First Stage of Revival - Lessons From History

First Stage of Revival

Strictly speaking, Islam and Muslims are two completely distinct entities, and, as such, the independence of Muslim territories from direct Western occupation should have nothing to do with the revival of Islam. However, if we are to consider this issue from a realistic perspective instead of a purely theoretical and idealistic one, the whole situation appears quite different on the ground. For all practical purposes, the future of Islam is inexorably linked with Muslim nations as they exist today, and both of them — though theoretically unrelated — are in reality dependent upon each other.

Thus, the achievement of independence and self- determination by different Muslim nations actually constitutes the  first  stage  in  the  revival  of  Islam.  Although  Western domination is still very much present in the form of our intellectual, cultural, and financial enslavement, the whole Muslim land — except Palestine and Kashmir — has, by the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), succeeded in gaining freedom from direct foreign rule. Since the efforts for Islamic revival are likely to face comparatively less opposition and resistance in a country governed by Muslims as compared to the one ruled by a colonial power, it can be rightly claimed that the various movements  for  independence  actually  represented  an  initial stage in the process of Islamic Renaissance.

However, if it is objected that these struggles for liberation were led by people who were not, in most cases, practicing Muslims, then a saying of the Holy Prophet (SAW) can  explain  this  phenomenon.  According  to  this  prophetic saying, which  is  reported  by Imam Bukhari,  Almighty Allah (SWT)  sometimes  chooses  irreligious  and  grossly  impious people for the service of Islam. Indeed, His plans are highly precise, yet mysterious and subtle.

We know that various regional and ethnic sentiments were invoked in order to mobilize the masses in the course of these movements for independence. Again, strictly speaking, these  slogans had absolutely nothing in common with Islam. However, the degree of emotional attachment and intellectual devotion of the Muslims with Islam was certainly not strong enough for it to become the basis for a dynamic and effective movement. Under these circumstances, therefore, the use of nationalistic slogans in such movements can be justified to a large extent. In principle, it can be said that such methods are permissible only when they are used on a temporary basis — as a matter of pure expediency — and not adopted as a permanent policy. In countries where such sentiments were aroused to get rid of foreign rule, it is imperative that after the achievement of political autonomy the true Islamic spirit of Muslim unity and brotherhood be cultivated.

In this respect, the Pakistan Movement stands out as a unique  and  exceptional  phenomenon.  If  the  Muslims  of  the Indian subcontinent were to struggle against the British Raj by forming an alliance with non-Muslims on the basis of Indian Nationalism, then there was certainly enough justification to do so (and this is exactly the principle that was adopted by Jami‘yat Ulama-e-Hind). However, what actually happened was that the overwhelming majority of Muslims based their political struggle — under the leadership of Muslim League — upon the concept of Muslim Nationhood and the Two-Nation Theory, the basis of which was neither racial or linguistic unity, nor a common homeland,  but  was  founded  upon  the  religious  beliefs  and heritage of the Muslims. This means that today there is nothing to   justify   the   partition   of   British   India   and   nothing   to legitimatize our separate existence except Islam itself. It also means that Pakistan is already a step ahead of all other Muslim states by virtue of her very genesis and raison d’ être in Muslim nationhood.

One of the most important factors which caused the Indian Muslims to define and organize themselves in terms of their religion was the prejudice and intolerance of the Hindu majority. Also, the fact that the Hindus had a burning desire to settle  their  old  score  with  Muslims,  and  to  “avenge  their thousand years long humiliation,” was an open secret. The ambition on the part of the Hindus to annihilate the Muslims caused the latter to wake up pretty quickly, and, in this way, the Hindus  themselves  paved  the  way  for  Islamic  Renaissance, albeit unwittingly. Moreover, it must be kept in mind that the Indian Muslims already had an unmatched devotion and passion for  Islam  and  the  Muslim  Ummah,  as  epitomized  by  their massive and emotional reaction at the abolition of Caliphate. 

Last,  but  not  the  least,  was  the  personality  of  Allama  Iqbal (1877-1938),  whose  poignant  and  moving  poetry  played  a central  and  decisive  role  in  awakening  and  invigorating  the Indian Muslims from their appalling lassitude and apathy.

Source:Lesson from History (Book) by Dr. Israr Ahmad