THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST

Vol. XXI No. 11 November 2019

Post Box No. 93 Nadwatul Ulama Tagore Marg Lucknow – 226 007 U.P. (INDIA)

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

Man Most Suitable for Founder: Managing the World S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RAH) When Allah created Adam and made him His vicegerent on earth, the angels who are innocent and do not Patron: commit sins, submitted to Allah that as man was inclined to quarrel and S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi shed blood on earth, the vicegerency might be granted to them as they glorified Him and remained engaged Advisory Board : in worshipping Him all the time. Allah replied the angels that they did not Mohd. Hamza Hasani Nadwi know the matters of the world. He then tested Adam and the angels by asking Shah Ebadur Rahman them certain questions relating to the Shamsul Haque Nadwi world. As Adam was made of dust and had a natural interest in the world, he answered Allah’s questions correctly Editor: whereas the angels lacking this natural interest in the things of the Shariq Alavi world failed. Thus Allah established that in spite of all weaknesses man alone was most suitable for managing the world. In fact, his natural Asstt. Editor: weaknesses themselves qualified him for this position. If the world were run Obaidur Rahman Nadwi by angels, most gifts of God put into it, which were discovered and developed by man due to his interest and need, would have remained unkno’.vn and unused.n

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CONTENTS

1- Three Features of The Ibrahimi - S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi 7

Culture

2- Characteristics of Prophet - S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi 10

Muhammad (SAW)

3- Concept of Society And Social - K.K. Usmani 14

Justice

4- Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar - Sultan Shakir Hashmi 17

5- Religion And Reason - Abdul Bari Nadwi 23

6- Qari Mushtaq Ahmad - A Selfless - Obaidur Rahman Nadwi 33

Servant of The Qur’an

7- Pages From Islamic History - 35

[ 3 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Wisdom of Qur’an Pearls From the O Believers! If you fear Allah, He will make for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) you a distinction and will expiate for you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the It is related by Jabir that he heard the owner of mighty grace. Apostle of God say a month before his (ai-Anfäl 8:29) death: “You ask me about Resurrection and A Muslim has two roles. As an ordinary its appointed time is known only to God, human being he is born in this world according and I can swear by God that there is no to the divinely-ordained laws of nature. He resembles any other human being in his body, living person on the face of the earth on limbs, human weaknesses and physical whom a hundred years pass and he is still ailments. He has all these features in common alive at that time.” with all other men. In line with the laws of — Muslim nature, once again, he grows into an adult and Commentary—It appears from the turns old. At his appointed hour, be it in youth Quran as well as the Traditions that people or old age, he will die, no matter whether he be a devout person, a great scholar, a distinguished often used to ask the Prophet about the writer, philosopher, thinker, intellectual, or Resurrection as to when it was to come. spiritual master. He has to leave this world. The reply of the Prophet always was what For Allah has declared that man is mortal. is contained in this Tradition, i.e., its Given this, Muslims are not an exception to previously fixed time was known -only to divine law. God and He alone was aware of the year, In other respects, however, a Muslim month and day on which it was going to attains uniqueness and distinction if he take place. He had not granted its adheres to his faith. In this case he develops proximity with Allah. Allah may thus suspend knowledge to anyone. or defer for the time being His laws in such a The Prophet has made another person’s case. For Allah grants a true believer observation in the above Tradition besides honour, victory and fame for he is true to his answering the question that was put to him. pledge with his faith and the Shari’ah, and if he He has said that those who were alive in instinctively obeys divine commands. the world at that time would all be dead Faith and piety may be gained within a hundred years. It shows that the consciously. One is not born with these. It depends on one’s intention and effort to develop appointed time of the Resurrection, when such faith and piety. An instance in point is of everything that exists will be destroyed, was a torch and its battery. With the latter the former not known to him. It was only in the works very well, far better than an empty torch. knowledge of God. What he had, however, It is called a torch only when the battery is revealed to the Prophet was that the inside it. A torch, it goes without saying, existing generation would come to an end provides light and overcomes darkness. within a hundred years and those who were Equipped with a torch and led by its light one alive then would be dead before the is not likely to stumble in darkness. Nor will one collide with a wall on the way, or mistakenly passage of a century. Thus, for them it trample on someone. A torch, is thus of much could be said that the Last Day would come assistance. n within a hundred years. n

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

Our national song was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali language. It was a patriotic song and our Constituent Assembly accepted it as a National Song without any difficulty in 1950. Ever since it is very reverentially sung on important occasions.

To inculcate patriotic feelings in educational institutions it has been made mandatory that it should be recited before classes for instruction begin. There is no bar that any other patriotic song may not be sung before school begins its teaching programme.

Recently a very interesting situation developed in one of the Primary School in western Uttar Pradesh. The Head Master of the school allowed his students to sing a traditional Urdu prayer in their morning assembly after the national song. The Urdu song was in praise of God and a request to Him by children to make them a learned and pious entity. This song was composed by Sir Mohammad Iqbal who has composed “Sare Jahan Se achcha Hindustan Hamara”, in 1902 it is reproduced below:

Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri,/ zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri/ Door duniya ka mere dam se andhera ho jaye,

[ 5 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 har jagah meri chamakne se ujala ho jaye/ Ho mere dam se yun hi mere watan ki zinat,/ jis tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zinat/ Zindagi ho meri parwane ki surat yarab,/ ilm ki shama se ho mujhko mohabbat yarab/ Ho mera kam gharibon ki himayet karna,/ dardmandon se zaeifon se mohabbat karna/ Mere allah burai se bachana mujhko,/ nek jo ah ho usi rah pe chalana mujhko. (To the lips comes my wish turned into prayer, be my life O God like a candle. May the darkness of the world be eliminated by my efforts, be every place illuminated by my light? May I so adorn my homeland as flowers adorn a garden? Be my life like a moth, God, may I love the candle of learning? Let my mission be helping the poor, loving the sufferers and the elderly. Save me from evil, O God, lead me to the path that’s virtuous).

It is unfortunate that without understanding that it disseminates the pure and pious message someone reported to authorities that Head Master is forcing students to sing a religious song. The poor teacher is now in trouble. May God help him. n

S.A.

