Indian Subcontinent - A Bastion of Islamic Scholarship
By Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam
24 August 2020
Author: Abdur Raheem Kidwai
Publisher: Ahsan Publications, South Africa
Pages: 304
Price: Rs 300
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Indian subcontinent has been a bastion of Islamic
scholarship. The revivalist movements and the academic scholarship about Islam
that has been produced over last one century and more in this region have been
marvelous. Muslim theologians and scholars have been at the forefront of adding
to the new streams of knowledge. Very few scholars of Islam can be credited
with having a serious understanding of comparative religions particularly
Semitic ones. Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi is one such scholar who has the
privilege of not only being a scholar of comparative religion, but he has
contributed immensely to widen the horizons of Urdu literature too. In this
biography Prof Abdur Raheem Kidwai, has elucidated about different facets of
Maulana Daryabadi’s life. In his Preface, Prof. Kidwai writes, “The chief merit
of Daryabadi as an Islamic scholar resides in his elucidation of Islam-its
life-giving creed, its life-sustaining teachings and commands and its life
ennobling worldview in a style and idiom which is suited best for today’s
readers.” (P-viii)
Prof. Kidwai provides details about the education system
prevalent during Daryabadi’s time. Daryabadi is one of the few scholars who
have confessed about the loss of faith as he studied the works of European
writers and orientalists. Very few Islamic scholars have been so honest to
document their atheism. His autobiography titled Aap Beeti, very candidly
describes the same. He explains his journey from atheism to Islam and how Ulama
should be prepared to tackle the current challenges and contemporary crisis.
Daryabadi was helped in this journey by his mentors and the influence of
Maulana Rumi’s Mathnavi was quite immense in his transformation. So the role of
mystical tradition in Islam and writings of this genre were helpful in
regaining of his faith. Later he was influenced by the poetry of Akbar
Allahabadi and writings of Shibli Nomani.
During his youthful years a number of political movements
were vibrant in the subcontinent. Many Ulama were actively involved in the
politics and anti-colonial resistance. He was influenced by Maulana Muhammad
Ali, but did not indulge in active politics. He chose journalism and
scholarship as his field. He actively commented on politics but as an analyst,
not as a political activist. Daryabadi had his own inhibitions for not
participating in active politics. “After Muhammad Ali’s demise he never
attended any public meeting, what to say of undertaking any political activity.
This also explains why he did not actively campaign for the Pakistan movement
either at a later date, though his sympathy was for this cause. He believed
that Muslims should have the right of self-determination, including a state of
theirs. Notwithstanding his aloofness from public life in his later life, like
Muhammad Ali, Daryabadi closely monitored and followed all those political
events which had bearings on Muslims in India in particular, and all over the
world in general.” P-51-52
He introduced the discipline of Psychology among the Urdu
readers and penned down a book about the Psychology of Leadership. “As in the
domain of philosophy, Daryabadi’s writings on psychology made the Urdu lexicon
richer, as he added to it scores of new Urdu terms.” P-75 Daryabadi was an ace
translator, critical commentator as well as a journalist who reacted to issues
that were happening around him. But as the trend among Ulama regarding the
bashing of West and even phobia of the west and occident, Daryabadi was no
different. This trend among the Ulama still continues as they consider and hold
West responsible for all the evils that are doting the Muslim world. Prof.
Kidwai very well points out, “Yet it may be pointed out that Daryabadi focused
more on demonizing the West than on reforming the Muslim society of his day
which was infested with vices of all sorts.” P-96. Although his uncanny
perception of the challenges thrown by modernity against faith and Islam in
particular helped a lot of Muslims to regain and reaffirm their faith in Islam.
Daryabadi has the distinction of writing exegesis of the
Quran both in Urdu and English languages. His Urdu exegesis is more influenced
by the Tafsir of his spiritual mentor Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, titled as
Bayan Ul Quran. But it is a sad reality too that till his death his Urdu Tafsir
remained unpublished because he did not have the requisite amount to get it
self-published. Further he did not belong to a particular group or sect that
would have helped him get it published. His English exegesis titled as The
Glorious Quran has the privilege of connecting Bible, Psalms and Torah while
explaining and commenting on the verses of Quran. No scholar in India has
written two different exegesis of Quran that too in two different languages.
The literary style of Maulana Daryabadi is unique, so is his
contribution to Urdu language and literature. As a critic and language scholar
his book reviews of hundreds of books point out towards his voracious reading
habit. His obituaries of men of letters, pen sketches of stalwart personalities
of different fields are a treat for readers. His travelogue of Hajj pilgrimage
that he undertook in 1929 still holds a documentary value. It highlights the
fact about how Hajj then was quite a different experience as compared to now.
Overall, the biography is a rich addition to the literature
and readings available to the English audience about Maulana Daryabadi. His
most works are available in Urdu and only few have the distinction of being
translated into English language. Prof Kidwai needs to be congratulated for
this feat, that he has academically explored the life, works and legacy of an
important scholar of Islam. Hopefully in future his works will be translated in
English language for the benefit of wider readership.
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M.H.A.Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar,
Kashmir.
URL: https://newageislam.com/books-documents/indian-subcontinent-bastion-islamic-scholarship/d/122705
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