Syed Sulaiman Nadvi (22 November 1884 – 22 November 1953) was a British Indian, and then Pakistani, Islamic scholar, historian and a writer, who co-authored Sirat-un-Nabi and wrote Khutbat-e-Madras.[1]
Sulaiman Nadvi was influenced by Shibli Nomani at Lucknow. In 1906, he graduated from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama.[1] In 1908, Nadvi was appointed as an instructor of Modern Arabic and Theology at Nadva. Sulaiman Nadvi was one of the favorite pupils of Maulana Shibli Nomani. Sulaiman Nadvi became one of the biographers of the Prophet of Islam and a historian during his own lifetime. Alllama Iqbal, too was a great admirer of his erudition and used to refer to him as Ustad ul Kul ("Teacher of all"), and is said to have approached him on religious matters.[3]
In 1933, he published one of his major works, Khayyam. The nucleus of this book was an article on the noted Persian scholar and poet Omar Khayyam.[4][5][1]
Sulaiman Nadvi, along with others who favored Hindu-Muslim unity in British India, suggested that the term "Urdu" be abandoned in favour of "Hindustani" because the former conjured up the image of a military conquest and war whereas the latter had no such symbolic baggage.[6]
Sulaiman Nadvi founded Darul Musannifeen (Academy of Authors), also known as the Shibli Academy, at Azamgarh. The first book published there was Ard-ul-Quran (2 volumes).[1]
Later life and death
In June 1950, Nadvi moved to Pakistan and settled in Karachi.[1] He was appointed Chairman of Taleemat-e-Islami Board to advise on Islamic aspects of Pakistan's Constitution. He died on 22 November 1953 in Karachi at the age of 69.[7][1]
However, his son Salman Nadvi asserts that they didn't move to Pakistan with the intention of migration. Right after they reached Pakistan, Sulaiman Nadvi's health deteriorated and he tried unsuccessfully to get his permit extended from the Indian embassy, which caused grief and pain.[8]
Commemorative postage stamp
Pakistan Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp to honor his services in its 'Pioneers of Freedom' Series on 14 august 1992.[3][9]
Sirat-un-Nabi (Life of the Prophet) by first Shibli Nomani, the teacher of Sulaiman Nadvi. Shibli started writing this book, which was later finished by Sulaiman Nadvi after Shibli’s death in 1914.[1]
^Syed Sulaiman aur Tibb Unani by Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Mutallae Sulaimani, edited by Prof. Masoodur Rahman Khan Nadvi and Dr. Mohd. Hassan Khan, Darul Uloom, Tajul Masajid, Bhopal 1986, p. 285-293.
^A book titled, Syed Sulaiman Aur Tibb Unani by Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Akhbar-ul-Tibb, Karachi, Pakistan, Nov. 1987, p. 9-12.
^"Myths about Urdu". Dawn newspaper. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
^Mufti Ata-ur-Rahman Qasmi. "A discussion with Professor Salman Nadwi regarding Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad". Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad: Ek Tajziyati Mutala [Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad: An analytical study]. New Delhi: Mawlana Azad Academy. pp. 468–480.
