Born on 15 February 1913 in village Chandpatti (District Azamgarh, UP) Abul Lais came from a well-known family of the area. His father was Tawajjoh Hussain.
Abul Lais received his early education at home and in the local Madrasa and then at Madrasa-ul-Islah, Sarai Mir (Azamgarh) and at Darul-ul-Uloom Nadwa-ul-Ulema, Lucknow where he had eminent scholars Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, Manazir Ahsan Gilani and Hameeduddin Farahi among his teachers.
After serving on the staff of the Urdu newspaper Madina of Bijore; he took up teaching and served at a Madrasa in Akola (Maharashtra) and then at his alma mater Madrasa-tul-Islah in Sarai Mir.
Abul Lais was one of the earliest members of the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind after its foundation by Abul Ala Maudoodi and served the Jamaat in many capacities, rising to be the Ameer in April, 1948, after its reorganisation following the Partition. He served as Ameer upto October 1972 and again from October 1981 to March, 1990. During 1972-81, he served as member of the Majlis-e-Shoora.
A pioneer of the Islamic Movement in India and renowned scholar, Abul Lais was a founder-member of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. He was also associated with various educational and research organisations like Deeni Talimi Council, UP, Jamiatul-Falah in Belariyaganj (Azamgarh), Dar-ul-Musannefen, Azamgarh and his alma mater Dar-ul-Uloom Nadwa-tul-Ulema, Lucknow.
A clear thinker, a prolific writer, an impressive speaker in Urdu, his books include 'Pas Che Bayad Kard', 'Bharat Ki Tameer-e-Nau aur Hum, Dawat-e-Islami Hindustan Mein', and 'Tashkeel-e-Jamaat Islami Kyon and Kaise', apart from innumerable pamphlets, speeches and articles in various journals including the Islamic monthly Zindagi.
On final retirement from the post of Ameer, Abul Lais had moved back to his native village where he passed away on 4 December, 1990 following a heart attack. He was buried in Chandapatti.
He is survived by a son and six daughters.
An embodiment of simple living and high thinking, he left an abiding impression on the youth who came in contact with him and thus influenced the thinking of successive generations. A true Muslim, he never changed his modest life style, when the Jamaat grew under his leadership into a well-established organisation. Ever humble, courteous and accessible, he never showed off his learning or piety. Far from being a fanatic, he always espoused the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity and wanted Muslims to live in peace and dignity and to contribute to the progress and development of their country.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, Javed Habib and M. Farooqi elected Members of 11-member National Committee on Education, New Delhi, 12 October, 1990.
- Sardar Ali appointed Member of Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, New Delhi, 25 October.
- (Mrs) Ishrat Sultana, Mohammed Razuddin Moazzam, Mohammed Ahmed, Mirza Humayun Baig, Sikander Baig and Abdul Rahim Adambihai awarded National Teachers Award, 1990, New Delhi, 25 October, 1990.
- Dr. K. Haider Siddiqui elected President of Cardiological Society of India for 1990-91, Bombay, 28 October, 1990.
- Bashir Ahmed Khan appointed Judge of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, New Delhi.
- Mahfooz Ali Khan nominated General Secretary of Janata Dal (S), New Delhi, 11 November, 1990.
- Hatim Bhai, S.I. Shervani awarded Indira Gandhi National Unity Awards, 1990, New Delhi, 19 November, 1990.
- Shakil-Ur-Rehman and Sarwar Hussain appointed Union Ministers in the Janata Dal (S) Government, New Delhi, 21 November, 1990.
- Dr. S. Sathikh appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras, Madras, 22 November, 1990.
- Suleiman, Md. Mushtaq, Md. Azeemuddin, Faiyaz Bhagalpuri, Md. Subhan, Islamuddin Bagdi and Kafil Ahmad Kaif appointed Ministers in the Bihar Government.
- Altaf Ahmed appointed Additional Solicitor General of India, New Delhi, 2 December, 1990.
- QUARRATUL-AIN-HAIDER chosen for the 25th Jnanpith Award, 1989, New Delhi, 7 July, 1990.
Mr. L.K. Advani having appointed himself as the sole agent of Ram, is the greatest national disgrace. In fact, it was during the Congress regime that the foundation of the Ram temple was laid in Ayodhya last November Kamal Nath, Congress (I) MP
SPEECH, 17 NOVEMBER, 1990
My fellow countrymen, I have come to you to make an appeal. You are the strength of today and hope of tomorrow. Upon your shoulders depends the future of this country. It is true that we are facing a difficult time difficult in many ways. The most difficult problem before the nation is that there is a sense of apprehension in the minds of many people. Our minorities feel apprehensive because they feel that their life is not secure.
There is a dispute on Babari Masjid and Ram Janambhoomi. I think that we shall find out a way by reconciliation, by mutual discussion. And, religion in my opinion does not teach confrontation. Religion asks us to live like brothers Any killing in the name of religion is criminal. I think that people will understand that we should eschew politics if you want to go on the path of religion. I hope and trust that religious leaders of Muslim and Hindu community will come to some understanding. Everybody wants that Ram temple should be constructed in Ayodhya, but not by demolishing the mosque. This can be done only by mutual understanding otherwise any confrontation will be disastrous not only for the immediate future, but it will create a misunderstanding for all times to come. I hope and trust that soon we shall find some way out to solve this problem.
If the Muslims agree to some adjustment, I will accept. I have little faith in either the temple or the mosque. I have faith in human beings. In order to prevent discord and brutality, in order to prevent a permanent schism between Hindus and Muslims I am willing to go to any extent. There are no preconditions from my side.