Daisy Ahmed
Abstract:
This paper is a humble attempt to throw light upon the development of Indo-Arabic literature and the contribution of Dr. Syeedur Rahman Al-A’zmi Al-Nadwi in ‘Al-Ba’s Al-Islami. It also focuses the light in detail on the importance of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema. Nadwi was planned from the earliest to pursue a balanced and moderate course, its founders were suspicious of extremism, both ancient and modern. Nadwi was designed, fundamentally to strive towards a synthesis of the old and new. This scholar made invaluable contributions to the study of Islamic history, literature, scholastic theology and life of history of the prophet. This topic is related to a learned person who dedicated his whole of life to the development of Arabic language and literature, especially in the field of Arabic journalism in India. Maulana Dr. Syeedur Rahman was a very strict administrator. He started his early education in the guidance of his father and he obtained the Ali Miyyat and Fazilat degree from Miftahul Uloom. Maulana Dr. Syeedur Rahman involved himself with various institutions and national and international organization. He also had various educatuional tours to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Queet, Nepal and Pakistan etc. Dr. Nadwi was very famous as a writer he wrote various books in both Arabic and Urdu language among his Arabic books. “Al-Bayan” published in Lucknow in 1902 edited by Abdullah Al-Emadi, “Al- Jamia” published in Calcutta in 1923 edited by Abdur Razzaq. “Al- Zia” published in 1932 edited by Masood Alam. “Al-Ba’s al- Islami” published in 1955 in Lucknow edited by Mohd Al-Hasani, are some noted contributions to Arabic literature. Al-Ba’s al- Islami’ has been playing an important role in the field of Arabic journalism.
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The present paper focuses the light in detail on the importance of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema. In the last part of 19th century maulana Muhammad Ali Mungeri and his team formed an association known as Nadwatul Ulema to reconcile the differences among the contending Muslim sects and later in 1898 founded a model institution in Lucknow. By and by the Darul Ulloom Nadwatul Ulema succeeded in winning the support and goodwill of the genuinely solicitous and broadminded Ulema and leaders of Muslim opinion representing different schools of thought who voluntarily lent to it their service in various capacities . The name is Maulana Shibli Nomani,Maulana Habibur Rahman Khan Shewani, Maulana Abdul Hoqqani, Maulana Syed Abdul Hai Hasani and Maulana Hakim Syed Abdul Ali deserve specially to be put on record in this connection.
Nadwa was planned from the earliest to pursue a balanced and moderate course. Its founders were suspicious of extremism, both ancient and modern, and considered the mental and social exclusiveness and rigidity of the Ulema and their justice, dissension and fine disputations as highly detrimental to Islam and the Muslims.
Thus, Nadwa was designed, fundamentally, to strive towards a synthesis of the old and the new. The Nadwastul Ulema focused its attention primarily on the teaching of the Quran which is an eternal programme of life. It also took up the teaching of Arabic as a living language since it held the key to the understanding of the Quran. It excluded from its curriculum and in their place, introduced those modern branches of study whose knowledge was essential to the Ulema for rendering an effective service to Islam in the prevalent context of things. Another major aim and purpose before it was to produce preachers and interpreters of Islam who could present faith to the present-day world in a bold and effective manner. By the grace of God, it has achieved commendable success in all these directions. It has produced exemplary servants of Islam and high – ranking scholars who can well be held up as models to the world of Islam. These scholars made invaluable contributions to the study of Islamic history, literature, scholastic theology and life history of the prophet.
Aims and Objectives
The present paper bears some aims and objectives. These aims and objectives are:
(1) To throw light upon the development of Indo-Arabic literature and the contribution of Dr. sayeedur Rahman al-
A’zmi al-Nadwi in ‘al-Ba’s al-Islami’.
(2) To focus the importance of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema.
Methodology
Methodology is an important part of a research project. The Methodology of this research will be an analytical study. In order to complete this research work the help of modern literary and historical books, research articles, encyclopedias, journals, periodicals, internet, etc. has been taken. Moreover, different educational libraries would be searched for this too.
The Present study relates a person who dedicated his whole life to the development of Arabic language and literature, specially in the field of Arabic journalism in India. Maulana Dr. Sayeedur Rahman Al-Azmi Al-Nadwi is a distinguished writer, learned scholar, experience teacher, capable administrator, heart heated speaker and a world famous journalist who passed more than five decades for the development of Arabic journalism in India. His father Maulana Mohd. Ayyub (R) was a great scholar. Dr. Nadwi was born on 14th May, 1934 at Mau in the district of Aazamgarh, U.P.
Early Education
He started his early education in the guidance of his father and obtained the Alimiyyat and Fazilat degree from Miftahul Uloom, Aazamgarh and specialized in Arabic literature from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema, Locknow. After that he went to Iraq and completed his teacher’s training course from Baghdad University under the supervision of Dr. Taqiuddin Hilali Marakashi.
Teaching and Administrative Services
After returning from Baghdad, he was appointed as teacher of Arabic and literature at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema and since then he is doing his teaching job along with other responsibilities of Nadwatul Ulema, Locknow. After the death of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi on 31st December 1999, the then Principal Maulana Mohd. Rabey Hasani Nadwi was appointed as the rector of Nadwatul Ulema, Dr. Nadwi was appointed as the Principal of this prestigious institution and till now he is successfully carrying the responsibilities of a principal as well as of a teacher.
Attachment with institutions and organizations
Dr. Nadwi involved himself with various institutions and national and international organizations. He is the founder member of World Islamic Literary Organization, whose Head Office is at Riyad, K.S.A and South Asian branch office is at Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow. He was also the vice president of Dini Ta’limi Council of Uttar Pradesh, under which more than thirteen thousand madrassas and Maktabas have been inparting education up to class five with fundamental religious studies. Founder Director of Inigral University, Lucknow, Dr. Nadwi was also a Khatib (Speaker) of the Jame Masjid of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema where he delivered the khutba or speech before Friday prayer when he delivered one hour long speech in pure Arabic tune before Friday prayer, it seemed that we were not in India but we were listening to the speech of Imam of the holy Mosques of Mecca and Madina. He was awarded various rewards in India and abroad including president of India award in 1994 for his outstanding performances in the field of education and Arabic journalism. Dr. Nadwi had various educational tours to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Kuwet, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapur, Turkey, Britain, Bangladesh, Fiji, Australia, Oman, Syria, Iraq, Qatar, etc.
Dr. Nadwi and his contribution to Arabic literature
Dr. Nadwi wrote various books in both Arabic and Urdu language. Among his Arabic books the following are very famous:
(i) Suharau ar –rashulu fi Duwau al-waqau wal Qaridun.
(ii) Ad-Duwatun al-Islamiat Munjajatun’ Mushkilat’ Turuq al Maalujatun.
(iii) Saa-tun Maa al-Arafina.
(iv) Surah Min Waqaah Ad-din.
(v) Muhaddas alhind al kabirun Habibun ar-rahman al-Ajahmi.
(vi) Nadwatul Ulamau Tujahu al Tahdiun A-Kabirun.
(vii) Al-Imam Ahmad Bin Urfan Ash-shahidun.
(viii) Al-Sahafatun Al-Arabiatun.
(ix) Hadaratna Wa-Hadaratahun.
(x) Al-Adab Wal-Islam. He also translated the following books from Urdu and Arabic
(i) Asbahba Saadatun al-muslimin wa shaqayhum
(ii) A- hafiz ibne Taimiat Rahmallah
(iii) Munhaza Ad-Dautun fil Islam
(iv) Suratani Mutad-Datanee
(v) Al-Quranul Khamsa Asharun
(vi) Tuziun As-Suratun fil Islam
(vii) Al-Quranu Yata Haddasa Ilaikum.
Arabic Journalism in India and Nadwatul Ulema
The works of Arabic journalism in India during the 20th century with the specific motivation and historical desire have brought out a change in the political and cultural order. In this context, it is mentioned that “Al-Bayan” started publishing from Lucknow in 1902 with Abdullah Al- Emadi as its editor. “Al-Jamia” started publishing from Calcutta in 1923 with Maulana Abul Kalam Aazad as its patron and Abdur Razzaq Malihabadi as its editor. “Al-Zia” started publishing in 1932 with Mas’ood Alam Nadwi as its editor and being official organ of Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, became very popular in the Arab world and received recognition in Arab literary circle for its high quality language and standard articles. “Al-Ba’s Al-Islami” started publishing in 1955 from Lucknow with Mohd. Al-Hasani as its editor as a private enterprise and later replaced “al-Zia” as the official organ of Nadwatul Ulema due to its popularity. “Al-Ba’s al-Islami has been playing an important role in the field of Arabic journalism in India since 1955 wihout any break. The contribution of Dr. Sayeedur Rahman Al’Azmi Al-Nadwi to the development of Arabic journalism in India is not forgetable. Nadwatul Ulema played a great role in this regard since its establishment specially in later half of 20th century. “Al-Ba’s Al-Islami” has successfully completed its half century in Arabic journalism in India.
References
1) Nuzhatul Khawatir Syed Abdul Hai Hasani
2) Al-Hindu fi al-Ahdil Islami Syed Abdul Hai Hsani
3) Indian Muslims Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi
4) Thaqafatul Hind Syed Aulaiman Nadwi
5) Abqariyatu Qarnil “Ishrin Anwar Al-Jundi
6) Al-Sihafat al-Arabiyyah Dr. S.R. Aazmi Nadwi
7) Al-Sihafat al-Arabiyyah fi al-Hind Prof. Aiyub T. Nadwi
8) Tarikh-e-Nadwatul Ulema Ishaq Jalis Nadwi
9) Index Al-Ba’s al-Islami Syed Azhar Hussain Nadwi
The writer is the Research Scholar, Daisy Ahmed, Deptt. of Arabic, Gauhati University (India)