Syed Abul A’la Maududi

Syed Abul A’la Maududi (25 September 1903 – 22 September 1979) was a South Asian Islamic scholar, theologian, and prolific writer who founded the political party Jamaat-e-Islami in Lahore in 1941. Born in Aurangabad, British India, he began his career in journalism before turning his focus to Islamic revival, editing the influential journal Tarjuman-ul-Quran from 1932 onward. Maududi authored over 100 books and pamphlets on subjects ranging from Quranic exegesis to law, politics, and history. His most renowned work is Tafhim-ul-Quran, a six-volume Urdu translation and commentary on the Quran, written over three decades and later translated into numerous languages. In recognition of his contributions to Islamic thought, he was the first recipient of the King Faisal International Prize in 1979. His writings remain foundational reading across the Muslim world.