Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on the Causes of The Decline of Muslim Societies Around the World
By
Dr. M.I.H. Farooqi, New Age Islam
22 February
2024
“Islam With All Its Values And Qualities Became
A Victim Of False Propaganda By The West. It Was Said That Islam Lives On The
Booty Of Loot And Arson. Sir Syed Was Probably The First Sincere Muslim Who
Confronted The Muslim Haters And Rejected All Insinuations.”
-------
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (File Photo)
--------
Maulana
Abul Kalam Azad was among the top builders of modern India. He was also one of
the most prominent Muslim personalities of twentieth century. An Islamic
thinker of international repute, he possessed good qualities of the past but
with modern outlook and believed in oneness of all human beings. He advocated
for learning through liberal, modern and universal education combining the
rationalism of western sciences.
Thoughtful
and reflective, Maulana had studied in great depth the causes of the decline of
Muslim Societies around the world. The main cause for the Fall of Ummah,
according to Maulana Azad, was the involvement of Muslims in unproductive
activities and ignoring the facts of the fast-changing world. Through his
speeches and writings, Maulana repeatedly reminded Muslims that their own
irrational and unislamic attitude was responsible for their decline in
practically in every walk of life. He, therefore, addressed Muslims in these
words: “You have spent several nights of indifference (Urdu-Ghaflat) and
complacency (Urdu-Sarshari). For God’s sake, get up now and see how much
the sun has risen and how far your co-travellers (non-Muslims) have gone ahead
of you.” (Ghubar-e- Khatir- by Maulana Azad).
Maulana
felt that after 16th Century, the situation of knowledge in Muslim and European
societies interchanged completely. Now Europe started to follow Muslims way of
progressive thinking and enquiry whereas Muslims copied Europe way of life of
Middle Ages (Dark Age) that was full of superstition, bigotry and retrograde
thoughts. He says “Now (after 16th Century,) the contrast in qualities as
during Crusades, became apparent. The place of Muslims (Progress) was taken
over by Europe and that of Europe (Dark Ages) by Muslims.” (Ghubar-e-Khatir-
by Maulana Azad).
According
to Maulana Azad, the success story of Muslims during Middle Ages was entirely
due to their dependence on “Ilm-o-Danish (Knowledge and Wisdom). Europe,
at that time, depended on invocation and benediction for all the problems of
life, even for wining Wars. Muslim used to fight with Arms of Iron and Fire.
Europe depended only on the Helpof God.
Muslims depended on God as well as materialistic sources provided by
Nature. One was the follower of only spiritualistic powers; the other was
dependent on both spiritualism and materialism. One waited for Miracles to
appear and the other waited for success of their sincere efforts. Miracles
never appeared but the efforts provided success to Muslims” (During Crusades).
(Ghubar-e-Khatir- by Maulana Azad).
Maulana
always believed that Duaein (Invocation) by Bey Ilm (Ignorant) and Bey
‘amal (Men with no initiative) results in escapism. To prove his point, he
described the incident of Bukhara. He wrote, “During the early nineteenth
century, Russian forces surrounded the city of Bukhara. Instead of confronting
the enemy, Ruler of Bokhara issued instructions that in all the Mosques and
Dargahs, Invocation Prayers (Khatm Khwajgan) be organized. On one side
the guns were playing havoc and on the other loud calls of Invocatory Prayers
were resounding. Guns versus Prayers. The obvious happened. Bukhara fell to
Russian forces. Invocation does help but for those who have the courage to
fight. For people without courage, Prayers become the source of escape from
reality” (Ghubar-e-Khatir, by
Maulana
Azad).
In a
similar incident, the Ruler of Egypt, Murad, instead of defending against the
forces of Napoleon during 1798 issued instructions to recite Collections of
Prophetic Traditions in all the Mosques in order to quell the enemy. Again, the
obvious happened and before the recitation could be completed, the whole of
Egypt was conquered by Napoleon Forces. This attitude of Egypt’s Ruler was
against the tenets and traditions of Islam, a religion of Rationale and Reason
In his
various speeches (Khutbat Azad –Addresses by Azad, Edited by Malik Ram,
Sahitya Academy, Delhi, Fifth Edition, 1997), Maulana Azad has dealt in quite
details about the Rise and Fall of Islamic Societies. In this connection, he
has referred to an article written by an eminent traveller and historian Prof
Armin Wembrey, published in Budapest Herald (1901). Prof. Wembrey, a national
of Hungary, was a great friend of Turks. He lived with them for more than two
decades and visited most of the Islamic world. After living all these years with
Muslims, he was disillusioned with their behaviours and attitudes towards
worldly affairs. He, therefore, left their company and went back to his native
land where he adversely commented on Muslims.
According
to Maulana, Wembrey wrote “There is no point in supporting Muslims any more.
