Pakistan Affairs & Islamiyat (in the light of Islam)

Lecture# 3

1.Aligarh Movement2. Deoband Movement3. Nadwatul Ulema

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 war-

Education 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 values-

literature, 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. Introduction1. Brain Child of Haji Muhammad Abid and toil of Maulana Mohammad

Qasim2. Deoband Movement was launched to counter Alighar Movement

which reconciled with British rulers and Western Civilization3. 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-e-Azam 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 sub-continent 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 You Have a Nice Day Ahead !