Suleman Nadvi, Syed
Birth .
Safr 3, 1302H/ November 22, 1884
Death. Rabi'-ul-Oola 15. 1373H/ November 22,
1953
One
of the greatest historians and the greatest biographers of the Holy Prophet
SALLALLAHU A'LAhi WASALLAM during his times.
Born in a well-known Syed family
of Desna, a viIIage in the district of Patna (Bihar. India).
He
received his early education from his elder brother. Then he joined the Arabic
Madrasah at Phulwari Sharif and later enrolled himself in the
Madrassa-i-Imdadia, Darbhanga.
In 1901. he joined the Dar-ul-Uloom
Nadvat-ul-Ularna, Lucknow, and completed education in 1908; Allama Shibli
No'rnani RAHMATULLAH A'LAIIIE has been among his teachers. In 1906. he joined
the staff of 'Al-Nadva'; a magazine brought out by the Dar-ul-Uloom. In 1908, he
was appointed a lecturer in the Dar-ul-Uloorn, and for two years worked as an
assistant to Allama Shibli Nornani. who was engaged in the preparation of his
wellknown work, Seerat-un-Nabi (meaning, life of the Holy Prophet SALLALLAHU
A'LAlliE WASALLAM). the major part of which, in fact, was completed in six
volumes by Syed Suleman himself after the death of his illustrious teacher.
In 1924, he, on the invitation of King Ibn
Sa'ud, headed a delegation of celebrated Muslim leaders to Makkah to
participate in the 'Motamar-i-Alam-i-Islami', Delegations of almost all Muslim
countries had participated in the conference and Syed Suleman Nadvi had been
elected the vice-president of the conference.
The greatest achievement of Syed Suleman
Nadvi RAIL\lATULLAH A'LAIHE was the establishment of 'Dar-ul-Musannifeen'
(meaning, House of Writers) also known as the Shibli Academy at Azamgarh which
became the pioneer in the field of literary and historical research in the
subcontinent. He attracted around him a large number of talented scholars who
carried on the literary mission of his ilIustrious teacher, Shibli No'rnani,
with unabated zeal.
This institution of learning. founded in 1914, continues to
spread its lustre throughout the subcontinent and during the last 87 years of
its existence has published some outstanding works on diverse branches of
knowledge. Sycd Suleman Nadvi RAfL"'lATULLAH A'LAIHE was a prolific writer
who wrote books on history, biography. literature and travelogue.
His greatest
work is the 'Seerat-un-Nabi' (Life of the Prophet of Islam) which has hardly
any parallel in any language of the world. This work holds the position of
reference and has since been translated into several languages, and is the most
widely read book on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet SALLALLAHU HAUIE
WASALLAM.
In 1910. he produced a very important biographical work,
'Seerat-e-Aisha, which is the most authentic book on the life of the Mother of
the Believers Hazrat Aisha Raziallahu Anha.
In 1912, he compiled a dictionary
of new Arabic words.
In 1918, he completed 'Arz-ulQur'iin' (meaning, Sites in
the Qur'an) which is a priceless piece of historical research. He migrated to
the newly born Pakistan in 1950, where he was immensely needed for guiding the
framing of a truly Islamic constitution.
The services of Syed Suleman Nadvi
RAHMATIiLLAH A"LAlHE were recognized and his greatness as a great scholar
was acknowledged during his lifetime. The Muslim University, AIigarh, conferred
on himthedegreeof DLitin 1941. His death was mourned throughout the world of
Islam and the loss of this great scholar, historian and religious writer was
universally acknowledged. His death created a great void in the literary life
of the subcontinent. Like all true scholars, he was the embodiment of humility
and simplicity. He was unostentatious and never took pride ill his greatness.
