Life and Journey

1903

A Scholar Is Born

Syed Abul A‘la Maududi was born on 25 September 1903 in Aurangabad, Hyderabad Deccan, into a family known for learning, spirituality and religious commitment.

1933

The Voice of Islamic Revival

He launched Tarjuman-ul-Quran, which became the principal platform for his Qur’anic thought, critique of Western ideologies and call for Islamic renewal.

1941

A Movement Takes Organised Form

On 26 August 1941, Maulana Maududi founded Jamaat-e-Islami in Lahore with 75 members and was elected its first Ameer.

1947–1948

Migration and a Message for the New Nation

Following Partition, Maulana Maududi migrated to Pakistan. In early 1948, he delivered five Radio Pakistan lectures explaining Islam’s moral, social, economic, political and spiritual system.

1948–1949

Prison and a Constitutional Breakthrough

Maulana Maududi was imprisoned for the first time on 4 October 1948 for his campaign of an Islamic constitution. On 12 March 1949, the Constituent Assembly finally adopted the Objectives Resolution. Syed Maududi got released soon after.

1953

A Death Sentence, Unshaken Resolve

Following the publication of The Qadiani Problem during the Finality of Prophethood agitation, a military court sentenced him to death. He refused to seek mercy. The sentence was later commuted and ultimately withdrawn.

1960

Journey Through the Land of the Qur’an

Maulana Maududi travelled through regions and historical sites mentioned in the Qur’an. The journey deepened the geographical and historical research reflected in his Tafseer and other literature.

1964

Banned, Imprisoned, Restored

The Ayub regime declared Jamaat-e-Islami unlawful, sealed its offices and imprisoned Maulana Maududi and the members of its Majlis-e-Shura. The Supreme Court later restored Jamaat’s legal status.

1970

Islam Emerges as a National Political Force

The historic Yaum-e-Shaukat-e-Islam demonstrated Jamaat’s growing public strength. In Pakistan’s first general election, Jamaat received nearly two million votes across the undivided country and, emerged as the third-largest national force by popular vote.

1972

A Monumental Work Completed

Maulana Maududi completed the six-volume Tafhim-ul-Quran, one of the most influential Qur’anic commentaries of the modern era. The same year, because of declining health, he stepped down as Ameer after leading Jamaat for 31 years.

1978

Completing the Life of the Prophet ﷺ

He authored the two-volume Seerat-e-Sarwar-e-Alam, presenting the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺwithin its historical, civilisational and revolutionary context. The volumes were published but book remained uncompleted due to his ailing health.

1979

Global Recognition and the Final Departure

Maulana Maududi became the first recipient of the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam. Because of his illness, the award was received on his behalf by his son and Maulana Khalil Ahmad Hamidi, Jamaat’s Head of Foreign Affairs.

1979

Death of Maulana

He passed away in Buffalo, New York, on 22 September 1979. Funeral prayers were offered across several continents, while hundreds of thousands attended his funeral in Lahore. He was laid to rest at 5-A Zaildar Park, leaving behind a worldwide intellectual and organisational legacy.