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The Verdict of History

There is not a day to be wasted. The World of Islam is threatened with a most dangerous wave of apostasy. This wave is a revolt against the moral and social values that are the most precious treasures of Islam. If these treasures are lost, which are a sacred heritage from the Prophet handed down from generation to generation and for whose protection the soldiers of Islam have borne enormous hardships and gone through the severest of trials, the World of Islam will also be there no more.

Waves of Nationalism in Islamic Countries

Thanks, however, to the political and cultural domination of the West, the Islamic World, which owes its very existence to the Prophet, has now wholeheartedly adopted the creed of nationalism as if it were a proven scientific truth from which there can be no escape. Almost all the different people who go to make the family of Islam are today ardent admirers of factional prejudices, prejudices which their Religion they are doing best to revive them, including even those paganish national practices which openly amount to idolatry.. For some, pre-Islamic era of their history, which Islam emphatically condemns as paganish and steeped in Ignorance is being recalled as a thing of pride.

Why is Islam Opposed to Factionalism?

Islam originally dealt a deadly blow to this spirit and administered a clear warning to its followers against the dangerous possibilities it contained. Factionalism is the very anonym of a universal Faith since the basic oneness of humanity cannot endure, even for a brief while, in its presence. The negation of factionalism is an undisputed feature of the Islamic Shariah

Why Irreligiousness Succeeds

In the nineteenth century, Islam had begun to show signs of fatigue and decay. In matters of faith, religious endeavour, knowledge and learning it had indeed reached a nadir…. Islam, in fact, knows no old age and no decline. Like the sun, it is every young, ever new. It was the Muslims, themselves, who had fallen prey to senility and degeneration. They had become narrow of in outlook, their thinking had become stereotyped— it had lost originality— their minds had grown fossilised, they had lost enthusiasm for Religion, and, exceptions apart, the ability to present it in an effective manner.

A Forsaken Issue

war is no solution to the problem, nor is it wise to inflame public opinion over it. The problem cannot be solved by anger or by the use of force. Islam is not acquainted with the Holy Inquisition. It also does not allow for vindictiveness and violence. Instead, the matter calls for patience, perservance, sangacity and resolution. We will need immense study, thought and wisdom to deal with it successfully.

The Religion of Irreligiousness

I say again that it is this apostasy which is nowadays engulfing the Islamic World from one end to another. It has made its onslaught from house to house, family to family. Schools, colleges, universities have all been overrun by it. There is hardly a family fortunate enough not to include a follower of this creed among its members. Approach any Muslim family, talk to its members in confidence, question, scratch them under the surface and you are sure to find someone who does not believe in God or the Hereafter or in the Apostleship of the Prophet or in the Qur’an as a Divine, eternal Message and a complete code of life. Or, he will just say that he has given no thought to these questions because he does not attach any great importance to them. And his will be a lucky case.

What does apostasy mean in Islamic terminology

Islam has experienced many an apostatic upsurge during the course of its history. The most powerful of them was the one that manifested itself among the Arab tribes soon after the Prophet’s death. By this we mean the mightily rebellious movement that was nipped in the bud by Caliph Abu Bakr through his matchless courage and strength of will. The then, again, the second great onslaught of apostasy within Islam was the widespread swing towards Christianity with the expulsion of the Muslims from Spain. This stole into other countries too that were then under the demonation of the Western Christian powers, and was actively supported and encouraged by Christian missionaries. Apart from these well-known episodes, there are also some stray instances such as that of a few faint-hearted Muslims going over to some other faith in India. But such cases have been very rare, and the fact is that with the exception of the large-scale conversion of Muslims to Christianity in Spain, if it can be described as an apostatic movement, the general opinion of Islamic historians is that the Muslim millat has never seriously had to encounter a general threat of apostasy.

The Proclamation of Human Dignity

The third universal gift of Islam is its declaration that man has been endowed with the highest rank and dignity in the entire scheme of God’s creation. Before the prophethood of Muhammad, on whom be the peace and blessings of God, man had degraded himself to the position of the most inconsequential being on earth. Numerous beasts and trees connected with mythological traditions and pagan beliefs were held as holy and cared for more than man himself. They had to be protected even at the cost of innocent lives; sometimes human beings were sacrificed at the altars of these holy objects. We still come across such gory incidents even in such civilised countries as India.

The Concept of Human Unity and Equality

The Historic Declaration of Man’s Brotherhood
The second great favour conferred by the Messenger of God

A Clear and distinct faith in the Oneness of God

Man has been proud and presumptuous, boastful of his creations, such as philosophy, poetry and the art of government; he has taken as much pride in enslaving other countries and nations as he has in digging canals and turning arid lands into gardens; often he has arrogated himself to the position of God; but he has also demeaned himself by bowing his head before inanimate, lifeless objects, things of his own creation which neither harm nor do him any favour

Scope and Significance

Identifying the influences of Islam on human life and culture is an extremely difficult task since these have by now become part and parcel of the life and culture of different nations. This to such an extent that these people themselves cannot indicate whether they are extrinsic or intrinsic, borrowed from Islam or evolved by them internally. Many of these Islamic influences are now the flesh and bone of their existence and are integrated with their modes of thought and culture.

The Fifteen Century Hijri

The Calendar of Islam neither begins with the birth of the Prophet, nor with his death, but instead with his migration. This means that whenever a new Islamic century begins, it brings a Message for you. It does not remind you of any person or class of persons, but refreshes your memory of the great cause for which the Prophet (peace be upon him) left his hearth and home to settle down in a new city. It was undoubtedly a great cause — a great Message — which took him there, not meant for the safety of his own life nor that of his Companions. The step was taken to preserve and deliver the Message of God to the whole of mankind.

Linguistic and Cultural Formalism

The cultural advancement made by man as also the headway in many other fields of human activity owe their origin no less to the blunders committed by man than to the endeavours guided by his correct decisions. It would, of a fact, be no exaggeration to claim that certain epoch-making achievements were made possible only through mistakes. The history of mankind on this planet lists many such incidents; or, to say it conversely, it is as much a record of man’s errors as of his faultless decisions and right actions. You can cite many such examples from recorded history which corroborate this assertion. The prophet Moses and the Children of Israel safely crossed over to the Sinai and Pharaoh was drowned with his legions in the Red Sea; this because Moses had lost his way on a dark night. The American continent was discovered by Columbus as a result of his mistake in taking a wrong seaway, since what he really wanted was to discover a navigable route to India.

A Ten Point Programme for the Islamic World

The events and causes of Islamic renaissances stated earlier lead us to the conclusion that

Wealth and Society

By Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi
Zakat, which Islam has enjoined upon Muslims, marks the lowest

Protection of Faith must take precedence over everything

Lastly, beware of the Western Civilisation which is now at the peak of its glory. I have noticed here a great laxity in some matters. To put it plainly, the intermixing of the two sexes has attained alarming proportions. Try your best to avoid mixed gatherings. If it is necessary for you to attend a party or meeting where the ladies are present, maintain a distance with them. At such gatherings there should be a separate enclosure and even a separate passage way, for women. There is a great protection in it. The Islamic social and cultural design is based on very wise principles and sound and healthful considerations. Free intercourse between men and women is strictly forbidden in Islam. Do not accept such influences of the American Civilisation. As far as possible, protect the Islamic culture and civilisation and try to preserve its distinctive qualities and standards.

To the Muslim ladies

Without a woman, no man can accomplish his natural journey in a pleasant and comfortable manner, and, in the same way, no virtuous woman can lead a happy and contented life without a life-partner. The Lord Creator has made them dependent on each other in such a way that without one, the life of the other must remain incomplete.

Goodwill and affection among those who strive for Faith cannot be produced by artificial means

This speech was delivered at the 15th Convention of Muslim Students Association of the United

Mankind’s Debt To The Prophet

It was because of him that a new era came about, an era of spirituality in art and literature, of personal sincerity and selfless service of others, all of which produced an ordered, graceful and kindly culture. His most precious gifts to man were his devotion to righteousness and aversion to evil, his hatred of false gods and a passion for establishing justice and morality, and a readiness to lay down one’s life for these righteous goals. Such goals ultimately are the fountainhead and incentive for all reforms and improvements. Whatever great and sublime heights man has attained have been the result of such noble sentiments — indeed, all material resources, means and methods owe their existence to human will and determination. That great benefactor of humanity replaced barbarism and brutality with the milk of human kindness, magnanimity and courtesy. He struggled unceasingly for the propagation of his noble teachings with complete disregard for his own self, his life or prestige.

Mercy for the World

The Chinese rulers deemed themselves to be the sons of Heaven. They believed that the Heaven was their god, who, with his spouse, the goddess earth, has given birth to the human beings and P’au Ku, the Chinese Emperor, was the first-born son of Heaven enjoying supernatural powers. The Arabs were so proud of their language that every other nation besides their own was an Ajami or dumb to them. Likewise, the Quraish of Mecca being extremely conscious of maintaining their superiority, claimed a position of privilege even in the performance of Haj. This was the shape of things, all over the world, when the Quran heralded that all human beings were equal.

Responsibilities of Muslim immigrants

This speech was delivered at Toronto on June 10, 1977.
O My bondmen who believe!

