Husain Ahmad Madani
Definition
Husain Ahmad Madani (d. 1957) was an influential Indian Deobandi ālim (Islamic scholar), deeply involved in the political debate concerning the role of regional and religious identity in the formation of the state. He served as President of the group of ulamāʾ (Islamic scholars) known as Jamiatul Ulama-i-Hind, a prominent organization that opposed the creation of Pakistan and the ideology proposed by Muhammad Iqbal. Madani allied with the All-India National Congress and was also a well-respected scholar of hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad).
Etymology
- Madani (مدنی) means “one from Madina” in Arabic, ascribing regional identity.
- Husain Ahmad (حسين أحمد) is a combination of an Islamic first name, Husain meaning “handsome” or “good”, and Ahmad is another name for the Prophet Muhammad meaning “highly praised.”
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: حسين أحمد مدني
- Turkish: Husain Ahmed Medeni
Political and Scholarly Contributions
Political Involvement
Husain Ahmad Madani was a significant figure in the political landscape of pre-independence India. He was highly active in the debate on whether the Indian subcontinent should be divided based on religion. He strongly believed in composite nationalism, where people of different religions could coexist peacefully in a single nation. His most notable alliance was with the All-India National Congress, contrasting the views of the proponents of the Two-Nation Theory, which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan.
Jamiatul Ulama-i-Hind
As the President of Jamiatul Ulama-i-Hind, Madani mobilized Indian Muslims against the partition and encouraged a united front with Hindu leaders. This organization campaigned for independence from British colonial rule while promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, underlining the idea that geographic nationalism transcends religious identity.
Scholarly Expertise
Madani was esteemed in the realm of Islamic scholarship, particularly known for his expertise in hadith, contributing significantly to Islamic jurisprudence. His teachings and writings are still referred to in contemporary Islamic studies.
Books for Further Studies
- Composite Nationalism and Islam by Husain Ahmad Madani
- The Ulama in Contemporary Islam: Custodians of Change by Muhammad Qasim Zaman
- Muslim Zion: Pakistan as a Political Idea by Faisal Devji
- The British in India: A Social History of the Raj by David Gilmour
Takeaways
- Madani’s primary ideology was one of mutā’ddidat al-madhāhib redux (صورة متعددة المذاهب) promoting pluralism within a united nation rather than segregation by religion.
- Through Jamiatul Ulama-i-Hind, he played a pivotal role in advocating against the partition, reflecting a preference for inclusive nationalism.
- Madani’s scholastic contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, particularly his expertise in hadith, remain influential.
Conclusion
Husain Ahmad Madani’s name resonates not only in the religious but also in the political spheres of South Asian history. He is remembered as a staunch advocate for unity and coexistence, standing firmly against the divisive proposition of partition, thus becoming a venerated figure in Indian history. His intellectual and political legacies both serve as crucial touchstones for understanding the complexities of Muslim identities in modern history.
