Study Maerial-1

Dr.Farkhanda Warsi

SIR SYED AHMAD, ALLAMA IQBAL, QUID-I-AZAM AND IDEOLOGY OF

PAKISTAN
Allama Iqbal and Vision of a Separate Muslim State Legends like Allama Iqbal are born once in
centuries. He was great poet, Philosopher and politician who gained the country-wide fame. He
received his education from Government College Lahore and then went to Europe for the higher
studies. He obtained his PhD in Philosophy from Germany. However, he entered in Indian politics
to protect the interests of Muslims. His entry in politics was warmly welcomed by All India
Muslim League and he proved himself to be a good leader. Iqbal’s ideas were transformed and
renewed about politics, nationalism and western culture during the stay in Europe. He was
completely changed man with new perception and ideology after returning from Europe. He admits
that certainly Europe changed my old beliefs and ideas regarding State and Indian nationalism. He
said, "I was a enthusiastic Indian Nationalist during my college days. The change happened due to
exposure to the western world, it gives me a new thought so I am not a Nationalist now". Allama
Iqbal studied Islam deeply and believed that it is a complete code of life. After returning from
Europe, Dr Iqbal compared Islam with the western culture, ideology. He reached at the conclusion
that Islam is the only way of life which can solve all the problems of mankind. He comprehended
the philosophy of Islam and so became the proponent of principals of Quran. Iqbal rejected the
prevalent concept of Territorial Nationalism in his poem. He refuted the concept on the basis of its
contradiction with Islam and it is modern form idolatry. Dr Iqbal explains that the concept of
territorial nationalism divide the nations of world. The concept of territorial nationalism has
changed the course of politics and economy. The objective and aims of Politics and economy to
take-over the other nation's land and resources and destruction of houses of poor. Iqbal’s main
argument was against the western concept of linguistic and racial nationalism. Therefore, he
supported the Muslim nationalism which is based on spiritual homogeneity. He wrote on territorial
nationalism in the year 1910: Islam as complete code of life appeared in a world as antithesis of
idolatry. In a modern world, what is patriotism, nothing else than a new form of idolatry. The
purpose of Islam is to protest against idolatry in any form. This is our duty and mission to protest
against all form of new idolatry. While exploring the solidarity of Muslims, he asserted his views
in same notebook The solidarity of Muslims as a community in subcontinent stands on Islamic
principle. Nevertheless, our educationists and intellectuals are searching in the dark. They are
perhaps much confuse and unable to realize the difference between Islamism and westernism. The
western culture and norms constructs nationality on the basis of racial and linguistics difference.
But the Islamic laws do not recognize the racial, linguistics and historical differences of human.
Because the concept of territorial nationality in Islam is not ultimate goal and highest limit but the
spiritual homogeneity. Dr Iqbal openly negated the idea of western type of nation state in India
and stressed on the separate image of Muslims. In the 18thcentury new concept of nation state
introduced in Europe. This concept further provided the strong foundation to secularism, a
Philosophy which declared the separation of religion and state system. Allama Iqbal did not believe
the concept of separation of religion and State system rather he emphasized that religion and
politics are not separated in Islam. Further he comes up with the idea of separate State which rests
on principles of Islam. Iqbal created the awareness amongst Muslims and showed them of their
lost glory through his poetry. He used the poetry as a tool for revitalization of Muslims. His
message does not contradict the Islamic ideology. Iqbal’s approach was a so pragmatic. He
motivated the Muslims to have courage like their ancestors that the institution of Caliphate could
again be restored in Muslim Ummah. In his Persian poetry with the title of Secrets of the Self and
Mysteries of Selflessness published in 1915. Iqbal asserted: "Our Prophet (PBUH) migrated from
his birth land and settled in Medina permanently. Our Prophet (PBUH) founded Muslim
nationhood in Medina. The Indian Muslims must follow the precedence of life of Prophet
(PBUH)." On these grounds, separate identity of the Muslims as a Nation was supported by Allama
Iqbal. He said that there would be no possibility of peace in the country until and unless the
Muslims are recognized as a separate nation because of their distinctive cultural values, religion
and history. Iqbal advocate the idea of Muslim nationalism and refuted the concept of territorial
nationalism. Allama Iqbal delivered his famous presidential address in the annual meeting of All
India Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930. The Allahabad address of Iqbal was hallmark and had
a great significance in freedom struggle of Indian Muslims. This presidential address defined the
fate and destination of Muslims of British India and put their struggle in right direction. Allama
Iqbal gave philosophical explanation of Two-Nation Theory and proposed the separate homeland
for the Muslims. He declared in his address: "India is a continent of a vast population and different
human groups belonging to different races, speaking different languages and professing different
religions. To base a constitution on conception of United India is to prepare for civil war. I
therefore, would like to see the Punjab, North West Frontier Province, Sindh and Balochistan
amalgamated into a single state. Self-government within the British Empire or without the British
Empire. The formation of a single consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state appears to me to
be the final destiny of the Muslims at least of North West India.” He wrote a letter to Jinnah and
convinced him to organize the Muslim League and to leads the Muslim of subcontinent. Iqbal
knew that, darkness and desperation is prevailing in the Muslim of India but he was much
optimistic. When Muhammad Ali Jinnah came back to India from London, he started the
reorganization of the All-India Muslim League. Iqbal extended his complete support to Jinnah and
worked hard to organize the party in Punjab as a loyal soldier. This was the political cooperation
between these two greatest leaders of Muslim India which turned the Muslim League into mass
political party of India. All India Muslim league invoked the Iqbal’s concept of Muslim homeland
for mass mobilization. The Muslims of India effectively and forcefully started their struggle
around the flag of Muslim League with an aim to establish an independent State. Eventually, both
the Hindus and British realized that the partition of India into two independent States is inevitable.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Two-Nation Theory M.A Jinnah is known as the Quid-i-Azam in
Pakistan. He was a Charismatic Leader in the real sense. He was a history-making leader who
changed the course of history. Jinnah entered in politics in 1906 when he joined Indian National
Congress. During this time, Indian Muslims became conscious about their separate identity and
rights. All India Muslim League was established to protect the interests of Muslims but Jinnah
Kept away from league's politics and agenda. Later on, Quaid-e Azam joined All India Muslim
League in 1913 and played significant role to promote Hindu-Muslim Unity. In 1920, he resigned
from the Congress due to disagreement with Gandhi on the issue of self-rule (Swaraj). After
resigning from Congress, he actively participated in Muslim League affairs to articulate the
Muslims demands with zeal and zest. Quid-i-Azam played a decisive role to peruse the Muslims
interests by facing strong opposition from Hindus and British. It was the charismatic personality
of Quid-i-Azam who influenced Muslim leaders and masses and convinced them to show
disassociation with Indian nationalism. Quid-i-Azam rejected the Nehru report on the basis of
Hindu bigotry and prejudice. On this occasion Quid sharply responded to Congress and British
Government: No, there is another party Muslims and the Muslim League has the right to represent
the interests of Muslim In British India. In 1935, Mr. Jinnah used the word nation for the Muslims
of India. He explained the separate identity of Muslims with reference to Islamic principles and
way of life and established that Muslims are quite different from the Hindus in every aspect of life.
On March 1936, Quid-i-Azam said that the Muslims could arrive at a settlement with Hindus as
Two Nations. Quid-i-Azam stated in his speech at Lucknow in the year 1937: The Hindus
constitute the majority community and majority community shows his version that Hindustan is
only for the Hindus. The congress established its government through the 1935 Act. Congress rule
was a great eye opener and shock for the Muslims. The Congress rule proved that they only want
to establish Hindu Raj in India. Due to the congress government, Muslim of all over India
experienced countless pains and miseries. Eventually, the Muslims started to mobilize themselves
under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam around Muslim League flag. Dr Iqbal wrote a letter
to Muhammad Ali Jinnah and put some suggestions in the letter: we should consider the Muslims
of North-West India and Bengal (Muslim majority provinces) as a nation and start struggle for
self-determination within India or outside India. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was convinced that the
future of Muslim of India is not secure as congress rule had already confirmed this. Sir Jinnah
wrote an article Published in Time and Tide in1940, he expressed his views:

"Now the western world considers the religion as private matter between man and God which
separate it from State. The British people perhaps forget the religious wars of their own history. In
the case of Hinduism and Islam, both religions have distinctive norms, values and definite social
codes." In an interview to London News Chronicle, Quid-i-Azam said: "The division of India into
two sovereign states is only pragmatic solution of the Hindu Muslim Conflict. But the fact is this;
Hindus will not accept our complete independence as a majority community in India." However,
It is important to mention here that the speeches and statements of Quaid-iAzam from 1940 to
1947 clearly emphasized that the new state would be an Islamic State. In 1939, he stated that the
Muslims and Hindus are two nations: "We are a nation with our own distinctive culture and
civilization, language and literature, names and nomenclature, sense of values and proportion,
legal laws and moral code, custom and calendar, history and tradition, aptitudes and ambitions; in
short, we have our own distinctive outlook on life and of life. By all cannons of international law,
we are a nation." On 23 March, 1940 at Lahore, Quid-i-Azam delivered the historic speech which
highlighted the idea of separate homeland for Muslims, he said: "Islam and Hinduism are not
religions in the strict sense of the word, but are, in fact, different and distinct social orders. The
Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literatures.
They neither inter-marry nor inter-dine together and, indeed, they belong to two different
civilizations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions." We can easily find out
through the speeches of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that which type of state he wanted;
as he said: "In British India, under the parliamentary democratic system a paramount and perennial
Hindus majority defiantly would dominate over a minority. The British type of parliamentary
government would only establish rule of complete Hindu domination over the society in India.
Certainly, the Muslim community and other minorities in India would be absolutely powerless."
In his July 1942 interview to the American press representatives, Jinnah said: Many efforts were
made by the Hindu Congress during last 27 months to undermine and suppress Culture identity,
language and customs of the Muslims. Even the Muslim students were pushed in educational
institutions to read the books, prescribed by the Hindu Congress. we have seen that congress
government had emphasized on the Hindu culture and traditions".

Quaid-i-Azam in his address to the Students Union of Muslim University in 1942 stated that:
History of subcontinent reveals that it is a fact that Hindus have not ruled over any part of India
from last one thousand years. But our proposal to grant to them the Hindu majority zone, where
they can control the government as it is three fourth of India territory. Further, I would suggest to
Hindu leaders not to be greedy, because Hindus assume that they would grab the remaining one-
fourth and would establish the Hindu Raj over the whole India. I recommend to them don't be
greedy for my one-fourth and let me live my life according to my culture, tradition, language,
history and according to the principals of Islam. Jinnah acknowledged Islam and its significant
role in nation building while delivering speech to all India Muslim League: "What is the most
important thing that keeps the Muslims united? It is the only Islam which unites the Muslim. Holy
Quran is a great Book, which is the source of guidance and covers all aspect of life. I am hopeful
and confident that we will go on and on, there will be more unity and more oneness because of
one God, one Book, one Prophet and one Nation." October 1947, he had underscored the State’s
Islamic character inthe following words: By the grace of God Pakistan is an established fact today.
It is country, for which, we have been struggling for the last ten years. It was just idea that we
should have an independent state. An Independent State where we can spend our lives according
to our religion. Where we can practice our culture and Islamic principles of social justice could
practice freely. Almost all the speeches and statement made by Quid-i-Azam refer to the
establishment of an Islamic welfare state. All the speeches are clear and without ambiguity which
kind of state Quid had envisioned be.