By: Dr M A Mufazzal
The recent passing of the esteemed Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi, a distinguished Islamic scholar and a true leader of the Muslim community, has left a void in the intellectual and spiritual landscape of India. Maulana Nadwi was not just an influential leader but a guiding light for Muslims across the world who looked up to him for his wisdom, his compassion, and his unwavering commitment to the cause of peace.
Throughout his life, Maulana Hasani advocated for non-violent approaches to conflict resolution, especially in the context of the contentious issues that have plagued the Muslim community in India. He was a staunch believer in the power of dialogue and consultation, and he always urged his followers to refrain from anger and violence, even in the face of provocation. His commitment to the ideals of patience and perseverance served as a guiding light for many, and his voice will be sorely missed in the ongoing struggle for the protection of Muslim rights and dignity in India.
As a member of an old scholars’ family, Maulana Hasani had a rich heritage to draw upon in his efforts to promote peace and understanding among the various communities in India. His ancestors included Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed, a well-respected freedom fighter, and he himself was a prolific author of books on Islam, including a dictionary of Arabic published in 1970.
His commitment to education was also a significant part of his legacy. He taught Arabic at Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow from 1952 and was later appointed the head of the department of Arabic in 1955. After his uncle’s death (Hazrat Maulana Ali Miyan Nadawi ) in 1999, he took up community responsibilities as well as the rector of Nadwatul Ulama. In 2002, he was elected as the President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Maulana Hasani’s dedication to promoting non-violence and peaceful resolution of conflicts in India was not limited to the Muslim community alone. As the Vice-President of Riyadh’s Aalami Rabita Adab-e-Islami and a founding member of the Muslim World League, he was a respected voice in the global Islamic community.
Maulana Nadwi was a gifted orator and writer, and his books on Islam are a testament to his deep understanding of the religion. He was a man of immense knowledge and erudition, and his contributions to Islamic scholarship will be remembered for generations to come. He was a firm believer in the importance of education, and he worked tirelessly to promote education among Muslims in India.
The loss of such a great scholar and visionary leader is a wake-up call for the Muslim leadership in India. The recent incidents of mob lynching, triple talaq, and the Babri Masjid controversy are a stark reminder of the challenges that the community faces. It is time for Muslim leaders to take a more proactive role in promoting dialogue and understanding, and to work towards finding peaceful solutions to these issues.
The present leadership of Indian Muslims has been lacklustre and rudderless. They have failed to provide a vision to the community, which is grappling with various social, economic, and political challenges. Instead of focusing on the upliftment of their community, they have been busy serving their own vested interests. The Indian Muslim community has been neglected and marginalized, and the current leadership has done little to change this situation.
It is high time for the Muslim leadership to shed their complacency and come out of their cocoons. They need to work towards the empowerment and upliftment of the community. They need to understand that their role is not just limited to being the custodians of religious institutions but also to provide leadership in all spheres of life. They need to engage with the mainstream society and work towards building bridges of understanding and harmony.
It is high time for a new kind of leadership to emerge – one that is visionary, progressive and committed to the welfare of the Muslim community. This leadership should be grounded in the rich traditions of Islam, but also be open to new ideas and perspectives. They should be able to inspire the youth and provide them with a sense of purpose and direction. They should also be able to bridge the gap between different segments of the community and work towards unity and harmony.
The new leadership should prioritize education and knowledge as the cornerstone of progress. They should encourage critical thinking and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth. They should also actively engage with the wider society and promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.
The new leadership must be visionary, transformative, and innovative. They must recognize that the future of the community is tied to the larger social and political landscape of India. They must develop a coherent and compelling vision for the future of Indian Muslims that is rooted in Islamic tradition but also takes into account the larger social and political context.
The new leadership must also be willing to take risks and experiment with new approaches. They must be willing to challenge conventional wisdom and think outside the box. They must be willing to embrace new technologies, engage with new media, and reach out to new audiences.
One of the key areas where the Muslim leadership in India needs to focus on is education. Education is the cornerstone of progress and development, and the Muslim community in India has been left behind in this regard. The community needs to focus on improving the quality of education in madrasas, providing greater access to formal education, and promoting technical education and vocational training. This would not only enable the youth to compete in the job market but also enable them to become self-reliant and economically independent.
Another area where the Muslim leadership in India needs to focus on is entrepreneurship. The Muslim community in India has traditionally been involved in small businesses and trade, but they have not been able to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the modern economy. The community needs to focus on promoting entrepreneurship, creating a conducive environment for start-ups, and providing access to finance and mentorship. This would not only enable the community to take advantage of the economic opportunities available to them but also create employment opportunities for others.
Furthermore, the Muslim leadership in India needs to embrace technology and innovation. The digital age has opened up new vistas of opportunities, and the community needs to leverage technology to improve their lives and well-being. This would entail providing greater access to digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and encouraging the development of technology-based solutions to address the challenges faced by the community.
Above all, the new leadership must be committed to the greater good of the community. They must be willing to put the interests of the community above their own narrow self-interests. They must be willing to work together and collaborate across different sections of the community to achieve common goals.
In conclusion, the passing of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi should serve as a wake-up call for the Muslim leadership in India. They need to take a hard look at themselves and their actions and work towards the betterment of the community. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but the community has the resilience, talent, and creativity to overcome them. It is time for the Muslim leadership in India to shed their vested interests, adopt a new approach that is grounded in inclusivity and empowerment, and embrace technology and innovation to create a brighter future for the community.