With profound sorrow, we mourn the passing of the great scholar, Sheikh Maulana Ja’far Mas’ud al-Hasani al-Nadwi. His sudden departure has left a void that can never be filled. A beacon of wisdom and a pillar of our community, his loss is deeply felt. The death of a scholar is the death of a world, but his legacy will live on, inspiring generations to come.
A dark cloud descended upon the Muslim scholarly world on Wednesday, the 15th of January 2025, as Maulana Syed Ja’far Mas’ud Hasni Nadwi, the distinguished Nazir-e-Aam (secretary) of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, breathed his last. His departure casts a long shadow, leaving an indelible mark on the institution and beyond.
The heavens of knowledge have been dimmed by the passing of Maulana Muhammad Ja’far Mas’ud Hasni Nadwi, a brilliant star whose light illuminated the path of Islamic scholarship. The Nazir-e-Aam of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, and a luminary of Arabic language and literature, his absence will be deeply mourned by the Hasni family, the Nadwatul Ulama community, and the global Islamic world. A scholar of profound depth, a gifted writer, a compassionate mentor, and an exemplary teacher, he was a worthy successor to his illustrious father, Maulana Wazeh Rashid Nadwi. He was a steadfast companion and loyal supporter to the current Nazim of Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, Maulana Bilal Abdul Hai Hasni Nadwi.
Maulana Ja’far was a scion of the distinguished family of Maulana Syed Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi. Born on 13th September 1965 in Takia, Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, he was the son of Maulana Syed Wazeh Rashid Hasni Nadwi, who was a nephew of the renowned scholar Maulana Syed Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi and a celebrated Arabic scholar and journalist.
Maulana Ja’far memorized the Quran and received his early education in his hometown of Rae Bareli. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow, where he acquired proficiency in both Islamic sciences and Arabic language and literature. He obtained his ‘Aalim’ degree in 1981 and ‘Fazil’ degree in 1983 from the Nadwatul Ulama. Thereafter, he completed his Master’s in Arabic Language and Literature from Lucknow University in 1986. Subsequently, in 1990, he completed a Teacher’s Training course under the auspices of the renowned Saudi Arabian University, King Saud University.
Below is a list of his books and translations:
Book: On Life’s Journey: An Arabic Translation of Maulana Ali Miyan Nadwi’s Autobiography “Caravan of Life”: This seven-volume autobiography of Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi is a captivating blend of personal memoir and historical chronicle. It offers an intimate glimpse into the author’s life, his observations, experiences, and reflections, interwoven with the broader tapestry of events, movements, and personalities that shaped India and the Islamic world. The result is a compelling narrative that serves as both a personal odyssey and a valuable historical document. This work provides a rich and insightful account that will be of immense value to historians, theologians, scholars, and literary enthusiasts alike.
Book: Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi: His Life and Methodology in Dawah – An Arabic Translation of the Urdu Work by Muhammad al-Hasani al-Nadwi: Penned by the eminent Islamic scholar and poet, Sayyid Muhammad al-Thani al-Hasani, this unique book delves deep into the life and methodology of the great Islamic preacher, Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi. It presents a comprehensive and detailed exploration of his ideas concerning the revival of the Muslim community, leaving no aspect of his life or significant personality trait unexplored.
Through this work, the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of every facet of the Sheikh’s life, from his family and environment to his childhood days, his education, distinctive qualities, sacrifices, and his call to Muslims.
Furthermore, this book offers a historical account of the Tabligh and Dawah movement from its inception to the final days of Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf’s life. It is richly supported by documents, letters, speeches, and correspondence from his trusted and esteemed early associates.
Book: An Invitation to Contemplation
Book: Illuminations: An Urdu translation of Maulana Ali Mian Nadwi’s Arabic Work
A concise and authentic introduction to the great religious and reformist movements, schools of thought, and educational and training centers of India. This includes a brief account of their struggles against corrupt beliefs, un-Islamic customs, and ignorant practices, as well as their successes and serious efforts to dispel misconceptions and misrepresentations.
Editor-in-Chief: Al-Raid (Arabic: الرائد), A biweekly Arabic magazine published by Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama.
President: International League of Islamic Literature (Arabic: رابطة الأدب الإسلامي العالمية).
Secretary: Academy of Islamic Research and Publications, Lucknow.
His life was one of simple elegance, his pen a mighty instrument. His prose was clear, graceful, and captivating. In expounding Islamic thought and refuting heretical ideas, his words were like a laser beam, cutting through the fog of ignorance. May the Almighty grant the Nadwi community a successor as illustrious.
Suhaib Nadvi
Al-Emam Gazette
