– Dr. Obaidur Rahman Nadwi
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Nadwi, senior faculty member of Darul Uoom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow passed away after a brief illness on 7 October 2025 in Lucknow. His sudden demise came as a shock for everyone.
Almighty Allah bestowed upon him extraordinary qualities and a variety of calibres. His personality was a marvellous amalgamation of a teacher, orator, journalist, academician, preacher of Islam and translator par excellence.
Born in 1965 in district Itawa, Uttar Pradesh (India), he received his basic education in his hometown. Thereafter, he joined Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama for higher studies. He did his Alimiat in 1987 and Fazilat (Specialisation in Hadith) in 1989 respectively. He also did his Ph.D. from the University of Lucknow. After completion of education from Nadwa, he was appointed as an employee in Al-Raid (Fortnightly), an Arabic wing of Nadwatul Ulama. While working at Al-Raid, he came in close contact with Maulana S.M. Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi, an accomplished journalist and prominent Islamic scholar. No doubt Maulana Wazeh left an indelible impact upon his life. It was Maulana Wazeh who had developed journalistic flavour and literary taste in him. Besides, he derived considerable academic benefits from Maulana S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi, former Rector of Nadwatul Ulama and Maulana Dr. Saeedur Rahman Azami Nadwi, Principal of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow.
After a few years, he was promoted as a teacher. He was an embodiment of all sublime qualities and virtues, necessary for a good teacher. He proved himself as a selfless and dedicated teacher. His method of teaching was unprecedented.
He was a beloved teacher and scores of students quenched their thirst for knowledge from him.
Maulana led a very simple life. He left behind remarkable marks. He always kept himself away from name and fame. He did everything merely for the sake of Allah.
It should be noted that Maulana Nazir Nadwi achieved distinction in many languages such as Urdu, Arabic, English, Hindi, and Persian.
There are a number of things about Dr. Nazir Ahmad which people noticed and have written about. I personally have been most influenced by his personality. To him nothing was more precious than time. He was very punctual and meticulous.
The nicest thing is that he treated all with equal courtesy. He was a paragon of morality. He never showed egotism, pride and haughtiness. He performed his duties with honesty and integrity.
He had literary flavour, poetic flourish and journalistic taste. He wrote numerous articles for different newspapers and journals including Al- Raid. He also compiled a few books.
On his demise various condolence meetings were held in and out of India in which glowing tributes were paid to the departed soul.
A condolence meeting was held in Nadwa’s Jama Masjid on the second day of his death. In his condolence message, Maulana S. Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi said, “Maulana Nazir Ahmad Nadwi possessed extraordinary qualities and sublime norms. He was a dedicated teacher who knew pros and cons of the Arabic language. He taught in Nadwa for more than three decades. He paid particular attention to each of his students to prepare them for the great task of spreading education in every nook and corner of the country. He left behind a galaxy of students.
Besides, he had profound knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith. Truly speaking, he was a man of letters. His passing away is a great loss to Nadwa.
Describing his outstanding contributions in the field of the Arabic language, Maulana S. Ammar Hasani Nadwi, Nazir-e-Aam Nadwatul Ulama stated that Maulana Nazir Ahmad was a great Arabic scholar. He was well trained by Maulana Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi. He had good command over different languages. He always talked with authenticity and reference. A good number of students benefited from him. He will always be remembered for his selfless services.
Decidedly, Maulana’s sad death is an irreparable loss. He was not just a teacher but an institution. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. His funeral prayer was led twice. The first funeral prayer was led by Maulana S. Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani Nadwi, Rector of Nadwatul Ulama at the premises of Nadwa and the second was led by Imam of the late Maulana’s village and was buried in his ancestral graveyard. A host of his admirers from various parts of the country thronged to attend the last rites of Maulana Nadwi.
May Allah adorn his grave with luminosity and refulgence and grant peace to his soul! Aameen!
[Dr .Obaidur Rahman Nadwi is Faculty Member of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh]
