Who Was Moulana Abdul Bari Nadwi? A Complete Biography

Moulana Abdul Bari Fakerde Nadwi (Rahmatullah Alaih) was a beloved and profoundly respected Islamic scholar whose life was a shining light for the town of Bhatkal and beyond. He was a man of wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication who touched the hearts of everyone he met, from the young to the old. To his people, he was more than a scholar; he was a compassionate guide (murabbi), a kind benefactor (mushfiq), and a selfless helper (mohsin) of the entire community. This is the story of his remarkable life, his courageous final journey, and the everlasting legacy he left behind.

The Early Years and Calling

Childhood and Education

Moulana Abdul Bari Nadwi was born in the coastal town of Bhatkal, Karnataka, on November 19, 1961. His father was Mr. Abdul Qadir Jailani Fakerde, and his mother was Mrs. Bibi Wahida Fakki Ahmeda (Jakti).

From a very young age, he showed clear signs of his future calling. As a boy, he would often gather the other children in his street and practice delivering sermons (khutbahs) to them. His words were so impressive that adults passing by would frequently stop to listen in admiration.

His formal journey in Islamic knowledge began at

Jamia Islamia Bhatkal, a famous university in his hometown, where he completed his ‘Alimiyat’ degree in 1981. Driven by a desire for deeper knowledge, he traveled to the renowned

Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow. There, he earned a specialized degree in the study of Hadith (the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) in 1983, which prepared him for a life of teaching and guiding the community.

A Lifetime of Devoted Service

After finishing his advanced studies in 1983, Moulana Abdul Bari Nadwi returned to Bhatkal and immediately began a lifetime of service that would transform community and its key institutions.

Leadership at Jamia Islamia Bhatkal

His career began at Jamia Islamia Bhatkal, where he was appointed as a teacher (Ustad) in 1983. His exceptional leadership qualities were quickly recognized, and he rose through the ranks, serving as:

• Assistant Principal (1987 – 1990)
• Vice-Principal (1995 – 2000)
• Principal (Mohtamim) (2000 – 2016)

In 2000, he was given the highest responsibility as Principal, a position he held with immense dedication until his final day. Under his leadership, the university saw tremendous progress. He established many new departments to enhance student learning, including centers for Islamic law (Fiqh), Quranic recitation (Qirat and Tajweed), and an office for issuing Islamic rulings (Dar-ul-Ifta). He also founded the Jamia Islamia’s official magazine, Armaghan-e-Hijaaz.

Despite his high position, he was a model of humility. He was free from all arrogance and never hesitated to join the students in cleaning the university grounds, believing no task was beneath him.

A Voice for the People

In 1984, he was given the great honor of becoming the Imam and Khateeb of the main mosque in Bhatkal, the Jama Masjid. As a preacher, he had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

• His Style: He did not use a loud, forced voice to impress the crowd. Instead, he spoke calmly and from the heart, and his words went straight into the hearts of the listeners. He intentionally used simple language so that his message could be understood by everyone the educated and uneducated, women, children, and the elderly.
• His Famous Lessons: He was particularly famous for his daily lessons explaining the Quran (Tafseer) after the dawn (Fajr) prayer. These classes were so popular that young people would travel from all over town just to attend, and women would listen regularly from their homes.

The Man Behind the Title

Moulana Nadwi’s influence came not just from his position, but from his profound character. He was a mentor, a reformer, a devoted son, and a friend to all.

A Mentor and Social Reformer

He was a personal guide to countless students and community members. One journalist, who was his student, recounted how Moulana supported him during times of financial hardship and personal crisis, telling him, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay”. He also guided the journalist’s writing, advising him, “The pen should be for building, not for destroying. Use it to unite people”. When dealing with misbehaving students, he would overwhelm them with kindness and favors, a method that proved far more effective than any punishment.

He worked tirelessly as a social reformer, actively trying to stop wrong practices and un-Islamic customs in the community through an organization called

Shoba-e-Tableegh, Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen Bhatkal. He treated everyone with respect, regardless of their background, and was especially kind to his employees, who were among the most grief-stricken after his passing.

A Model of Simplicity and Devotion

He lived a life of remarkable simplicity. He never built his own house and would give his entire monthly salary from the madrassa to his mother, taking money from her only when he needed it.

