Why my father called for a new Education System after the establishment of Pakistan?
It may sound strange to many but it is because Darul-uloom Deoband, Nadwa and Aligarh were all reactionary due to British Colonialism and we need to go back to Islamic education system which has been a hallmark for us for generations before the Colonialsim
I made an intention to take this into consideration last year itself. I assure my brothers and sisters that I have not taken rest even for a moment and yet I have not got time to do the needful. Soon Inshaa Allah I shall do so.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Maulana Hussain Ahmed Madani RA on Pakistan
In his longish lecture entitled Nijat Ki Rah Dr Israr Ahmed Sahab RA in the end told about final words of Maulan Azad and Maulana Madani RA about Pakistan.
Maulana Azad said that I had most serious disagreement with the creation of the state of pakistan but once it has come into existence then honour of Islam is associated with its future.
Dr Israr Ahmed also informed about Hazrat Madani RA's final attitude. In a function in Dabhel Maulana Madani had said that before a Masjid is constructed there can be argument about the legality of the land and construction buit once it is bulit then a Mosque is a Mosque and it is the duty of every Muslim to ensure its protection.
This was told publicly by Maulana Muhammed Malik Kadhalwi RA in a function of Tanzeem-e-Islami or Majlis-e-Khuddam-ul-Qur'an in Lahore after partition in presence of Dr Israr Ahmed.
In view of these two views I have decided not to question the creation of Pakistan just because the bill has come to us Indian Muslims.
Can you give some practical tips on how we can achieve this?
This will inshaaAllah help others who can contribute in one way or the other.
wassalam
I am sorry that above quoted post of sister has been hanging in balance for so long.
As it must be clear to brothers and sisters I am busy all the time in these issues only and therefore hardly get anytime to address many specific points because of the shear load of the work and my own limited capacity and capabilities. Anyway, I thought I should address this query before it get burried in the tons of material.
Sister has asked about practical steps to address the problem.
So to begin with what is the problem we are trying to solve?
This is an important question because asking the right question is the first step towards solving the problem.
Sometimes asking the question in the right manner itself takes us half way towards the solution.
Sometimes asking the wrong question kills the prospects of solving the problem.
In the present case I shall put the problem in the following manner. I have been calling it the Encroachment Theory.
The Encroachment Theory
If you do not guard, defend and protect your personal space as an individual or your collective space as a community then there is bound to be encroachment upon it.
In todays world there is encroachment upon the life space of Muslim community, Muslim Ummah, in various degrees all over the world. In some cases the encroachment is partial in some cases it is near complete.
We, as an Ummah, have to work towards liberation of this life space of Muslim Ummah from encroachment.
After pondering over this problem and analysing it for about twelve years I have come to the conclusion that our approach should be academic. Or that is the only sector in which I can contribute meaningfully.
I have nothing to say or offer about other possible approaches. I am not against them nor I am for them. In fact I even do not know what other approaches are possible.
Next I shall divide the problem into two parts global problem and the problem in the Indian subcontinent.
The Global Problem of Muslim Ummah
At the global level the encroachment is mostly because of the west.
In west we must include the Europe, the US in particular and North America in general and finally Australia.
We have to start an academic dialogue with the west towards taking back our space that is in their control.
Please understand that no other party, in this case, will accept our theory because it shows themm in a negative light of the encroachers. We have to think seriously and give the problem some other name so that we can come to the academic negotiating table with the west.
Brothers and and sisters and well wishers must kindly pay attention to it.
Easiest way to sabotage this programme is to go to the west, in any possible manner, and say, "Buster you have encroached upon the life space of our Ummah, just hand over it back." This will be a wrong way to approach.
We got to find the speakable and unspeakable in this case and then we have to find the channel and the negotiating parties.
My suggestion in this regard will be to approach people like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadiam PM Justin Trudeau. Responsible people from Ummah must approach them about this encroachment and negotiate about a plan to hand over our personal, or rather communal, space to us.
