Islamic historiography of Ebü'l-A'lâ Mawdudî

One of the most prominent thinkers and reformers of the 20th century was undoubtedly Abu'l-A'la Maw One of the most prominent thinkers and reformers of the 20th century was undoubtedly Abu'l-A'la Mawdudi. British rule in the Indian subcontinent brought with it religious, political, psychological, and sociological problems. Muslims seeking a way out of their predicament developed a desire to return to the Quran and the Sunnah, and it was precisely during this time that Mawdudi emerged as a charismatic leader. Mawdudi spearheaded the establishment of Jama'at-e-Islami in 1941 to protect Muslims against the Hindus, Sikhs, and British in the region. He strived to address the shortcomings of Muslims in their understanding of religion, the educational system, state order, politics, and history. He strived to provide Muslims with a different perspective in these areas. This study examines Mawdudi's life, family, educational background, scholarly personality, contributions to the world of scholarship, his duties, and his personality. He authored works in diverse fields. His multifaceted personality, talent, and proficiency in these fields were significant factors in increasing his popularity. This study examines the history of the prophets and the religious and social life of the pre-Islamic Arabs of the Age of Ignorance, drawing on Mawdudi's works. In his works, "The Struggle for Monotheism Throughout History" and "The Life of the Prophet," Mawdudi examines the life of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing that he elevated his life to a matter of faith in response to 20th-century attempts to tarnish the Prophet Muhammad's image through the biography. Furthermore, in all his works on Islamic history, Mawdudi pursued an approach that responded to the claims of orientalists and, within this framework, adopted a defensive and rejectionist approach to history. This study attempts to evaluate prominent themes in Mawdudi's works on early Islamic history and the history of the Seljuks. His interpretations and assessments of how the caliphate was transformed into a sultanate in early Islamic history are analyzed. Mawdudi did not remain indifferent to the problems of the society in which he lived; he investigated the causes of these social problems and disintegration and attempted to develop solutions. As a historian, Mawdudi strived to reunite the dispersed Muslims, both through his political involvement and his works. He constructed his historiography in a defensive manner against Orientalist ideas, aiming to educate Muslim society in general.