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[ 6 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Three Features of The Ibrahimi Culture - S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi The Ibrahimi Culture has three called as first words in his ears, making distinctive features: faith in the Being of thus the baby hear and learn the name Allah and its constant awareness, faith of Allah even before his own name. in the Oneness of Allah (as taught by the When he is seven days old, his Prophets and laid down in the Quran), Aqeeqah (shaving off the head) is and belief in the nobility of mankind and performed and an Islamic name is given their inherent right to equality and justice. to him. Such names are preferred which To my best knowledge, these reflect man’s bondsman ship to Allah characteristics, which inspire the true and Allah’s Oneness. Babies are spirit of the Ibrahimi Culture, are not sometimes also given the names of the found with such a clear projection in any Prophets, who were the greatest other culture. monotheists of their times. When the First Feature: child begins his schooling, he is first of all taught the name of Allah and verses Faith in the Being of Allah of the Quran. At the time of marriage a Faith in the Being of Allah with Muslim man and a woman are united constant awareness of it (keeping it in as wife and husband in the name of view all the time and following it in Allah and are made responsible to practice) is a distinctive feature of the honour the sanctity of Allah’s name for Muslim culture and is an integral part of the rest of their lives. In the festival of it. If we consider different Muslim cultures Eid al-Fitr Muslims proclaim the name and civilizations as dresses of different of Allah in the prescribed way and offer fashions (affected by diverse tastes of two Rak’ahs of Prayer of thankfulness. different people, local considerations, In Eid al-Adha animals are sacrificed in seasonal variations, and outside the name of Allah. influences), we find all the dresses When a Muslim is in his death bed, deeply drenched in one colour (Faith in he is encouraged by his relatives to utter Allah) which reaches every fiber and the name of Allah as his last word in the thread. The frequent remembrance and world to ensure for him a noble death. mention of the name of Allah flow in the When the news of the death of a Muslim veins of the Muslim culture like life- reaches other Muslims, they giving blood. automatically respond by saying: “To When a baby is born in a Muslim God we belong and to Him is our return” family, Adhan (Islamic prayer call) is [11:156]. [ 7 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 During the burial rites the name of Muslim’s time are also full of Allah’s Allah is very frequently mentioned from remembrance. Expressions such as the beginning to the end. Muslims say Masha Allah (“May Allah increase it”), In prayers for the forgiveness of the sha Allah (“If Allah wills so”) and La hawla deceased as well as for themselves, wala quwwata illa billah (“There is no invoking Allah’s help for living in power or strength except that which faithfulness to Him and departing from comes from Allah”), which are words the world with true faith in Him. Then the taught by the Prophet to Muslims to dead person is laid into the grave, all remember Allah, have now become an present uttering the name of Allah. In the essential part of the languages spoken grave his face is turned toward the by Muslims throughout the world. These K’aba, the direction he faced in prayers are Muslims’ characteristic ways to all his life. After his burial, whenever a remember Allah and to remind others Muslim passes by his grave, he says of Him. The culture, language, literature, prayers for his forgiveness and invokes and lifestyle of no other people are so Allah’s blessings on him. Thus, the profoundly influenced by faith in Allah’s name of Allah accompanies a Muslim Being and constant awareness of it as in his life’s journey at every step from are the culture, language, literature and birth to death. lifestyle of Muslims. This is the first Those mentioned above are universal feature of the Islamic culture. clearly important stages in life, but even Second Feature: in ordinary engagements of the daily life Faith in the Oneness of Allah a Muslim remembers his Lord and mentions His name so frequently. He The second universal feature of the begins eating with the name of Allah and Islamic culture is Muslims’ faith in the ends with words of thankfulness to Him. Oneness of Allah which is so strongly Those eager to follow the Sunnah reflected in their lives, ranging from faith (practices of the Prophet of Allah) eat to practice, from worship to celebration. and drink, put off and put on dress, enter It is proclaimed five times from the and come out of the lavatory, in fact, do minarets of their mosques that there is everything with the name of Allah on their none deserving worship except Allah. It tongues and His remembrance in their is required that their houses too remain minds and hearts. When a Muslim free from decorations bearing sneezes, for example, he is instructed polytheistic signs and symbols. to say Allah’s praise; the Muslim who Pictures, statues, and idols are hears him sneezing is required to invoke forbidden in their religion to the extent a prayer for him. Other parts of a that these have to be avoided even in the toys played by Muslim children. [ 8 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Whether it is a religious ceremony or a are essentially equal on humanitarian national festival, a birthday celebration terms. This teaching is so strongly of a religious or political leader or an emphasized in Islam that a belief in it occasion of national flag hoistation—it becomes a second nature of a Muslim is forbidden for Muslims to bow in front and fully controls his mind and heart. of idols and statues, stand in front of Consequently, the practice of observing them in reverence with folded hands, discrimination in the name of cast and and put flower wreaths around them. All the tradition of untouchability are totally such acts are contrary to their alien to Muslims. A Muslim would take monotheistic culture. Wherever Muslims meals with any other Muslim, nay any are adhering to the Islamic culture, they human being, without hesitation. discard all such polytheistic practices. Persons, several in number and different Any act defying Allah’s Oneness in any in background, eat together from one form—in giving name to a baby, in plate, eat each other’s left-over food and taking an oath, in revering pious persons drink left-over water. The king and the and saints, or the like—is against the slave stand together shoulder to teaching of Islam. shoulder with each other in prayers. A Third Feature: person with lesser social status but greater knowledge is entitled to lead Belief in the Nobility of Man the prayers, the most important The third universal feature of the responsibility in Islam, while the rich and Islamic culture is belief in the nobility of the elite have to follow him by standing man and in the fact that all human beings behind him.n (Cont. from page 39) still believing that the hands that built the Ka’ba can build humanity again: “Thou art the custodian, the trustee of the Eternal Order. Thou art the right and the left flank of the Lord of the Universe: Oh! thou creature of dust, thou art the Time and thou art the Earth. Drink the wine of conviction and get away from the tavern of uncertainty. Wake up! wake up! from thy deep slumber From thy deep slumber, awake, from thy deep slumber, awake, awake. From thy deep slumber, from thy deep slumber awake. I cry mercy from the wantonness of Europe. I cry mercy from the Sheerins and Purvazes of Europe. The world has become dissolute by the despoliation of Europe. O! thou builder of the Ka’ba, arise and build a new world again. n [ 9 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Characteristics of The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) - S.M. Rabey Hasani Nadwi* Whenever Allah Almighty sends He has gone astray from the ways of down someone as a prophet for the our elders.’ But, along with that, they do reform and edification of any people, not find it possible for themselves to He chooses for the purpose some such deny his virtuous and humanistic traits. person from amongst the people as is They are unable to bring themselves distinguished within the entire round, just out of prejudice and community in perception and prudence, stubbornness, to listen to anything character and conduct, and valour and against their religious rituals and aspiration. This distinction is, in fact, customs which are practiced by them conferred on him by Allah Almighty since their birth. But, they do not deny, Himself in order to enable him to at the same time, the moral and perform the assigned job of reform and humanistic qualities Of the Prophet. The guidance. To that end, celestial dictates Prophet would say to them that: ‘Dear are issued to him according to whom brethren! You know me very well. You he invites them towards the know how long it is since you are righteousness and Guidance. During watching and observing me. You have the period passed before getting tested and tried me. Yet, you do not pay assigned the office of Prophecy by Allah attention to what I say.’ It is what the holy Almighty, the human traits in him are Quran has referred to in this verse: vested by his Providence that are (Of a surety I have tarried among confined within the sphere of innate you a lifetime before it). human nature and those are the loftiest Sincerity, nobility, resoluteness traits. These traits are watched and and courage, fortitude and steadiness, liked by his people. Living among them, affability and amiability, compassion as he does, he has the people made and politeness are those virtues of already conversant with his sublime and prophets which make whoever listens virtuous human traits. to their message even with a least bit Hence, when he gives them a call, of impartiality feel compelled to comply on getting assigned the Prophecy, with him. towards righteousness and Guidance, The case with the Prophet the obstinate and egoistic people of his Mohammad (SAW) was exactly the community repudiate it saying only that same. He had been loved and liked for ‘this person is now starting saying such forty years by the people among whom things as were not said by our elders. he had lived. But, when he took to * Rector, Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow. preventing them from their wrong [ 10 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 practices and distorted religion and and bring relief to those who sustain started calling them towards good inflictions and distresses in the cause morals and correct religion, they got of the Truth.’ disaffected with him. But, despite Umm-ul-Momineen, Hazrat getting extremely belligerent on his Khadeejat-ul-Kubra (RAA) had said making the call, some of them would what is quoted above on the basis of keep mulling over his message and her common-sense, her finally have it accepted. For, they were unsophisticated nature as well as the well aware of his humanitarianism, experiences of her own personal life honesty, chastity and good character. and the knowledge she had of the Hence, whoever listened to him with an people. The prophet (SAW) had earned open mind would get enamored of him. from the people the honorifics of ‘As So much so that one coming to him with Sadique’ and ‘Al-Ameen’ because of his the intention of causing harm to him good traits, honesty and probity. That would suddenly get transmogrified after was the testimony from them to the fact having witnessed his (SAW) amiability. that he was really very honest and Nevertheless, a large number of extremely trustworthy. Hence, despite the people would not be willing to listen being hostile to him, they relied on him to his message. They would have their in all other matters. They even ears, as it were, stuffed with cotton, deposited their valuables with him for making sure that it does not get into their safe custody. He (SAW), too, used to ears. And, then, in order to prevent him be considerate to everyone on from giving this message, they would occasions where his cooperation and adopt violent ways and be cruel o him. compassion was required. Even on When he (SAW) got entrusted occasion of renovation of Ka’ba he with the responsibility of the Prophecy, joined all others in carrying stones. he expressed his anxiety, owing to the Whenever there would be consultations load of its weight that he was feeling, for any good cause he would take part his reverenced wife, Hazrat Khadeejat- in it. Anyone in distress and inflicted el-Kubra (RAA). Thereupon she upon by any calamity would be helped consoled and comforted him with these by him. One instance of the same is as words: ‘You need not be upset. I swear follows: There was a man whom Abu by Allah, He would never let you be Jahl had bought camels from. But, in disgraced and humbled. For, you are making payment of the price, Abu Jahl the one who has regard for the uterine had adopted the course of inordinate relations and kinship, take the load off dilly-dallying. Whenever he would come the others, render assistance to the to him to collect the price, he would put needy, extend hospitality to the guest him off. In a gathering of youths from the

[ 11 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Quoraish, that man brought up this never for the sake of his own benefit. In issue. Some of the people in the his own case, he (SAW) would endure gathering saw there a prospect of distress and would never think of taking having some fun. As the case involved any revenge from the aggressor. But, in Abu Jahl who was extremely hostile to case someone else needed his help, the Prophet (SAW), they thought it would he would go all out to help him. He had be great fun to watch when the two a soft corner for each and everyone. It come to combat each other. They said is what Allah Almighty Himself has to him (pointing towards the Prophet- defined him with: SAW): ‘Go to that gentleman sitting (It was then of the mercy of Allah there and seek assistance from him.’ He that thou hast been gentle with them; came up to him (SAW) and, making a and wert thou rough, hardhearted, they complaint of Abu Jahl’s dishonesty, had surely dispersed from around thee. sought assistance from him. Even So pardon them thou, and ask thou though it was something preposterous forgiveness for them and take thou for him (SAW) to go to Abu Jahl and counsel with them in the affair, and make an appeal to, or request, him to when thou hast resolved, put thy trust in make the payment of the price to that Allah. Verily Allah loveth the trustful.) man. But, prompted by his urge to help In case of someone having him out, he (SAW) paid no heed to the personal enmity with him (SAW), he risk involved and said to him: ‘Come on, would not be revengeful to him at all. But, I would try to help you out’. Reaching the where the interest involved used to be Abu Jahl’s house, he (SAW) knocked religious or were a matter of principle, at the door. When he came out, the he would take tough stand. The Prophet (SAW) asked him to have the definition of his character in traditional payment made. Abu Jahl was so awed annals is worded thus: by the Prophet’s boldness that he agreed to make the payment and having Describing the lofty morals of the fetched the price-money from inside he Prophet (SAW), Hazrat Ali (RAA) says: had it paid to that man. When Abu Jahl “I did not see him ever taking joined his mates later, they scoffed at revenge from anyone for his cruelty and him saying: ‘Generally, you make a aggression, unless it were the matter great show of your strength against pertaining to violation or restraints Mohammad (SAW); but, you got cowed imposed by Allah Almighty and down by him on this occasion’. He disregard for His dictates, In case any confessed that he had gotten really dictate of Allah Almighty was trampled awed by him and found himself and His Honour was smeared, he compelled on doing what he did. Such (SAW) would, of course, be angry with behavior of the Prophet (SAW) was the culprit more than anybody else.” [ 12 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Hazrat Anas bin Malik states that going in company of any slave or any the Prophet of Allah (SAW) was very widow till his or her need was fulfilled. kind-hearted. Whenever any indigent Hazrat Anas (RAA) says: ‘Anyone came to hint, he (SAW) would positively of the bond-maids and slave-girls of assure him of his assistance. In case Madinah would hold him (SAW) by hand he had something, he would and have whatever she wanted to say immediately fulfill his need. Once, there said to him and would take him along came a Bedouin when the with her as far as she wanted to’ congregational prayer was already in When Adi bin Hatim et-Tai (RAA) progress and, getting hold of his (SAW) called on him (RAA), he took him inside mantle, got to saying: ‘A small his house. The bond-maid offered the requirement of mine is still remains cushion to rest upon. He (SAW) had it unfulfilled. I am afraid I might forget it’, placed in between him and Hazrat Adi He (SAW) went with him. When he had and made himself seated on the floor. his need fulfilled, the Prophet (SAW) Hazrat Adi says: “That made me realize came back and had the prayer that he (SAW) was not a man of pomp performed. and show.” The incidents of his (SAW) Hazrat Anas (RAA) states that: tolerance, fortitude, magnanimity, “The Prophet (SAW) would call on the endurance and resoluteness are sick, accompany the funeral procession corroborated by the testimony given by and accept the invitation of the poor.” his (SAW) attendant, Hazrat Anas (RAA). It is about the time when he was Hazrat Jabir (RAA) says: “Being very young. He says: I served the considerate to the infirm, he (SAW) Prophet (SAW) for ten years. He (SAW) would slow down his speed and pray to never objected to anything I did and Allah for him.” never said why I did, or not did, this or Hazrat Anas (RAA) has been that. quoted to have said that the Prophet Hazrat U’mar narrates that the (SAW) said: “I am bond-man of Allah, Prophet (SAW) said: “Do not eat like a bond man and sit like a bond- exaggerate in commending and man.” defining me like the Christians did with The Prophet (SAW) would have Hazrat Isa bin Maryam (AS). I am just a his house himself cleaned, his camels bond-man of Allah. Do call me just tethered, his cattle served with fodder, ‘Bond-man of Allah and His Apostle’” partake with his servant in having meal, Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Aufa assist him in kneading the flour and narrates that the Prophet (SAW) had no have the victuals brought from the inhibition and did not feel ashamed at market.n

