Posted By Babandi Gumel 

Born more than 130 years back embraced Islam over 90 years ago the Late Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall needed no introduction in the Muslim World for his famous English translation of the Quran which has been widely accepted and circulated all over the world. The translation of the Holy Book was accepted as one of the best and most popular in respect of authenticity accuracy and simplicity. 

Although he translated the Quran and published it more than eighty years back little was much known about this famous English Translator of Allah’s Book. He famously said in the preface to the translation: “A person who does not believe a book to have been revealed can never do justice to the book”. 

Exactly true to what he said it became the means of guidance for so many people including a famous Islamic Lady Author Maryam Jamila of a Jewish family born in New York who concurred with what Pickthall said on embracing Islam more than 50 years ago. Maryam Jamila said she was convinced without fear of refutation that one who does not believe in the Quran cannot do justice with the translation of the Book. She only read the translation of George Sale’s Koran written in the 18th Century on her sick bed in 1953 but could not comprehend it. Then luck favoured her when she came across the translation of Quran by Marmaduke Pickthall which greeted her tremendously by the discovery in the beauty of language and the eloquence of statement. 

Although She acknowledged that no translation on earth can take the place of the Arabic text yet Maryam could not control herself in showering praise on Late Pickthall in these words: “May Allah the Almighty Shower unlimited Mercy on the Late Pickthall. He made the Quran easy to comprehend for the people of Britain and America and he opened the flood of light for me too.” Then I came to know without loss of time why the translation of George Sale she described as Christian fanatic and narrow minded as displeasing. All these were contained in a new Book titled “Islam the Final Choice compiled by Badr Azimabadi published in Delhi end of last year. 

The Book giving detailed account of how more than 50 famous people embraced Islam across Europe America, Africa and Asia with emphasis of those aspects of Islam which struck the receptive chords in search of truth through a fascinating reading which attracted these prominent people described as courageous ideals and noble examples a treasure that should be shared by one and all. 

Going back to his biography Late Pickthall was born in a village in Suffolk England on 17th April 1875 exactly more than 132 years. His father Charles Pickthall was a Clergyman of local Church who had ten children from his first wife .After her death Marmaduke Pickthall was born from the second wife. Marmaduke was educated at the famous Public School in Harrow . Among his contemporary students who achieved name and fame in political and social life of Britain was Sir Winston Churchill who needed no introduction like Marmaduke himself. They remained good friends to the last. 

After finishing his studies he was left with two choices either to continue his higher education at Oxford University or make a tour with a friend to Palestine Mr dolling attached to the British Embassy there .He chose the latter which became the turning point in his life after learning Arabic in Baitul Maqdis (Jerus Salem).Impressed so much with Islam the Young Marmaduke showed his desire to embrace the Religion at Al Aqsa Mosque. 

But the Imam an Old Experienced Person advised the young Marmaduke to consult his parents before taking such a decision. “This had a queer influence on my heart” said Marmaduke. The reason he continued: “I had in mind that Muslims are always restless in converting others to their religion, but his talk brought about a change in my opinion. I was compelled to think that the Muslims are accused of being prejudiced without any rhyme or reason.” Pickthall continued his study of Islam and travelled extensively to Arab Countries including Egypt , Syria , Iraq and started wearing Arabic and Islamic dresses. In 1913 he went Turkey where he studied political social and cultural life of the people over there. 

During his stay in Turkey he resolved to embrace Islam therefore intimated this to his friend Ghazi Talat Buck on the matter. As the First World War was about to break Ghazi told Pickthall not to proclaim his conversion in Constantinople or Istanbul so as not put them in difficulties on International scale. He advised him to go to London and proclaim his decision which he did in December 1914 almost 93 years ago. On embracing Islam Marmaduke Pickthall said “I have become Muslim by force of my study and I have great regard for it. The Muslims have got Islam as a legacy hence they fail to recognise its value.” He said. “In fact during all my troubles and problems” he continued “Islam proved the only cradle of peace and comfort” noted the Son of Clergy who was later to become so famous for his services to Islam. 

On conversion to Islam he added to his name Muhammad and continued preaching Islam in London during the First World War. He would deliver Khutbah and led the Salah on Friday and Eid Salah during the two Festivals and Tarawih in Ramadan. Pickthall was also entrusted with the responsibility of editing a magazine entitled “Islamic Review” in addition to the effort he was making in propagating the Deen. He left for Bombay in India in 1920 at the invitation of Umar Subhan where he started editing the Paper Bombay Chronicle until 1924 when he was appointed the Principal of Chadarghat High School in Charge of Civil Service in Hyderabad by the Nizam of Deccan. It was over there he brought a quarterly Magazine entitled “Islamic Culture” aimed at acquainting non Muslims with the Islamic art and culture. 

It was under the patronage of the Nizam of Hyderabad that Mr Pickthall began his translation of the Quran in English. He completed the translation work in consultation with religious scholars of Al-Azhar in Egypt after he was granted two years leave by the Nizam. He resigned from the Hyderabad Educational Service in 1935 and went back to London after being granted pension by the Nizam which enabled him to devout the rest of his life towards the propagation of Islam. He died all of a sudden of heart attack on 19th May 1936 and was buried in Muslim graveyard. 

Although Pickthall was typical Englishman of European descent but he was adorned with such Islamic manners and etiquettes making him a perfect exemplary Muslim who used to remember Allah and His Messenger at every step. Meeting with him enhanced the freshness of faith. He said: “Whatever thanks I pay to Allah the Almighty the Exalted, is much less in comparison to what I have got by way of His Blessings”. 

Allahu Akbar that was Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall in the next article we will look at the life of another Englishman a journalist who embraced Islam more than 100 years ago as described in the Book “Islam the Final Choice”.

Wa Akhiri Daaawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen

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