[1][2] Nadwi's personality and vision seemed largely defined by his five volume magnum opus, Tarikh-i Dawat Wa Azimat, translated into English as Saviours of Islamic Spirit (4 vols.).

In these volumes, he has extensively portrayed the intellectual and religious efforts of Islam, its social history and revivalist and reformative endeavors and has introduced in a copious way the leaders of such movements.

He had categorically stated in the introduction of the book that in Islam there has been a continuity of reformative movements and there were no long interregnums of suspense or in action.

Depending upon their respective circumstances some of the Ulama took part in or even led Jihad, others concentrating on winning the hearts and soul of the people.

Not surprisingly Islamic society has suffered more by the decline of the Ulama than the disloyalty of its Umara (rich and power people).