[ 13 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Concept of Society And Social Justice - K.K. Usmani God will not change the prosperous Its religious scale is that of an absolute state of a people unless they first social justice wherein every man, blest change their own hearts and selves. or unblest, gets exactly what he (8:53) And why should you not fight deserves, whether sooner or later. in the cause of God and for those The ideal society, in Islamic men, women and children who perspective, is one in which man is being weak are ill-treated and constantly on the move to understand, oppressed? to know and to master creation. It is one (4:75) where the fruits of each person, won in Because the whole world, peace and justice, are his own and to creation itself, is the target of the Muslim enjoy; where to be rich is rather than a Will to transform and refashion, the thing of shame, a matter of rightful pride. community of Islam is the human race It is one where the destitute and the in its totality. Here, every man is a citizen deprived are blames worthy if their and everyone counts. None is excluded poverty and misery is their own decision by virtue of his/her progeny, colour, and work. On the other hand’ if their religion or culture. Man’s humaneness misery is not due to their own constitutes his full candidacy for responsibility, it is their right and title to membership. partake of the prosperity and wealth of others, as to give is the duty of the The human mind or soul has no affluent. There has always been charity: vision of a relation between man and his alms are as old as man. But only in Islam fellows greater or nobler than that of did charity and sharing of wealth intellectual intercourse. The society becomes institutionalized. Islamic Islam envisages should maintain a free society was the first ever, by law, to order in which ideas and men from within collect these charities publicly, or without its frontiers are free to move, according to given rules and ratio to associate and dissociate, to proportionate for wealth, and by force compete and win— in peace. “Pull were it necessary, in order to bring the down the barriers and let the best benefits of this world to its deprived thought win” is the first principle of the members, whether Muslim or others. It world order Islam furnishes, confident was the first welfare state in history. The that the truth, which is one as God and Quran states that the righteous ones are value are one, will emerge as victorious.

[ 14 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 men who do not claim every portion of of goodness and obligatoriness of that their wealth, but recognize that a portion which is to be brought about by his deed; thereof belongs by right to the poor and and here, no compulsion and no outside the deprived. (51:19) material causation can help, because Islam seeks to bring about the for perception to be Perception at all, it realization of all values in the human must be the subject’s own perception. society. Of these, the highest are the Here, man may be helped, but never moral. The moral are precisely those coerced, to perceive. The processes in which cannot be enforced. Man may be which such help takes place constitute made to do; but his doing will not be education in its highest sense; and that moral. For it be moral, it has to be his is the final practical purpose of Islamic own free choice. The genuinely moral concept of society. values can be realized in man at all only It would seem that such lofty ideals by himself acting as a subject of the of society and social living are too realization. Above all, it must be idealistic to be followed and put into deliberate and free, his own decision practice. The truth however, is that these and choice. Only then will it be moral. ideals did find men who believed in What can the Muslim, or any other them and gave them real existence. The man, contribute to this extremely Muslim realization of these ideals is personal and free decision of the moral unusual, indeed extraordinary. As soon subject? Obviously, the Muslim’s role as Islam was established on earth, men can be only that of teaching, of causing accepted these principles and followed the moral subject to perceive for himself, them. The early period of Islamic history of exposing him to examples and was especially distinguished by an situations of realization or violation of the exemplary fulfillment of them. The ethical various imperatives. Only such perfec tionism of these early Muslims assistance to, or “invasion” of, the other is a permanent source of inspiration; man’s person does not violate its holy such for instance, were the regime of territory. This is precisely the meaning Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and Ali the of Islamic altruism when the Muslim has early Caliphs of Islam. carried his ethical and religious activism After being elected as the first to its furthest limits. Caliph, Abu Bakr took the floor. He As mentioned earlier, moral thanked God and praised Him in values cannot be enforced and must appropriate terms and said: result from one’s own free choice. In “O men! Here I have been turn, this presupposes man’s perception assigned the job of being a ruler over

[ 15 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 you while I am not the best among you. with me. May God be praised! If I do well in my job, help me. If I do Now I am your chief, Know, wrong, redress me. Truthfulness is therefore, that my hardness and severity fidelity, and lying is treason. The weak shall henceforth be doubled, but against shall be strong in my eye until I restore the unjust, and the aggressors, Muslims to them their right and the strong shall or others. To those who seek peace, be weak in my eye until I have restored piety and virtue I shall be kindlier than that right from them... Obey me as long as I obey God’s command and His they can ever be even to themselves. Prophet’s. But if I disobey God’s Know that I shall not tolerate injustice. I command or His Prophet’s, then no shall fight the unjust and cause him to obedience is incumbent upon you...” grovel in the dust until he acknowledges justice. But that I, the same chief, shall Upon his accession to the grovel in the dust in front of the pious, caliphate, Umar ibn al Khattab delivered the virtuous, the just... the following speech: Certainly I have duties of my own “I am told that the people are and it is your right to take me to account fearful of my hardness, apprehensive of therefor. It is your right and my duty that my severity. The markets hum with their I touch none of your income except that bemoaning: ‘Umar was too hard even which God had ordained in the way He when the Prophet was here with us, and ordained. I promise your towns to he was harder while Abu Bakr, rather construct and your frontiers to guard: that than he, was our Chief. What is to be I expose you to no danger and restrict our lot now that all power is his?’ Let me your movements to no locality; that tell you plainly that such bemoaning is whenever you go out on an expedition, I in place...” become the father of your families until I was the companion of the you return. Be therefore pious. Help me Prophet, his servant and worker and I against yourselves by refraining from knew too well his compassion and love, asking more than is your due. Help me his mercy and friendly love— qualities against myself by constantly enjoining which God Himself had confirmed in the good and forbidding evil, by offering him. But I was in his hands a drawn me your counsel in everything pertinent sword until he would see to put me back to the government of your affairs... The in the sheath or let me go forth, Prince of Believers should be a brother nonetheless I remained with him all the to the believers; otherwise he is an time until his death and he was pleased enemy to them... n

[ 16 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar - Sultan Shakir Hashmi A great name in the long Indian Jauhar, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Zafar Ali, freedom movement, Maulana Mohammad Maulana Hasrat Mohani and radicals wrote Ali Jauhar was born on 10th of December, articles against the British rulers for the 1878 at Najibabad in district Bijnor of Uttar awakenning of the masses. Pradesh. His father died when Mohammad Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Ali was only two years old. His able mother belonged to a rich and respectable family Bee Amma brought him up and both of and his family members were highly them received higher education under the respected and were held in very high guidance of their loving mother. After esteem by one and all in Rampur and also completing his graduation, he was sent to outside U.P. His grandfather was also a Oxford University for completing his post- high-ranking officer in the U.P. State and graduation and, after returning to India, he his father Abdul Ali Khan too, held a very started publishing a Newspaper high position in the Rampur State. As his “Comrade” in English from Calcutta. father expired when he was young, his Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was a mother Bee Amma brought him up. trusted lieutant of Mahatma Gandhi and his Mohammad Ali had his early education in right hand. When Mahatma Gandhi was Rampur and Bareilly and got college extensively travelling all over the country education in M.A.O. College, Aligarh. Later and propagating Non-Violence, Civil on he went to Oxford in England for higher Disobedience and Non-Co-operation. studies. Here, he received B.A. degree Later on, he published a newspaper (Bachelor of Arts) in the year 1902 and “Hamdard” from Delhi. He guided the came back to India. He was appointed as Muslims through these newspapers. He an officer in the Rampur States Education and Maulana Azad provided able guidance Department. He was a brilliant scholar and leadership to the Muslims all over India throughout and was also very talented. He and he was able to bring a change in the was an eloquent speaker and a writer, His political attitude and thinking of the Muslims articles were published in newspapers not of India. A large number of students of only in India but also in England and were Aligarh Muslim University became his highly appreciated by one and all. He was followers as did lacks of Muslims and strongly supported by Maulana Hindus of the country. Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, Amir Usman Zai Khan, Mohammad Ali Jauhar’s inflammatory Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Taj speeches against the British rulers are Mohammad, Maulana Abu Siraj, Gulam remembered to the day. Due to the Mohammad. They were the revolutionary sacrifices of Maulana Mohammad Ali leaders and they were arrested and

