One of the foremost scholars in the contemporary Islamic world. Maulana Nadwi's numerous essays, lectures and books have been published extensively in Arabic, Urdu and English languages including his popular works, 'Islam and The World' and 'Saviour of the Islamic Spirit' - a biographical account of leading figures in Islamic history. In 'Islam and The World' Maulana spoke of the general depravity of the Muslims and attributed to the prevalence of ignorance and lack of clear understanding of Islam and in the 4-volume 'Saviour of the Islamic Spirit' 'his magnum opus' he dispelled the misconceived notion that the attempt for the renovation and rejuvenation of the Islamic faith lacked in coherence and continuity. Maulana's 'Islamic Concept of Prophethood' that was written following his lecture tour in 1963 argued that the material and spiritual prosperity of any order hinged upon their concept of following divine guidance; and amongst other things, through text and rational evidence, the finality of Prophethood. In his 'Religion and Civilisation', Maulana, after explaining various basis of civilisation - materialistic, intellectual, philosophical, and mystic - described how these were inadequate to meet the needs of mankind. Charismatic basis, furthermore, is needed and that is Prophethood. Maulana's 'Speaking Plainly to the West' and 'Western Civilisation: Islam and Muslims' addresses issues arising out of his extensive tours of Western countries - the conflicts of the spiritual East and materialistic West. His eloquent exposition of intricate concepts made the comprehension of Islam easy to understand to Western readers. Maulana Nadwi held numerous positions - Rector of 'Dar al-Ulum Nadwatul Ulema', President of the 'Academy of Islamic Research and Publications' (Lucknow), President of 'All India Muslim Personal Law Board', a member of the 'Academy of Arts and Letters' (Damascus), a member of the 'Higher Council of Madinah University', a founder member of the 'Muslim World League' (Makkah), a member of the Executive Committee of the 'Islamic Universities Federation' (Rabat) and of the 'Academy of Arabic Language' (Amman). Maulana devoted his life in teaching and scholarship by giving repeated emphasis to the need for all humanity to make full use of the opportunities provided by science, technology and global communications but only within the defined objectives of moral and spiritual values. He sought to encourage and inculcate the Islamic values of unselfish service for the welfare of people, preference for duties over rights, and defence of the weak and oppressed. Maulana Nadwi was the recipient of 'Shah Faisal International Prize' (1990) for services to Islam, the 'Islamic Personality of Year' (1999) by Dubai based International Holy Qur'an Society as a tribute to his distinguished scholarship and the 'Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah International Prize' (1999) in Islamic Scholarship. Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, also known as Ali Mian, was born into a distinguished family of ulema in India. During his educational career at Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, his extensive study of religion, science and literature led him to extend his study in Islamic history and contemporary world events.