The Legacy of Abdul Yusuf Ali: A Devoted Scholar and Translator of the Qur'an

Abdul Yusuf Ali was a British Indian Islamic scholar who is remembered as a truly divine man in the world of madness. He was born in Bombay, India to a wealthy merchant family, and received a religious education that allowed him to recite the entire Qur’an from memory. Fluent in both Arabic and English, Ali studied English literature and attended several European universities, including the University of Leeds.

However, it was his work on the Qur’an that truly set Ali apart. He devoted himself to studying the Qur’anic commentaries, beginning with those written in the early days of Islamic history. In 1934, he began work on his most famous book, “The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary,” which was published in 1938. This translation remains one of the most widely read and respected translations of the Qur’an in the English-speaking world.

In addition to his work on the Qur’an, Ali was also an outspoken supporter of the Indian contribution to the Allied effort in World War I. He was a respected intellectual in India, and was recruited by Muhammad Iqbal to be the principal of the Islamic College in Lahore. Later in life, he returned to England, where he died in London and was buried in the Muslim Cemetery at Brookwood, Surrey.

Despite the challenges and madness of the world around him, Abdul Yusuf Ali remained a truly divine man. His dedication to the Qur’an and his contributions to Islamic scholarship have made him a reminder of the enduring power of faith and learning.