The Thought of Abû Al-Ḥasan ‘Alî Al-Ḥasanî Al-Nadwî on Islamic Movement in Malaysia: An Analysis

This study examines the influence of Abû al-Ḥasan ‘Alî al-Ḥasanî al-Nadwî's thought on Islamic movements in Malaysia, particularly the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM). It is based on the need to understand how Nadwi’s spiritual worldview and critique of Western modernity shaped Islamic ideals in Malaysia, an aspect often overlooked in previous research. The objectives are to identify the nature of Nadwi’s influence, assess its adaptation in the local context, and evaluate its relevance to current moral and spiritual challenges. Employing a qualitative approach, the study combines document analysis and in-depth interviews with Ustaz Muhammad Syafiq bin Ismail, ABIM’s Head of Information, and conducts thematic analysis grounded in Nadwi’s core ideas of tarbiyyah ruhiyyah (spiritual education), islah al-mujtama‘ (social reform), and his critique of modern materialism. The findings reveal that Nadwi’s thought has significantly shaped ABIM’s da‘wah and educational orientation by emphasizing a balance between knowledge, action, and spirituality while rejecting secularism. The study recommends strengthening Nadwi’s intellectual legacy through integration in Islamic education and digital dissemination to maintain its relevance in addressing contemporary issues.

Methodology, Thought, Abû Al-Ḥasan

1. Aafreedi, N. J. (2019). Antisemitism in the Muslim Intellectual Discourse in South Asia. Religions, 10(7), 442. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10070442 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Aafreedi, N. J. (2019). The Interfaith Dialogue of Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi. Journal of Religious Studies, 10(2), 45–60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Aafreedi, Navras J. 2019. Antisemitism in the Muslim Intellectual Discourse in South Asia. Religions 10, no. 7: 442. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10070442 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Abdul Rahim, A., & Muhammad, S. 2021. Revival of Islamic Civilization: Strategies for the Development of Muslim Society in the Thought of Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Kebangkitan Tamadun Islam: Strategi Pembangunan Masyarakat Islam dalam Pemikiran Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi). Journal of Islam in Asia (EISSN 2289-8077), 18(3), 188–204. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Al-Nadwī, Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī al-Ḥasanī. (1986). Tuhfa-e-Kashmir (تحفٔہ کشمیر). Lucknow: Majlis Taḥqīqāt wa Nashriyāt al-Islām. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. An-Nadwi, A. H. A. H. (1977). Education and Nurturing of Muslim Mass. Lucknow: Academy of Islamic Research and Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bhat, Samee-Ullah. (2016). Life and Works of Abul Hasan `Ali Nadwi (RA): An Analytical Study. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization. 06. 47-60. 10.32350/jitc.61.04. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Bibi Alia, & Hafiz Aftab Ahmed. (2023). Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi: His Contribution to Islamic Revival and Unity of the Ummah. International Journal of Islamic Thought, 22(1), 55–70. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Bibi Alia, & Hafiz Aftab Ahmed. (2023). An Assessment of the Reformist and Missionary Ideas Of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan: Distinctive Features And Qualities In Comparison To Contemporary Thinkers. The Islamic Culture "As-Saqafat-ul Islamia" الثقافة الإسلامیة - Research Journal - Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, University of Karachi, 48(1). doi: 10.58352/tis.v 48i1.923. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ghazali, R., & Mahyuddin, N. (2021). Worldview Islam dan Pembinaan Peradaban Alternatif: Analisis terhadap Pemikiran Abul Hasan Ali an-Nadwi. Tafsir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 14(2), 77–95. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Kamil, Imanuddin & Hafidhuddin, Didin & Mujahidin, Endin & Tamam, Abbas. (2021). Konsep tarbiyyah ruhiyyah Abu Al-Hasan Ali Al-Nadwi. Ta'dibuna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam. 10. 272. 10.32832/tadibuna.v10i2.4317. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Mohamad, M., Ahmad, F., & Khambali, W. (2016). Integration of Naqli-Aqli Knowledge: Perception of USIM Dental Students. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 6(10), 777–781. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJSSH.2016.V6.777 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mulyadi Ibrahim. (2020). Reconstruction of Tazkiyah al-Nafs According to Abul Hasan Ali an-Nadwi. UIN Sumatera Utara. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Mulyadi, I., et al. (2025). Character Formation and Tazkiyah al-Nafs in Islamic Education: Reflection from Nadwi's Thought. Jurnal Miqot, 49(2), 245–263. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Nadwi, A. H. A. H. (1951). Mādhā Khasira al-‘Ālam bi Inḥiṭāṭ al-Muslimīn (ماذا خسر العالم بانحطاط المسلمین). Cairo: Dar al-Shuruq. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Nadwi, A.H.A.H. (1999). Saviours of Islamic Spirit. Lucknow: Academy of Islamic Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Qaradawi, Y. (1994). Priorities of the Islamic Movement in the Coming Phase (M. Siddiqi, Trans.). The Islamic Foundation. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Setiawan, Azhari. (2017). Syed Abul Hasan Ali Hasani an-Nadwi Tentang Keruntuhan Peradaban, Pandangan Hidup, dan Pendidikan Islam. Tasfiyah. 1. 277. 10.21111/tasfiyah. v1i2.1854. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Siddiq Fadzil. (2000). Islam dan Dinamika Sosial: Kritikan terhadap Wacana Sekularisme. Bangi: Penerbit UKM [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Sori Monang. 2020. Theological Thinking Abû al-Ḥasan ‘Alî al-Hasani al-Nadwî. Britain International of [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 2(2), 586-593. https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v2i2.261 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Zarkasyi, H. (2019). Islamization of Knowledge: A Comparative Study of Al-Attas and Al-Faruqi. Islamiyyat: Jurnal Antarabangsa Pengajian Islam, 41(1), 3–12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar