THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST

Vol. XXI No. 1 January 2019

Post Box No. 93, Nadwatul Ulama Tagore Marg, Lucknow – 226 007

Ph. No. : 0522-2740406 E-mail: [email protected] Fax : (0522) 2741221 E-mail: [email protected] Rs. 25/- THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 The Fragrance of East

Malice a Serious Evil Founder:

Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RAH) S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi The thing that the Prophet of Allah, blessings and peace be on him, Patron: has denounced most after Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah) is malice. S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi It is related in a Tradition that in the Night of Deliverance in which Allah generously forgives the sinful, three Advisory Board : kinds of people are not granted forgiveness: persons disobedient to S. M. Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi their parents, habitual drunkards, and Shah Ebadur Rahman those who nourish ill-will and malice for other Muslims. The Prophet, blessings Mohd. Hamza Hasani Nadwi and peace be on him, has specially instructed Muslims to remain mindful Shamsul Haque Nadwi of the rights of relationship on one another. It comes in another Hadith that Editor: the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, said that Allah had ordered him to do nine things, one of which was Shariq Alavi “that I establish relationship with him who severs relationship with me, Asstt. Editor: forgive him who offends me, and give him who withholds from me.” It is not Obaidur Rahman Nadwi really a matter of credit that one should treat those courteously with whom he has good relationship. Islam urges upon its adherents that they treat even those with courtesy and goodwill who hurt them. n

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CONTENTS

1- The Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah - S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi 7

2- Deeni Ta’limi Council - S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi 11

3- Too Weak to Cry: The Children - Jackie Fox 17

of Yemen

4- Lesson in Bigotry - Faizan Mustafa 18

5- The Philosophy of Acquiring - S. Habibul Haq Nadwi 21

Communicative Competence

in Foriegn Languages

6- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: - Obaidur Rahman Nadwi 29

India’s First Education Minister

7- Religious Pluralism - S. Hamid Mohsin 33

8- Defender of Islamic Identity - Syed Shahabuddin 34

9- AIMPLB Meets at Lucknow - Mohd. Yosuf Alam 38

10- Appeal - 39

[ 3 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Wisdom of Qur’an Pearls From the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) And be not like those who forgot Allah, and He caused them to forget their own It is related by Anas that [one of the favourite] selves. prayers of the Apostle of God was : “O God ! (al-Hashr 59:19) Keep me alive in the state of indigence, and Man is by nature self-centred. His own raise from the world in the state of indigence, interests preoccupy him. His love for others and let me be in the company of those that are is prompted by selfish ends. Therefore, he indigent.” loves those who love him. He is not drawn —Tirmidhi and Baihaqi to those who hate him, even though he may Commentary: We have just seen that when be a paragon of virtue. Self-love activates the Lord asked the Prophet if the valley of man to undertake numerous pursuits. All his Mecca be filled with gold for him, the Prophet actions are centred on this. Man may forget replied, “No, my Lord ! What I like is that I may eat my fill on one day and go without a meal on everything but his self-interests are always the other.” close to heart. He may disregard even his The Prophet had purposely chosen a life of wife, children, family members and relatives poverty for himself which was also the at the expense of ensuring his own welfare. inclination of his enlightened inner self. It is This is often observed in an hour of crisis. It indisputable that no other pattern of living could is an everyday occurrence, for it is rooted be more suited to the lofty position he occupied deep in human nature. One who contends and the noble task he had to perform. Should against this observation is most likely to be the Lord grant contentment and submission refuted by everyone. For it is quite an event, to anyone, it is, generally, preferable for him, to find someone practising self-abnegation from the viewpoint of Faith and Futurity, to lead while working for the welfare of others. The an existence of want and indigence instead of one who disregards his own interests for the plenty and prosperity. sake of others inevitably becomes the centre It is related by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet of attention. At times, he may risk his own [often] used to pray : “O God ! Bestow upon the life to rescue others. Let us therefore dependants of Mohammad only as much of discuss this phenomenon at some length. provision as is necessary to sustain life.” The Qur’än proclaims that those forgetful of — Bukhari and Muslim Allah are liable to forget their own selves. Commentary: In the literal sense, the word Aal Once man banishes God from his life, his [used in the above Tradition] means orientation is disturbed. He is wholly given ‘household’ which includes servants and over to worldliness. He is seen hankering dependants, but in the present Tradition it, apparently, denotes only the dependants. after material objects, oblivious to higher Hence, we have, here, translated it as such. truths. Material things become an end in Both Quwat and Kafaf, occurring in the original themselves. Lost in this maze, he forgets Arabic text, signify that the provision should be his own self. This obviously results in a crisis, only as much as was necessary to keep the bringing an end to such a person’s feelings business of living going. It should neither be and emotions. No longer does regret the loss so meagre as to make it difficult for the incurred by him. Rather the malaise is on bondsman to attend to his duties due to hunger account of a shift in focus, as man replaces or mental distress or compel him to extend a God with his own self. The more he turns begging hand before others nor so abundant away from God, the greater is the risk of that he may hoard and preserve it for future self-destruction.n need. n

[ 4 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Editor’s Note @ Ignorance

Recently two very alarming incidences have got currency in the Media. Buqal Nawab an MLC of BJP party visited Hanuman Mandir, paid obedience to the idols offered Pooja. He declared that Hanumanji was a Muslim because pronounciation of his name synchronise with Rahman, Usman and other Muslim names. Another case from Rajasthan has come in the news that Sualeh Mohammed, a minister of the Congress government called at a Mandir and bowed before the idols and performed Puja. He also said that he has been visiting the Mandir regularly and seeking the blessings of the idols kept therein.

Persons with Muslim names and getting recognition in government and public as the representative of Muslim community and publicly performing Puja and bowing before the idol is not comprehensible. Either such leaders renounce Islam publicly and severe their relations with Community or observe true Islamic diktats.

Prophet Muhammad (PBH) was sent by the God to make us believe that there is no God except Him. The first act of the prophet

[ 5 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 was to destroy all the idols kept in the ‘kaba’, a place of worship. Throughout his prophet-hood he preached the Unity of God. He proclaimed that the first lesson of entering Islam is firm belief in ‘Tauhid’ (unity of God). He laid down five pillars of Islam 1. Tauhid; 2. Salat (prayer); 3 Zakat (helping the poor); 4. Fasting; 5. Hajj (visit to Kaba if finances allow). Any breach of these conditions earn the displeasure of God.

The main foundation of Islam lies in ‘Tauhid’. So if anyone goes before an idol or accept the faith of any other religion he is out of Islam. Morally he should not claim himself Muslim or take benefits of having Islamic name.

Our is a secular state and we are free to observe the obligations of our faith. Perhaps ignorance and lust of power make one go astray. Now it is the time that we may spread ‘Dawa’ (invitation) to people to strictly adhere to Islamic faith. n

S.A.

We solicit articles for publication in The Fragrance of East. Suitable remuneration will be paid to writers. We prefer receipt of articles on: e-mail: [email protected] along with a hard copy, duly signed, by post.

[ 6 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 The Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah - S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi The Messenger of Allah’s dream to complain to him of thirst. He took an arrow from his quiver and told them to put The Messenger of Allah dreamt that it in the waterhole. Immediately it began he entered Makkah and did tawaf around to gush with water and continued to flow the Ka’bah. His Companions in Madinah until they had all quenched their thirst. were delighted when he told them about it. They all revered Makkah and the Ka’bah The Quraysh were extremely alarmed and they yearned to do tawaf there. when they heard that the Muslims were at al-Hudaybiyyah. The Messenger of Allah The Muhajirun had even greater decided to send one of his Companions affection for Makkah. They had been born to them and summoned ‘Uthman ibn there and had grown up in the city. They ‘Affan. He was sent to inform the Quraysh loved it deeply but had been driven away that they had not come to fight but had from it. When the Messenger of Allah told come for ‘umrah, and that he should call them of his dream, they started to prepare them to Islam. The Messenger of Allah for the journey to Makkah. Hardly anyone instructed him to visit the believing men wanted to stay behind. and women of Makkah, to give them the Makkah visited at last good news of victory and tell them that The Messenger of Allah left Madinah Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, would make for al- Hudaybiyyah in Dhu’l-Qa’dah, 6 A.H. His religion victorious in Makkah and it He intended to perform ‘umrah in peace. would no longer be necessary for them to He was accompanied by fifteen hundred conceal their belief. Muslims dressed as pilgrims for ‘umrah ‘Uthman went to Makkah and in order to show people that they had come conveyed the message to Abu Sufyan and to visit the Ka’bah out of respect for it. They the Quraysh noblemen. took with them animals for the sacrifice. When ‘Uthman had finished The Messenger of Allah sent out a delivering the message, they said, ‘If you scout in advance to inform him about the yourself wish to do tawaf of the House, go reaction of the Quraysh. When he was ahead.’ near ‘Usfan the scout returned and ‘I will not do it,’ he said, ‘until the reported, ‘I left Ka’b ibn Lu’ayy gathering Messenger of Allah has done tawaf.’ an army against you to prevent you from reaching the Ka’bah.’ Bay’at-ar-Ridwan The Messenger of Allah continued to ‘Uthman was in Makkah longer than travel until he reached the furthest part of the Muslims had expected and the rumor al-Hudaybiyyah. He pitched camp although spread that he had been killed. Then the there was little water. The people started Messenger of Allah called for a pledge of

[ 7 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 allegiance. He sat beneath a tree and the He called for ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and told Muslims promised that they would fight him, ‘Write: In the name of Allah, the with him to the last man. The Messenger Merciful, the Compassionate.’ of Allah took his own hand and said, ‘This ‘By Allah,’ Suhayl said, ‘we do not know is for ‘Uthman.’ Later they heard that who this “Merciful” is. Rather write, “In Your ‘Uthman had not been murdered and he name, O Allah” as you used to write.’ came back safely. The Muslims said, ‘By Allah, we will The Pledge took place under an only write, “In the name of Allah, the acacia tree in al-Hudaybiyyah and is Merciful, the Compassionate.” , The referred to in the Qur’an. Allah revealed, Prophet said, ‘Write, “In Your name, O ‘Allah was pleased with the believers when Allah.” ‘ they were pledging their allegiance under the tree.’ (48: 18) Then he said, ‘Write, “This is what Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah has The deadlock between the Quraysh agreed.” and the Muslims continued until four envoys came to the Messenger of Allah ‘By Allah,’ retorted Suhayl, ‘if we who said to each one, ‘We did not come accepted that you were the Messenger of to fight anyone. Rather we came to Allah, we wouId not have prevented you perform ‘umrah.’ from reaching the House of Allah nor fought you. Rather write, “Muhammad ibn But the Quraysh remained stubborn ‘Abdullah.” and refused to allow them to proceed. The Prophet said, ‘I am the One of the envoys, ‘Urwah ibn Mas’ud Messenger of Allah even though you do ath-Thaqafi, went back to his people and not believe me. Write, “Muhammad ibn said, ‘O people! By Allah, I have been in ‘Abdullah.” the presence of kings - from Chosroes, and Caesar to the Negus - and by Allah, I He asked ‘Ali to erase what he had have never seen any king whose people written but ‘Ali said, ‘By Allah no, I will not respected him as much as the erase it.’ companions of Muhammad respect The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Show Muhammad.’ He described to them what me the place,’ and he erased it himself. he had seen. Then he said, ‘This is what the Messenger Treaty and truce; wisdom and of Allah agrees provided that you give us forbearance leave to perform tawaf of the Ka’bah.’ The Quraysh then sent Suhayl ibn Suhayl said, ‘By Allah, we will not ‘Amr. When the Messenger of Allah saw allow the Arabs to say that we submitted him coming, he remarked, ‘It is clear that to pressure. It will have to be next year.’ It they want peace since they have sent this was also written: ‘On the condition that if man.’ He told his Companions to prepare any of our men, even if he has your religion, a draft agreement. comes to you, you will return him to us.’

[ 8 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 The Muslims said, ‘Glory be to Allah! guardian would be returned to them, but How can we return someone to the idol whoever came to the Quraysh from those worshippers after he has become a with Muhammad need not be returned to Muslim?’ him. Whoever wanted to enter into an alliance and agreement with Muhammad While they were thus engaged, Abu could do so and whoever wanted to enter Jandal ibn Suhayl came on the scene into an alliance and agreement with the fettered by chains. He had escaped from Quraysh would also be free to do so. Makkah, and threw himself down among the Muslims. The Muslims’ distress Suhayl looked at his son and When the Muslims saw the terms of commented, ‘Muhammad, here is the first the truce and what it meant to the man that you have to return under this Messenger of Allah, they were very treaty.’ distressed. The effect on them was so great that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab asked Abu ‘We have not finished the document Bakr angrily, ‘Did not the Messenger of yet,’ countered the prophet. Allah say to us that we were going to go to ‘Then, by Allah, I will never agree to the Ka’bah and perform tawaf?’ anything. ‘Yes. But did he tell you that it was ‘Let me keep him,’ said the Messenger going to be this very year?’ of Allah. ‘No.’ ‘I will not allow you to keep him.’ Abu Bakr assured him, ‘You will go ‘Let him go for my sake.’ there and you will do tawaf.’ ‘I will not.’ When the Messenger of Allah had ‘O Muslims!’ said Abu Jandal, ‘Am I finished drawing up the treaty, he sacrificed to be returned to the idol worshippers a camel and then shaved his head. This when I have come to you as a Muslim? was a difficult time for the Muslims Do you not see what I have suffered?’ He because all their hopes had been dashed. had been severely tortured for his beliefs. They had left Madinah with the firm However, the Prophet returned him as his intention of entering Makkah and doing father had demanded. ‘umrah. Now they felt beaten and crushed. However, when they saw that the The two parties agreed to abandon Messenger of Allah had made the sacrifice war for ten years. During that period and shaved his head, they rushed to follow everyone would live in peace. Both sides his example. would be safe and would refrain from fighting one another. Whoever came to A humiliating peace or a clear victory? Muhammad (may Allah bless him and Then the Messenger of Allah broke grant him peace) from the Quraysh camp and returned to Madinah. On his without obtaining the permission of his journey back, Allah confirmed that the truce

[ 9 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 of Hudaybiyyah was not a set-back but a of them had become Muslims, and the victory: Quraysh leaders were worried about their influence. Surely We have given you a clear victory, that Allah may forgive you your former They sent to the Prophet, begging him and later sins and complete His blessing by Allah and by kinship, not to return the on you and guide you on a straight path men to Makkah but to keep them in and that Allah may help you with a mighty Madinah. From then on whoever of them help. (48: 1-3) came to him from Makkah was safe. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with These moves indicated that the him) said, ‘Is this a victory then, Treaty of al- Hudaybiyyah in which the Messenger of Allah?’ Messenger of Allah had accepted all the Quraysh conditions had been beneficial He replied, ‘Yes.’ after all. The treaty had been a decisive Outcome of the treaty step in gaining further victories for Islam Not long after the Messenger of Allah and in spreading the faith throughout the had returned to Madinah, a man named Arabian peninsula with great speed. It led Abu Basir ‘Utbah ibn Usayd came from to the conquest of Makkah and the Makkah to join the Muslims. The Quraysh opportunity to invite the kings of the world sent emissaries to fetch him back. They - Caesar, Chosroes, Muqawqis and the said, ‘Under the terms of the treaty which Arabian princes - to accept Islam. Allah you made with us you must hand him over.’ the Great revealed: So the Messenger of Allah allowed them Yet it may happen that you will hate a thing to take Abu Basir with them. But on the which is better for you; and it may happen way back to Makkah, he escaped from that you will love a thing which is worse them and fled to the coast. Abu Jandal ibn for you. Allah knows, and you know not. Suhayl also escaped and joined Abu Basir. (2: 216) Then everyone who had become a Muslim Khalid ibn al-Walid and ‘Amr ibn al-’ As and who had suffered persecution from accept Islam the Quraysh joined Abu Basir until they comprised a group numbering seventy. Khalid ibn al-Walid, general of the They set themselves up on a trade route. Quraysh cavalry and the hero of great Whenever they heard that a caravan of battles, was among those who accepted the Quraysh had left for Syria, they waylaid Islam. The Messenger of Allah called him it, killed the merchants and took the goods the ‘Sword of Allah’. He fought bravely in they were carrying. the way of Allah and was the conqueror of Syria. ‘Amr ibn al-’As, another great The Hudaybiyyah treaty gave the idol commander and subsequently the worshippers and Muslims an opportunity conqueror of Egypt, also became a to mix. The idol worshippers soon came Muslim. Both of these strong leaders to appreciate the good qualities of the came to Madinah after the Treaty of al- Muslims. Before a year had passed, many Hudaybiyyah. n [ 10 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Deeni Ta’limi Council - S. M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi* India is a country where people of took initiatives at different levels to different faiths, colors, and backgrounds combat it. Qazi ‘Adeel ‘Abbasi of Basti, live. When India gained Independence Uttar Pradesh, India, a respected in 1947, every citizen of the country was freedom fighter and devoted Muslim given full and equal right to benefit from leader, was one of those who independence. The Constitution of India spearheaded such efforts. explicitly recognized that every citizen Qazi ‘Abbasi started an after- will have full freedom to follow the school program for the Muslim children religion and way of life of his choice and who were attending daytime government no one will be allowed to impose his run primary schools so that basic Islamic values and traditions on others. education could be provided to them, In It thus became incumbent upon addition, he also came up with the idea the government (regardless of its of establishing a network of full-time political affiliation) and its officials independent schools which would be (regardless of which religion or class fully funded by Muslims, He presented they belonged to) to run the country this idea to the Muslim community and properly, maintain peace and order, solicited support for it. Sheikh protect rights of every citizen Mahmoodul Hassan ‘Uthmani, a close irrespective of their religion and race, relative of Qazi ‘Abbasi, was among and insure that every citizen got its those who fervently supported this idea democratic rights which had been from the very beginning. Sheikh Syed granted by the constitution. But it is Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi and Sheikh unfortunate that all of those who came Muhammad Manzoor N’umani also to power, no matter which political party endorsed and supported his idea. or religion they came from, failed to fully In order to bring Qazi ‘Abbasi’s live up to these promises. dream into reality, a conference was Discrimination took place on the basis convened in Basti during 30-31 of religion and Muslims suffered most December 1959 and an organization in this respect. As a result, Muslims known as Deeni T’alimi Council was faced difficulties in preserving their founded. Sheikh Nadwi and Qazi Islamic identity and that of their younger ‘Abbasi were appointed the founding generation. Conscientious Muslims president and the general secretary, realized the severity of the problem and respectively. Sheikh Nadwi remained its * Rector, Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow. president until he passed away on 31 [ 11 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 December 1999. conscientious Muslim, was very Prominent among the patrons of concerned about the Islamic and Deeni T’alimi Council were attorney religious identity of the Muslims of India. Zafar Ahmad Siddiqui, Principal Thus when he saw political leaders Riazuddin Ahmad, and Dr. Ishteyaq discriminating against Muslims after Hussain Quraishi. The Council worked Independence, his feelings were deeply in a very organized manner, opened hurt. As a result, he dedicated himself schools in villages all over the State of entirely to the cause of preserving and Uttar Pradesh and provided basic protecting the rights of Muslims and religious education to hundreds of worked tirelessly for this cause. thousands of Muslim children. These Sheikh Nadwi also had become schools proved essential for the very apprehensive about this issue [of religious and cultural survival of Muslims. possible discrimination against In order to make educated and Muslims] since the very beginning of concerned Muslims aware of the need India’s Independence. To highlight this and importance of such schools, several issue, he delivered several speeches at conferences were held. More can be different places and wrote numerous learned about the purpose and mission letters to government officials. For this of council from the speeches of the very reason, he fully supported Deeni Council’s president and secretary. T’alimi Council from its very inception. As the time passed by, more His presidential addresses fully reflect people joined the Council’s efforts. After this concern. Qazi ‘Abbasi passed away, Dr. Ishteyaq Sheikh Nadwi was so distressed Hussain Quraishi became the general by the prevailing condition of Muslims secretary. Currently, Sheikh Sa’yidur in the country that he often recited with Rahman ‘Azami Nadwi (Vice- great pain the words which Prophet Chancellor of Nadwatul ‘Ulama) is the Yakoob (Jacob) had spoken to his president, Prof. Nafees Ahmad Siddiqui children at the time of his death. As of Aligarh is the vice-president, and Dr. mentioned in Quran, Prophet Yakoob, Mas’udul Hasan ‘Uthmani is the general while on his deathbed, asked his secretary. Over the years, the Council children: “Whom will you worship after has expanded its work significantly. me?” (AlBaqarah, 2:133). Reciting this Qazi ‘Adeel ‘Abbasi had actively verse, Sheikh Nadwi used to tell fought for the freedom of India and had Muslims: supported the secular form of political O Muslims. Protect iman (faith) and structure of the country. But he, as a tawheed (belief in the oneness of

