This is an active mosque, currently under the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind
Structure
The mosque measuring 73'3" by 22' I.M. is rubble built and was formerly ornamented with coloured tile decoration most of which disappeared. It consists of three apartments entered through lofty archways, the central apartment being domes, and the flanking compartments being covered by flat vaults. The cloiters attached to the mosque and the enclosing the courtyard have disappeared. The portion of the latter which was formerly brick paved and consecrated for worship measures 73'3" by 30'.
Inscription on Mosque - Translation
The inscription is engraved on a piece of marble, now broken into three pieces. It was originally fixed on the main outer archway of the prayer chamber, but owing to the dangerous condition of the structure was removed and placed in the Museum in the Delhi Fort
- During the reign of the Emperor Akbar, may God perpetuate his beneficient person,
- A holy edifice, like which there is none in all the countries, was built,
- By the Shaikhul Islam, the pilgrim of the two sacred cities (Mecca and Medina), and the universally acknowledged chief of the learned in Hadis
- (named) Shaikh Abdun Nabi Numani, the mine of learning and the spring beneficence
- The date of the foundation of the building, Faizi asked wisdom. Is said "The best place"
Shaikh Abdu'n Nabi Sadrussadur
The inscription given above refers to Abdun Nabi, the founder of the mosque, and Faizi the composer. Shaikh Abdun Nabi Sadrussadur was the son of Shaikh Ahmad, the son of Shaikh Abdul Quddus of Gangoh. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina several times and while there studied the traditions (Hadis). He was appointed Sadar by Akbar, and it is said no one holding this office during any former reign enjoyed the same measure of power or gave away one-tenth of waqf (pious dedications) that he did. The emperor was for some time on such terms if intimacy with him that he would rise to adjust the Shaikh's slippers when he took his leave. He is said to have been somewhat drastic when the later applied for a grant of 100 bighas of land. This apparently happened when Faizi, the eldest son of Shaikh Mubarak of Nagor and elder brother of Abul Fazal, Akbar's well known Prime Minister was out of favour. Faizi was staunch upholder of Akbar's new religion Deen-e-Ilahi
Later he was sent by the emperor on a pilgrimage to Mecca with money for the poor of that sacred place. On his return he was called to account for the money. He failed to give details and was thus arrested and put to prison. He was murdered in 992 A.H. It is believed that Faizi was instrumental in bringing about his downfall. The family of Shaikh traced their descent from Abu Hanifa, one of the four Imams, the great expunders of the Muslim Law.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Office
Currently this monument is serving as the office of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, which is a leading islaimic organization of India. Founded in 1919 by Abdul Mohasim Sajjad, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Ahmed Saeed Dehlvi, and Abdul Bari Firangi Mehli, it opposed creation of a separate state of Pakistan during the Partition of India. The Jamiat has propounded a theological basis for its nationalistic philosophy. Their thesis is that Muslims and non-Muslims have entered upon a mutual contract in India since independence, to establish a secular state represented by the Constitution of India.
Location
Abdu'n Nabi's mosque, is situated about 400 mts. north of the Tilak bridge with its back towards Mathura Road and face towards the Delhi Police Headquarters.
(Reference: Monuments of Delhi, Lasting Splendour of the Great Mughals and Others by Zafar Hasan - 1919:Aryan Books International and Delhi and its Neighbourhood by Y.D. Sharma - 1964:ASI Press)