The life Of Muhammad Asad , Leopold Weiss (1900-1992)

the West, he came to New York and became Pakistan's MinisterPlenipotentiary to the United Nations.Asad later married Pola whom he met in New York. She was working inthe State Department and was part of the US Delegation to the UnitedNations in New York. Unsatisfied with her Catholic background, she hadher own independent journey to Islam. After years of studying, she becamea Muslim just a few months before she met Asad. And within days of hermarriage, she discovered the primary fault of her husband.It was November 1952 and she just moved to her husband's New Yorkapartment when Asad was invited by Dr. Schuler Walace, Directorof The School of Oriental Affairs, to give a lecture on Islam and thecurrent problems of the Muslim world. The audience was to be mostlycomprised of post-graduate students of international affairs. After thelecture, he was to answer questions from the audience. Asad accepted theinvitation.Although Pola Asad was anxious to see her husband speak in front of sucha group of intelligentsia, it appeared that her husband was not muchconcerned about it. A day before the meeting she asked him whether heprepared the manuscript for the speech. "It is almost ready", said Asad. Shewaited the whole day for some news about the speech being ready. Finally,when the day came, Asad sat down five minutes before leaving theapartment and jotted down a few notes on a small piece of paper and toldher that was it. At the podium, Dr. Wallace introduced Asad to thecrowed, and Asad started talking enthusiastically, so much so that he evenforgot to consult his "notes". He spoke for long time and received muchovation from the crowed after the speech ended, which was then followedby questions and answers. The whole session lasted several hours. This washow Pola Asad pointed out her husband's primary fault: a lack of vanity,nay a total lack of vanity. Asad gave many formal speeches and interviewsin both Muslims countries as well as in western cities in front of educated