He was, above all, a completely devoted son. Despite his busy schedule, which often kept him occupied late into the night, he insisted on personally taking care of his parents. He would not even allow his own children to take over this duty, believing it was his sacred responsibility.

The Final Journey – Illness and Unwavering Faith

In late 2015, the community was shaken by the news of their beloved leader’s illness. His final three months were a testament to his incredible faith and patience.

The Diagnosis

The journey began unexpectedly. On November 12, 2015, Moulana took his father for medical treatment in Mangalore and decided to have his own check-up done. After a major test on November 13, the final report arrived on November 16, 2015. The diagnosis was devastating stomach cancer. The doctor who diagnosed him, for whom Moulana was a respected figure, found the news so difficult that he couldn’t deliver it to him directly.

A Chronology of Treatment

His treatment began on November 17 with a doctor from Lucknow. Over the next three months, he would endure a grueling schedule of hospital stays:

• December 18, 2015: He was admitted to HCG Cancer Hospital in Bangalore, receiving chemotherapy on December 19. It was during this time that a photo of him in a wheelchair went viral on social media, causing great concern in the community.
• December 29, 2015: After a brief discharge, he was re-admitted to the same hospital.
• January 15, 2016: He was admitted to another hospital in Bangalore for an operation.
• February 6, 2016: He was taken to Mangalore for the last time. It was on this day that he had his final meeting with his mother.
• February 12, 2016: He was admitted for the last time to Unity Hospital in Mangalore, where he would spend his final days.

Character in Crisis

Throughout his immense suffering, Moulana’s character shone brightly.

• Patience and Gratitude: He was a living example of sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude). Despite unbearable pain, a word of complaint never came from his lips; instead, he was always heard thanking Allah.
• Unwavering Faith: He had complete faith in God’s will (Taqdeer). He firmly rejected all suggestions of seeking help from spiritual healers (Amils), telling people that what was happening was already written by Allah and that no magic was involved.
• A Teacher to the End: His spirit as a teacher never faded. While on his deathbed, he taught the nurses about ethics and corrected a student’s Quranic recitation (Tajweed) moments before he passed. Two days before his death, he saw his eldest son, Abdul Badee, and asked him to recite the Quran, and he would say “Allahu Akbar” after every verse. His final message to a delegation, when he could barely speak, was to repeat the words: “Love, love, and love“.

The Final Moments

In his last days, it was clear he was connecting with the next world. He gathered his family and made a long, heartfelt prayer, saying, “O Allah, I have always earned a halal livelihood… O Allah, I thought I was a support for my parents, but today you have shown me that You are the only true support”. He told his brother, “Allah will surely forgive me”.

His final hours were spent with the Kalima (the declaration of faith) on his lips. As he struggled to speak, the words “La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah” could be heard. Then, the unease seemed to fade from his face. His eyes scanned the room, and a strange, peaceful smile appeared on his face.

At 4:44 PM on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, in Room No. 614 of Unity Hospital, Mangalore, Moulana Abdul Bari Nadwi took his final breath.

A Historic Funeral

The news of his death sent a shockwave through Bhatkal. A deep silence fell over the town as shops closed and people began to weep openly in the streets. The funeral that followed was described as the largest in the history of Bhatkal a “sea of human heads” that filled every street and square. People traveled from all over India and the Gulf countries to pay their final respects.

The gravediggers, with over 30 years of experience, said they had never witnessed such a crowd. The mourners were so numerous that they took over the burial rites themselves out of sheer love, and the professional gravediggers could only stand back and watch.

An Enduring Legacy

Moulana Abdul Bari Nadwi’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his people and the fabric of his community. After his passing, he was honored in numerous ways:

• Dozens of newborn boys were named ‘Abdul Bari’ in his honor.
• Institutions were named after him, including the Maulana Abdul Bari Library, a mosque, and several schools.
• The Maulana Abdul Bari Trust was created, which started an ambulance service for the people.

But his true legacy, as his followers believe, is living by his teachings: to spread love and unity, to earn an honest living, to care for one’s parents, and to raise righteous children. His life was a lesson, and his death was a reminder that a life lived for others is a life that never truly ends.