[ 12 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Allah) of your new generation. See fact a part of Islam and helps in how much effort Prophet Yakoob fulfilling its demands. If a child is made to insure that his children born in a Brahmin family, he always (who, despite being believers, remains a Brahmin whether he were living as a minority in Egypt accepts it or not and he does not which was ruled by Pharaoh) need to do anything to remain so. remained steadfast on iman and Among Muslims also, there are tawheed after him. See how many families who take pride in concerned and restless Prophet their lineage and they are Yakoob was for this at the end of considered respectable in society his life. O Muslims! It is thus due to their pedigree. But the real incumbent upon each one of you pride lies in correct ‘aqidah (faith) to make necessary arrangement and submission to Allah which can before you die to insure that your be acquired only through children remain steadfast on iman knowledge. This is what Prophet and tawheed. Yakoob wanted to ascertain at the To help understand Sheikh time of his departure from this Nadwi’s vision of basic religious world. That is why he at the time of education, the following excerpt from his death gathered all of his the speech that he delivered in the children and grandchildren (who regional conference of Deeni T’alimi were large in number) and asked Council held in Allahabad on 17 them: “Whom will you worship after February 1985 is being presented here: me?” - Al-Baqarah, 2:133 Religious education and basic If I am consulted by someone who awareness of deen (Islam) are as wants to make a banner for the essentials to a Muslim as are air millat (Muslims) and the banner and water to a human being. In has space for only one sentence, I order for a Muslim to live like a will tell him to write on it “Whom will Muslim, to be counted as a Muslim, you worship after me?” I will also to face Allah and His Prophet in the tell him to write beneath it: Every hereafter and to seek ultimate Muslim should question his emancipation, he needs to have children before he dies, take basic knowledge of deen in the account of himself and ask himself same way as a human being needs whether or not this matter is to have air and water to survive. important to him; he should ask Muslim is not the name of a tribe, himself if he considers it necessary sect, nation, or culture; culture is in to prepare his children and future [ 13 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 generation to satisfactorily answer condemn their actions. Those letters the question “Whom will you were later published in Hindi and English worship after me? as booklets. We should search our hearts to To protect Muslims from the see if this matter is important to us influence of ideas such as Hindu-Pooruj, or not. We should check whether an organization known as Majlis-e- or not these questions are taken lsha’at was established in Lucknow and seriously at all levels individual, Sheikh Muhammad Ishaq Sandelvi was family, tribal, village, town, and appointed its secretary. Sheikh Sandelvi community. In which direction will was the Vice Chancellor and Shaikhul- our future generation go after we hadith of Nadwatul ‘Ulama at that time. die? Which group or trend will they Majlis-e-lsha’at published a number of follow? Whom will they worship? Sheikh Nadwi’s articles and booklets on What will be their belief? Will they this topic. These publications were sent worship the one God or hundreds, to leaders of the majority community and thousands, millions and billions of it was conveyed to them that Muslims deities and gods? Whom will they could not consider seers and saints of see as the controller and sustainer the Hindu religion as their guides and of this huge universe and their spiritual leaders. It was also lives?” emphasized that being an Indian did not Sheikh Nadwi’s feelings in this mean that members of the minority matter were very strong from the very communities would have to subscribe beginning. Even before Deeni T’alimi to the faith and traditions of the majority Council was established, he had community. India is a secular country strongly opposed the campaign of and everyone has full right to profess Hindu-Pooruj according to which a and practice his own faith and religion. person was not considered an Indian Sheikh Nadwi continued reiterating this unless he recognized and revered message from the platforms of Deeni Hindu saints of the ancient India as his T’alimi Council and Payam-e-lnsaniyat guide and ancestor. When as well. Sampurnanand (chief minister of Uttar The educational system which is Pradesh) and Purushottam Das Tandon generally available to the new (speaker of the Uttar Pradesh generation in India tends to promote Legislative Assembly) wanted to values and traditions of the majority impose Hindu-Pooruj in Uttar Pradesh, community and portray its religious Sheikh Nadwi wrote strong letters to figures as the ideals to follow. It thus

[ 14 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 conflicts with religious beliefs and house search. Perhaps, it was done to traditions of Muslims and dampens their intimidate him so that he would stop his enthusiasm for Islam. As a opposition to Vande Mataram. But it did consequence, Muslim children, not work and he remained steadfast in because of not knowing their own elders his opposition. Ultimately, they received and ideals, might become more inclined condemnation from all corners for their to follow non-Islamic values and leaders action. The incident also created an of other religions in their adult life. This awareness among Muslims that if they poses a great danger as it may did not stand up to defend their values eventually change the religious direction and traditions, they would be gradually of India’s Muslim community which cajoled to accept anti-Islamic practices believes in the oneness of Allah. and lifestyle which would prove Sheikh Nadwi took this matter disastrous to their religious and very seriously and constantly fought for communal identity. it. Thus when the Government of Uttar Sheikh Nadwi’s stand [on the Pradesh made it mandatory for school issue of Vande Mataram] was firm and children in government run schools to clear. Extremist Hindu factions’ action recite Vande Mataram (a hymn to praise drew national and international the Hindu goddess Durga) and pay condemnation. These were widely homage to the Hindu goddess reported in national newspapers and Sarasvati, he vehemently opposed it. media and served as a deterrent to the The government took note of it and extremist Hindu factions. The retracted its position. This was government apologized for the raid and considered a huge victory for Muslims. rescinded the order of Vande Mataram Muslims felt emboldened and started and Sarasvati Puja (worship of the Hindu keeping a vigilant eye on the school goddess Sarasvati). The state’s curriculum — a task that Deeni T’alimi education minister was discharged from Council is currently carrying. his duties. On the other hand, In response to Sheikh Nadwi’s unprecedented level of Support poured opposition to mandatory recitation of in for Sheikh Nadwi. Vande Mataram in schools, some How important was this issue to extremist factions of the Hindu Sheikh Nadwi? To enable the reader community reacted very sharply. Not understand it, the following excerpt from only did they harshly criticize him, but the speech that he delivered in a they also orchestrated a raid on his gathering of Deeni T’alimi Council in residence in Rae Bareli in the night of Moradabad, India, is being presented 22 November 1998 and conducted a below. [ 15 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Muslims will have to make (3) Teaching Urdu as it is the necessary arrangements to fight easiest medium to impart Islamic against these challenges [like that knowledge to children (in India). of Vande Mataram] in the same If a nation makes a collective way as they do in building decision with unity of mind, it can mosques and places of worship to change the fate and destiny of that perform prayers and maintain nation. Today what we need most relationship between their soul and to overcome all of our difficulties body. They must not wait for any and sway the condition in our favor assistance from the government in is our decision to give priority to this regard. They will have to religious education of our children arrange sermons and lectures in over all other types of education. mosques, properly raise their We will consider it a sin and children in homes and provide betrayal against our religion if we religious education in madaris and give to our children worldly schools. They will have to establish education before giving them the in the entire country a network of knowledge that enables them to before-school and after school recognize their Creator, Prophet, learning places so that not even a fundamental beliefs, and single village or locality is left out. obligations. If this is our decision In this regard, there are three and we remain faithful to it, no things which are essential. power, persuasion or threat will (1) Development of a curriculum take us away from the straight path that provides the children and deprive our future generations knowledge which they need for from the wealth of Islam. religious and basic needs of With regards to Sheikh Nadwi’s everyday life. It must be based services to Deeni T’alimi Council and upon sound pedagogical methods basic religious education, Dr. Mas’udul which are best suited for young Hasan ‘Uthmani, general secretary of children and must be acceptable Deeni T’alimi Council, has prepared a to majority of Muslims. valuable book Takbeer-e-Musalsal (2) Preparation of a pool of (Urdu) which includes Sheikh Nadwi’s teachers who are adequately speeches and articles. It gives a trained to implement the curriculum comprehensive view of Sheikh Nadwi’s and are willing to teach children vision of Deeni T’alimi Council and the with passion and devotion. basic religious education. n

[ 16 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Too Weak to Cry: The Children of Yemen - Jackie Fox The starvation in Yemen has left children showed a striking image of a starving seven- too weak to cry. year-old girl, Amal Hussain. Ghazi Saleh, who is ten years old, can For those who are not dying of hunger, barely breathe and weighs only 8kg. He is in UNICEF said almost 3,000 boys have been Al-Mudhaf Hospital in the southwestern Yemeni recruited into fighting. Education of children is city of Taez receiving treatment for severe now rare, and makeshift schools are emerging malnutrition. around the country. More than 2,500 schools Skin and bones, Ghazi is just one of have been damaged or destroyed. 11.3 million children in need in Yemen as the One in five schools in Yemen can no war rages on. longer be used and teachers have not been Four hundred thousand children under paid in years. the age of five suffer from severe acute Aid organizations suggest the deepening malnutrition and are fighting to survive, economic crisis and escalating violence could according to UNICEF. make an additional 3.5 million people food The number is the equivalent to every insecure, including 1.8 million children. child in Ireland under the age of four. Some The war is rooted in the lack of political children have become too weak to swallow and stability following the Arab Spring. In 2011, long- have to be injected with nutrients. time President Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced Chief of Communications for UNICEF in to hand over power to President Abdrabbuh the Middle East & North Africa, Juliette Touma, Mansour Hadi. told RTÉ News that the situation in Yemen is However, President Hadi found it difficult like ‘hell’. UNICEF also said just half of to make changes to a range of problems Yemen’s health facilities are functional, and including corruption and threatening political those that are left face severe shortages in movements. medicine, equipment and staff. The Houthi movement took advantage As Ghazi continues to battle against the of Mr.Hadi’s disadvantages and gained power hunger, many have lost their fight. It is in the northern Saada province – eventually estimated that 85,000 children, all under-five, forcing the President to flee. As the Houthi- may have died from starvation in Yemen since controlled ground grew, Saudi Arabia and other 2015. The figures, from Save the Children, are states began an air campaign, worried that the a conservative estimate based on data from movement was being backed by Iran. The the United Nations. fighting has continued since 2016 and has Over fourteen million Yemenis are at risk resulted in different factions emerging and of famine and more than half are children, getting involved. according to the UN. The world turned its Millions of people have been left in need attention to Yemen last month, when the New of aid. The UN is hoping for peace talks to take York Times gave an insight into the scale of place in Sweden by the end of this year. For the devastation. The newspaper gave an Ghazi, and many more children suffering, they account of how the war is affecting hope they can look forward to peace and a future communities, in particular children, and in Yemen. n (Courtesy: YMD) [ 17 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Lesson in Bigotry - Faizan Mustafa The Supreme Court of India in P N citizenship under Articles 5 to 11 of the Kumar (1987) paid rich tributes to our high Constitution and the Citizenship Act of courts. It observed: “Our High Courts are 1955. But it is consistent with the Hindu High Courts. Each High Court has its own right’s position of India as a country of, and high traditions. They have judges of for, Hindus. eminence who have initiative, necessary Justice Sen is a little considerate skills and enthusiasm.” By 2010, the apex with Muslims living in India for generations court itself changed its position: In Raja and abiding by Indian laws, but he expects Khan, it said: “Something is rotten in the them to obey the “uniform law”. If anyone state of Denmark, said Shakespeare in opposes such a law, he is to be deprived Hamlet, and it can similarly be said that of citizenship. By the way, by suggesting something is rotten in the Allahabad High “religion” as the basis for the grant of Court.” The 37-page judgment of Justice citizenship, Justice Sen himself is S R Sen of th Meghalaya High Court, and opposing Article 15 of the Constitution that the clarification issued by him on prohibits the state from discriminating December 14, have not enhanced the “only on the basis of religion”. By opposing reputation of our high courts. Though, in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) the clarification, he does acknowledge and its cut-off date, he is also opposing secularism as part of the basic structure the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1986. of the Constitution, he has not clarified his In his clarification, Justice Sen statement that India is a Hindu country or asserts that “his judgment makes the exclusion of Muslims from the references to history and one cannot citizenship law he has proposed. change history”. But he indeed made By calling Modi as “our beloved several disingenuous statements about Prime Minister”, to whom he directed his Indian history: “It is wrong to say Indian judgment be handed over within 24 hours independence is [won] by non-violence”; and receipt received by the additional “post Partition, while Sikhs were solicitor general, he has not only shown rehabilitated, Hindus were not”; “India was his political preferences but also a big country commanded by the Hindu undermined the independence of the kingdom and then the Mughals came and judiciary. His clarification that he does not partitioned the country and at that time belong to any political party is unnecessary many conversions took place by force”. as no sitting judge can be a member of a Moreover, the Mughals were not the first political party. By saying that Indian Muslims who came to India. Muslims citizenship should be given to any Hindu came to India as traders on the Malabar from anywhere in the world, he virtually coast in the seventh century. Five Muslim declares India to be a Hindu rashtra. His dynasties had ruled Delhi from 1206 to judgment is contrary to the notion of 1526 before Babur captured power from [ 18 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Ibrahim Lodhi. the Bengali Hindus to the acute kind of There is no evidence of forceful crises situation it is suffering from today”. mass conversion to Islam during the He also blames poor educationally Mughal rule. The massive Hindu majority backward Bengali Muslims for siding with of India is a conclusive proof of it. In fact, the Assamese. He even says since the Rajput share in Mughal bureaucracy rehabilitation programmes for Hindu and nobility ranged between 18 to 41 per Bengalis have been non-existent and the cent. Many Mughals had Hindu mothers Indian state is using state apparatus to and wives, who were not converted to identify them as foreigners. Justice Sen Islam. The Mughal rule ended in 1857 and suggests that any Bengali Hindu, as and therefore, the Mughals cannot be blamed when he decides to migrate to India, for the partition of the country. In fact, the should be given citizenship without being first war of Independence was fought asked to produce any document. It seems under the leadership of the last Mughal that he is not aware of atrocities and emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. Similarly, discriminations against Shias and the judge has excluded atrocities against Ahmadiyas in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Muslims from his narration of post- As an impartial judge, he cannot Partition violence. appeal to Hindus of Assam in these words: By observing that Pakistan became “I appeal to all Hindu people of Barak Valley an Islamic state and India should have and Assam Valley to come together and been declared a Hindu country, Justice find an amicable solution because our Sen overlooked the historical fact that the culture, traditions and religion are same.” framers of the Constitution, in a conscious He has also gone against his own oath decision, decided to create a religion- under which he must adjudicate without neutral and progressive state. Why does favour, affection or ill-will. His affection for he have to say that “I make it clear that Hindus in general and Bengali Hindus in nobody should try to make India another particular, is crystal clear. Islamic country, otherwise it will be a There are also many statements in doomsday for India and the world”. Yes, the judgment for which Justice Sen of course. But it will also be a doomsday deserves commendation. For instance, if India becomes a Hindu country. his remarks on the persecution of Justice Sen is quite critical of both minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the the Hindus as well as India. “The history opposition to March 24, 1971, as the cut- of persecution continued even after East off date for NRC in Assam. In his Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971 with clarification, Justice Sen has rightly said the help of India and even with the help of that most Indians live in villages and do the residual Hindu population there,” he not preserve documents and, therefore, says. He says (Assam’s) “habit of their exclusion from NRC on the non- intolerance is age old and its people were submission of documents will be unjust.n responsible for virtually shoving Sylhet and (Courtesy: The Indian Express)

[ 19 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Republic Day - Obaidur Rahman Nadwi 26th January 1950 is a rememberable day in the history of India. It assumes great significance and importance for all of us. This day the constitution of India was enforced. Indian constitution is considered the best one as compared to other constitutions of the world. It is a written and comprehensive document with 395 Articles (Now 404) and 12 Schedules. R.C. Majumdar says: “The constitution guarantees to all citizens freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble peacefully and freedom of conscience and worship, subject to general considerations of public security and morality. All citizens, irrespective of religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, shall enjoy equality before the law and no disability shall be imposed on them in any respect. “Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. No person shall be deprived of his life, property or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” (An Advanced History of India, p.992) The Republic Day is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the presidential address to the nation. On this occasion all government buildings and educational institutions are decorated attractively. Flag unfurling ceremony is held in every school. Children from several schools take part in the parade. They present various cultural programmes and showcase tableaux highlighting the rich cultural heritage of their state respectively. India is the largest democracy in the world. India has been the cradle of a variety of civilizations, cultures and religions. It has a pluralistic society. It is known for values of peace, amity, brotherhood, fraternity, unity and integrity. It is the birth place of various icons like the Buddah, Mahavir, Guru Nanak, Mahatma Gandhi, Kabir, Jawaharlal Nehru, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar ‘ Chandra Vidya Sagar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Rabindranath Tagore, Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani, Qazi Nazrul Islam, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Tipu Sultan, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Khan Abdul Gaffar khan, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jouhar, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Dr, Zakir Husain, Maulana S.Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and the like. All these beacons taught lesson of brotherhood and fraternity in their respective period and time. They are no more today. But their instructions and messages still inspire us to lead a peaceful life on this land. Being Indians, it is imperative for us to maintain its unity and integrity by fostering national integration and propagating the message of humanity throughout India. The constitution of the country teaches us the same message and it is the message of the Republic Day.n

[ 20 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 The Philosophy of Acquiring Communicative Competence in Foreign Languages - S. Habibul Haq Nadwi Language and Literature as media of oneself understood in speech, writing and self-expression and affirmation of conversation), either in foreign language identity or in a second language (in a multi-lingual state where many languages and dialects It is in language and literature that are spoken), confers prestige both on the the intellectual, spiritual, cultural and individual and on the country he lives in. religious energies of an age are discharged. Language and literature are Language barriers separate nations epics of the human soul. They are the more than political barriers do. We do not ordered versions of life. Since the content live today in a bi-lingual or multi-lingual age of language and literature is the content of but in an inter-lingual communicational life they grow out of life and are nourished age, when the discipline of languages is and nurtured by life. The close relationship being treated as an expression of Truth. between a language and its people and Studies are also being conducted in the their culture demands that the language mechanism of bio-linguistics, psycho- and literature should be studied with linguistics, ethno-linguistics and seriousness and not merely as an semantics. Moreover, symbolic logic and aesthetic past-time. mathematics are being applied to the linguistic problems. But these empirical If we desire to discern the cultural endeavours signally lack and neglect the properties of a language as an instrument human and philosophical approach to the of national and international language — learning and teaching. Since understanding, we have to learn, teach multi-lingual countries cannot thrive well and understand a language from the without intercultural awareness (for the human and philosophical point of view and understanding of other racial and ethnic not from a purely empirical point of view. groups living in the same country, but Inter-cultural awareness is not possible speaking different languages and dialects), without being a multilingual citizen. In this they have to develop a human and age of ever-rising multi-lingualism and philosophical approach towards the internationalism one cannot afford to learning and teaching of the second or the remain mono-lingual. A citizen who knows foreign language, along with the use of more than two or three languages is empirical and technical or aids available assumed to be more useful to both the to man in the contemporary world. state and to the national culture, and has a better chance of entry to the international The place of language-study in scene than others. Linguistic proficiency international education has been realised and communicative competence (making and confirmed. This realisation is true

[ 21 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 today as never before. Internationalism maintained and the spirit of nationalism and has become the spirit of the age. “If you internationalism is to be fostered amongst are not an international figure, you are our children for the sake of world peace. nobody’ has become a popular phrase. The best time to sow the seeds of This is true. Moreover, the whole world is international awareness is in late heavily present through Radio, T.V. and adolescence when the student attains a Press at the breakfast tables every reasonable degree of stability in his own morning in every house. The individuals culture and has a longing for intellectual have been planning to go abroad for exploration in the national scene. surnmer vacations. “Where do we go?” is The role of language and literature the major question. To Mexico or to the in the national and international Middle East? To Japan or to China? To reconstruction and in mutual Europe or to America? understanding has universally been Can an individual enjoy a tour of the acknowledged. UNESCO has realised this frontierless world today without knowing Truth. Besides the Arab influence, the at least the major languages of the world, European Renaissance was inspired by recognised by the United Nations? He the study of languages. Devoted and cannot even enjoy an inland tour without motivated humanists and scholars in knowing local languages. A happy balance Europe explored the Greek and Latin between nationalism and internationalism classics and invited their fellow men to is to be maintained. acquire knowledge in the languages and literature of the above-mentioned sources It is true that the spirit of nationalism of European culture. Men followed the often demands exclusive loyalty to a given instructions faithfully and, consequently, cultural pattern and the increasingly the intellectual awakening dawned on the vocational emphasis of the school horizons of England, Germany and curricula binds the students to the prestige France, both in the seventeenth and in channel of his own culture, ignoring the the eighteenth centuries, through the study inter-cultural understanding. This kind of of Greek and Latin languages and nationalism is rising because of the loss literature. Poets, thinkers and philosophers of faith in the ideal of the so-called achieved communicative competence internationalism, which, through its without having used the audio-visual or organisations and political and diplomatic modern technical assistance in the means in various countries, has been language labs. They were motivated by the fostering new nationalism and separatism human and the philosophical spirit to the every now and then. The future of the classical heritage. They employed the peaceful world can be entrusted only to languages and literature as media of self- those who transcend the national and expression and as affirmation of national ethno-centric limitations. A balance identities. between the two extremes has to be

[ 22 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Philosophical and Human Approach to social unity and cultural cohesion. It the Teaching and Learning of a reflects moral and social values. The Language competence in a language, therefore, means competence in the transmission Communicative competence in a of the same values. Experience shows foreign or in a second language (in a multi- that both Arabic and European languages lingual country) cannot be achieved were diffused to the non-Arab and non- without a human and philosophical European lands through strong religious, approach to the target language and its economic, cultural and political people. The electronic eyes in a language motivations. People first became aware lab cannot heip the learner in the of the value of the language and then were acquisition of a second language, if the involved in its acquisition with eyes of his psyche (soul) are shut to the competence. aesthetics of the target language. If a teacher or a learner looks down upon a Communicative Competence in Arabic language and its people or its culture, he Language: The Philosophical and cannot acquire the language, let alone Human Approach achieving competence! The first questions Reading of the Holy Book (i.e. the which confront the learners or the teachers Qur’ån) and writing its commentaries led are — Learning for what purpose? or the Arab humanists and philologists to Teaching for what purpose? formulate linguistic rules both at the Baya It is here that a human and and the Küfa schools. The Phonetic philosophical approach is required. It studies in early Islam made a great impact inculcates a spirit of reverence, respect on the promotion of grammar, which and imaginative sympathy towards the influenced almost all the languages of the target language. This can be achieved world. Arabic linguistic traditions passed through motivation and not through through various stages of development machines. The learner should be exposed such as (i) the orthographic stage (ii) the first to the human, cultural and grammatical stage (iii) the liturgical stage philosophical values of the target language and (iv) the physiological stage. The set and then to its alphabet. This can facilitate ‘signs’ for recording the sounds of the the learning process without much language were discussed and evolved linguistic effort. The motivation may vary under the first stage while the second in dimensions. They may be religious, stage helped the grammarians to develop spiritual, cultural, political and economic the speech-sound as a part of the in nature. descriptive analysis of the Arabic language. The third stage, that is the proper Since language is human cantillation of the scripture (i.e. the communication and co-operation and an Qur’an), led humanists to the elaborate integral part of culture, its attributes are studies of linguistic phenomena. It was in

[ 23 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 the fourth stage that the scientists stepped linguistic sciences have every right to in and described the anatomy of the recognition and to occupy their place in human body, the speech organs, whereby the history of this discipline and in the the sounds of the language were phonetic studies in early Islam. Their produced. Now the epigraphists, contributions have always been denied by grammarians and theologians had to listen the Orientalists. to the new discoveries in Arabic phonetics. The Book of Sibawaih is still Such a medieval treatise based on considered as the standard primary work physiological analysis was written by Ibn for all grammarians. The intention of the Sina (d. 438 A.H./ 1037 A.D.), which has author was to provide Principles and rules been translated into English by K.l. of the Arabic language to both foreigners Semaan. A novel approach has been made and Muslims, who learnt it as a second to the phonetic research. It deals with the language and wanted to achieve structure of human speech (vibratory communicative competence in speech approach). He says about the sound and in writing. The author treats the subject system: scientifically. He divides letters into parts, “…… in my opinion, the immediate and deals with the articulation of basic cause of sound is the wavelike motion of letters and explains the points of the air” The translator of the treatise (Risala articulation, its modality and degree of fi-Asbab Huduth al-Huruf) remarks: aperture. He has categorized them in details such as lateral, nasal, trill and “The purely scientific way in which velarized phonemes. These studies Ibn-Sina approaches his subject deserves enabled the Arab humanists to achieve the utmost credit and places its author communicative competence without any among the first linguistic scientists of all technical or audio-visual assistance which times . He formulates his work very much is now accessible to any student or the same way as a twentieth century teacher of a language. scholar would formulate his investigation of a subject.” The following are nine theories developed during the last six decades in The Basra and the Kufa schools the same strain’: which aimed at achieving communicative competence in Arabic without any (i) Saussurean School, founded by interference in language acquisition Ferdinand de Saussure in 1 91 6, produced illustrious scholars like at-Khalil puts forward the theory of b. Ahmad, the author of Kitab al ‘Ain, “Semiology” by which is meant the Sibawaih, the author of al-Kitab al- science and study of signs in general, Mubarrad, the author of Kamil, az- of which linguistics is only one Zamakhshari, the author of Mufassal, and subdivision. others. These medieval Arabic writers on (ii) Copenhagen School, under the

[ 24 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 guidance of Louis Hjelmslev, Prince Nikolai Trubetzkoy who advances the hypothesis of applied Saussurean theory to the “Glossematics,” that is to say, content elaboration of the phoneme concept. analysis must be independent of Speech sounds belonged to parole, extra-linguistic existential criteria and the phomenic belonged to language. expression analysis (phonology) In studying languages as systems of must be independent of (assumed internally related elements, Prague extra-linguistic) phonetic criteria. scholars did not treat the phoneme as a mere class of sounds or as a (iii) Bloomfieldian School, founded by transcriptional device, but as a Leonard Bloomfield in the 1 930s, complex phonological unit realised by insists on the mechanistic approach the sounds of speech. to language study, concentrating on methodology and on formal analysis. (vii) London School came into being His statement of all meanings is under the guidance of J.R. Firth in strictly mechanistic and consequently 1948. Firth lays down that prosodic his attitude towards semantics is phonology is the most important rather pessimistic. aspect of linguistic analysis. Linguistic form was envisaged by him (iv) Structuralist School is the school of as sets of abstractions at the lexical, linguistics which developed primarily grammatical and phonological levels, under the leadership of Leonard referable to actual features and Bloomfield from the 1930s onwards. occurances of phonic data serving as These linguists concentrated their several exponents. principally on observable and verifiable data in language analysis. (viii) Stratificational School, whose father is Sydney M. Lamb, takes full (v) Tagmemic Approach is an approach cognizance of thought patterns and to Grammar which attempts to it views language as a series of combine form and function in basic layers, or stratal system, all closely grammatical units called tag memes. related. For example, the It also analyses units larger than the phonological strata comprise not only sentence. The theory of tag meme phonemic but also hypophonemics; was also put forward first by Leonard in the hypophonemic layer lie the Bloomfield who defined tagmeme as physical characteristics of sound and the smallest meaningful unit of the organ functions which go into the grammatical form. production of phonemes. At the upper (vi) The Prague School was constituted strata, which include the semantic by a group of Czech and other layer, are sememics and scholars doctrinally centred round hypersememics ; the hypersememic