They do not have any interest in worldly affairs and do not wish to contribute
in development. They have no vision, no commitments and sense of
responsibility. All that they know and do is Ibadat Guzari
(prayers). They are not capable for working for the cause of humanity. The best
thing for the West remains to annex their entire territories and share them
amongst themselves.” Maulana Azad, pained by these comments, observed that “if
such are the views of friends of Muslims, imagine what the enemies would be
thinking of them”. For instance, he quoted another European Scholar, Maxin
Hardin, who wrote (London Times - 1910) that “How long Muslims would be let
free. Islam is a Danger. Whatever area is captured of Muslim Land, it is the
rightful property of Europe. Its return is madness.” (Khutbat Azad)
In spite of
anti-Islamic stance of Europe, Maulana Azad was indeed great protagonist for
international peace and unity but he knew that without acquiring might and
fighting spirit, it was not possible to get respect and honour. He, therefore,
vehemently advocated that “the hand is sacred which is holding a white flag,
signifying Peace, but only those can only survive who firmly hold in their hand
a deadly sword because that is the only way for asking Justice and defending
themselves from the perpetrators of tyranny.” (Khutbat Azad)
Maulana
Azad had the genuine feeling that spreading false propaganda against Muslim had
started by the West as early as 16th century. In this connection he observed
“Islam with all its values and qualities became a victim of false propaganda by
the West. It was said that Islam lives on the booty of loot and arson. Sir Syed
was probably the first sincere Muslim who confronted the Muslim haters and
rejected all insinuations.” (Khutbat Azad)
Maulana
Azad was against separating religion from worldly knowledge. He advised Muslims
to acquire modern knowledge and, in this connection, he appealed to them to
contribute large sums for the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University which
till then was a College only. He observed “the day Muslim University will be
established; it will be completion of the exhortation and message of our Prophet.”
Maulana was an important Islamic Scholar and had great respect for the Madaris
(Muslim Seminaries). However, with the changing of times, he felt that the Madaris
needed to make suitable changes in their approach of imparting knowledge. He,
therefore, advised “If education is meant for human beings and purpose is its
applicability in daily life, then teach them in such a manner that they are not
frightened. But if the education is meant for angels, then you do what you
like. ...........The world has changed and in view of this fact we should have
made changes in our education system hundred years back but if it was not done
at that time, then at least do it now. ..........What we are teaching today in
our Madaris in the name of Ma’qulat (Logic and Philosophy) is simply
outdated and has no place in today’s world. ..........We should accept the
ground realities and understand that in place of outdated philosophical
subjects, we need to teach students the problems facing the Ummah. If you do
not do it, that means you do not understand the basics of life and wish to
fight with the unstoppable
changing
times. .......... History teaches us that in the clash between Qadamatprasti
(Conservatism) and Taraqqiyat (Modernism), the loser has always been
Qadamatprasti. .......... True, that Abul Fazal and Faizi were the
products of Madaris and that they had done well with their
administrative capabilities. But that was a long time back. That education
cannot work now. Times have changed. Now you are isolated because you
remain at
the same place (Madaris) where you entered five hundred years back.
During all these years, world has seen vast development and changes. The
subjects you are teaching today have no relevance to the need of present times.
The result is obvious. There is big wall between you and the World. You lag
behind in all walks of life. You are supposed to be Nikamme (worthless).
We must accept that we have committed grave mistakes by not reconciling with
the changing times.” (Khutbat Azad)
Inspite of
the Fall of Islamic Societies, Maulana Azad never compromised with spirit of
Islam that stressed for unity and brotherhood. Throughout his life he stood for
the unity of India and its composite culture as well as cordiality between
Hindus and Muslims. Once he said “If our Prophet could advocate unity between
Quraish and all the communities in and around Madina (as one nation), don’t you
think that it is not the religious duty to unite with the Hindus of Hindustan. “He
repeatedly expressed his views that “As a True Muslim, I have inherited Islam’s
glorious traditions of the last fourteen hundred years. I am not prepared to
lose even a small part of that legacy. I have another equally deep realization,
not hindered by the Islamic spirit, that I am an Indian, and proud being an
Indian. If the whole world is my country and is to be honoured, the dust of
India has the first place. If all mankind are my brothers, then the Indians
have the first place.” At another occasion, he said “Today, if some Angel comes
from a cloud and declare from Qutub Minar that – Swaraj can be granted within twenty-four
hours provided demand (wish) of Hindu- Muslim Unity is withdrawn -, I will not
accept the offer. If Swaraj is delayed, it is the loss of India but if efforts
for Hindu Muslim Unity are given up, it is the loss of humanity.” (Khutbat
Azad).
------
Dr. M.I.H. Farooqi (Dr. Mohammed Iqtedar Husain
Farooqi) Is An Eminent Scientist Who Has Done Commendable Researches On Plant
Products Of Commercial And Medicinal Value. He Retired As A Deputy Director
(Scientist F ), National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, A Premier
Institute Of India Dealing In Plant Sciences.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/maulana-kalam-azad-decline-muslim-societies/d/131772
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism