Professor Hamidullah was born in Hyderabad Deccan. He was the youngest among the three brothers and five sisters, who were all well versed in Arabic, Persian and Urdu, as well as in Islamic learning. He received his early education at home, first from his sisters and then from his father. Later he was admitted in the Madrasah Nizamiyyah or Jamia Nizamia where he passed the examination for the degree for Mawlvi Kamil with distinction in 1924. Aware of his fathers antipathy towards English education, the young Hamidullah secretively sat for the matriculation examination and, when the results were declared, topped the list of successful candidates.
Professor Hamidullah took admission in Osmania University in 1924 and passed the B.A., LL.B., and M.A. examinations in the first division. He was awarded a fellowship by the Osmania University to pursue doctoral studies in Islamic International Law. He traveled to several Islamic as well as European countries for the purpose of collecting information for his research. He was awarded D. Phil by Bonn University, Germany in 1932. He was appointed a lecturer in Arabic and Urdu at Bonn University. After spending some time in Germany, he came to Paris where he registered at the Sorbonne University for another doctoral degree. In a short period of eleven months, Sorbonne University conferred on him the degree of D. Litt.. He was fluent in 22 languages including Urdu, Arabic, French, English, etc. He learned Thai at the age of 84.
In 1985, he was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award of Pakistan that includes a substantial monetary amount. He donated the award money to Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad
Professor Hamidullahs contribution to the literature on Sirah (Prophet Muhammads (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) biography) is marked by a refreshing originality and acuity of insight. His first book on the subject, published in 1935, deals with the diplomatic correspondence of the Prophet (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) and His Companions (Radi Allah Ta'Alah Anhum). His major Arabic book Al-Wathaiq al-Siyasiyyah, first published from Cairo in 1941, contains the texts, with critical notes and references, of more than 300 documents, including correspondence, treaties, proclamations and assurances, pertaining to the period of the Prophet (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) and the four Caliphs. His French book Six Originaux des letters diplomatiques du Porphete e IIslam, contains a comprehensive and exhaustive discussion in the light of classical as well as contemporary sources, on six of the Prophets letters whose original texts have been preserved. Professor Hamidullahs biography of the Prophet (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) in French entitled Le Prophet de IIslam, first published in two volumes in 1959, has undergone several reprints and has been translated into several languages. He wrote a biography of the Prophet (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) in English entitled Muhammad Rasulallah (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) a short treatise, entitled The Battlefields of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) in English and Urdu, combines information gleaned from the classical sources as well as from field work and topographical maps relating to the sites associated with the Prophets (Sallallah-u-Alaih-e-Wasallam) military expeditions. Another significant work of Professor Hamidullah is Muslim Conduct of State, first published in 1941, which deals with theory and practice of statecraft in the early Islamic period.
A highly significant and original contribution of Professor Hamidullah pertains to the discovery, editing and translations of some rare and invaluable manuscripts relating to Hadith, Sirah, Fiqh, Islamic history, biographical literature and medicine. These include the following:
1. Sahifah Hammam Ibn Munabbih by Hammam Ibn Munabbih (d. 101 A.H), published from Damascus in 1953, Urdu and English translation were published from Hyderabad in 1955 and 1961.
2. Kitabul-Mubtada wal Mabath wal-Maghazi by Ibn Ishaq(d. 151 AH) published from Rabat in 1976.
3. Ansabul-Ashraf by Baladhuri (d. 892 AH), published from Egypt in 1959.
4. Kitabul-Riddah by Waqidi (d. 807 AH), published from Damascus in 1964.
5. Al-Dhakhair wal-Tuhaf by Qadi Rashid Ibn Zubayr(d. 563 A.H.), published from Kuwait in 1959.
6. Madanul-Jawahir fi tarikhil-Basrah wal-Jazair, by Shaykh Numan Ibn Muhammad, published from Islamabad, Pakistan in 1973.
7. Kitabul-Nabat, by Abu Hanifah al-Dinawari(d. 882 A.H), published from Cairo in 1973; the English translation of the book by Professor Hamidullah was published from Pakistan.
8. Kitabul-Sard wal-Fard fi Sahaifil-Akhbar, by Ismail al-Qazwini, the text, together with the English translation, was published from Islamabad, Pakistan in 1411 A.H.
9. Sunan Said Ibn Mansur (a rare manuscript of this invaluable collection of Hadith was discovered by Professor Hamidullahin Turkey. It was edited by Mawlana Habibul-Rahman al-Azami, with an introduction by Professor Hamidullah, and Published from Dabhel, Gujarat in 1968)
Professor Hamidullah belonged to that rare and rapidly dwindling breed of Muslim scholars who carried on the tradition of their illustrious forebears with utmost sincerity, incredible selflessness and exemplary dedication. A highly self-respecting person, he did not accept any gifts from any one. His French translation of the Quran has sold millions of copies and the publisher has become a millionaire. Yet, he did not take a single franc by way of royalty. In 1987, the government of Pakistan presented him a cheque of US$ 25000 as a token of appreciation for his outstanding services to his cause of Islam. He promptly donated the money to the Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad. He was nominated for the prestigious King Faisal Award, but he declined it. Professor Hamidullahs selflessness and complete detachment from worldly allurement was reminiscent of the example set by the Muslim scholars and sages of earlier times.
Piety, humility and simplicity were conspicuous in Professor Hamidullahs personality and character. He chose to remain a bachelor and led an extremely simple and Spartan life. He lived on a frugal meal of milk, rice, curd and fruits. For nearly fifty years, he lived in a small apartment on the fourth floor of an old building in Paris, where he had to climb 180 steps to reach his house. He fell seriously ill in 1996 and had to be hospitalized. He was taken to the US by his elder brothers grand-daughter Sadida, who took good care of him and nursed him to recovery. His demise marks the passing of an illustrious and momentous era:
Discerning men for years will, with their forehead honour
The spot that bears the imprint of thy foot.
