Abdur Rahman Kashgari Nadwi | |
|---|---|
ئابدۇرراھمان كاشغەرىي | |
 Mawlana Abdur Rahman Kashgari | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 15 September 1912 |
| Died | April 1971(1971-04-00) (aged 58) |
| Main interest(s) | Linguistics |
| Alma mater | Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow University of Lucknow |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
| Muslim leader | |
| Teacher | Abdul Hai Hasani |
Influenced by | |
| Khatib ofBaitul Mukarram | |
| In office 1963 – April 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Amimul Ehsan Barkati |
| Head Mawlana ofDhaka Alia Madrasa | |
| In office 1969 – April 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Amimul Ehsan Barkati |
| Succeeded by | Ahmad Hossain Chowdhury |
Abdur Rahman Kashgari (15 September 1912 – 3 April 1971) was one of the leading scholars of the Arabic language andliterature in theIndian subcontinent.[1] OfUyghur background, Kashgari migrated fromEast Turkestan to India at an early age, completing his studies inLucknow where he became an accomplished Islamic scholar, linguist, poet and author.[2] He then migrated toBengal (present-dayBangladesh), where he eventually became the principal ofDhaka Alia Madrasa. Kashgari was also the firstkhatib of theBaitul Mukarram National Mosque, holding this role until his death.[3][4]
Abdur Rahman was born in the village ofTashmiliq inKashgar,East Turkestan (present-dayXinjiang, China). His father, Abdul Hadi Damolla,[note 1] was a localUyghurmullah popularly referred to asBeit-Akhunum.[6] As a result of instability in their home region following the1911 Revolution and the establishment of theRepublic of China, his father, elder brother and two sisters were arrested by the new regime and the family property was taken away. His maternal uncle suggested to Abdur Rahman's mother that they join the Muslim refugee groups migrating tothe subcontinent with the assistance of a guerrilla force. However, Abdur Rahman's mother hoped for her family to eventually be freed and so she remained in Kashgar though Abdur Rahman was keen on furthering his Islamic studies in India.[7]
Abdur Rahman's initial education began under the local Islamic scholars in Kashgar. After leaving behind his family in Kashgar, eleven-year old Abdur Rahman joined the caravan towards India. They passed throughKarakol and thePamir Mountains, eventually reaching a place called Dukhan inAfghanistan. From there, they reached a place called Barik nearFayzabad, Badakhshan. From there, they reachedChitral viaZebak where they received assistance from MehtarAmir ul-Mulk, and subsequently went toDargai. After months of walking on foot, they finally went from Dargai toAmritsar via rail. The adviser there appeared in the services of Maulana Abdullah Minhas, in whose name the Mehtar of Chitral had kindly written a letter of recommendation. According to the Mehtar's instructions, he servedAbdul Hai Hasani, principal of theDarul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama inLucknow, British India. Finding refuge in the Nadwatul Ulama orphanage in 1922, he became a student at the same institute up-to higher level, gaining a strong grounding in theIslamic sciences such asHadith studies,tafsir,Arabic literature and other subjects under Abdul Hai Hasani. He graduated from Nadwatul Ulama in 1347AH (1929 CE). He then went on to study at theUniversity of Lucknow where he received aFazil-e-Adab degree.[8] Kashgari received a certificate in theseven qira'at from the Madrasa-e-Furqania.[9]
After completing his studies, Kashgari became a teacher at his alma mater, theDarul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama.[8] At the request ofA. K. Fazlul Huq, thePrime Minister of Bengal, who visited him in Lucknow, Kashgari moved toBengal where he became a teacher at theCalcutta Alia Madrasa in 1938.[7] In Calcutta, he taughtIslamic jurisprudence andits principles. After thePartition of Bengal in 1947, Kashgari moved toDacca,East Bengal. He began teaching at theDhaka Alia Madrasa where he also served as a hostel superintendent. In 1955, he was promoted to assistant headmawlana of the institution, and became the head mawlana (principal) from 1969 until his death.[9] Among his students were Prime MinisterSher-e-Bangla Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq,[10][11]Muhammad Fakhruddinbn),Muhiuddin Khan,[12]Nurul Islam Hashemi (bn),Syed Fazlur Rahman andAbu Mahfuz Al-Karim Masumi.[1] In 1963, he was appointed as the firstkhatib of the newly builtBaitul Mukarram National Mosque and he served in this position until the end of his life. Kashgari was also a member of theAnjuman Mufidul Islam organisation.
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Ideology/schools of thought |
Kashgari has written many works pertaining to Arabic language and has also composed Islamic poetry in Arabic. Among his books are:
Kashgarhi remained a bachelor for his entire life.[8] He had pet kittens.[7]
Kashgarhi died 3rd April 1971, inDacca,East Pakistan (present-dayBangladesh). He was buried in Azimpur Graveyard.[7] One of his students,Abu Mahfuz Al-Karim Masumi, wrote a lengthy obituary for the fortnightlyAl-Raid inLucknow.[citation needed]