[ 25 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 layers comprise experiential elements Modern Theories of Language: Neutral – entity, event, process and other to Value Judgement and Devoid of features of meaning. Between these Motivation sets of strata lie the morphemic It is unfortunate that modern layers which includes the syntactic language theories are neutral to value layer. The term “experiential” judgment and are devoid of human and suggests a memory bank like an philosophical approach to the teaching of electronic computer’s. a foreign or a second language. Modern (ix) Transformational School, the empirical methods of teaching and the foundations of which were laid by explosion of the foreign language - Noam Chomsky in 1957, postulates Teaching techniques have confused the that grammar generates sentences, situation. The teacher and the learner both assigns structural descriptions and have become subservient to machines relates their deep structures and without any human feeling of the language meanings to the surface structures and without any philosophical approach to and sounds. It makes extensive use its culture. Conflicting schools have of tree diagrams and mathematical increased the tension. The traditional type of formalisation. This is currently grammatical approach and the eclectical the youngest and the most influential approach are still in conflict. Some over- school. emphasise the rules of grammar, believing that language acquisition is based on the The Arab scholars, at no stage of acquisition of grammar, while the rivals the phonetic development, scientific or reject grammar completely. The dogma of otherwise, lost sight of its philosophical linguistic emphasis on grammar and the approach. Arabic was a Divine language dogma of communicative competence and the Qur’an, (the word of God), was without too much stress on grammar have revealed in the Arabic language, the not yet been reconciled. acquisition of which meant nearness to God. The learners in non-Arab lands During the past sixty years a accepted its religious value along with its tremendous amount of work has been mundane value. Being thus motivated the done on the nature of the language and non-Arabs even excelled the Arabs in on linguistic theorising. Theories have many ways. Persia is the best example. been evolved within the methodology of Persians learnt Arabic as a second science in order to prove that linguistics language, but they excelled to a degree is a science. The discussions of theories that the first standard book on Arabic have been ordered in that framework. Grammar entitled ‘al-Kitab’ was written by Often such linguistic theorising is divorced Sibawaih, a Persian, which is considered from the development both in time as well as a primary source and a reference work as in values, Historical treatment and up to this day. comparison of theories are often conducted without regard to historical and [ 26 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 socio-cultural influence. The terms, now languages. Good employment and used for the interpretation of a language, prestigious positions in the society were are similar to those used in the definition reserved for those who knew their of empirical sciences, such as, (1) data, language. The result was that even the (2) theory and (3) the ‘accounting of the man in the street acquired competence in data’. For example, the curiosity about the English, French and Dutch, as the case sound and its meaning constitutes the data may be. The Indo-Pak subcontinent for a modern writer in linguistic sciences. produced A-grade poets, orators and The investigation begins with the writers in the English language. There was assumption that linguistics is a science no technical aid available at that time. They and that its purpose is to define the learnt the language in a short period and language and its nature without any human with a fast pace due to the strong socio- and philosophical approach to it. political and economic motivation. The same thing happened in the Middle East, The detailed study of these theories and in the Far East. It was only after the will reveal that they view language as a second world war that rising nationalisms particular kind of human behaviour. Some challenged the foreigners whose of them consider language as human languages were replaced by native vocal behaviour. But none of these theories languages. Yet many countries are still deals with the human and philosophical using foreign languages as their official approach to the teaching of a language. language. Communicative Competence in Communicative Competence in the European Languages: Socio-Economic Arabic language. The Religio-Political and Political Motivations. Historical and Socio-Economic Experience —The Asian Case Motivations:Historical Experience — There can be no objection against — The European Case the use of technical aids in the acquisition The index of motives will show that of the language, provided its human and Europeans became interested in the philosophical values are not sacrificed. The Arabic language for reasons mentioned human approach or the sense of earlier. Scholars of scriptures in Europe respectability is created only through realised that the knowledge of the Arabic religious, cultural, economic or political language was essential for a better motivation. The Asian case is a good understanding of the Bible and Torah. Thus example in this regard. During the early they felt the need for learning Arabic for European colonial era when the the linguistic interpretation of the Europeans captured the East and scriptures. Albert Schulton (1686 -1750) launched a drive to establish their the first famous Dutch Orientalist wrote languages and culture, they first motivated his thesis in 1707 entitled, “The use of the Asians towards appreciating the Arabic in the Interpretation of Scripture’. political and economic value of their [ 27 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 This thesis changed the climate of 1926-32. The excavations revealed the thinking in Europe. All scholars were now places referred to or mentioned in the religiously motivated to embark on learning Biblical stories, Expert teams from Arabic. Edward Peacock and W. Harvard, Princeton and Chicago Robertson in England and J. Welhausan Universities as well as the British, German in Germany studied the scriptures in the and American teams continued in same light and achieved competence in exploration. They achieved competence in comprehension and in reading the Arabic Arabic through the awareness and Bible, (one of the earliest translations of realisation of the value of the language and the Bible in Arabic extant in the Vatican not through mechanical and technical Library was studied and compared with language labs. other manuscripts and was examined The fact was now established that critically with a Knowledge of the Arabic no student or comparative religion could language). The urge to elucidate the afford to ignore Arabic. Biblical cities, geographical areas and historical sites led the scholars to The significance of Arabic was extensive excavations in Saudi Arabia, further realised in recent decades. Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and other parts of Professor George Sarton of Harvard the Middle East. Since most of the places University who wrote his three volumes on of religious significance, referred to in the the history of sciences, (which are his scriptures, were situated in the Middle monumental works), realised the East, the Western scholar , Nieubuhr, significance of Arabic when he discovered visited Arabia in 1762 and published his that modern sciences started with the findings in 1772. Europe now realised for Arabs. He decided to go to Syria to learn the first time that Biblical studies would Arabic before completing his works. remain incomplete without knowing the Socio-economic and political historical, cultural and religious areas in motivations were again as strong as the ancient Yemen, in Arabia, in Egypt and in religious one. Oriental scholars were Palestine. This was not possible without convinced that the study of the socio- learning Arabic. economic and political conditions of the Attempts to locate the names of Middle East was not possible without places and of the tribes mentioned in the learning Arabic and without achieving Bible had started in the Medieval and the communicative competence in the Byzantine Period. But the awareness and language. The Petro-dollar economy, the motivation created in the eighteenth oil-dependency, the trade and commercial century accelerated the speed of scholarly and diplomatic links in the area, compelled researches in the nineteenth century. The the scholars to motivate Western people area of Petra (Jordan) was explored in to embark on the acquisition of the Arabic 1812. Excavation teams explored various language in their own best interests. n areas in 1838, 1865, 1867, 1919 and in [ 28 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: India’s First Education Minister - Obaidur Rahman Nadwi Maulana Azad an internationally which create a future age. But Abul well-known educationist was born in Kalam Azad happily combines in him Macca, Saudi Arabia (KSA) on 11 the qualities of both Caesar and Paul, November 1888 and passed away in for his actions and achievement, though New Delhi, India, on 22 February 1958. symbolical of the present age, required This multifaceted genius can be taken yet another age to be fully understood for discussion in various dimensions and recognize.”(Khilafat to Partition) e.g. Azad as an educationist, Azad as According to Mahatma Gandhi: a commentator of the Qur’an, Azad as “Maulana Azad is the most forceful, a thinker, Azad as a theologian, Azad truthful, and fearless satyagrahi and as an orator, Azad as an editor, Azad fighter against oppression and injustice as a journalist, Azad as a politician, that I have come across.” Jawaharlal Azad as a debater, Azad as an author, Nehru once said: “Though I am grateful Azad as a husband even Azad as a to all my companions, I would like to spokesman for the plight of poor etc. mention especially Maulana Abul Kalam The personality of Maulana Azad Azad, whose erudition has delighted me needs no introduction. Almighty Allah incredibly, and has sometimes bestowed upon him extraordinary overwhelmed me. In Azad along with the knowledge and wisdom. Right from his good qualities of the past, the childhood, he was quite sharp-minded. graciousness, the deep learning and He had exhibited his erudition and tolerance, there is a strange and unique scholarship by rendering the address of mixture of the urges of today and the Allama Syed Rashid Reza of Egypt in modern outlook.” Urdu when he had come to address a In fact Maulana Azad wanted to meeting in Nadwatul Ulama, Lucnkow make India an ideal country where all on the invitation of Allama Shibli people may live with peace and amity Nomani in 1912. by carrying out the principles and tenets A.B. Rajput describing the of their respective religions. He never influence of Maulana Azad says: like slavery, servitude and serfdom. That “Caesar was a man of the moment and is why he remained an ardent preacher Paul a man of the future for Caesar was of his religion also. Even when he the symbol of his age and Paul was the became the first Education Minister of embodiment of those prophetic qualities free India he adhered to his principles