[ 17 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 sentenced. subsequently had to reconstruct the Later on, he was appointed Excise demolished portion of the mosque and Commissioner in Baroda State where he released all the attested persons in the worked till 1910. When he resigned from incident. The whole of the Muslim his job in 1911, he started publishing his community was in firmament. Maulana newspaper “Comrade” from Calcutta Mohammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali and which very soon became very popular Zafar Ali and many other leaders wrote among the masses on account of its articles against the corrupt British impartiality and patriotic feelings. The government for instigating the Muslim Tropili and Baikam wars in 1911-1912 masses in the whole country. inflused a new revolutionary spirit among He again went to England in 1920 the Muslims. He actively participated in with a “Khilafat” delegation but had to politics. Mohammad Ali Jauhar by this return empty handed and got time, was playing a very important role in disappointed. He returned to India via two movements. One for giving foundation Turkey and Saudi Arab. By this time, for M.A.O. College of Aligarh University for Mahatma Gandhi also declared his Non- which he did a lot of work and also Co-operation movement in 1919 against collected funds on a large scale. Hakim the Jalianwala Bagh massacre and Ajmal Khan, Dr. M.A. Ansari, Maulana desired that Congress Party should also Mohammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali and give a practical shape. Mahatma Gandhi addressed the students Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar of Aligarh College for the first time on 12th dominated the Indian political scene for October 1920. The other movement was over three decades and worked for Hindu- against the police firing on 2nd August Muslim unity and led the struggle for 1913 in Kanpur which was done on a large Freedom. number of Muslim protestors who were protesting against the demolition of a He made every possible effort to mosque for the purpose of making a road. bring Hindus and Muslims closer to each Dozens of Muslims were shot dead and other through his speeches and writings scores of them were wounded. Maulana in his newspaper “Comrade” and Mohammad Ali Jauhar went to England for “Hamdard” which showed wonderful lodging protest against the incident for the results. aggrieved people and also started a The “Lucknow Pact” of 1916 movement through his writings in between the Congress Party and the newspapers which started questions in Muslim League was the result of his efforts the parliament and the government had to to jointly fight against the Britishers in the accede to the just demands and Freedom Struggle. The Muslim League and the Indian National Congress were on [ 18 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 one platform in Lucknow. The Moderates Indian Nation by the time “Khilafat and the nationalist leaders put forth Committee” had been established by demand for Swaraj and “Home Rule” on a Maulana Abdul Bari and his colleagues, truly national scale. Mrs. Sarojni Naidu paid Mahatma Gandhi had supported it. As a high tributes in Lucknow session to the result the Hindus and the Muslims came Muslim League Leaders who were bringing very close to each other. There was great the two on one platform. Mohammad Ali unity among them and they fought the Jinnah, Mazhar-ul- Haq and Raja British government unitedly at all fronts. Mahmoodabad, Mrs. Sarojni Naidu This shook the whole structure of the declared that Mohammad Ali Jauhar was British Empire. the best ambassador of the Hindu-Muslim The Khilafat and the Non-Co- unity and she also said that they were united operation movement were the off shoots today. Mohammad Ali Jinnah attended of this atmosphere which shook the edifice regular the Congress session and he was of English government and its imperialism known as a secular leader at that time and in India. Meanwhile, on 13th April 1919 the he acted as the private secretary to Jalianwala Bagh incident occured. In this Dadabhai Naroji in 1906. The demand of massacre about 1200 freedom fighters “Swaraj Movement” was reiterated. Khan lost their lives. When Mahatma Gandhi Bahadur Safdar Khan, Hasan Imam and launched his “Satyagrah” movement on Mazhar-ul_ Haq supported the “Home Rule 6th April 1919 the names of some of the Movement” publicly. Mazhar-uI-Haq was Muslims who were sentenced to elected as the president of “Home Rule imprisonment were Maulvi Abdul Majid, League” Patna. Barrister Abdur Rasool Miyan Husain, Nisar Ahmad, Abdul whole heartedly supported this movement. Shakoor, Mohammad Saeed and Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was Mohammad Yasin. Meanwhile Abdul arrested during the First World War for Ghani, Shubrati Khan and Hashmatullah spreading anti-government feelings, along Khan lost their lives and died in police firing, with his brother Maulana Shaukat Ali. Both Abdullah, son of Lal Mohammad, Firoz the Ali brothers were released during the Din, Ghulam Mohinuddin, Ghulam Rasool Amritsar session of the Congress in 1919 son of Ghani Baksh, Abdullah son of Peer and they participated in the Congress Buksh, Ghulam Mustafa, Hafiz Wali Ali, session. Their participation in the Mohammad Sheikh, Husain Shah, Congress session brought sea-change in Mohammad Ismail son of Mirza Baksh, the Indian political climate of the country Kareem Baksh, Merajuddin, Mahboob, as thousands of Muslims joined the Kareem Din, Mehar Din, Husain Baksh. Congress. The Indian National Congress Mohammad Ibrahim, Mohammad became the true representative of the Ramzan, Mohammad Sadiq, Mohamrnad Sharif, Mohammad Musa, Mohammad

[ 19 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Ibrahim etc. Congress was divided in two camps by Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and that time but with his whole heated efforts his brother Maulana Shaukat Ali influenced both the factions reached an agreement the masses along with Mahatma Gandhi. and came closer to each other. The He was a member of the Indian Goodwill Congress session of 1928 at Calcutta did Delegation along with Maulana Suleman not agree with the demands. Maulana Nadvi, Dr. Sayed Husain and Hasan Mohammad Ali Jauhar gave a call for Mohammad Hayat which went to London complete independence of the country. and Paris in 1920. He was arrested in Later on, he left the Congress. 1921. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar again on the platform of Congress raised arranged to send a Medical Mission to slogan against the British government Turkey when Turkey was engaged by activities and remained in jail up to 1923. European powers in the Balkan war. He Immediately after his release he again started speaking publicity in favour of started the freedom struggle activities and Turkey. As this could not be tolerated by conspiracies against the British the British government, he was arrested government. He was aided in this by along with his brother and kept in separate thousands of his followers. jails in Mehrauli, Lansdowne and After the Chauri Chaura incident, Chindwara. Later on, he was shifted to Mahatma Gandhi withdrew his Non-Co- “Batoon” jail. He along with his elder brother operation movement which had shaken the was released after four years in 1918. They whole British structure and its government were, however, given a royal welcome by in India. Later on, the Non-Co-operation the public wherever they went. movement was dropped by Mahatma Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Gandhi because of its violent activities but raised the slogan of “Khilafat” movement the fate of the Khilafat movement was yet on a big scale and therefore, crores of to be seen. Thereafter, a new party was Muslims all over the country raised their established under the name of Congress voice in support of “Khilafat” movement. Khilafat Swaraj Party. Later on, only The Khilafat conferences were held at Swaraj Party was left. The Hindu-Muslim many places in the country and riots were engineered by the British subsequently an All India Khilafat government through its local agents. Committee was also formed. A Khilafat Maulana Mohammad Ali tried his best to Conference was held in 1919. Prominent restore Hindu-Muslim unity along with Ulemas (Clerics) and divines no less than hundreds of his colleagues and thousands Maulana Kifaiyatullah, Maulana Amritsari, of followers. He was elected as the Maulana Ibrahim Sailkoti, Maulana Azad president of the Congress Party. Although, Subhani and Maulana Abdul Bari Farangi

[ 20 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Mahli participated in it. many places of the country and challenged The Muslims assured Mahatma the British government to arrest all of them Gandhi that they were all “fully with them” far sake of his native-land. in Non-Co-operation” movement and In 1920, Maulana Mohammad Ali “Boycott” programmes and all other similar Jauhar founded a new National Muslim movements under the leadership of University known as Jamia Milia Islamia Mahatma Gandhi. The kind of agitation at Aligarh, now at Delhi. Maulana resulted in a great set-back to the British Mohammad Ali was the real factor in the government. situation. He was the ostensible link In 1920, a special Congress session between the Hindus and the Muslims. If was held in Calcutta in which the Congress trouble came between him and Mahatma completely accepted the programmes of Gandhi, it meant the clash between the Boycott and Non-Co-operation as national Hindus and the Muslims. If Maulana programme and “Khilafat” was also made Mohammad Ali does what Mahatma national colour. Thus, Maulana Gandhi desires, Maulana Mohammad Ali Mohammad began to be counted amongst Jauhar will be lowered in the public one of the senior most leaders of Khilafat esteem. movement as well as one of the top The ‘Mopla” movement was leaders of the Congress Party. continued Mahatma Gandhi decided to go In Karachi Khilafat Congress in with Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar to 1921, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Malabar to pacify the ‘Moplas”. On the way, asked all the Muslim Soldiers in British on 14th September, the British army to leave their services from the army. government arrested Maulana Interestingly, this Khilafat Congress was Mohammad Ali while he was going to also attended by Jagat Guru address a public meeting. Shankrachariya among others. Some Maulana Mohammad Ali pleaded leaders including Maulana Mohammad Ali with King George V the sacrifices and Jauhar, his brother Maulana Shaukat had hardships of the people touched the also responded to the call and the sympathetic chord of every Indian. He declarations mentioned above. Maulana passed away in London on 4th January Mohammad Ali Jauhar was, however, 1931. In the early hours of the fateful day arrested on 14th September 1921 and he was revising his last appeal to the cases were initiated against all the seven Hindus and the Muslims to bury all leaders and, subsequently, all were differences and work for Indian sentenced to two years imprisonment. nationalism. It was an open secret that the Mahatma Gandhi got repeated this deputation was a “Command suggestion in thousands of meeting in Performance” as Maulana Mohammad Ali

