Sri Ram Chandra of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan
By
Saquib Salim, New Age Islam
6 October 2022
Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, often considered the father of Urdu journalism, was a well- known freedom fighter. As editor of the Urdu daily, Zamindar, he wrote extensively in support of the freedom struggle and also served a five-year jail term. A supporter of Congress in initial years, he later joined the Muslim League. Today, it seems impossible that a poet whose politics was rooted in Muslim identity would write in praise of Hinduism and Hindu gods. Zafar wrote extensively praising Lord Rama and, to him, it was not contradictory to Islam.
Maulana Zafar Ali Khan
-----
Zafar’s Sri
Ram Chandra se Khitab (Address to Shri Ram Chandra), is one of the best
eulogies written for Lord Ram in Urdu. In his view, Lord Rama is the symbol of
a living Indian civilization. Addressing Lord Rama he wrote:
Na To
Naaquus Se Hai Aur Na Asnaam Se Hai
Hind Ki
Garmi-E-Hungama Tere Naam Se Hai
(Neither
because of conch nor by its idols
The
excitement and love thriving in India is by your name)
He believed
that the principles, ideals and philosophies taught by Lord Rama had been
forgotten by Indians because of colonial propaganda. Indians blamed this decay
in morals to the changing times, which they should not. Zafar wrote,
Teri
Taalim Hui Nazr-E-Khurafaat-E-Firang
Barhaman
Ko Ye Gila Gardish-E-Ayyam Se Hai
(Your
teachings have been destroyed by the evil plans of the English
Brahmin is
still blaming it over the changing times)
Zafar wrote
that the Hindu civilization had survived the onslaught of colonialism only
because people did not forget Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshman. He
emphatically pointed out the following:
Naqsh-e-Tehziib-Hunud
Ab Bhi Numaya Hai Agar
To Wo
Sita Se Hai, Lachhman Se Hai Aur Ram Se Hai
(If the
imprints of the Hindu civilization are still evident
These are
because of Sita, Lakshman and Rama)
The above
poem, of which three couplets have been shared, is not the only instance where
Zafar had paid tribute to Lord Rama.
In another
piece written in 1917, as he appealed to Muslims and Hindus to commemorate Muharram
and celebrate Dussehra harmoniously, Zafar threw light on teachings of Lord
Rama through Dussehra.
He wrote:
Fasana
Ram Chandra Ji Ka Sab Ko Yaad Hai Azbar
Unhone
Kis Tarah Buniyaad-E-Haq-O-Sidq Mohkam Ki
(We all
remember the story of Lord Rama/ How, he laid the strong foundations of
righteousness and truth)
Shadaayad
Aur Masaayab Me.N Rahe Wo Mubtala Barso.N
Kisi
Takliif Ki Is Raah Me.N Parwaah Bahut Kam Kii
(He faced
hardships and difficulties for years. But, never cared of all these problems on
the path of righteousness)
In another
poem, Tehziib-e-Hunuud, (Hindu Civilization), Zafar took up the role of
a preacher.
He asked,
Wo
Tehziib Aey Hinduo.N Ho Gayi Kya
Baja
Jiska Dankaa Tha Duniya Ke Andar
(O, Hindus,
what happened to that civilization /Which was famous for its greatness in the
world)
In the
poem, he pointed out a number of problems among the present-day Hindus. Zafar
lamented that the bravery of Arjun was dead, the grandness and luster of Kashi
had gone, those riches had turned into rags and people mocked their own Hindu
gods. After listing all the ills, he provided the solution in a single couplet.
And the solution was turning back to the teachings of Lord Rama. He wrote:
Haqiiqat
Shanaasi Ki Gar Justjuu Hai
Sabaq
Tumko Denge Sri Ram Chandra
(If you
want to learn reality of the world and true knowledge. The lesson will be
taught by Lord Rama)
In another
poem he termed the Indians collaborating with the British as the followers of
Ravana. Zafar wrote,
Koi Leta
Hai Muh Se Ram Ka Naam
Magar Kehta
Hai Ravan Hi Khuda Hai
(He who
utters the name of Lord Rama
Through
actions, consider Ravana as his god)
Zafar's had
read Valmiki Ramayana and translated it. One act of Ramayana translated into
poetry, was published in one of his books.
Maulana
Zafar Ali Khan published all these writings in one of the leading Urdu
newspapers and it never clashed with his image of a Muslim thinker. In his
belief, and rightly so, India is an ancient civilization that has produced
scholars, thinkers and rulers who should be respected. The great men of the
soil should be freed from narrow politics, their teachings should be adopted in
the present context and respect for all religions should prevail. Only then can
India return to its glorious past, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan had talked about.
Like
Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, several Muslim writers paid tribute to Hindu Gods and
Goddesses. Interestingly, most of them were known for their orthodox Islam and
not for their western outlook towards religion.
One such
poet was Mohammad Iqbal, more popularly known as Allama Iqbal. He also wrote Sare
Jahan Se Aacha Hindustan Hamara.., a number the humming of which fills our
hearts with pride even today. Today, Iqbal is seen more as a Muslim ideologue
and in Pakistan, he is considered one of the founders of the idea of the
nation.
He too has
written a n eulogy of Ram. Readers, who are far removed from the realities of
those days, may find it hard to believe that he wrote that poem. The couplet
below is from that poem:
Hai Ram
Ke Wajood Pe Hindustaan Ko Naaz
Ahl-E-Nazar
Samajhte Hain Us Ko Imam-E-Hind
(India is
proud of the existence of Ram, Spiritual people consider him prelate of India)
-----
Saquib
Salim is a Historian and a Writer
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/ram-maulana-zafar-/d/128116