In 1938, Ali came under the influence of Mirza Abul Fazl, who sparked his interest in and reverence for the Qur'an. Ali, a scholar of wide erudition and clear vision, possessed a special insight into the Qur'an. He dedicated over thirty years to translating the Qur'an into poetic English, aiming to capture its beauty and rhythm. Recognizing the importance of the chronological order of the Qur'anic revelation, he meticulously arranged it accordingly. His translation, titled The Message of the Qur'an: Presented in Perspective was published in 1974.[1]
Ali was an educator and an active advocate of calendar reform for approximately ten years. He held a prominent position as a leading Muslim authority on calendar matters. He initiated a movement in Hyderabad to synchronize the dates of the Fasli months with the Gregorian calendar. Finally, in 1946, he succeeded in persuading the Nizam to authorize the proposed reform. This significant achievement bolstered his confidence as a liberal Muslim, leading him to delve into the analysis of introducing The World Calendar effectively within the Islamic realm. In 1953, he returned to America under a fellowship from the Fulbright and Ford Foundation.
Hashim Amir-Ali died in 1987 in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. He was survived by one daughter and two sons. His sons, Hyder Amir-Ali and Asad Amir-Ali, as well as his daughter, Naveed Jehan Reza, currently[when?] reside in the U.S.A.
