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Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Abdul Majid Daryabadi (16 March 1892 – 6 January 1977) was an influential Islamic scholar, philosopher, writer, critic, researcher, journalist, and Quranic exegete active in the Indian subcontinent during the 20th century. He was deeply concerned with modernism, comparative religion, and orientalism in India.

In his early life, Daryabadi identified as a "rationalist" and distanced himself from religion for nearly nine years. However, he later re-evaluated his beliefs and became a devout Muslim. He was closely associated with the Khilafat Movement and was actively involved with prestigious institutions such as the Royal Asiatic Society, Aligarh Muslim University, Nadwatul Ulama, and the Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy. He was a disciple of Ashraf Ali Thanwi and Hussain Ahmed Madani, both prominent Islamic scholars of the time.

Throughout his career, Daryabadi edited the Urdu weekly ''Sidq-e-Jaded'', a publication widely respected across the Indian subcontinent for its inspiring message and distinctive style. Known for his expressive writing, often marked by humor and sarcasm, he continued to edit the journal until his death. Under the guidance of his mentor, Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Daryabadi authored the ''Tafseer-e-Majidi'', a Quranic commentary first written in English and later translated into Urdu. This tafsir sought to purify Muslim thought by promoting an understanding of Islam based on original teachings, free from external influences, and encouraged a thoughtful review of past scholarly interpretations.

In recognition of his contributions, Daryabadi received the Arabic Scholar Award from the Government of India in 1967. In 1975, Aligarh Muslim University awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Literature. He died in January 1977. Provided by Wikipedia