOS. This book is the collection of the papers presented in a seminar on Mohaddis Azmi Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman Azmi organized by the IOS.

In-charge of Urdu section, IOS, Maulana Shah Ajmal Farooq Nadwi, conducted the proceedings of the session.

Technical Session-I

The first technical session focused on Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: His time, development and personality. The session was jointly chaired by Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadwi, former dean of English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, Prof. Shafique Ahmad Khan Nadwi, Prof. Mohammad Fahim Akhtar Nadwi and Dr. Md. Arshad. Speaking as a special guest, noted Islamic scholar and researcher, Maulana Noorul Hasan Rashid Kandhalwi, referred to the traits of his personality, and said that it was difficult to reach anywhere near his mannerism and high character. In this respect, he was ahead of his mentor, Maulana Ali Miyan. Such people of high moral standard could not be easily found today. The life of the Maulana was a lighthouse which enlightened everyone who came into contact with him. His life was an example for others to emulate. He was followed by Dr. Tabish Mehdi, Chairman, Adabiyat Aliya Academy, who presented his paper on various aspects of multi-faceted personality of Maulana Nadwi.

Dr. Kamal Ashraf Qasmi, assistant professor, Aliya University, Kolkata spoke on the life and services of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi in the modern context. He was followed by Maulana Talha Nemat Nadwi of Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna, who focused on Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s thoughts on literature. The last speaker of the session was Mohsin Firoz Azmi, department of Arabic, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, who centered his paper on the guiding instincts of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi.

In his presidential remarks, Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadwi observed that the Maulana was farsighted. Owing to his vision, he played the longest innings as president of the AIMPLB. It was his humbleness that he refused to accept every offer which came his way. More often than not, he did not disclose his personal opinion in order to strengthen the unity of the board. He always maintained a low profile and preferred to take a back seat, Prof. Usmani added.

Technical Session-II

The second technical session, focused on Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi and Islamic Studies, was chaired by the former head of the department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Shafique Ahmad Khan Nadwi. Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, assistant professor of Islamic Studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad was the first speaker who devoted his paper to the services of Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi in the promotion of Islamic Studies. He was followed by Prof. Masud Alam Falahi, head of the department of Arabic, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Languages University, who spoke on the services of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi in the promotion and the dissemination of Islamic learning. The third speaker of the session was Dr. Roohnuma Parveen, research scholar, department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University. She presented her paper on Syed Muhammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: A Critical Evaluation on his historic contribution. Raghiba, a Ph.D. scholar at JMI was the fourth speaker who focused on the concept of equality and religious tolerance in the writings of Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi. She was followed by the research scholar in Islamic Studies, JMI, Md. Saqib. He spoke on Qur’an, the perfect guide to the human life: A critical analysis’. Sixth speaker was Md. Munawwar Kamal, research scholar at JMI, who centered on ‘Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi and the Islamic Studies. The seventh speaker was Zain Hashmi Nadwi, research scholar, JMI, who presented the paper on Maulana Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi as profile writer. The last speaker was Nadeem Ashraf, assistant professor, department of Sunni Theology, AMU, who spoke on Maulana’s contribution to Islamic Studies.

In his presidential remarks, Prof. Shafeeque Ahmad Khan Nadwi recalled his past-memories and said that the Maulana was the embodiment of the high standard of decency. It was very difficult to reach that level of decency. Besides, he was a successful teacher and an accomplished planner and organizer. He was never heard of using a language that could have hurt others’ sentiments. He stressed the need for a detailed discussion on the services rendered by him to Rabta-i-Adab Islami. He drew attention of the Islamic scholar to his suggestion.

Day-2: November 26, 2023

Technical Session-III

The third technical session was devoted to Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s educational and journalistic field’. Prof. Md. Fahim Akhtar Nadwi, from department of Islamic Studies, MANUU chaired the session. Prof. Syed Rashid Naseem from IFL University, Hyderabad, was the first speaker who spoke on Maulana Rabey Hasani’s guiding role in the training of society. He was followed by Dr. Md. Arshad, assistant professor of Islamic Studies, JMI. He touched upon Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani’s contemporary sensitivity and the perception of world problems. The third speaker was Dr. Khalid Umri, assistant professor of Islamic Studies, JMI who spoke on the re-emergence of Samarqand and Bukhara: A Study. Fourth speaker was Md. Shamim Akhtar Qasmi, assistant professor, department of Fiqh Islami, Aliya University. He focused on ‘Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani’s book: Do Maheenay America Mein: An analytical study’. Shaziya Tareen, research scholar, department of Fiqh Sunni, AMU was the next speaker who spoke on ‘Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi and education and training. Sixth speaker Dr. Md. Nasir, assistant professor, department of Sunni Theology, AMU devoted his paper on Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi and his book on current affairs and Muslims. He was followed by Alizah Bano, research scholar, JMI who spoke on Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s views on education and training.

The next speaker of the session was Md. Hassan Khan, department of Islamic Studies, JMI. He focused on ‘Words Woven: A Study of Syed Mohammad Rabey’s literary legacy’. He was followed by Shafiq-ur-Rahman, research scholar, Islamic Studies, JMI. He spoke on the Arab Island: A critical study. The tenth speaker was Dr. Ghayasul Islam Siddiqui, department of Kulliyat (Unani medicine), A & U Tibbia College, who threw light on Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s journalistic foresight. And the last speaker of the session was Md. Ashfaq Alam Nadwi, research scholar, JMI. He spoke on Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi and education and training.

In his presidential remarks, Prof. Mohammed Fahim Akhtar Nadwi drew attention of the scholars to some important issues. Referring to Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi, he said that he was very fortunate to have been his student. He continued to enjoy patronage of the Maulana even after he passed out of Nadwa. Once in an answer to the question, he put to him, the Maulana held that the purpose of education was training. But today, education was linked to employment with the result that the very purpose of education was defeated. He had said that the training and employment were two different things. Both of them should be so planned that one did not overlap the other, he added.

Technical Session-IV

The fourth session was devoted to Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi: Understanding contemporary issues and guiding imprints. Dr. Mohammad Arshad was in the chair. The first speaker was Dr. Jamshed Ahmad Nadwi, department of Arabic, Mumbai University. He presented his paper on Yaadon Ke Charagh: Introduction and analysis. He was followed by Dr. Obaid Iqbal Asim, AMU, who spoke on Current Situation and Muslims: A review. The third speaker was Dr. Nadeem Ashraf, who touched upon Maulana Rabey Hasan Nadwi’s term of office as president: A review. He was followed by Saeed Ur Rahman, research scholar, department of Arabic, Jamia Maulana Azad, Lucknow, who spoke on Maulana Rabey Hasani’s ideological persuasion and the Muslim community. The fifth speaker was Dr. Md. Wiqaruddin Latifi, office-secretary, AIMPLB, New Delhi. He centred on the fourth president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board: Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s perceptible services. Saif Anwar, research scholar, department of Islamic Studies, JMI was the sixth speaker who concentrated on Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi and social reform. He was followed by Malik Mahmood, research scholar, JMI, who devoted his paper to Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi: Study of religion and the steps taken in action: An analytical study. The last speaker of the session was Md. Sirajul Huda Nadwi, Darul Uloom Sabil Ul Islam, Hyderabad. He spoke on contemporary awareness in Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi’s writings and lectures.

In his presidential remarks, Dr. Mohammad Arshad observed that the services rendered by Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi as the president of AIMPLB, were full of wisdom. They should be used for the benefit of the community. They should also be made public in detail. He said the Maulana’s writings in Arabic were of high standard. Need for the revision of the Urdu translation of his writings in Arabic was strongly felt. He said that since Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi wrote lucid Arabic, his Urdu translation should also be as such.

Valedictory Session

In his valedictory speech, the secretary of AIMPLB, Maulana Mohammad Umarain Mahfooz Rahmani, said that the life of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi was like a shady tree for the Millat. He held a high position of spirituality and character which was rare. This position was a gift from Allah who gave it to the chosen few. One of his traits which differentiated him from others was his total immersion into the work he took up. Though this was very difficult, yet the Maulana made it a goal to achieve. That was the reason Allah put love for him into the hearts of the people. He was the epitome of planning and fortitude. In this connection, his statement regarding Babri Masjid was worth mentioning. He had said that if the Babri Masjid case verdict went against Muslims, it might be binding on the Muslims physically. But it would never be acceptable to their hearts, he added.

Presiding over the session, the chairman of the IOS, Dr. M. Manzoor Alam said that the personality of Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi was dominated by moderation, equilibrium and prudence. He held that his attachment with the Maulana continued throughout his life. He always patronized him as well as the IOS. When the IOS decided to give Shah Wali Ullah Award to a scholar whose contribution in the field of Islamic Studies was distinctive, consensus emerged on the name of Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi. He was selected from a panel of names drawn from across the country. By consenting to accept the award, he only gave respectability to the IOS. He called upon the younger generation to learn from his life and work. The Millat needed to emulate him in their lives because he was distinct.

At the end of the seminar, a 4-point resolution was moved and unanimously passed by the participants. Among other things, the resolution stressed the need for emulating Maulana Rabey Hasani and popularizing his ideas. The convenor of the seminar, Maulana Shah Ajmal Farooq Nadwi, who conducted the proceedings, proposed a vote of thanks.

A view of audience