[ 21 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Jauhar later called it. Lord Mr. Minto in his followers. reply accepted the position taken up by the Mahatma Gandhi was in Yarwala Jail deputation Lord Mr. Minto further said that when Mohammad Ali Jauhar was released “I am as firmly convinced as I believe you and he declared that he would not sit relax to be, that any electoral representation in until Mahatma Gandhi was released from India would be doomed to mischievous jail by the British government in December failure which aimed at granting a personal 1923. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was enfranchisement regards less of the chosen to preside over the Congress beliefs and traditions of the communities session in Kakinada. composing the population of this continent.” Later on, riots flared up in 1924 at different places on a large scale with the Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew demanded deep conspiracy and connivance of the the announcement to Complete British government and Mahatma Gandhi Independence. Complete Boycott of became so sad that he remained on “Fast” legislatures, organisation of a National for 21 days living at the residence of army of workers, organisation of a mass Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar. civil disobedience as well as individual civil disobedience in selected areas. In spite Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar left of being unwell, Maulana Mohammad Ali the Congress in the Congress session Jauhar went to London to attend the held in Madras in the year 1927 but “Round-Table Conference” where too he remained a disciplined soldier of the repeated his demand for Complete “Freedom Struggle Movement” like before. Independence. There he declared that he This brave soldier of Indian Freedom would not return to his country until Struggle and a great patriot of this declaration for Independence was made motherland died on the 4th of January for his country. 1931 while returning from the “Round It is really very unfortunate for us and Table Conference” held in London. He had for the whole country that a great freedom already declared that he could not return fighter, a learned scholar, a great leader alive if he failed to achieve independence and a brave revolutionary is not for India which came to be true later on, remembered in his own country for which on 15th of August 1947. This great son of he sacrificed everything and for which he India and a great revolutionary of the lived and for which he died. motherland expired in 1931 but his services to the nation can never be Immediately after his release he forgotten and shall always remain a source started his freedom struggle activities and of inspiration for the present and the future conspiracies against the British generation.n government along with thousands of his

