Srinagar – Prominent Islamic scholar, author and educator Maulana Syed Salman Hussaini Nadwi passed away in Lucknow on Monday after a brief illness. He was 72.
Nadwi, one of India’s most recognised Islamic scholars, was widely respected for his expertise in Islamic theology, Hadith, jurisprudence and Seerah, besides his contributions to Islamic education through teaching, writing and institution building.
Born in Lucknow in 1954 into a distinguished family of Islamic scholars, Nadwi traced his lineage to Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). He received his early education at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, where he memorised the Quran before pursuing advanced studies in Shariah and Islamic sciences.
After graduating from Nadwatul Ulama in 1974, he co-founded Jamiat Shabaab ul Islam, an organisation aimed at engaging Muslim youth. He later earned a master’s degree in Hadith from the institution in 1976 before pursuing higher studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Saudi Arabia, where he completed another master’s degree in Hadith studies in 1980 under noted scholar Sheikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah.
Returning to India, Nadwi joined Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama as a faculty member and went on to serve for decades as Dean of its Faculty of Dawah and Shariah. He was regarded as an influential teacher and mentor to generations of students from India and abroad.
A prolific writer, Nadwi authored numerous books and scholarly works in Arabic and Urdu on Islamic theology, history, Hadith, jurisprudence and contemporary issues confronting Muslim societies. He also edited and co-edited several journals published in English, Urdu, Arabic and Persian.
Beyond academia, he played an active role in establishing educational institutions across India. He served as chairman of Dr Abdul Ali Unani Medical College and Hospital; Chancellor of Darul Uloom Syed Ahmad Shaheed, Katoli; and President of Jamiat Shabaab ul Islam. He was also associated with the establishment of several medical, engineering and information technology institutions.
Nadwi was known for his candid views on contemporary political and religious issues. He was an outspoken critic of Muslim countries, particularly the Arab monarchies, accusing them of remaining indifferent to what he saw as the machinations and onslaught of imperialist powers.
Following news of his demise, condolence messages poured in from religious scholars, Islamic seminaries, educational institutions, former students and community leaders across India and abroad.
Many remembered him as an accomplished scholar, inspiring teacher and eloquent speaker whose scholarship and writings made a lasting contribution to Islamic thought and education.
Funeral prayers were held in Lucknow and attended by large numbers of mourners, scholars and admirers.
He is survived by his family and a vast community of students and followers.
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