Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed Biography, Height, Age, Wife, Family, & More

Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad played a significant role in India’s fight for independence, contributing as an activist, Islamic theologian, and prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. Post-Independence, he assumed the position of the First Minister of Education in the newly formed Indian government. Upon relocating from Arabia to India, he selected Calcutta as his hub for journalistic, scholarly, and political pursuits. Renowned for his skills as a writer, poet, and journalist, Azad was a voracious reader who, having been homeschooled excelled in Islamic theology, mathematics, philosophy, and science. His name, Abul Kalam, meaning “Lord of dialogue,” aptly reflected his prowess as a brilliant debater. Additionally, he chose the pen name Azad to symbolize his intellectual liberation from narrow perspectives on religion and life. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed biography.

Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed Biography

Syed Ahmed Khan. His significant contribution to the Indian freedom movement earned him posthumous recognition in 1992 when he was honored with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India. Azad actively led the Khilafat Movement and collaborated with Mahatma Gandhi, passionately advocating for non-violent civil disobedience. He played a pivotal role in organizing the non-co-optation movement in protest against the oppressive 1919 Rowlatt Acts.

A symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, Azad vehemently opposed the partition of the country. His commitment to the national struggle for independence led him to forsake his clerical profession, dedicating himself to the Indian independence movement. Azad took a leading role in the Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931, emerging as one of the foremost national leaders of his time. He championed the causes of Hindu-Muslim unity, while also advocating for secularism and socialism.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Picture

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Young Age Picture

Family

Abul Kalam Azad’s parents, Sheikh Alia bin Mohammad and Muhammad Khairuddin bin Ahmed Al Hussaini, were esteemed scholars renowned beyond the confines of Mecca. Both his mother and father authored numerous books, solidifying their reputation as prominent intellectuals. Azad, born to an Indian Muslim scholar residing in Mecca and his Arabic wife, inherited a rich intellectual legacy from his family.

Age

Abul Kalam Azad was born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, and his full name is Abdul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad. As of now, he would be 135 years old.

Education

Maulana Azad’s education was unconventional, as he never attended a formal school. Instead, he received instruction from his highly educated parents and tutors, benefiting significantly from his innate eagerness to learn. Despite not having a formal education, Azad became proficient in various languages, including Arabic (his first language), Bengali, Hindustani, Persian, and English.

His intellectual pursuits extended to mastering different Islamic schools of thought such as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali Fiqh. Beyond religious studies, Azad delved into diverse disciplines like Shariat, mathematics, philosophy, world history, and science. Remarkably, at the age of 12, he actively engaged in debates with seniors, showcasing his intellectual prowess.

Married at the age of thirteen to Zulaikha Begum, a young Muslim girl, Azad demonstrated a remarkable breadth of knowledge across various fields, all without holding a formal degree. His family recognized the value of knowledge acquisition, emphasizing its importance over formal credentials.

Early life

Born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time (now in Saudi Arabia), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, originally named Sayyid Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al Hussaini, embraced the customary practice of early marriage, tying the knot with Zulaikha Begum at the age of thirteen. His father, a Muslim scholar of Afghan descent, had Delhi as his residence alongside Azad’s maternal grandfather due to the early demise of Azad’s father during his youth. Despite being of Muslim heritage, Azad vehemently opposed communal separatism, holding strong convictions against Muhammad Jinnah and his perspectives.

Azad’s father, Muhammad Khairuddin bin Ahmed Al Hussaini, a prolific writer with twelve books to his name and a multitude of disciples, traced his lineage to nobility. Azad’s mother, Sheikha Alia bint Mohammad, hailed from distinguished scholarly lineage, being the daughter of Sheikh Mohammad bin Zaher AlWatri, a renowned scholar from Medina, recognized even beyond the borders of Arabia.

Azad, a prominent figure in fostering communal harmony in modern India, moved to Calcutta with his family in 1890. His enduring legacy is evident in the numerous schools, colleges, and institutions named in his honor across India. The Maulana Azad Education Foundation, established by the Government of India in 1989, further commemorates his commitment to promoting education, particularly among socially disadvantaged classes.

Early journalistic career

Azad embarked on his journalistic journey at a young age, publishing the monthly journal Lissan-us-Sidq from 1903 to 1905. Unfortunately, financial constraints led to its discontinuation. Notably, at eleven, in 1899, he initiated the poetical journal Nairang-e-Aalam in Calcutta and served as the editor of the weekly Al-Misbah by 1900. Through his writings in Al-Hilal, launched in 1912 in Calcutta, Azad fervently encouraged young Muslims to participate in the freedom struggle and vehemently opposed British policies, leading to the newspaper’s ban in 1914.

Azad contributed to Urdu publications such as Makhzan, Ahsanul Akhbar, and Khadang e Nazar, and served as the editor of Vakil in Amritsar from April 1906 to November 1906. His independent perspective and extensive knowledge were evident in his writings. Under the pen name ‘Azad,’ he penned various articles, poems, and books. One of his most renowned works, Ghubar-e-Khatir, was composed between 1942 and 1946 during his imprisonment in Ahmednagar Fort, Bombay. Focused on the social and spiritual dimensions of his life, the book became a significant contribution to his literary legacy.

Azad briefly relocated to Calcutta, affiliating with Dar-ul-Saltunat, before returning to Amritsar. He resumed the editorship of Vakil, continuing his editorial role until July 1908.

Awards & Achievements

In recognition of his unparalleled contribution as a nationalist revolutionary and steadfast advocacy for a united and free India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously honored with the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1992.

Decline

The momentum of the movement experienced an abrupt downturn due to escalating incidents of violence, notably the killing of 22 policemen by a nationalist mob in Chauri Chaura in 1922. Despite his Muslim background, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad vehemently denounced communal separatism and held strong opposition to Muhammad Jinnah and his ideologies.

Net Worth

Abdul’s estimated net worth is around $5 million.

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