Identity: Hadith Scholar, Researcher, Expert in International Law, and a Distinguished Islamic Scholar of the Twentieth Century

Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah was born on 19 February 1908 in Hyderabad Deccan into a distinguished scholarly and religious family. His father, Mufti Abu Muhammad Khalilullah, was a renowned jurist, legal expert, and senior official in the State of Hyderabad. Several of his ancestors were eminent Islamic scholars and Quranic commentators who made significant contributions to Islamic learning.

He earned the degree of Maulawi Kamil with distinction from Madrasah Nizamiyah. He subsequently completed a BA, LLB, and an MA in International Law from Osmania University. Pursuing higher studies in Germany, he obtained a doctorate from the University of Bonn in 1932, followed by a D.Litt. from the Sorbonne University in France. Between 1936 and 1946, he taught International Law at Osmania University.

In 1948, the Nizam of Hyderabad appointed him as Hyderabad’s representative to the United Nations. Following the annexation of Hyderabad, he settled in France, where the French government granted him refugee status as a citizen of Hyderabad. From 1954 until his retirement in 1978, he served as a research fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). During this period, he also delivered lectures at several universities in Turkey.

Dr. Hamidullah is regarded as one of the foremost Islamic scholars of the twentieth century. He authored dozens of books and hundreds of scholarly articles on Hadith, Seerah, Islamic history, Islamic law, and culture. He translated the Holy Quran into multiple languages, and his works on the life of the Prophet Muhammad received international recognition. His notable publications include Khutbat-e-Bahawalpur, The Political Life of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslim Conduct of State, and Documents from the Prophetic Era.

In recognition of his contributions to Islamic scholarship, the Government of Pakistan awarded him the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 1985. He donated the prize money to the Institute of Islamic Research at the International Islamic University, Islamabad.

Death: Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah passed away on 17 December 2002 in the United States of America.