We need academicians to work out the details.
Those academicians are the people that I am searching for and looking forward.
Someone has to find them, some people have to come forward.
These people should be experts in the corresponding fields.
There should be diplomats to negotiate, social scientists who know about the encroachment and other academicians like economists, lawyers and others.
There has to be an academic movement along these lines amongst the Muslims world over.
My role model in this case will be the Indian Freedom Movement that was lead by the lawyers like Gandhi, Nehru and there were many Muslims too in that.
Historically Indian Freedom Movement (IFM) was amongst biggest mass movement in the world history.
Historians, particularly the left orinted ones, are still trying to take stock of it.
We have to generate an academic movement of bigger proportions towards liberating the communal space of Muslim Ummah from encroachment.
Quote:
The Problem of Muslim Ummah in the Indian Subcontinent
This has to be further divided into three parts: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh.
All the three problems are different. Pakistan's problem has to be attached to the global problem that I talked about above.
Indian problem is the main one and has to be dealt with separately.
Bangladesh problem is different from those of India and Pakistan.
I shall not talk about the Indian problem here. I just want to say and finish whatever I can talk about global problem, Pakistan's problem and Bangladesh problem and after that not look back and concentrate on Indian problem.
When brothers and sisters understand what I have to say about the global, Pakistan and Bangladesh problems then I want to detach from you people in the sense that most of my energies will be focussed on Indian problem and I shall be interaction with you people all the time but as an academician specializing on Indian issues.
The Pakistan Problem
Pakistan is a state that was created in the name of Islam. Wtherther they like it or not, whether they feel like being capable of it or not,they have the responsibility of Ummah on their shoulders. They have to realize that by default they are the Ummah leaders even more than Saudi Arab and Turkey.
Maulana Syed Abul hasan ali Nadwi (RA) was a Syed, from prophet (PBUH)'s family, and hence he had a e-weakness for the Arabs. Hence he kept looking towards the Arabs to rise and solve the problems of Ummah.
Thinking people of pakistan, those who have concerns for Ummah, must realise that this is not going to happen.
If it happens that the Arabs get up and work towards solving the problems of the Ummah then welcome them and cooperate with them but do not wait for them.
Get up yourself and take the lead. Ummah is waiting for you. Stop playing a slave to the US, living and surviving on their dole and selling the Ummah for few dollars.
The Bangladesh Problem
Bangladesh Bengalis are trying to come out of the Muktibahini mindset. Someone from ummah has to help them in it. We Muslims of India are in deepest waters, after the destruction of the Gulf Muslim countries, and hence will be not in a position to help them. Bangladeshis will take a long time to calm down about Pakistanis so pakistanis too are out. Perhaps malay and Indonesian Muslims are the best bet to make Bengladeshis self reliant and not get trivialized by the big neighbour surrounding them - India.
As I said above I am leaving out the India problem here because that is the most complex and most difficult of the problems and it will need my long and undivided attention an sitting in India it is my top priority to worry about the problems of Indian Muslims.
Some additonal Thoughts
I have been thinking about these issues ever since I came to the erstwhile Sunni Forum. Sunni Forum is gone and the activity on MS, MuftiSays is down to bare minimum but only now I feel relativel clrea about the problem and its solution that I have talked about. This for me is a good news because for all these twelve years I have been really working my way through a dark tunnel with effectively to light at the end. I mean theoretically or academically.
Many of my friends must have felt that I am going on and on and not giving any precise, concrete, specific action plan nor any hope and glad tidings. Truth be told I myself did not know the answer. By the grace of God I do have it now. there might be other answers but having gone through the excruciating pain myself I can assure you that the competing solution to my solution will be equally difficult and equally difficult to search for. I have worked for twelve years with concentration and focus and complete dedication and I expect not small reward from Lord Most High. I invite all my brothers and sisters to be with me. In case you have competing plans please do follow them and I have no grudges ahgainst you, I am your well wisher.
