Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama Principal Maulana Dr Saeedur Rahman Azmi Nadwi Passes Away
Renowned Arabic scholar, writer, journalist and educator leaves behind a distinguished legacy of academic and Islamic services
Lucknow: Maulana Dr Saeedur Rahman Azmi Nadwi, the Principal of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, and Chancellor of Integral University, has passed away. He was a renowned scholar of Arabic language and literature, writer, critic, journalist, preacher and educator.
His death has been mourned by the Islamic scholarly community and institutions associated with Nadwatul Ulama. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Born in 1935 in Mau Nath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh, Maulana Saeedur Rahman Azmi was the son of Maulana Muhammad Ayub Azmi. He began his education at Madrasah Miftahul Uloom in Mau before joining Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in 1952 for higher studies.
At Nadwatul Ulama, he studied under several prominent scholars and teachers, including Maulana Shah Muhammad Haleem Ata Salanwi, Maulana Abul Fazl Abdul Hafeez Baliyawi, Dr Abdullah Abbas Nadwi and Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabe Hasani Nadwi. He later specialised in Arabic literature and was appointed as a teacher at Nadwatul Ulama.
In 1958, he travelled to Baghdad to benefit from the scholarship of the renowned Arabic linguist and scholar Dr Taqiuddin Hilali Al Marakushi. He also travelled to several countries, including Syria, South Africa, Australia and Turkey, in connection with educational, scholarly and missionary activities.
Maulana Saeedur Rahman Azmi played an important role in the development of the Arabic monthly journal Al Baath Al Islami. When the publication was launched in Lucknow in 1955 by Maulana Syed Muhammad Hasani, he joined its editorial team and contributed extensively to its growth through his writings. Following Maulana Hasani’s death in 1979, he became its chief editor.
He also made significant contributions to the development of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at Nadwatul Ulama. He served as its Dean from 1993 to 1999 and later continued his academic services as a senior member of the department.
In 2000, Maulana Saeedur Rahman Azmi was appointed Principal of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, a position he continued to hold until his death. He was widely recognised for his command of Arabic writing and public speaking and was known across the Arab world for his scholarly and literary contributions.
He was also closely associated with the intellectual legacy of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi. During his student years, he benefited from Maulana Nadwi’s guidance and, at his encouragement, travelled to Iraq to study Arabic grammar and rhetoric under Dr Taqiuddin Hilali Al Marakushi.
Throughout his life, Maulana Saeedur Rahman Azmi remained active in teaching, writing, journalism and Islamic outreach. He authored numerous works, including “48 Years Under the Shade of Affection”, which is regarded as an important work documenting the life and personality of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi.
His passing marks the loss of a respected scholar who dedicated decades to Arabic language and literature, Islamic education, journalism and academic service at Nadwatul Ulama.
The scholarly community, students and admirers of his work have expressed deep sorrow over his demise and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon him and patience for his family, students and associates.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
📎 Source
Source: Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow