Maulana Syed Abul Hasan 'Ali Nadwi, one of the most prolific writers and original thinkers of our time, author of well over fifty books in various languages, and a scholar of rare distinction, passed into the mercy of Allah in December 1999. Maulana was a founder member of the Muslim World League (Rabita), a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), a member of the World Supreme Council of Mosques, and a member of the Fiqh Council of Rabita. He was also a member of Advisory Council of the Islamic University of Madinah al-Munawwarah, a member of its Supreme Council, and a member of the Academy of Arts and Letters of Damascus, Syria. He was also a founder member of the League of the Islamic Literature in India. Perhaps better known as a member and rector of Nadwatul Ulama (India), and president of the Academy of Islamic Research and Publications.