[ 29 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 and faith strictly. His monumental work Indian cabinet. He remained Union Tarjumanul Quran is the best exposition Minister of Education till his death in of his religious thoughts and concepts. 1958. “Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was It was Maulana Azad who gave the one of those remarkable personalities first call for Swaraj in 1912 when he who could not only stir the whole world, launched Al-Hilal from Calcutta. In 1922 but when necessary could direct the Maulana Azad claimed in his court current of human history in more useful statement that the job creating spiritual and profitable grooves. His life was a and religious spirit in the hearts of youths stormy one full of sensational and epoch which Mahatma Gandhi has started, AL- making events. The life of this great Hilal had already fulfilled this obligation scholar who could make his own way in in 1914. Maulana Azad had right to this every walk of life requires to be divided claim. into five broad divisions. Dr. Najma Heptulla says: “His a) His childhood upto the age of seven writing had such an electrifying effect in years (1895). masses that British Govt. confiscated b) His traditional education upto fifteen the ‘Al-HILAL’ Press and sent Maulana years (1902). Azad in confinement at Ranchi. This confinement and many arrests that follow c) His struggle for the discovery and did not deter him from the path he had realization of Truth (1902-1910). chosen for himself. Maulana was a d) The crusade for the promotion of devout Muslim and staunch Nationalist the appreciation of the Truth and its he believed that the country cannot be implementation upto 1947. free from the foreign rule until and unless Muslims and Hindus jointly fight for it. His e) The glorious last ten year upto 22nd message on the eve of his arrest on February 1958.” (Abul Kalam Islam December 1921 spells this out clearly: and Humanity,P,13). “The faithful should neither worry nor Maulana Azad selfless grieve. They should rest assured that if contributions and arduous services in they have true faith they will be victorious National Struggle for Freedom can over all. Our victory depends on four never be overlooked. He fought principles of truth “Hindu-Muslim Unity” alongside Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and peace, discipline and sustained Mahatma Gandhi to get India free from sacrifice.” the British rule. In 1947, Jawaharlal Maulana Azad said in his Nehru appointed him as the first presidential address delivered at the Education Minister in newly formed [ 30 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Congress Session of 1923: “If an Angel unless it educates its masses. Maulana were to decent from the clouds today, Azad’s educational conspectus covered settle on Qutub Minar Delhi and all segments of Indian population and proclaim from there that India can win dealt alike with the villages and the Swaraj within twenty four hours provided towns. He gave his attention to every that India renounces Hindu-Muslim important problem whether it concerned unity., then I would renounce Swaraj and medium of instruction, syllabi, future of not Unity. Because if Swaraj is delayed graduates, linguistic tension, adult that is the loss of India, but if Hindu- illiteracy, sports, festivals, roads, houses Muslim unity is lost it is a loss to etc. The most important aspect of his humanity.” endeavour in the field was to create an Maulana Azad’s education plan awareness of what India was in the past had four objectives. First, the removal and how rich was its contribution to of illiteracy. This was to be achieved world thought. He emphasized again through the universalisation of and again the need of developing an elementary education upto the international perspective and rise above secondary level. The project reached out all petty considerations of languages to women as well. Second, the provision and creed. All through his tenure of for offering equal educational Ministership he was guided by the opportunities to all irrespective of caste supreme motive that: “The essence of and class. Third, the three language a secular and democratic State is formula. This made Hindi and the state freedom of opportunity for the individual languages the medium of instruction. without regard to race, religion, caste English was offered as an important or community.” second language. Fourth, the expansion Apart from providing motive of primary education throughout the power and direction to the educational country. programmes of free India, Maulana Azad K.N. Nizami has precisely said: established/ strengthened/ or “The corner-store of Maulana Azad’s reoriented a number of scientific, educational policy was his conviction literacy and cultural organizations. that democracy cannot function without Particularly to be noted are the following: eradication of illiteracy. This supplied 1. Central Institute of Education. the motive power to his efforts in the field 2. Central Advisory Board of of national education. He often Education. approvingly quoted Disraeli who used to say that a democracy has no future 3. All India Educational Conference.

[ 31 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 4. Museum Associations of India. Bangalore (development of 5. Indian Historical Records Aeronautical Engineering, Internal Commission. Combustion Engineering Metallurgy and Chemical 6. Central Advisory Board of Engineering, establishment of Archaeology. Departments of Higher Voltage 7. All India Conference on Arts. engineering, and Power 8. Indian Council for Cultural Engineering). Relations. 26. Delhi Polytechnic. 9. All India Conference on Letters. 27. Western Higher Technological 10. Indian Institute of Technology. Institute, Bombay. 11. National Art Treasures Fund. The India of Maulana’s dreams 12. Central Road Research Institute. was a country proudly following its past traditions of enlightenment and culture 13. Indian Academy of Dance, Drama but keeping itself abreast of all and Music. intellectual and scientific developments 14. National Library, Alipore. in the world”. (Azad Academy Journal) 15. All India Council for Technology It goes without saying that the Education. system of education which we have 16. Central Building Research Institute, today largely built by Maulana Azad. On Roorkee. account of his selfless patriotism, indomitable courage, free and forceful 17. The Council of Scientific and tendencies and inclinations he is Industrial Research. considered one of the builders of great 18. University Grants Commission. India. Azad has been posthumously 19. Sahitya Academy. awarded India’s highest civilian honour, 20. Lalit Kala Academy. “Bharat Ratna” in 1992. In 2008, November was designated as National 21. University Education Commission. Education Day to commemorate the 22. Secondary Education birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Commission. independent India’s First Education 23. Kharagpur Institute of Higher Minister. In short, Maulana Azad was a Technology. complete genius. He was, no doubt, India’s Jewel and Bharat Ratna. He will 24. Indian Institute of Science. remain immortal in Indian history. n 25. Indian Institute of Science,

[ 32 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Religious Pluralism - S. Hamid Mohsin The Quran’s pragmatic and realistic Thirdly, approach to religious pluralism is really “They are advised not to abuse the quite amazing. Far from adopting hostile beliefs of each other, “indeed even attitude to the other religions, the Quran the beliefs of the polytheists.” promotes acceptance of religious plurality (Quran, 6:108) and treats other religions with respect. Fourthly, Believers of all faiths are urged to recognize that religious differences exist They are urged to avoid and will continue to exist. They are asked confrontation, or in the words of the to put their differences aside and Quran: “And the servants of All collaborate with each other: It emphasizes compassionate are those who walk the common ground of ‘doing good’: humbly on earth, and when the values and morals that promote ignorant speak to them, Say: “Peace goodness, virtue and peace. be with you!” (Quran, 25: 63) “Say People of the Book let us arrive Of course, treating each other with at a statement that is common to us respect, and speaking in a gentle and kind all.” (Quran, 3:64) manner, is something just not enough, particularly when it concerns fundamental To promote religious harmony in a religious differences. world of religious plurality, the Quran provides a number of guidelines. When the differences become truly conflicting, the Quran asks the Muslim To begin with, the faith communities believers to live and let live, declare a truce are urged not to take an extremist position: and move on: “O People of the Book! Do not go to Say: ‘O unbeliever! I do not worship excess in your religion, and do not what you worship, nor do you worship what say anything about God except I worship; nor will I ever worship what you truth.” (Quran, 4:171) worship, nor will you ever worship what I Secondly, worship, you have your religion, And I have “They are urged to deal with each mine.’ (Quran, 109:1-6) other in the best of all possible ways: The most important guidance given when arguing about God they should by the Quran, however, is a riposte to argue in the ‘most courteous way’. people of all faiths; that God Alone knows (Quran, 16: 125) and ‘Say what is all! n best.’ (Quran, 17: 53)

[ 33 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 Defender of Islamic Identity - Syed Shahabuddin During the twentieth century, Muslim in different ages and regions, which India has produced great Islamic prompted him ever to take a long-term theologians, interpreters of the Qur’an, rather than a short-term, a broad rather scholars of Hadith, Islamic jurists, historians, than a narrow, view of the problems the propagators of the faith, social reformers contemporary community faced. and educationists, but one cannot name The Maulana was the very anti-thesis another Islamic scholar whose concerns of the media image of the fire-eating, covered the entire spectrum of the narrow minded Mullah. Orthodox as he was, collective existence of the Muslim Indians he was far from being conservative in his as a living community in the national and approach. Umma-conscious as he was, his international context, who, for decades, love of the motherland knew no bounds. enjoyed universal respect, and who was He preached ‘Jihad’ to restore Muslim accepted by the non-Muslims, at the highest dominance; He stood for mutual respect, level, as the legitimate spokesman for the for peaceful co-existence, for human concerns and aspirations of the entire values, for establishing a social ambience community. based on tolerance and harmony in India Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi and in the world at large. was indisputably one of the greatest The Maulana understood the spirit of exponents of Islam in the second half of age. He appreciated the role of Democracy the twentieth century and because of his and Nationalism. With his deep insight into command over Arabic, through his writings the Qur’an and his understanding of the and speeches, he had a wide area of personality of the Holy Prophet, he influence extending far beyond the Sub- understood the implications of a multi- continent, particularly in the Arab World. religious world, a global village divided into His exposition of Islam was marked multi-religious States. by moderation. He was not a fanatic in any Scion of an illustrious family which has sense of the term but he believed in Islam produced scholars and spiritual preceptors as a blessing for mankind and as a positive like Shah Alamullah Naqshbandi and Syed and creative factor in human history. In a Ahmad Shaheed, the Maulana’s father, sense Islam was perceived by him as a Hakim Syed Abdul Hai, was an eminent civilizational force which retained its scholar of his time, immortalised by his relevance in the modern age as a viable encyclopaedic work, Nuzhatul Khawatir, (in counterpoint to the Western civilisation with eight volumes) containing about 5,000 all its excesses. biographical notes on Muslim scholars, The Maulana’s forte was his theologians, jurists, etc. of India, apart from extraordinary grasp of Islamic history. It is other notable works. this historic sense of the rise and fall of Islam Syed Abul Hasan Ali was born in 1332

[ 34 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 A.H. (1913 AD). Having lost his father at Committee of Darul Musannefin, Azamgarh the age of nine, he was brought up by his and established the Academy of Islamic elder brother, Dr. Syed Abdul Ali Hasani who Research and Publications at Lucknow. practised medicine at Lucknow. He A prolific writer his works have been specialised in Arabic literature at Nadwatul prescribed in the courses of study in a Ulema, Lucknow, studied Hadith under number of Arab Universities. His notable Sheikh Husain Ahmed Madani at Darul Arabic work Maza Khasera al-Alam Uloom, Deoband and Tafsir under Maulana b’inhitatill-Muslimeen was not only widely Ahmad Ali of Lahore where he came in acclaimed but also carved out a place for touch with Iqbal whose poetry left an him in the literary circles of the Arab world. abiding impression on him. Besides literary Several of his works have since been and theological studies, Maulana translated into Arabic, English, Turkish, developed keen interest in Islamic history Bhasha Indonesia, Persian, Tamil and and also learnt English in order to keep some other languages. himself abreast of contemporary thought. He taught Arabic literature and Tafsir at the Karavaan-e-Zindagi, his Nadwatul Ulema for ten years. autobiography in 8 volumes, and Purane- Chiragh (life sketches of contemporary After the demise of his elder brother, personalities), his biography of Syed he became the Secretary of Nadwatul Ahmad Shaheed, his biography of Hazrat Ulema and subsequently as Rector he Ali, (KW) and his Tarikhe-Dawat-o-Azimat supervised both its academic and are his prominent contribution to Urdu administrative management. literature. In 1947, the Maulana could have He was an Honorary Member of the followed his mentor Syed Sulaiman Nadvi Academy of Arts and Letters, Damascus and migrated to Pakistan but he did not. and Academy of Arabic Language, Amman In his formative years, the Maulana and served as Visiting Professor in a was associated with the Jamat-e-lslami for number of Arab Universities. a few years after its establishment by Internationally recognised, he was Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi. Then he one of the Founder Members of the Rabita turned to the Tablighi Jamaat founded by al-Alam-al-lslami, Makka, (1963), and Maulana llyas. But the Maulana’s genius served on the Higher Council of the Islamic demanded wider horizon for its unfolding. University, Medina, the Executive Committee Spiritually a disciple of Maulana Abdul of the Federation of Islamic Universities, Qadir Raipuri, the Maulana belonged to the Rabat, and as the Chairman of the Board Sufi Silsila Qadiriya Naqshbandia. for the Centre of Islamic Studies of the Apart from his long association with Oxford University. The lectures he delivered Nadwa (as student, teacher, Secretary and at Indian, Arab and Western Universities Nazim), he served on the Shura of the Darul have been highly appreciated as original Uloom, Deoband, chaired the Managing contribution to the study of Islam and on Islam’s relevance to the modern age.

