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Was
it a dream sold as reality? Was it a mirage shimmering as
water? Was it just a political slogan coined to dupe people?
No! My heart cries, No! This cannot be! This slogan had the
support of a great number of ulema and intellectuals. A foresighted
man like Hadhrat Thanvi rahamahullah ‘a’alaih,
crowned by the rightly guided as the “Hakim-ul-Ummah”
was also on the forefront of those backing this slogan. This
was not an empty cry but had a sound basis in the shape of
the “Two Nation Theory”. A heap of evidence was
given from the Quran and Sunnah. It was explained that the
basis of a nation could not be a country, color, race, or
language; but the criteria was religion. Consequently, the
Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, etc. living in
Hindustan were not one but many nations. If anyone chanced
to call the people living here as one nation they were dealt
with severely.
Columns were written against them, verses composed to condemn
them, speeches made against them. How can two nations be the
same when they had different cultures, social ethics, customs,
religions and ideologies? How can the singers of “Bande
Matram”, the worshippers of thousands of idols, the
devotees of cows have anything in common with the Muslims?
I agree that the Muslims are allowed to build mosques, open
madaris, pray and worship, keep beards, observe purdah, marry
or mourn according to their own religious customs. I agree
that the echoes of “Allah! Allah!” is reverberating
throughout India. The process of self-efficacy and moral values
is in full swing. The madaris are being showered with Allah’s
blessings, tabligh parties are out doing their work, and authors
are busy writing and composing.
Their pens are enchanting both Arabs and Ajams, even then….
living in Hindustan one cannot fulfill all the rights our
religion demands. For the implementation of these rights where
a Muslim leader should govern Muslim citizens so they can
follow Islamic teachings from all walks of life. It should
not be a place where Islam is limited to only the mosques,
madaris, and khnaqahs but be the acting force in business,
commerce, and governing bodies. Hakim-ul-Ummah had long ago
a sketch in his mind of “The House of Islam” that
Maulana Darya Aabadi thus explains:
“ I wish there were
1. A piece of land that should be governed in the Islamic
manner.
2. All laws should be made according to the rules of Shariah.
3. There should be a “Baytul Maal”, (Public Treasury)
.
4. There should be a definite structure for Zakat.
5. there should be Shariah Courts.
How can the desired results be achieved living with other
nations? There should be an All-Muslim nation for this aim,
and that (nation) should make an effort towards all this.”Although
Hazrat Thanvi rahimuhullah alaih was not altogether satisfied
with the leadership of the Muslim League, even then he placed
the heavy weight of his approval in their scales. He allowed
his followers and students to work for the Pakistan movement.
Among them was the great researcher and son of Daar-ulUloom
Deoband, Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Uthmani. His participation,
addresses, and speeches, changed the whole mindset of the
public. The opposition tried to convince the Muslims that
Pakistan would not be the same as the picture being shown
to them.
The people who could not bring their six-foot frames to follow
Islam, how could they establish it on an area of thousands
of miles? But Hazrat Uthmani rahamahullah ‘alaih was
able to convince the people of the situation getting better.
He persuaded them to establish the Muslim League. When Pakistan
came into being, the “Objectives Resolution” was
passed by his efforts. This stated that that the constitution
of Pakistan would be Islam.Today, when Pakistan has seen 57
summers of existence, we are being told that the Two Nation
Theory was a fraud with not a leg to stand on. We are being
told to limit Islamic teaching to an individual level in the
confines of the home. There is no need to teach or preach
to others. Think of the Objectives Resolution as a bygone
memory for following them promotes racism.
This is a new era with new demands. Now religion will have
to be dealt with accordingly and true importance given to
this new world. Religion has taken the back seat.When we glance
at one hand on the reasons behind the Pakistan Movement and
on the other hand to the speeches of our political leaders
it involuntarily comes to our lips:Ye daag daag ujala, ye
shab guzida sahar Wo intizar tha jis ka ye wo sehr to nahinSurely,
this is not the dawn envisioned for us, a dawn that reminds
one of dusk. Is this the light promised us? This light that
still struggles with the blackness of night.
Even in combined India were we allowed to practice our religion
inside the four walls of our home. Our ancestors came to Pakistan
with hopes other than this. O the self declared sympathizers
of Pakistan! For God’s sake do not give out statements
which make the reasons behind the establishment of Pakistan
a sham in the eyes of the new generation, and they perceive
no other differences except that of geographical limitations.
If the difference in thought or ideology, internal or external
is rubbed out from the minds of this generation then “Akhand
Bharat” will become a dream very close to realization.
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