Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (1914?1999) was one of the twentieth century's most influential Islamic scholars, thinkers, and educators. Born in Rae Bareli, India, into a distinguished family of Islamic learning, Nadwi received traditional Islamic training alongside modern academic education. He served as Rector of Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow and founded the Academy of Islamic Research and Publications, shaping Islamic education and thought for generations.
A prolific author in Arabic, Urdu, and English, his works address Islamic history, spirituality, and the contemporary challenges facing Muslim societies. Nadwi lectured widely across the Muslim world and at Western universities, promoting Islamic revival while engaging critically and thoughtfully with modernity. He received the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 1980 and was recognized globally for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and inter-civilizational dialogue. His approach combined deep spiritual insight, historical consciousness, and a confident civilizational vision.