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In Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, India loses an advocate of inter-religious harmony to Covid-19

Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan dispelled false notions about Islam, and called for peace and harmony in the country.

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New Delhi: India lost a hopeful, tolerant and voice of reason in Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, who died due to Covid-related complications in Delhi Wednesday. He was 96 years old.

The Padma awardee was a renowned Islamic scholar who denounced radical interpretations of Islamic texts, and advocated moderate conduct. Khan had translated the Quran into three languages — Hindi, English and Urdu — and also wrote over 200 books.

Khan’s lectures, where he elaborates on his philosophy, are available for streaming on YouTube.

Khan gained nationwide popularity when he proposed his “peace formula” to resolve the Babri Masjid dispute, and urged Muslims to forego their claim on the land.

In a ‘Speaking Tree’ column in The Times of India, Khan wrote: “The only solution to this problem is for the Muslims to decide to put a full stop to this issue. If they put a comma, then there will be no end to it. We have lost 60 years by putting comma after comma and now this is the last chance to bring closure to the issue so that the relationship between the Hindus and the Muslims may be normalised.”

However, this idea was largely rejected by the Muslim community.

Life and achievements

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan was born in Azamgarh in 1925 and was educated in a traditional seminary. Khan wasn’t well versed in English so immediately after graduating he self-taught himself the language.

The Maulana was an avid reader of both Islamic teachings and modern disciplines. His research, claims a profile in Centre for Peace and Spirituality, led him to believe that the need of the hour was to present Islamic teachings in the style and language of post-scientific formula.

Maulana was also involved in India’s struggle for Independence and was a strong supporter of Mahatma Gandhi.

An Islamic scholar, through his work, Khan had also worked to dispel the notion that Islam is a violent religion. In his writings, Khan elaborated on pluralism, inter-faith dialogue and peace.

His most popular book is arguably God Arises, which establishes the existence of God by using modern scientific findings. It has been included in the curricula of universities in six Arab countries.

Khan also established the Islamic Centre in Delhi in 1970. Khan founded the Centre of Peace and Spirituality in January 2001, which aims to promote “a culture of peace through mind-based spirituality”.

After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, Khan also went on a 15-day shanti yatra through Maharashtra with Acharya Muni Sushil Kumar and Swami Chidanand, and addressed groups, calling for peace at 35 different places on the way from Mumbai to Nagpur.

Khan was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Government of India had announced that he would be accorded the Padma Vibhushan in January earlier this year.

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a fan and avid reader of his work. “I have read many of his books and I see him as an embodiment of real spiritual engagement, the spiritual sign. He has looked at many scriptures… the great works of great prophets, great human beings and he has synthesised them in his books. I have great respect for him,” he said in an interview uploaded as part of a short video biography of the Maulana, on CPS International’s YouTube page.

It isn’t clear when or where the President gave the interview.


Also read: Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan in ICU after testing positive for Covid


 

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