Beware of the emergence of a European or American Islam

As Shah Waliullah has admirably put it, “Had the Haj not been there, the Islamic faith and the Muslims of the East and the West would have been the victims of change and alteration, like the other religions, and it would not have been discovered for ages.”
So, brothers, beware of the emergence of a local or territorial Islam and the establishment of Islamic societies that are devoid of the spirit of Islam and built upon foundations that are not genuinely Islamic. Believe me, it is not a figment of my imagination. I attach the highest importance to it, and, I am sure, when you will go home and think over it you will appreciate the gravity and magnitude of the danger I have indicated.

The place of a Muslim and his Message

Brothers, do not look up to anyone for aid or support, Avoid being a hanger-on of others. Borrowed strength is ephemeral. It does no endure. Also let it not be that your name was shone in the comity of nations, and, numerically, you were strong in the population count of the world, but had no weight in the scales of God. We can be weighty in the scales of God only when we are truthful Believers, the spark of Faith is present in our hearts and we are not only the bearers of the message of Islam, but also proud of it even here in the United States the citadel of Western power: and can say on the trumpet’s tune that we are Muslims and proud of Islam and that we are an imperishable people and the custodians of the Divine message

The history of the world would have been different had America been blessed with Islam

The United States not only abounds in mineral resources, but has, also, the bands to exploit them. In this respect, it is exceedingly fortunate and the whole world is, as if it were, keenly desirous to prove it. Everyone is a beggar at its door, eager to solicit its favours. But their ingenuity, sense of discipline and capacity for management, the people here have organised their life so well that the world at large is benefiting from it. In the material and economic fields they are supreme. You can justly be envious of America and admire it as much as you like. I do not believe in partisanship whether religious, social or political. One must give praise where praise is due. But, at the same time, this country is most unfortunate. I say it with a full sense of responsibility. Many of you may be shocked at it, but it is a fact.

Discovery of America

(The speech was delivered at the Muslim Community Centre, Chicago on June 19, 1977, before

Foreword

It is hoped that this booklet will be read with interest both in India and abroad, and friends residing in America who had listened to the speeches directly as well as those who could not or did not do so will find something in them deserving of serious thought. For fellow countrymen it is a gift of the trip to America and for the friends and well-wishers in America, a requital of the kindness and affection shown by them.

The World of Islam Today

The moral and spiritual stamina of Muslims is being continuously sapped, sometimes through the generous supply of foreign teachers, social workers and technocrats, sometimes through a liberal provision of the wrong kind of literature which can only disturb indigenous people’s peace of mind and encourage doubt and disbelief by arousing what is worst in man, and, sometimes, through campaigns like the popularisation of television in the name of raising standards of living and making life more worthwhile.

മൌലാനാ അലീമിയാന്‍: പുണ്യകുടുംബത്തിന്‍ പരമ്പരയിലൂടെ…

40 - സയ്യിദ്‌ അബുല്‍ ഹസന്‍ അലി നദ്‌വി
39 - സയ്യിദ്‌ ഹകീം അബ്ദുല്‍ ഹയ്യ്‌
38 - സയ്യിദ്‌ ഫഖ്‌റുദ്ദീന്‍
37. . .

The Indian Prime Minister pays homage to Ali Mian.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee joined the Muslim world in mourning the sudden death of. . .

Dr. Sheikh Sultan’s condolence message on the death of Ali Mian

It is with the great sorrow that we learn the death of the great Islamist. . .

The Unique position of Muslims

[This is an abridged version of a speech delivered by the late Maulana Syed Abul. . .

While preparing to write on Imam Sirhind

There were still two stumbling blocks in attempting a biography of the Mujaddid. The first. . .

My meeting with Allama Iqbal

I had a meeting with the illustrious poet, which was worthy of being remembered. On. . .

Works of Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi

Maulana Ali Mian has written more than 100 books in Urdu and Arabic, many of. . .

Maktubat-Letters of Imam Sirhind: Ali Mian’s testimonial

Our family has been intimately connected, at least for the past three hundred years, intellectually. . .

Great Ones are grown in the lap of Noble Mothers

[A life sketch of Sayyeda Khairunnisa, the mother of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.]

Maulana’s. . .

A message to Jaihoon from Ali Mian’s student

Assalamoalykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

May Almighty Allah reward you for hosting such a wonderful website, dedicated to. . .

A Plea for Dua

(in memory of Ali Mian- Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi [ra])

Ever since from my prized. . .

Relevance of Mujaddid

“Now it demands a critical assessment of the intellectual and historical, moral and social and. . .

Seeing air is not seeing Him&

Imam-i-Rabbani states, “Very frequently, the salik (disciple making progress in the grade of Suluk) is. . .

Lifesketch

He was the rector of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama , Lucknow, and President of all. . .