[ 22 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Religion And Reason (Mazhab wa Aqliyyaat) - Abdul Bari Nadwi Urdu is not still capable of reason is quite old, which has raged in all expressing a serious, complex academic eras. However, in view of the major issue in a popular idiom. Another advancements recorded by reason in the misfortune is that our modern educated last century it may be said that religion lies friends are indifferent to their mother dethroned, after having suffered its final tongue. They may go to any length for debacle. According to the writer of the acquiring a foreign language. Even, they preface to The Riddle of the Universe; “We cannot read and write ordinary Urdu in (scientists) have driven away God, after correct way. For them it is beneath their thanking Him for His ephemeral status to write even ordinary letters in contributions.” Those swayed by the Urdu. A speaker in Urdu hardly finds any wonders of science and given to the audience in Deccan and Gujarat. The local conformity to Europe are carried away conditions there do not let Muslims of these altogether by such viewpoints. regions to learn Urdu, the common At the outset of the World War I language of Muslims. Muslims in Bengal Germans’ ingenuity in warfare had been and Punjab are, however, more favourably so overblown that their attainments inclined towards Urdu. Given this, if my sounded amazing, even magical. An presentation does not capture your otherwise serious sober and well attention, its responsibility rests solely with educated person asserted that German my esteemed elder, Maulana Habibur soldiers are artificial beings made of iron Rahman Khan Sherwani who did not and wood. The public was willing to accept revise his decision despite my repeated any fantastic point about Germans, without requests: applying even commonsense. (It is hoped that strangeness to Urfi would While I was in Sultanpur, a friend change to friendship by the utterances of recounted to me this eye-witness Those who know him) account: “As passengers disembarked The topic of my presentation is from a train, someone shouted: “Here “Religion and Reason”. Religion signifies came the Germans!”, and ran. Upon supernatural beings and such beliefs hearing this, everyone was struck with which are common to almost all religions. panic and they took to running in every Reason embraces in this presentation its direction, abandoning their luggage.” It two major offshoots – never occurred to any of them why would Germans appear there and how could they (i) Science reach all of a sudden from nowhere. No (ii) Philosophy one even paused to check if Germans were really there. They were so The battle between religion and [ 23 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 overwhelmed that they did not think of 1. Some leading scientists such as verifying anything. Laplace, Tyndal and Huxley uttered such statements which misled even To me, an encounter between the elite, what to say of the general religion and reason is as unreal and public. It was commonly, though unsubstantial as the appearance of erroneously, believed that there is Germans at Sultanpur railway station, indeed a conflict between religion what to say of the victory or defeat of either and science. When Laplace religion or science. European scientific presented a copy of his book, inventions have made their way into India Mecanique Caleste to Napolean, the as a concomitant of the British rule. Each latter told him: “People say that you of these, ranging from railway to telegraph have authored this book on the and electricity was no doubt bewildering working of the universe, without even for sane, mature persons. They mentioning its Creator.” To this he found these incredible. Other tersely replied: “Sir, I was under no advancements in science and technology obligation to do so.” of the day were: measurement of the earth’s weight, speed of light and empirical Huxley remarked that matter and the evidence about the existence of life forms, laws related to it have refuted the rivers and mountains on the Mars. So our doctrine of genesis of the existence Western educated brethren were taken in of the soul. Such remarks prompted by the assertion that God has been skepticism about religion among expelled. They held science in awe and those who are ignorant of the true the rejection of faith by science appeared nature of science. This to them as the gospel truth. Even to this overwhelmed them all the more and day, for them any reference to science or they took to exalting science and Europe clinches the convincing argument. looking down upon religion. Thus these modern educated 2. The misconception arises, in the brethren never studied critically religion main, from the assumption that and science and the nexus between the there exists a conflict between two. It never occurred to them whether the scientists and theologians. This two belong to the same league or not. may be ascribed mostly to the However, they took to celebrating the Inquisition in Europe. Score of victory of reason and science. Though this scholars and researchers were trend was more popular in Egypt and India, persecuted as part of the Inquisition the naivety of our modern educated for their crime of academic pursuits brethren is not the only factor responsible and scientific inventions in the for this. Some other factors also medieval era by the Church Fathers. contributed to lending credence to these For the Church Fathers even the notions. These are as follows: simple assertion that the earth is round sounded blasphemous. [ 24 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 When Copernicus authored his book that the two are opposed to each other. on the rotation of the earth and This struck a blow to the cause of faith heliocentrism, endorsing and resulted in the sheer waste of mental Pythagoreanism, its study was faculties on something pointless, which proscribed. With his invention of does not hold any water. telescope Galileo supported Although the impression about the Copernicus’s stance. This resulted hostility between religion and science is in Galileo’s imprisonment and he fairly wide spread, it is indeed without any died behind the bars. Bruno was put substance. In this lecture I will press home on fire for his belief in the existence the same point. I do not seek to bring about of several worlds. any reconciliation between the two, though In sum, the Inquisition department some might assume so in view of my persecuted and destroyed the lives religious outlook on life. One’s assertion of hundreds of persons in the name about the co-existence between the two of defending faith. This naturally is liable to be misconstrued, particularly if resulted in creating the perception it is stated by a religious person. I was told that knowledge and religion are this morning by a modern educated poles apart. This misperception person that it would be beyond me to gained such currency that John defend, as religion has lost all of its sheen. William Draper wrote a whole book That religion and science are two History of the Conflict between entirely separate, distinct entities may be Religion and Science (1876). grasped better on realizing that these are Essentially it is about the encounter totally different from each other in their between theologians and scientists. nature and scope. There might be a 3. The third main cause is the stance collision between two trains. However, any of some naïve scholastics collision between a train and a ship is out (mutakallemin) as the defenders of of the question, because the former does religion. The never reflected on the not and cannot move on water and the issue whether there is any conflict latter not on land. Exactly the same holds between religion and reason or not. true for the two different planes of religion Instead they got entangled in and science. The intrusion of science into reconciling faith with reason. They the ambit of religion is as improbable as took to refuting all scientific and the movement of a train on sea or of a philosophical statements as their ship on land. Science has no access to ordained duty. the starting point of religion. Actually the terminus of science marks the starting The same pernicious tradition of point of religion. Science deals only with scholasticism popularized the notion of the Nature and its manifestations and consists hostility between religion and science in of observations and experiments about the Muslim mind. It persuaded Muslims Nature. In contrast, supernatural is the [ 25 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 main concern of religion, something creator alone. That creator is eternal and beyond the realm of observations and omnipresent – i.e. God Almighty, the experimentation. The concepts of God, Limitless, All Powerful, All Hearing, All soul and the Hereafter lie at the core of Seeing and All Perfect Being. religion. The distinguished scientist, Then there is a world of difference Professor Tyndal has pressed home the between the observations and same truth and the limitations of science experiments of an ordinary person and of by taking recourse to this easily a scientist. The latter tests and scrutinizes understandable analogy: “If you observe his observations, puts them to various a clock, you will note its hands constantly experiments and then generalizes these moving indicating hour, minute and and draws inductively certain results. second. Why do these hands move? Why Furthermore, he offers explanations for all and how is the relationship fixed between of his inferences. these? These questions cannot be answered without opening the clock and Every passer-by sees an apple studying closely its parts and their falling from a tree. However, the same interrelationship. Once we carry out this observation prompts Newton’s mind to exercise, we learn that the particular infer a universal principle. As a scientist, movement of the hands of a clock is on he expands his experiment and reinforces account of its inner mechanism which his stance by subjecting it to a variety of operates with a certain force. This tests. He notes a link amid various phenomenon may be ascribed to man’s happenings and finally discovers the law craft. However, the same holds true for all of cause and effect in tides on sea, happenings and natural phenomena. planetary motion, the solar system and These work according to an inner, invisible many other grand natural phenomena. He machine, supported by an abundant supply detects the identical law of gravity in all of of power that accounts for the functioning these, which accounts also for the fall of of these machines. The aim of physical an apple on the ground. He brands this as sciences is to unravel these machines and the law of gravity which governs all bodies. the power supporting these. It will thus This law stands out as a major scientific explain the working of the universe.” fact. What about this inner machine The question arises as to what this behind the working of the universe? How law of gravity is. How did it come into did it come into being? Who established being? Is it eternal or created? Scientists it? What is the source of its energy? These have no answer to the above. At the end questions cannot be answered by science. of his book Principia, which posits this In the academic parlance we may say that ground-breaking scientific revelation, science can unravel only the immediate, Newton himself acknowledges that the secondary causes and thus explain the wonders of the universe are known to its working of the universe. It is, however, [ 26 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 totally beyond the power of science to planetary bodies, their gravity and laws of identify the first, primary cause. Huxley, a motion. He is capable of carrying out such leading scientist, has conceded the same a study. But can he pinpoint the true nature truth in his Science Primer, an introductory of gravity and motion and the first cause? book on science for children, affirming that A mathematician may explore numbers no object can be fully analysed and and space. But can he point to the truth explained. For man’s even most advanced related to space? He cannot determine knowledge does not take us beyond only whether something is intrinsic or extrinsic. a few steps in explaining the phenomenon A biologist tells that living bodies are made of cause and effect.” of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. But can any biologist say with certainty as Given this, it will be absurd and to how these bodies are blessed with life, unrealistic to expect science to affirm or action sense perception and reject God or the First Cause. Such a consciousness on attaining a particular demand betrays one’s ignorance of the chemical composition? Experts on true nature and scope of science. For it chemistry and physics may point to the lays no such claim. existence of atom, electricity, electrons What an irony that while even an and other etc. However, can they ever introductory book on science rules out this claim to possess the knowledge of the role for itself, we take it as a rival to religion. truth about ether and electricity? In sum, Although man claims to be guided by on studying any branch of learning one reason and wisdom, it is the height of his concludes that man cannot move beyond ignorance and foolishness that at times only a few steps regarding the origin of life. he believes in certain popular notions As to the quantum of man’s which have no basis at all. knowledge, it is as infinitesimal as the Thousands of students pursue momentary flash of lightning inside dark, various branches of science. So doing, a thick black clouds. Man’s ignorance student reads scores of books. Yet none outweighs his ignorance immensely. of these books deal even in passing with Religion seeks to guide man with the God, soul and resurrection in positive or help of faith, especially the belief in the negative terms. These are never studied unseen amid his all-round darkness. For as a scientific fact. Yet there is a popular reason and science cannot overcome the misperception that faith now stands thick clouds of his ignorance. Man may discredited by atheism or that reason has lose faith in the face of the darkness replaced the Scriptures. It is widely held enveloping him. that politics is now a substitute for religion and action for worship. Material needs have Yet man is gifted with curiosity. He now rendered man indifferent to Hell and is fond of examining everything at length. articles of faith. Since his desire for knowledge could not be satisfied by looking at only A scientist no doubt discusses [ 27 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 appearances, he took to studying the no ground left for any conflict universe in its totality and its origin. What between the two. Religion is is the true nature of mind and all external premised fully on faith and belief bodies? Man is prone to asking these system whereas philosophy hinges questions: What is this universe as a on speculation and argumentation. whole? How did it originate? What will be Religion makes allowance for its end? What is the truth regarding mind reason. However, as reason and external bodies? Who are we? From disregards its true nature and where have we come? Where do we go energy, it turns into philosophy, a from here? point to which we will revert later. In sum, man has innate desire to 2. An important point related to the unveil the supernatural, something topic under discussion is that even forbidden for the human reason. in the event of a conflict between religion and philosophy, it would be In grappling with the above absurd to hold that philosophical questions man moves away from the speculations may clinch the confines of science and enters the realm argument is favour of or against of metaphysics, which is a boundless religion. Philosophy represents a subject of study. Metaphysics, unlike hotch-potch of such contradictory physical sciences, does not rest on views that it cannot serve as the certainties. It is a field full of speculation criterion to prove or disprove truth. and is not marked by empiricism or It cannot declare reason or religion definiteness: as a winner or loser. Philosophy, at (Every one said things on the basis of most, caters to man’s natural conjecture and the reality was not curiosity and his penchant for hair discovered. So the Story (based on splitting. Prompted by the same and conjecture) never came to an end). notwithstanding the limitations of Religion challenges metaphysical reason, man is drawn to the notions. There might be a conflict between forbidden territory of metaphysics. religion and philosophy. However, there 3. The final point is that we do possess cannot be a conflict between religion and 2500 years legacy of philosophical science. For appreciating better the nexus thought. Let us examine how far between religion and philosophy, we philosophy has been a rival to should bear in mind the following: religion. This point is addressed aptly 1. Philosophy and religion may pursue by Bacon, which is endorsed by the the same goal. However, the routes spate of both classical and modern taken by the two are so markedly philosophical writings. Bacon points different and distinct that on out that a superficial and little study dispelling misconceptions, there is of philosophy inclines man to atheism. However, its deep nuanced [ 28 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 study draws man closer to religion. the soul, as the product of matter in its various forms. They hold that matter or The history of philosophy is long and energy is eternal and uncreated. The two extensive. Yet its four main schools are: i) are inseparable. Dualism ii) Idealism iii) Materialism and iv) Scepticism. Nature and Laws of Nature display the set forms and principles of matter. The Dualism signifies the existence of entire universe is made of matter; it is not contraries in the universe. It also maintains the handiwork of any external creator who as to the body and the soul, the former is is all powerful. Nature does not stand in only a heap of matter while the latter is the need of God. Lucretius maintains that source of reason and consciousness. Nature accomplishes everything, without This was the stance of the most God’s intervention. For Bruno, matter is outstanding classical philosopher Aristotle: not something passive, as is held by Most of the philosophers have all along philosophers. It is mother of universe that subscribed to this stance. Descartes, the accomplishes everything of its own. father of modern philosophy endorsed the above stance of Aristotle. It has been the Thus according to all the schools of creed of major religions. The concept of philosophy, Materialism alone may sow the the soul is central to all religions. All other seeds of atheism and irreligion. This beliefs such as recompense and school of thought is as old as philosophy resurrection emanate from the same. itself. It had developed into a system by Democritus some 2500 years ago. In In contrast to Dualists, Idealists are classical times, however, it did not gain of the view that the soul alone is the much popularity. Among the notable quintessence and this soul represents followers of Democritus, mention may be mind or reason. The concept of all made of Epicurus and Lucretius. physical world is its reflection. The existence of matter of its own is an illusion. Philosophy was a major discipline Plato is credited with this viewpoint. He of study in the Medieval era. Materialism holds a more exalted rank in the world of existed only at the margins as a school of philosophy than Aristotle. Modern thought. Bruno, however, revived in 16th philosophers rally round the same Platonic century. For this crime the Inquisition stance namely Spinoza, Leibniz, Berkeley, department put him on fire. His death, Nietzsche, Schelling, Hegel and Bergson. however, marks the beginning of the Mystics in the religious tradition share modern era of philosophy. Gassendi almost the same viewpoint. resurrected Democritus’s thought. He holds an important position in the history As opposed to this, Materialists do of philosophy for having introduced not regard the soul as the basis. For them, Empiricism. matter is of paramount importance. They consider reason and consciousness, However, the scientific inventions which are taken as the manifestations of and studies of the last two hundred years [ 29 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 account, in the main, for transforming been carried out on dogs. It is empirically Materialism into major trends representing manifest that there is a correlation between atheism and reflection of faith. Of these, the mental actions and bodily changes. the following four are worth-studying: There is no issue with the above (i) Permanence of matter and empirical observation. However, the energy Materialists’ insistence that the body prompts the mind or it is the cause of (ii) Evolution mental actions, is not empirically proved. (iii) Chemical substance of life Nor it is borne out by any physiological and study. A physiologist asserts only this (iv) The link between mental and much: consequent upon any action physical actions. involving consciousness and perception, a certain change is registered in the grey It is not our aim to endorse or refute matter. As to the phenomenon of cause these scientific issues. Nor are we sceptic and effect in this instance, it is quite likely about their existence. We would, that actions are caused by some non- nonetheless, draw attention to some of the material being that uses the brain and illusions cast by these, which generally go nervous system as a trigger. unnoticed even by scholars. These are mistakenly considered as hostile to The above issue belongs to the religion. realm of metaphysics and is a postulate which cannot be handled by a scientist. Let us first take up the relationship No scientific method based on observation between mind and body. Like Dualists, and inference can pronounce a judgment believers in religion also hold that the soul on this. Accordingly leading scientists is an independent, different entity and the opine that mental actions and bodily body is merely its medium. All that mind changes happen, parallel to each other. It thinks flows from the soul. The salient is not known as to which one is the cause point of the scientific study on this subject and which one the effect. There is no way known as Physiology is that there is to ascertain it. Professor Tyndal is dubbed always some bodily change in proportion as an atheist or Materialist in the light of to every mental and spiritual act. If one’s his Belfast Address. This distinguished mind is impaired, it is reflected in his brain scientist is on record affirming: “Had our and nerves. There are separate pockets mind and sense perception grown so in the brain for various actions, much in their ken, power and light that we consciousness, memory and perception. could see with the naked eye the A competent physiologist may make the molecules inside the brain and brain indifferent to any of these. For ascertained their actions and their example, if memory cells are removed corresponding effects, we could not still from the brain, that person will not be able solve the riddle, as we have so far been. It to recall anything. Such experiments have is beyond us to find out the correlation [ 30 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 between the bodily changes and represents various combinations consciousness. There is a yawning gap and compounds of the same between the two which cannot be bridged protoplasm. by reason. Suppose the feeling of love is Chemistry has resolved a problem. linked with a complex movement of With this knowledge about the origin molecules on the right side and of hatred of life or matter of life matter, on the left, we may conclude that as love scientists look forward to the day is evoked in us, the movement is in one when they will be able to generate particular direction and in the case of life after mixing certain substances, hatred, in the other direction. However, we like we produce water by mixing have no answer to the why of this hydrogen and oxygen. Thus we may phenomenon. It has always been crack the riddle of life. impossible to figure it out. I do not think that it can be any Materialist’s case that It is not impossible to achieve all the movement of these molecules this. The mystery of life may be explains everything. Actually this does not resolved, enabling science to reach claim the existence of a correlation another threshold. But will the between the two. However, he remains discovery about the origin of life ignorant of the true relationship between answer all the questions? Will we them. The mystery of the body – soul be able to explain what life is? How relationship is as intractable today as it are lifeless elements endued with life was before the age of science and reason. and from which source? Science is We can trace the development of a unable to respond to these nervous system, and correlate with it the questions in the same way it cannot parallel phenomena of sensation and explain as to why and how the thought. We see with undoubting certainty feelings of love or hate appear on that they go hand in hand. But we try to account of the movement of soar in a vacuum the moment we seek to molecules on the right and left sides comprehend the connexion between respectively them.” (3) The superstructure of religion rests (2) Like the soul, the origin of life is largely on the mystery of the origin another mystery. No one can throw of the soul and life. Were science to any light on its origin, its source and unravel, it would certainly unnerve its genesis. Science has its limits in men of religion. It is, however, this regard. Experiments have at surprising as to why the latter felt so most pointed to its earliest and disturbed over the publication of the extreme forms. In biology it is known Origin of Species or the concept of as protoplasm which in the words Evolution. A neurotic person is apt of Huxley is the basis of life among to react strongly. Even if the law of all the known forms of life. The world evolution is accepted as infallible