I intend to follow the Deoband explanation of islam but I inted to take help from and cooperate with barelwis as well as the salafis of all kind and Jama-at-e-Islami and similar people.
I am thankful to those brothers and sisters who have been patiently following me all these years who had shown their love and affection as well as regards. My journey would not have been possible without you. You may not realise it but Allah SWT will give you great rewards for this act itself because you were depositing your faith in me in those times when the going was most difficult. the rewards will be really great in the hereafter but I also do hope very good rewrds for us all in this world itself. By the Grace of Allah SWT.
The people of Pakistan may prosper and attain their rightful and honored place among the nations of the world and make their full contribution towards international peace and progress and happiness of humanity.
This item is just perfect as the motto of Muslim Ummah herself.
Muslim Ummah aspires to attain her rightful and honored place among the civilizations of the world and make their full contribution towards international peace and progress and happiness of humanity.
It is a shame she speaks much truth! It is not even safe for the men there. However, her statement would apply to every nation as this happens all over the place, not just Pakistan.
Pakistan, a nation of decent people tarnished by a few idiots who carry out such acts, including selling of dog and donkey meat as Halal meat to their own Muslim brothers and sister.
Another story against Muslims we have to put up with.
The present Indian government is hell bent on improving the lot of Indian Muslim women.
A few days ago the goons stopped a car shot the lone man in it and all night gang raped the four Muslim women in it near Yamuna Expressway.
Bismillah
JazaakumAllahu khaira for your detailed reply. I am sure it will help many.
Other than lawyers and social scientists, how can other educated people help?
In fact I was expecting a reply for a tyro like me who is not a lawyer or a social scientist. It would nice if seniors like you can give some practical tips in engaging in fruitful conversation with non-Muslims. I don't have any exposure to it. Any advice on how and where to start?
wassalam
I did not get to make above promised post and PH has come up with even more relevant issues.
The ummah at war with itself
Pervez Hoodbhoy
July 22, 2017
The writer teaches physics in Lahore and Islamabad.
The ummah is at war with itself. What other way is there to describe the brutal bloodletting by Muslims of Muslims in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, Turkey, and, of course, Pakistan.
To be fair, the ummah has not mattered for a long time to the governments or peoples of Muslim lands. State-to-state relations among Muslim countries have been astonishingly independent of religious identity. They have depended instead upon perceived self-interest, domestic politics and the whims of rulers. Just look at the evidence.
Pakistan was created on a religious premise. But, in the days of the Suez Crisis of 1956, Pakistan’s position was ambiguous. It refused to side with Gamal Abdel Nasser after he nationalised the Suez Canal and threw out the British. On the other hand, India was active in the Non-Aligned Movement, fully pro-Arab, and loud in support of liberating Palestine. To show gratitude, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz paid a state visit to India and declared that Indian Muslims were being treated well. There was outrage across Pakistan. Newspapers exploded in anger when Jawaharlal Nehru, on his return visit to Riyadh, was greeted by the king and with street banners in Riyadh bearing the slogan rasul-ul-salam (messenger of peace).
It is time to give the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation a decent burial.
Dawn’s editorial of Dec 1, 1956, bitterly criticised the Arabs and “Nasser’s hatred of Pakistan, and love of Bharat and its Nehruâ€. It went on to suggest that such sensate bias and blind prejudice “may well be examined by psychiatristsâ€. In other words, the Arab world’s greatest hero of the moment was denounced as crazy.
Today, Pakistan has disputes with both its Muslim neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran. Iran occasionally lobs artillery shells over to Pakistan, as does Afghanistan. Pakistan has reciprocated with its artillery, while PAF jets brought down an Iranian drone last month. Ironically, Pakistan has excellent relations with one of its neighbours — China, a communist state that has banned the beard and burqa in its only Muslim-dominated province. India has good relations with both Iran and Afghanistan. And, India’s trade with China far exceeds Pakistan’s trade with China.
