Shams Naved Usmani
Shams Naved Usmani (1931 – 26 August 1993) was an Indian Muslim scholar. He is known for his inter-faith dialogues. Born in the Usmani family of Deoband, Usmāni was an alumnus of the University of Lucknow and held the titles of Acharya and Maulana altogether.
Maulana, Acharya Shams Naved Usmāni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1931 Deoband, British India |
| Died | 26 August 1993 (aged 61–62) |
| Religion | Islam |
| Alma mater | University of Lucknow |
| Relatives | Usmani family of Deoband |
Birth and eductation
Usmāni was born in 1931 in Deoband.[1] He is related to the Usmani family of Deoband, and Shabbir Ahmad Usmani is one of his uncles.[2]
Being born in a religious family, Usmāni learnt Islam as a child at home.[3] He learnt Sanskrit on his own and did his post-graduate studies at the University of Lucknow.[3]
Biography
Usmāni studied Hindu scriptures. He has identified Noah as Manu.[4] He has also asserted the fact that Vedas are divinely books, but have been corrupted, as the Islamic traditions hold belief about Injil and Torah.[5] Usmāni suggests that Hindus have attributed wrong beliefs to Manu.[4] According to Tabish Mehdi, "the results that came out of his studies, created an atmosphere of restlessness in the academic world". His studies received a wide criticism from the academics of India.[2] Usmāni held the titles of Acharya and Maulana altogether.[1]
Usmāni himself did not write any books.[1] However, his anecdotes were collected and compiled by Abdullah Tariq.[3] These works include Agar Abh Bhi Na Jāge To (transl. Now or Never).[3] Usmāni died on 26 August 1993.[6] He was survived by his wife Khadeja Naved Usmani.[6]
References
- Sikand, Yoginder. Muslims in India Since 1947: Islamic Perspectives on Inter-Faith Relations. p. 133.
- Tabish Mehdi (September 2010). "Yād-e-Raftgān: Shams Naved Usmāni". Zindagi-e-Nau. 36 (9). Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- "An innovative approach to Hindu-Muslim dialogue". Two Circles. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- Sikand, Yoginder. Muslims in India Since 1947: Islamic Perspectives on Inter-Faith Relations. p. 138.
- Sikand, Yoginder. Muslims in India Since 1947: Islamic Perspectives on Inter-Faith Relations. p. 137.
- "Sketch of Shams Naved Usmāni". workglobal.in. World Organisation of Religions & Knowledge. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
Bibliography
- Sikand, Yoginder. "NOW or NEVER: The inter-faith dialogue project of Acharya Maulana Shams Naved 'Usmani". Muslims in India Since 1947: Islamic Perspectives on Inter-Faith Relations (2004 ed.). Routledge. pp. 133–150. Retrieved 6 January 2021.