[ 31 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 and that it applies to both life and forget that such onslaughts against soul apart from body, the religion had been mounted much metaphysical riddle does still remain before Darwin and Spencer did so. unresolved, because the theory of However since religion is rooted in Evolution merely states that man both the body and soul, science reached his present form, evolving cannot touch its depths. Science from various stages. can never dethrone religion presently or in future. For the two are However, it is a commonplace. We distinctly different: observe the same truth and are not astonished. We know children grow, (This earth has a different sky) from the stage of their birth until their 4) These scientific studies about the Darwinian stage. Both his soul and soul, life and origin of species, at mental actions develop during the best, support Materialism. The course of time. The influence of crucial issue is the permanence of such external factors as education, matter and energy. It is held that both environment and health on one’s of these are eternal and mental development is a truism. indestructible. Other notions about While growing from a drop of semen these are that these are not created to a fully developed baby in nine by anyone. Nor can these be months, he undergoes several perished by anyone. The two are transformative stages. Finally he perceived inseparably intertwined. It emerges as a representative of the is also assumed that all the wonders best of creatures. The same period in the heavens and on earth and all of gestation holds true in the case the manifestations of the body and of snakes and apes. The delivery soul are owing to only their creative period differs amid species. In the power and command. case of man, there is a period of nine months between conception and First, it is only a notion that matter is birth. The lower order living beings eternal. At best, it is a metaphysical took centuries to reach the stage concept. Alexander Smith, a scientist of held by man. By the time a baby our time maintains that it is a hypothesis, grows into fifty years old, he attains beyond the realm of our experience. It is a the same mental faculty which the supernatural issue which is fit for author of the Origin of Species metaphysics only. Thus it is not some possessed. However, the animal incontrovertible scientific truth. Sir Oliver spirit took thousands of years to Lodge, a leading scientist of the day reach the level of the human soul. proclaims that perishing and construction of matter is within the ambit of science. If the theory of Evolution is regarded This hypothesis is subject to experiment.n as fatal for religion, we should not (To be continued...) [ 32 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Qari Mushtaq Ahmad- A selfless Servant of The Qur’an - Obaidur Rahman Nadwi Founder of Madrasa Alia Irfania, and made up in his mind to start a Madrasa. former chairman of Uttar Pradesh Accordingly he initiated Shuba-i-Qirat Madrasa Board, prominent Qari and (Department of Qirat) in Madrasa Qur’ania patron of a good number of Islamic at Chopatia in Lucknow. This Madrasa institutions Qari Mushtaq Ahmad passed actually belonged to Maulana Qari Siddique away on October 12, 2019 after a Ahmad. He held Qari Mushtaq Ahmad in prolonged Illness at the age of 87. high esteem being son of Maulana He was born in 1932, at Allahabad. Mohammad Ahmad Partabgarhi. With the He originally belonged to Partabgarh, UP. intention of a new particular Madrasa a few Well-known Islamic cleric Hazrat Maulana months later in 1977 he shifted the same Mohammad Ahmad Partabgarhi was his Department of Qirat to Masjid Haider father. He was a man of angelic qualities. Bakhsh where he led the prayer. Qari He always kept himself busy in purification Mushtaq Ahmad named it Madrasa Alia of mind and purging his heart and soul. Irfania. Besides Qirat, Arabic classes were He played a leading role in reformation of also started. After some years the Madrasa society. He left countless disciples was affiliated to Darul Nawatul Ulama (Murideen) who perform reformative jobs Lucknow. Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali in their respective regions. Nadwi often visited it and called it “Chota Nadwa”. It continuously progressed till it Qari Mushtaq Ahmad memorized became one of the best branches of Darul the Holy Qur’an in Madrasa Kafiaytul Nadwatul Ulama. Because of surging Uloom, Partabgarh. Maulana Nazrul crowd of students he built three storeyed Hafeez Nadwi Azhari HOD Arabic Darul building at Abdul Aziz Road, Chowk, Uloom Nadwatul Ulama was his Hifz Lucknow. World renowned Islamic Scholar classmate. Thereafter he joined Nadwa Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi laid the where Maulana Moinullah Nadwi, Maulana foundation stone of the Madrasa. It goes Habeebur Rahman Sultanpuri and without saying that attentions and Maulana Dr. Saeedur Rahman Aazmi blessings of two doyen Maulana Syed Abul Nadwi were among others his teachers. Hasan Ali Nadwi and Maulana Mohammad He left Nadwa and took admission in Ahmad Partabgarhi had always been to it. Madrasa Furqania to learn Qir’at and It made great stride and its reputation Tajweed. Later he was appointed teacher spread far and wide within a short span of in the same Madrasa. He served there for time. Now its pass outs are scattered not several years. But due to some reasons, only in India but all over the world. he resigned from the Madrasa Furqania Qari Mushtaq Ahmad was a man of [ 33 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 eminence in the field of Qir’at and Tajweed. Bengal, I came to Lucknow and got He dedicated his whole life to service of enrolled in Madrasa Alia Irfania in 1990. I the Qur’an. The main plank of his life was studied there for seven years. I came to to produce excellent and well versed Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama for higher Qurra. His entire life was a practical education from the same Madrasa. In 2000 portrait of the saying of Prophet I was appointed as a teacher in Darul Muhammad (PBUH) “The best among you Uloom Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow. One day who learnt the Qur’an and taught it.” I went to meet Qari Mushtaq Ahmad and Qari Mushtaq Ahmad was a informed him about my appointment in celebrated teacher of the Qur’an. He Nadwa. On hearing it he expressed carved a niche in the arena of Qir’at and immense pleasure and introduced me to Tajweed. It is said: “Teacher is not a king the elite sitting around him. He always but produces king”, He paid particular showed affection and love to me. I never attention to his students to prepare them forget affection, love and favours which he for the great task of spreading education. showed to me. He left a galaxy of students behind him Qari Mushtaq Ahmad is survived by who impart education in their respective one son and one daughter. He made his areas. Besides, he was an able son Imtiyaz Ahmad as his successor in administrator. He was aware of the nuts his life. Like his father, Imtiyaz Ahmad is bolts of administration. He was a proactive also a good administrator. It is hoped that man. He never became afraid of time. He he will precisely fulfil the work left by his faced the situation with courage and beloved father. Dr. Saeedur Rahman determination. In fact, courage was secret Azami Nadwi, Principal Darul Uloom of his success in life. Truly speaking, he Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow led the funeral was a great humanitarian. He helped prayer. He was burried in Aaishbagh countless poor students and assisted in graveyard. Thousands of his admirers poor girls’ marriages and co-operated from various parts of the country thronged disabled and helpless persons. He to attend the last rites of the departed. followed the principle “Live and let others May Allah forgive his shortcomings live” throughout his life. and lapses and grant him an elevated Decidedly, Qari Mushtaq’s death position in Jannat al Firdaws. “To the caused a vast vacuum in the field of Qir’at righteous soul will be said, O thou soul, in and Tajweed. His demise is a great loss complete rest and satisfaction! Come to Madrasa Alia Irfania. His passing away back thou to thy Lord, well pleased thyself, is also a personal loss to me. After and well-pleasing unto Him! Enter thou, memorizing the Holy Qur’an from Madrasa then, among my devotees! Yea, enter thou Mambaul Uloom Khanpur, Malda, West My Heaven.”n

[ 34 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 Pages From Islamic History - The Personal Sacrifice made by the Arabs in “ O’ Saleh, we had such high hopes of the past for the Welfare and Happiness of thee.” Mankind The salvation of humanity is not As has been said earlier, the prophet achieved by force of arms. It depends on of Islam, (Peace be on him!) came with the moral courage and the spirit of self- his message at a time when mankind had sacrifice of a handful of people who, by reached almost the last stage of misery worldly standards, are often considered to and wretchedness. be lacking in good fortune. It is they, who To relieve humanity of its privations courting dangers and trials, release was beyond those who were, at that time, millions of people from their miseries and the over-lords of life. They had neither the lead them from despair to hope and from vision nor the normal courage nor even wretchedness to grace, They are the the desire to undertake such a task. people who consider it a cheap bargain if, Luxurious living had sapped their energies by the sacrifice of a few many are able to and greed and avarice had undermined achieve dignity and prosperity and wealth, their courage. They had become incapable the doors of material and spiritual well- of giving up even an iota of their comforts being are opened on many. for any noble cause. They could not face The Prophet of Islam, (Peace be on hardships and had no stomach left for trials him!) was ordained at a time, when the and tribulations inherent in such a struggle. Romans and the Persians who shared They could not look beyond their power in the world, had become effete and immediate interests, could have no had neither the moral courage to risk the thought for others and were not willing to comforts of their life nor the stamina to give up anything for the collective good of face the trials and hardship of the struggle mankind. for humanity at large. They could not give Mankind stood in sore need of those up even a small portion of the luxuries with who were cast in a different mould. It which they had surrounded themselves. needed men who held life cheap and who Such people were scarce among them could risk their wealth and prosperity, even who, by controlling their physical appetites their lives for its sake. Mankind cried out and instincts, greed and avarice, liberate for those who cared neither for loss nor themselves from the bondage of luxurious gain and who would not hesitate to living and lead a more purposive life sacrifice the high hopes and aspirations dedicated to high and noble ideals. For entertained of them by their own people such a cause a different people were and about whom these people would say chosen by divine dispensation. The Arabs what the people of Saleh said about him : were chosen to be the companions and

