IDEOLOGICAL RATIONALE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SIR SYED AHMED KHAN, ALLAMA

MUHAMMAD IQBAL AND QUAID-E-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Two-Nation Theory

When great Mughal Empire was collapsing and declining in subcontinent. In this critical time, Muslims
of subcontinent produced a courageous and eminent leader Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Sir Syed Ahmad
Khan was born in very noble family at Delhi in 1817.He got his early education from his maternal
grandfather, who was a distinguished scholar and only mathematician of this time. Sir Syed Ahmad
Khan was trained in various subjects like, Arabic, Persian literature, history, Mathematics and
medicine. After completing his education, he joined the government service as head clerk in 1839.
Soon, he passed examination and appointed as a Sub-Judge. After serving in different areas in different
capacities, he was promoted to the post of Chief Judge in 1846. At the eve of war of independence in
1857, Sir Syed was performing his duties as a judge, however war changed him entirely.

The war of independence 1857 created a huge gulf and mistrust between British and Muslims. He took
responsibility of Indian Muslim and he convinced the Muslim community to acquire the modern
education. In the beginning, Sir Syed Ahmed khan believed in Indian Nationalism. But later on his faith
about Indian Nationalism was shaken due to Hindi-Urdu controversy. Hindi-Urdu controversy started
in the year 1867 when Benarsi Hindus started campaign to replace Urdu by Hindi as an official
language. This conflict changed the mindset of Sir Syed so he became extremely disappointed to see
the behavior and prejudice of Hindus towards Muslims. Finally, he was convinced that Hindus could
never be friends of Muslim. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan also expressed his views to Mr. Shakespeare, the
Governor of Banaras.

In the political sphere, Sir Syed attained several successes. He removed the misunderstandings
between British government and Indian Muslim. At that time Indian National congress was grew to be
very powerful political party in India. Sir Syed observed that Congress projected the Hindus demands.
He advised the Muslims not to join the political activities of Congress but to concentrate on modern
education. He realized that practical politics would divert the concentration from education. The word
‘Nation’ for Indian Muslim was first used by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He supported the separate
electorate for Muslims in British India. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a pioneer and architect of Two
Nation Theory in Sub-continent.

Literary and Educational Contributions of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: The first effort made by Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan was the writing of a booklet with title as, “Risala-i-Asbab-i-Baghawat-I-Hind” in
1858.This writing was a factual analysis of the reasons of the mutiny of 1857. The pamphlet was
translated into English with the main objective that British could read it. In this booklet Sir Syed
discussed the miseries and problems of the Muslims of India as well as he analysed the policies of
British for the India in detail. In addition to this, "Loyal Muhammadans Of India” was one of the
popular book written by Sir Syed. At that juncture, British used the term Mohamedans for the Muslims
of sub-continent and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had used the same term THE MUHAMMADANS to
communicate with them. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan produced many books, articles, and pamphlets to
remove misperceptions between Islam and Christianity. A Commentary on Bible written by Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan where he tried to indicate and explore the commonalities and the shared points, ideas,
beliefs between Islam and the Christianity. Tehqiq-i-Lafz-I-Nasara was another popular writing by Sir
Syed. Nasara is a term which was used for Christians, he argued in his writing that the usage of the
word Nasara does not show something derogatory and prejudicial toward Christians. But the Muslims
use this word to express their positive sentiment and respect for Christians. Sir Syed established a
“SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY” to promote modern knowledge and English. This society translated the
excellent English articles into Urdu. Another key venture undertaken by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the
writing of Aligarh Institute Gazette. This Gazette was published in two languages i.e. English and Urdu.
The gazette played a vital role in spreading and promoting the modern knowledge, scientific ideas and
modern education among the Muslims of India. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan published a magazine with title
Tehzib-Ul-Akhlaq in Urdu. The main focus of the magazine was on social and cultural issues of the
Muslim of the subcontinent. In 1872, he established Muslim school system to promote the modern
education along with Islamic education in the Muslims community of India. In June 1875, Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan led the foundation of a college at Aligarh.

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 regarding State
and Indian Nationalism after returning from Europe. He said, "I was an 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. 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. According to Iqbal, 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. Dr Iqbal openly negated the idea
of western type of nation state in India and stressed on the separate image of Muslims. In the 18th
century 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. 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. 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. 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 Quaid-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, he 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. 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. 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.

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."

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."
Almost all the speeches and statement made by Quaid-i-Azam refer to the establishment of an Islamic
welfare state. All the speeches are clear and without ambiguity which kind of state Quaid had
envisioned be.