[ 35 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 In 1980, he received the Faisal community during the last decades of the International Award, followed by the Brunei century were fought under his guidance. Award and the UAE Award in 1999. The A.I. Muslim Personal Law Board A great scholar, the Maulana was not launched in 1985 the movement for confined to the cloister. Not involved in legislative nullification of the Supreme Court active politics, he never participated in party judgement in the Shah Bano Case which or electoral politics. He did not even join the Muslim Indians saw as the thin end of the All India Muslim Majlis, established by the wedge for interference with the Shariat his protégé Dr. A.J. Faridi in 1967, as it took and for distorting the Islamic identity of the to electoral politics. The Maulana was one community. The Muslim Women (Protection of the founders of the All India Muslim of Rights on Divorcees) Act, 1986 was its Majlis-e-Mushawarat (1964), the All India fruit, though it had several in-built flaws Muslim Personal Law Board (1972) and the which had landed the community Ail India Dini Talimi Council. He presided subsequently in endless litigation. over the Milli Convention in 1979. He also With the Maulana’s consent in 1986, extended his patronage to the Islamic Fiqah the AIMMM and the AIMPLB took up the Academy and the All India Milli Council when question of restoration of the Babri Masjid they were established. when the unlocking of its doors in January To promote communal harmony, the 1986 for regular darshan and puja Maulana became one of the founders of converted it into a de-facto temple. Though FOCUS which was later transformed into he did not directly involve himself in the Society for Communal Harmony. He also Babari Masjid Movement (whose Co- established a movement ‘Payam-e- ordination Committee was later split to form Insaniyat’ to preach the gospel of universal the A.l. Babri Masjid Action Committees), love and brotherhood. he guided it at all critical points and participated in negotiations with the The Maulana valued the Constitution government as well as Hindu and the secular order as a guarantor of representatives. Subsequently to the the Islamic identity of the Muslim community demolition, the AIMPLB, under his and on non-discrimination against them in president-ship took the question in its own various spheres of life. But he clearly saw hands including the direction of the the historic process of assimilation at work proceedings in the title suit, the criminal in India and the long-term objective of Hindu case and the inquiry. Nationalism to absorb the Muslim Indians into the Hindu fold. That explains his firm In the last decade of his life the stand on the question of Muslim Personal Maulana served as the final arbiter, the last Law against any interference through word, the Marja, the ultimate point of legislation or through judicial reference, on any intra-communal pronouncement and on introduction of differences, even if he did not play any Saraswati Vandana in Schools in UP. active role in resolving them. He counselled commitment with patience and wisdom, The great political battles of Muslim movement within the framework of

[ 36 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 democracy and rule of law, and dignity and as being engulfed by dark forces of hatred not rhetoric in utterances. and violence. With his off-repeated commitment to All his active life, with Lucknow as his the principles of Democracy, Secularism base, he wandered ceaselessly, not only and Non-violence as the only viable within the country but in’ the Arab-Islamic foundation for the Indian polity, his constant world and the West, in a constant search, endeavour for inter-religious dialogue and it seems to me, for reconciliation between for reconciliation and harmony, he Islam and the West, between rival commanded universal respect for his ideologies in the Arab-Islamic world, moderation, learning and integrity, for his between India and Pakistan and between influence in the Muslim community and for the Hindu and Muslim Indians. Cautious in his outreach in the Islamic world. taking positions, he always looked beyond Assiduously sought by eminent the turbulence of the time, through the political personalities from Indira Gandhi to flames of the current controversy. Even if Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Maulana acted he took part, his role was that of a mediator, as the bridge between the government and of counseling patience, of avoiding the national parties, on the one hand, and confrontation, of appealing to reason. Muslim community, on the other. A man who personified Islamic The Maulana, it has been correctly values, soft-spoken, cultured and observed stood for social reform, religious courteous to the core, humility and revival and political awakening but not for modesty, patience and tolerance, Islamic Revolution. He was realistic enough moderation and balance, generosity and not to chase mirages or instant solutions. compassion - all Islamic values marked his He saw clearly that the destiny of Muslim personality. Neither a politician, nor a Indians was intertwined with that of the publicist, essentially a scholar a man of Indian people as a whole and that, in the religion, a spiritual person, a modern age of democratic pluralism, an Islamic Dervish, a Mard-e-Momin who combined in revolution or the restoration of Islamic himself the highest values of the Shariat power was out of the realm of possibility and the Tariqat, of orthodoxy and Sufism but it was possible for the Muslim Indians and who commanded respect for this to lead an Islamic life and at the same time transparent sincerity, for his simple living participate in managing the affairs of the and for his selfless devotion to the common country and contribute to its progress and cause of the Community and the Nation, a development. This was the basis of his man who lived for Allah alone and who efforts to reduce the distance between the wanted nothing but the good of all is no Muslims and Hindus, to demolish the wall more. of distrust between them and •to create His demise is the end of an era in bonds of understanding and co-operation the history of the Muslim India and has in rebuilding relations on the terms of created a void impossible to fill in the common values of the society which he saw foreseeable future. n

[ 37 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019 AIMPLB Meets at Lucknow - Mohd. Yosuf Alam* AIMPL meeting was held at Darul- speakers from the other side. The Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow on government should also take notice of ecember 16, 2018. Maulana S.M. Rabey this…,” he added. Hasani Nadwi President of the Board Asked to comment on the recent chaired the meeting. ‘Dharma Sabha’ organised by the VHP in Calling the triple talaq ordinance Ayodhya, Babri Masjid Action Committee “anti-Shariyat and anti-Muslim women”, the convenor Zafaryab Jilani, who is also a All India Muslim Personal Law Board member of the AIMPLB, said, “We have (AIMPLB) said it will move the Supreme already said that we will obey what the Court if the ordinance is passed in Rajya Supreme Court decides. The whole country Sabha during the ongoing Winter session. has to obey. About the Dharma Sabha, we On September 19, the Union Cabinet have nothing do with that. We have not had passed the ordinance to amend voiced any reaction to that because it is provisions of the Triple Talaq Bill. It was later not apt for us. However, we feel that the signed by President Ram Nath Kovind. government should take action against those who are doing things like this. Even In August 2017, a five-judge the Supreme Court should take note of it.” constitution bench had set aside the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq “The Supreme Court has already or talaq-e-biddat, through which Muslim said that the Ramjanmabhoomi movement men divorce their wives by uttering “talaq” can be a party’s movement, but it cannot three times in quick succession. The Muslim be government’s movement as any Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) government here is bound by secularism, Ordinance 2018 states that instant triple which is a basic feature of this country’s talaq has been made illegal and void, and constitution,” he added. will attract a jail term of three years for the Asma Zehra Sahiba, member of the husband. To prevent any misuse of the law, AIMPLB and head of its women wing, said the government had also included certain the board was organising seminars and safeguards, such as a provision of bail for conventions across the country to create the accused before trial. awareness among Muslim women on Speaking on the Ayodhya land several issues, including triple talaq. dispute issue, Ilyas said that the AIMPLB “We have got an overwhelming executive committee’s stand on the issue response in these seminars. Muslim women is clear. “The court’s final verdict would be have made it clear that they do not want acceptable to us. The Supreme Court any interference in personal laws of the should put a restriction on speeches and Muslims,” said Asma Zehra. comments made on the issue by influential “We will also invite members of other * Student, Department of Journalism and communities to dispel misconceptions Languages, Nadwatul-Ulama, Lucknow-7 about Sharia,” she added. n

[ 38 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019

Appeal Regarding Construction of New Hostel

Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama is progressing well under the patronage of Hazrat Maulana S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi in disseminating knowledge of Islam. Because of heavy rush of students the institution is facing problem of the accommodation. Because of this Nadwa had to restrict the flow of students and many good students are deprived of admission. The Executive Committee of Nadwatul Ulama has since decided to build a new hostel. Foundation stone of which has already been laid by Hazrat Maulana S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi with the hope that heavenly aid will come. New hostel will be a three-storey building with 36 rooms and two big halls so the students may live there and enjoy recreation. A sum of rupees 3, 61,74,600 are estimated to cost this project. About four and half lakh rupees will be spent on one room. We hope you will come forward to help Nadwatul Ulama in this project. We have firm belief that Allah will help us in achieving success in this project. S.M. Wazeh Rasheed Nadwi Athar Husain Khalidi Motamid Taleem, Nadwatul Ulama Motamid Ma’l, Nadwatul Ulama

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[ 39 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, January, 2019

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Cheques and Drafts may please be marked to: “The Fragrance of East” and sent to, Nadwatul Ulama, P.O. Box 93, Tagore Marg. Lucknow-226007, U.P. India Out-station cheques will not be accepted. [ 40 ]