[ 35 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam and trial set an inspiring example to his his great mission to ennoble life. These followers and to those who had a noble people were filled with the spirit of mission to and a high destiny to fulfill. In dedication and renunciation and prepared the discharge of his mission, the Holy themselves to sacrifice all that they Prophet of Islam (Peace be on him!) possessed in meeting the great trials that denied ease and comfort and good living faced them in fulfilling the mission. The not only to himself but to all those who were artificialities of sophisticated culture and near to him like his wives, children, luxurious living could not lure, nor worldly relatives and friends. Those who were pomp and show, charm them. They were close to him always received less and rich because they knew contentment; they much was taken from them. They were were wise because they understood the the first in the struggle and last to reap its higher values of life. The Prophet of Islam, benefits. Whenever he prohibited anything, (Peace be on him!) himself faced, in full he prohibited it first for his own people. measure, trials and hardships, privations Whenever there was any opportunity for and dangers in carrying out completely his material gain, others were considered first great mission. He set his face against all and his own last. They were often deprived worldly desires and ambitions, and of the good things of life when and if they everything that stood in the way of his came the way of the Muslims in general. mission. Worldly success with all its When he prohibited usury, he began with allurements could cast no spell on him nor his own uncle Abbas bin Abdul Mutallib, could any power on earth make him whose business of money lending was the deviate from his path. The choicest gifts first to be wound up and the interest that of life like political power and supremacy, had accrued annulled. He acted in the wealth and luxury which could ensnare the same manner when he stood up to heart of any man, were un-hesitatingly mitigate the evils of blood feuds and spurned by him when offered to him, while absolved those who had killed his own he was still a young man, by the Quraish. kinsman, Rubia bin Havis bin Abdul Again when, on the insistence of the Mutallib, of his blood. When zakat i.e. the Quraish, his own uncle tried to dissuade poor tax (which is a real blessing and will him from his mission, he said “ O My uncle, abide till the end of the world) was I swear by God that if the Quraish put the promulgated, he forbade forever his own sun in my right hand and the moon in my family and his descendants from left, I will not give up my mission till it accepting any portion of it however poor prevails or I perish in my efforts.” they may be. This striving for truth at all costs, this When after the conquest of Mecca, supreme indifference towards worldly his cousin Ali Ibne Talib, (May God be ease and comfort and this deliberate pleased with him claimed, on behalf of choice of a life of dedication, hardship and Banu Hashim, the custody of the key of

[ 36 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 the Kaba. he met with a stern refusal. The them were those who were used to a life Holy Prophet sent for Othman bin Talha of ease and comfort and were known for and putting the key before him said their rich and luxurious way of living. Many “Othman! This key is yours, take it. This had lost even the very means of earning a is the day of recompense for obligations livelihood. Events that were to shape the fulfilled. This key will remain with you destiny of mankind seemed to wait for forever. Nobody can take it from you these people to decide whether they were unless he takes it unjustly with a cruel willing or not to sacrifice themselves for hand He preached austerity and simplicity the ultimate good of man. The decision of life to his wives and told them, in clear was given in no uncertain terms. The terms, that if they were willing to share with Arabs decided to face the struggle and him a life of hardships they could stay with triumphed. They stood trials and faced him. If, on the other hand, they preferred a privations with e a fortitude that is rare in life of ease and comfort, they were free to the history of man. And more was leave him. He told them of what God has demanded of them. When the Ansars in said “O Prophet, say to your wives: “If you Medina, who, in serving Islam, had desire the comforts of life then come, I will completely neglected their farms and give you some worldly goods and send you orchards, their main source of away with good grace. If, however, you subsistence, asked for a little time to look prefer God, his Prophet, and the life after them, they were pulled up and were, hereafter, then for those of you who do in the words of the Qur’an, told “Spend in good deeds. God has prepared a great the path of God and do not destroy yourself reward.” The world knows what their with your own hands.” choice was. When his own daughter, Such were the lessons of self- Fatima, approached the Holy Prophet, restraint and discipline which the Prophet, with her hands blistered by constant (Peace be on him!) taught not merely by grinding of corn and asked for a slave from word of mouth but by precept to those who the common pool so that she may have a were to tarry the message and discharge little respite from this onerous work, she its great responsibilities. Such was also was told that her claims could be the training of those Arabs and others who considered only after the claims of other subsequently accepted the mission and people had been met. Instead of a slave who had their full share of the difficulties she was given a special form of prayer for and privations in the struggle for its the glorification and praise of God. This propagation. They are admonished by was how all his relatives were treated. The God thus: “If you hold your parents and nearer the relation, the greater his children, your brothers and sisters, your responsibility. Such examples of wives and families, the wealth you have selflessness inspired and sustained those acquired and the trade you fear to lose who, by embracing Islam, had lost a great dearer than God and His Apostle, then wait deal of their worldly possessions. Many of till God sends His dispensation. God never

[ 37 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 leads to victory those who obey not (his God, however, willed well for behest)” At another place it is said:” It is humanity and gave the Arabs the resolve not for the people of Medina and the Arabs and the courage to take up the first of the neighborhood to refuse to follow alternative. The fate of humanity was God’s Apostle or to prefer their own lives decided and man began to march forward to him.” Such were the people on whose under the leadership of the Arabs. The resolve and courage, renunciation and Prophet (Peace be on him!) breathed into sacrifice were to be built the prosperity and the Arabs the spirit of faith and renunciation, happiness of mankind. And they were and taught them to believe wholeheartedly tested again and again. They are told: “But in the life to come, and the great rewards surely we will test you with something of it offered to those who believe and do fear and hunger, some loss of goods, or righteous deeds. Buoyed by hopes of this lives, of the fruit (of your toil). “Again they reward and inspired by the spirit of service, are told: “Will they be left alone by merely these Arabs turned their eyes away from saying we believe and not be tested” the comforts of life, renounced all that If the Arabs had hesitated to accept heart covets and sacrificed themselves in this leadership and feared to shoulder its order to help humanity achieve happiness great responsibilities, the darkness and and dignity. They toiled with faith and ignorance of contemporary life could not sincerity and did not hesitate even to give have diminished nor the period of its up their lives. God, therefore, blessed them misery and wretchedness shortened: If with the best of rewards verily God loves you do not do this, there would be tumult those who do righteous deeds.” and aggression on earth and great The world today has reached a state mischief, thereof.” very similar to that in which it found itself The world stood at the cross-roads in the 6th century A. D. A time has, surely, in the 6th century A. D. Two alternatives come when the Arabs (who have special were open to it. One was for a band of links with the Holy Prophet) should come dedicated and divinely inspired people to forward and offer once again their lives in go forward, risk prosperity and wealth, kith order to change the fate of humanity. To and kin and all that is dear to man’s heart, release it from its present miseries and deny all pleasures of life and offer even save it from impending disasters, they their heads for the collective good of should risk once again their ease and mankind. The other was to let things be comfort, wealth and possessions even and continue a life of narrow self-interest, their future prospects. Then would life be of self-indulgence, of preferring personal transformed once again and Man walk in gain to the general well-being of human dignity towards the goal of his high destiny. beings. In that event the world lulled by The other alternative is that the Arabs ignorance and apathy would have remain engrossed in petty aims of remained immersed in the quagmire of personal gain, of preferment for offices and misery and darkness. posts, salaries and income and securing [ 38 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019 better and still better means of personal Arabs in particular, decide to take up the comfort and ease. In that case the world challenge and if, by the sacrifice of the few, would remain in the slough in which it has humanity is brought back from the path of been floundering for some time now. ruin to the path that leads to salvation, then If the Arab youth, enslaved by it will be a cheap bargain indeed, the gains thoughts of selfish ends, remains tied down of which will far outweigh the sacrifices to the comforts and distractions of big that are made. cities, if the pivot around which revolves “O heart, it is all gain in the bargain its life is but the stomach and material of love. It’s only of life and it is not such a comfort, if all its efforts and energies are after all.” directed towards its own personal well- Expectations of the Islamic World from being and worldly success, then the re the Arab World surgence of humanity will remain a mere dream never to be realized. The youth of Because of its characteristics, its the pre-Islamic period had equally big situation, and its political importance the stakes in life and equally high intelligence, Arab World has the right and the but, in pursuing the path of its choice, it necessary competence to shoulder the sacrificed its physical comforts and even responsibilities of the mission of Islam, It its future. The poet Umraul Qais was able can easily take up the leadership of the to say, “Were I trying for an ordinary life, a entire Muslim World, strengthen itself to little would be enough. But, I aspire for a look at Europe in the face, and, by the greatness that lasts and is worthy of a grace of God and the strength of its faith, man like me.” acquire supremacy over it, and lead the world once again from darkness to light, Once again is needed the courage from wretchedness to the words of the of Muslim Youth who could, with its Muslim messenger to the court of Xerxes sacrifice, build a bridge so that life could it could once again “lead men from the cross over to its essential nobility and worship of Man to the worship of God, happiness. Life, like soil, needs fertilizers. from the narrowing trivialities of life to the That, which can fertilize life so that it gives expanse of faith, from the injustices of of its best, is the renunciation of the creeds to the justice and equality of Islam”. Muslim Youth of its personal ambitions in order to bring Islam to its full fruition and The whole world is looking towards fill God’s earth with peace and plenty. the Muslims as its saviour and the Muslim Today a forsaken humanity demands the World to the Arabs for guidance and courage and resolve of those who can, for leadership. Can the Muslim world fulfill the its sake, give up ease and comfort, expectations of the world? Can the Arab opportunities of worldly gain and concern World rise to the occasion? For long a for individual success and prosperity. bruised and maimed humanity has been crying, in the words of Iqbal, for succour, If the Muslims in general and the (Cont. on page 9) [ 39 ] THE FRAGRANCE OF EAST, November, 2019

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