It is not just Pakistan. The Muslim monarchies of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both Wahabi, are practically at war with each other now. Teeny tiny Qatar, say the Saudis, is acting too big for its boots and cannot conduct its own foreign policy. Qatar has dismissed the Saudi-UAE demand to close down Al Jazeera, the Arab world’s only independent news source. In response, all Qataris and their families, as well as 15,000 dancing Qatari camels, have been expelled from Saudi Arabia.
Last year, Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian award was conferred upon Hindu fundamentalist Narendra Modi by King Salman. The Saudi king left Kashmir and pellet guns unmentioned.
Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen shows the emptiness of the ummah notion. Directed against one of the world’s poorest Muslim countries, it has so far has killed 7,600 and wounded 42,000 Muslims. Most casualties have resulted from air strikes of the Saudi-led multinational coalition. Pakistan has shown little concern. I have yet to see a single TV news report or evening talk show discussing the Yemen war.
Ending Israeli occupation of Palestine was once the ummah’s grandest cause that cut through the Shia-Sunni divide. But now, Saudi Arabia is fast nearing rapprochement with Israel. Both countries see Iran as the greater enemy. After the failed Arab Spring, Sisi’s Egypt and the Gulf’s monarchies fear Iran as an insurrectionary power and prefer to work with Israel. Palestine is unmentioned.
Where does this leave the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), whose job is to bring together and represent the ummah? Based in Saudi Araba, it has 57 member states and calls itself “the collective voice of the Muslim world.†The OIC has had nothing to say about wars that have consumed Syria, Iraq, Libya, or Yemen. Nor is it relevant to any other conflict between Muslim states or that within them. It has yet to give a single cent to desperate refugees who, instead, must rely on the West.
Pakistan bought into the OIC fantasy early on. But the euphoria of the 1974 Lahore meeting organised by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has gone with the wind. What is left is the magnificent flag-adorned building on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad that serves as the headquarters of Comstech, the highest scientific body of the OIC, for which Pakistan pays the lion’s share of its operating expenses.
Examine: Science & the ummah
Comstech is charged with promoting science within the ummah. This is a futile and misplaced effort because science does not have a religion. Add to this the abysmal quality of science in Muslim countries (with Turkey and Iran only partly excluded). Prime minister Suhrawardy once famously remarked, “zero plus zero plus zero is after all still zeroâ€. While he said this of the Arab bloc during the Suez crisis, it’s still truer about scientific cooperation.
It is time to give the OIC a decent burial and end the fantasy that Comstech can serve as the centre of Muslim science. Among the benefits, Comstech’s staff could be put to good use promoting science in Pakistan with the building turned into a public science library or science exploratorium where Pakistani children could be introduced to the wonders of science.
If Muslim states have paid no attention to the ummah, non-state actors have paid even less. They have slaughtered tens of thousands of co-religionists. The Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban are like two wings of the same bird. One kills Afghan Muslims, the other kills Pakistani Muslims. One finds shelter in Pakistan, the other in Afghanistan. The militant Islamic State group seems to be everywhere and kills with even less concern. There is no sign any of them will fade away soon.
There is a way for Muslim states and peoples to move forward. This will require creating strong democratic institutions based on equal rights for all citizens, encouraging the participation of women in public life, and respecting equally all Muslim sects as well as other religions, providing space and freedom to individuals and education for all based on science and reason.
Muslim Ummah is as good as its leaders. Selfish dictators do not care about the Ummah, they only care to safeguard their brutal regimes. Promote free thinking to MAKE UMMAH GREAT AGAIN.
Raj
about 3 hours ago
Reading this article I see hope. but, I wonder if anybody's listening? Thank you sir for standing up against all odds and fighting for the truth. God bless you sir.
Krishna
about 3 hours ago
Sir, great article.......But, how many are ready to listen to saner voices like yours'
The moment we stop encouraging violence and aggressive behavious - in personal and professional lives, peace will prevail the world over.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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