Sulaiman Nadvi

Sulaiman Nadvi is an Islamic scholar, historian, and writer who lived from 1884 to 1953. He served as a biographer of the Prophet of Islam and contributed significantly to Islamic literature through various academic works.

Early life and education

Nadvi was born on 22 November 1884 in Desna, which is a village located in the Nalanda District of Bihar. His father, Hakeem Sayyed Abul Hasan, was a Sufi. While studying at Lucknow, Nadvi received influence from Shibli Nomani. He graduated from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in 1906.

In 1908, he accepted a position as an instructor of Theology and Modern Arabic at Nadva. He was considered one of the favorite pupils of Maulana Shibli Nomani—a relationship he shared with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Allama Iqbal admired his erudition and referred to him as Ustad ul Kul, or "Teacher of all."

Aligarh Muslim University later conferred an honorary Doctorate of Literature (DLitt) upon him in 1941.

Career

Nadvi held several influential academic and editorial roles during his lifetime. He served as a founding editor of Ma'arif and was a member of the founding committee for Jamia Millia Islamia University. His literary output includes the book Khayyam, which he published in 1933. This specific work focused on the Persian scholar and poet Omar Khayyam.

He also founded Darul Musannifeen, which is also known as the Shibli Academy, at Azamgarh. The first publication from this academy was the 2-volume Ard-ul-Quran. Nadvi completed the book Sirat-un-Nabi after his teacher, Shibli Nomani, passed away in 1914. His diverse bibliography includes titles such as Ahl-us-Sunnah-wal-Jamā‘ah, Khutbat-e-Madras, and Rahmat-e-Aalam.

In March 1931, he delivered a series of lectures in Bombay that became the book The Arab Navigation. He also advocated for linguistic changes in British India. Nadvi suggested that the term "Hindustani" replace "Urdu" to avoid the military connotations associated with the latter term.

After moving to Pakistan in June 1950, he settled in Karachi. He served as the Chairman of the Taleemat-e-Islami Board to advise on the Islamic aspects of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Personal life

Nadvi formed a close spiritual relationship with Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi and became his disciple. He moved to Karachi in 1950, though his son Salman Nadvi asserts that the family did not intend to migrate. According to his son, Nadvi's health deteriorated immediately after arriving in Pakistan. He reportedly suffered great grief and pain while unsuccessfully attempting to extend his permit from the Indian embassy.

He died in Karachi on 22 November 1953 at the age of 69.

Awards and recognition

The Pakistan Post Office honored his services by issuing a commemorative postage stamp. This occurred on 14 August 1992 as part of the 'Pioneers of Freedom' Series.