Pakistan Affairs

& Islamiyat (in the

light of Islam)

Lecture# 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Aligarh Movement
2. Deoband Movement
3. Nadwatul Ulema

Alighar Movement (1857)

1. Introduction
Brain child of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and toil of his followers
New interpretation of Islam was revived
Characteristics of Muslim community soon after 1857 warEducation was at bleak (illiteracy was rampant), religion an
obsession (traditional thinking), and politics was an enigma
(mystery)
A cultural movement aimed at regeneration of liberal valuesliterature, social life and religion
Education was a foundation on which Sir Syed build a super
structure of his religious, social and political ideas for Muslims

2. Educational Aspect
Aim: groom and equip Muslims with western education to become
intellectually and politically sound to play role effectively in the
development of India

Alighar Movement (1857)

Sir Syed visited England in 1869 to study English
educational institutions
Established MAO College, later became Alighar Muslim
University-centre of cultural activities for Muslims
Translation society at Ghazipur (1864); translated modern
works from English to Persian and Urdu.

3. Religious Role
Sir Syed Ahmed wrote many books on Islam to establish
that it was a progressive religion
Attempts were made to rationally interpret ideas and
concepts
Emancipated the Muslims from centripetal tendencies of
religion by recommending extensive use of Ijtehad

Alighar Movement (1857)

4.

Political Contribution:
Policy of the movement was to remain away from politics
However, the movement safeguard the political interest of
the Muslims by educating them to face more educated and
more prosperous Hindus
To promote better understanding with the British, Sir Syed
wrote a pamphlet- The causes of the Indian Revolt
He highlighted the services of the Muslims and defended
them
The movement championed Muslim nationalism cause Sir
Syed advised Muslims not to join Congress-thereby provoked
to establish a separate political party
He was first to propose the idea of separate electorate for
Muslims

Alighar Movement (1857)

5. Social Role:
Reawakened Muslims with social consciousness
Tahzibul Ikhlaq magazine played positive role in improving
morality/moral values.

6. The Impact of the Movement

Immediate
Transformed the Muslim community from pessimism of
the post 1857 war days to optimism- gave a new hope
to the Muslims
Bridged the gulf between the British and Muslims
Provided an opportunity to catch-up with Hindus

Alighar Movement (1857)

Long Term/Far reaching:
He infused spirit in the dormant Muslim community raised it to a
level of a separate and independent nation in India
He gave political wisdom and offered new horizons to the Muslims
(separate electorate and Two Nation Theory) which ultimately paved
way for establishment of All India Muslim League

7. Conclusion
To create an atmosphere of mutual understanding between the British
government and the Muslims.
To persuade Muslims to learn English education.
To persuade Muslims to abstain from politics of agitation.
To produce an intellectual class from amongst the Muslim community.
To bring a social and cultural reform amongst the Muslim community.
To maintain, and as far as possible promote the political and economic
importance of Muslims in the affairs of the country to the extent that
was possible in a country under foreign rule.

Darul Ulum Deoband (1866)

1. Introduction
1. Brain Child of Haji Muhammad Abid and toil of Maulana Mohammad
Qasim
2. Deoband Movement was launched to counter Alighar Movement
which reconciled with British rulers and Western Civilization
3. It was struggle for welfare and renaissance/revival of Muslim through
orthodox/traditional religious teaching

2. Credo of Deoband Movement

. In initial stages, it concentrated on diversity of thought among various
sects and on purifying the traditions of Islam from alien influences
. One of the follower of Deoband Movement objected western thoughts.
The institution was committed to religious nationalism in India.
. The pioneers were orthodox ulema, whose ideology was the defense of
religion as the only panacea to save the distinct identity of Indian
Muslims.

Darul Ulum Deoband (1866)

3. Impact of Deoband
Education:
Attracted large number of students from various parts of India and
abroad
Educational standard was maintained that soon it was rated as the
most prestigious seat of Islamic learning after Al-Azhar University, Cairo
Religious:
The plain was to train enough ulema to be able to spread Islamic
philosophy
Quran, Hadith, Arabic, Islamic Jurisprudence, Philosophy, and Islamic
History were main disciplines
Political:
Followers like Mulana Ashraf Thanvi and Mulana Shabir Ahmed Usmani
counteracted the influence of Congress on Deoband-helped Quaid-eAzam in Pakistan movement
Social:
Like Alighar, successfully awakened social consciousness of Muslims
through religious education.

Darul Ulum Deoband (1866)

4.

Deoband Versus Alighar

Deoband Ulemas were very effective in combating anti Islamic
missionaries but could not provide any solid leadership
On the other hand Sir Syed Ahmed Khan revitalized and re-evaluated
the ideas of Islam in the light of the Philosophy of Shah Waliullah and
became successful in resolving intellectual crisis created by
traditional thinking and fundamentalism. He provided leadership to
the community
Alighar movement, unlike Deoband, was very popular and
instrumental among the Muslim masses
The two movements had philosophical differences. The authorities of
the two institutions remained engaged in controversy.
While Sir Syed Ahmed Khan forbad Muslims to join Congress, a group
of Deoband ulema joined Congress.
Sir Syed was reconciliatory while Deoband Ulemas were deadly
against British

Darul Ulum Deoband (1866)

5. Conclusion
Deoband had a limited sphere of influence due to its
narrow approach and selected adoption of the philosophy
of its mentor
The most progressive tool of Shah Waliullah was adopted
by Sir Syed who became popular among the rulers and
the Muslim masses

Nadwatul Ulema (1894)

1. Introduction:
Nadwa was an outcome of prominent Muslims who
wanted to adopt a middle path between Deoband and
Alighar
Established by leading Muslim Ulema, under the
leadership of Shibili Nomani, Abdul Ghafoor and Syed
Mohammad Ali

2. The Objectives:
Reform Maktabs, develop religious learning, improve
morals and behavior
Resolve and settle difference of opinion among the ulema
and observe restraint on expression of divergent views
Establish a magnificent academy of learning where
technical education could be provided along with
academic education

Nadwatul Ulema (1894)

3. The Movement of Moderation
The modern educational system was recognized and Shibli
Nomani became the principal of Nadwa in 1908. He introduced
English and Islamic subjects of leaning in the curriculum
At Nadwa the preachers were trained to carry out these
objectives and were sent to different parts of the subcontinent to the missionary work
Al Nadwa, monthly magazine under the editorship of Maulana
Shibli and Maulana Habib ur Rehman, attempted to harmonize
Islamic thought with modern science

4. Critical Appreciation
Nadwa being a compromise between the two systems never
gained the popularity and importance which Deoband had in
religious circles and Alighar acquired in modern education.

Nadwatul Ulema (1894)

5.

Deoband Versus Nadwa

Deoband was anti-British and gave the idea of removing
the British by supporting Hindus/Congress. A large section
of Deoband Ulema opposed Pakistan and were in favour of
united India. On the contrary, Nadwa believed in the unity
of Muslims and was against the Congress. Nadwa students
worked for the creation of Pakistan
Deoband only appreciated religious teachings, while
Nadwa encouraged English along with Islamic Teachings.

Thank
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