REVISITING ISLAM The Reformist Thought of Wahiduddin Khan by Anjum Awan D. Phil NEW DELHI ©All Rights Reserved BOOK: REVISITING ISLAM AUTHOR: Md.Rafique Anjum Awan YEAR: 2018 ISBN: 978-81-7435-772-4 Price: Rs. 400/- USD 5 PUBLISHER: ADAM PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS AVAILABLE: Department of Islamic Studies BGSBU Rajouri-185234 Haveli 44, Dream Land, College Road, Rajouri-185133 Adam Publishers New Delhi CONTACTS: Phone: +919469000044/ +917006333074 Email: [email protected]/ [email protected] (Exporters & Importers) 1542, Pataudi House, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002 Ph.: 23282550, 23284740 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.adampbs.com Published by: S. Sajid Ali, For Adam Publisher & Distributors 1542, Pataudi House, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002 (India) TABLE OF CONTENTS Index Page No. List of Contents III-IV Acknowledgment V-VI Foreword VII-X Introduction 11 1: Revival and Reform In Islam: An Overview 17 . Introduction . Islamic Modernism and Revivalism . Muslim Responses to Modernity . History of Modernist Thought in Islam . Prominent Ideologies and Ideologues: . Political Dimensions of Reform . Education and Science in the Muslim World . Inference 2: Islamic Thought in India in Early 20th Century 59 . Introduction . Fall of Muslim Rule (1857) . Aligarh Movement . Darul Ulum Deoband . Ahmadiya (Qadiyani) Movement . The Barelvi Sunni Movement . Darul Ulum Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow . The Khilafat Movement . Tablighi Jama‘át . Inference 3: Biographical Survey of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan 89 . Introduction . Early life and Education . Formative Influences . Family affairs . Published works . Honours & Awards 3 4: Contemporaries of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan 137 . Introduction . Sir Muhammad Iqbal(1877-1938) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Badiuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960), Maulana Abdul Bari Nadwi(1886- 1976), Maulana Abul A’ala Mawdudi (1903- 1979), Amin Ahsan Islahi (1904-1997) Maulana Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi (1913-1999), Fazlur Rehman (1919-1988), Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (1921- 1986), Yusuf al-Qardawi (b.1926), Asghar Ali Engineer (1939-2013), Fatehullah Gullen (b.1941), Javed Ahmed Ghamidi (b.1951). Inference 5: Contribution of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan 165 To The Modern Islamic Thought . Introduction . Major Themes in Maulana’s Thought . Notable Works of Maulana . Views of Maulana on Important Issues . Special Contributions of Maulana . Inference 6 : Critique of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan 241 . Introduction . Ethics of Disagreement in Islam . A Survey of Polemic Literature . Selected Polemic Works . Major Objections (Common to all critics) . Maulana’s Responses and Discussion . Assessment 7: Conclusion 277 Bibliography 289 Must Read Books by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan 303 ……………………………………. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT All Praise and honor belong to Almighty Allah; Whose Benevolence is the sole criteria of success in every walk of life. When years of earnest research finally translate into a published book, it is easy to take all the credit and pat oneself on the back for a gigantic task accomplished. The fact remains, however, that no work of such magnitude is possible without a whole network of support systems available to a scholar. I consider myself both fortunate and blessed to have been associated with people who went out of their way to lend me a helping hand even before I asked for it. I would like to express my deep gratitude to institutions and persons who helped me undertake this challenging job. The present volume in fact emanates from a research undertaken at University of Kashmir. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Shah-I-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir under whose auspices this research was conducted. I am highly indebted to Prof. Naseem Ahmad Shah, without whose guidance, help and encouragement, the execution of this extensive research work would have been rather impossible. My special thanks are due to my teachers and senior faculty members, at Department of Islamic Studies, fellow research scholars, library staff, non-teaching and ministerial staff for all the required support. It would be unfair if I don’t acknowledge the encouraging suggestions of Prof. Farida Khanum (JMI, New Delhi) and Mr. Farooq Muztar (HEM Rajouri); Shah Imran Hassan the editor of 5 ‘Awraq e Hayat’and my colleagues Dr. Naseem Gul and Mr. Bilal Ahmed Wani, who spared their precious time to review the script several times. I must express my deepest gratitude to ‘the person of study- Maulana Wahiduddin Khan’, a living legend in the ‘Modern Islamic Thought’ for his kind consent to interact on numerous occasions about his life and mission, in details. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not acknowledge the love and affection given to me by my family members, particularly my wife Mrs. Munira Begum for the moral support and encouragement throughout my academic endeavors. I thank Almighty Allah for uncountable blessings that made it possible for me to finally complete this project. Let me also acknowledge that ‘If there is any merit discernible in the work, it is absolutely due to the grace of Almighty Allah; and if there are faults, and undoubtedly there might be many, they must be credited to my own incompetence. Further I strongly believe that ‘the largest room in the world is-the reoom for improvement’ and I solicit feedback and suggestions for improvement in the next edition. Dr. Anjum Awan BGSBU Rajouri 6 FOREWORD Maulana Wahidudin Khan (b.1925) is an epitome of extraordinary educational and intellectual career. His family traces its history to the intellectually fertile land of Shibli, Farahi, Aslam Jayrajpuri, and Iqbal Suhail. During his affiliation with Jamat-i-Islami, Maulana Wahidudin Khan produced some excellent works that left indelible marks on the intellect of literate society. At a time when Marxism was holding its sway all over the globe, Maulana; convincingly proved Marxism, as a fallacy (Marxism Tarikh Jise Radd Kar Chuki He). Likewise, his book ‘Mazhab Aur Jadid Challenge’ brought out, when new scientific knowledge was undermining religious spirit; provided a rejuvenating push to religion as well as religionists. It stands out as the most remarkable work establishing Maulana’s Islamic Scholarship at international level. It is interesting to note that spending years in the company of Maulana Mawdudi, Wahidudin Khan parted ways with the former’s ideology and confidently embarked on a distinct journey for showcasing Islam in a modern context. Another coincidence is no less remarkable that Maulana Maududi had edited the reputed “Al Jamia’t” the mouthpiece of ‘Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’ and later, Maulana Wahidudin Khan also edited this prestigious weekly magazine for many years (1967-74). The intellectual legacy of Nadwat-ul-Ulama Lucknow and Aligarh Muslim University also attracted attention of Maulana briefly, but the sojourn didn’t last too long; lending vindication to Iqbal’s words: ‘Sahil tujhe ata ho to sahil na kar qabul’. Maulana finally decided to establish his own Islamic Centre 7 and thus was born the world famous monthly magazine Al- Risala in 1976. The might of his pen coupled with unique analytical skills, presented the interpretation of Din; in a fascinating, lucid and convincing, epiphany style; that attracted many followers, satiating their intellectual hunger in a novel and greatly impressive way. It is truly a representative of the Arabic dictum: ‘khairul kalame ma qalla wa dalla’ (The brevity and authenticity are essence of a good speech). Some scholars might differ with personal opinions of Maulana and rightfully so. The fact however, can’t be denied that he always remained firm on the methodology of ahl al-Sunnah never side stepping from Ijma of the Muslim Ummah. The way Maulana interprets and transmits the essential message of Islam to a generation overwhelmed by modern and post- modern challenges might annoy some conservative scholars; yet none can prove any deviations against him. Be it Tazkir ul- Qur’an, or “Woman in Islam” or any other writings, all represent the essential spirit of Islam. Like many others, we may not completely agree with his political views; yet we can’t over-rule the fact that in a democratic setup and an age of freedom of thought and expression; no one can be compelled or forced to bow before a particular opinion. History offers defend, when it comes to controversies, for, these often surrounded great minds and ideas; and, it remains one of the hallmarks of their greatness. So it comes as no surprise that Maulana has also been criticized by some scholars. While a lot has been written on his personality, his Islamic thought and political views; it is for fraternity of Islamic 8 Studies, a matter of great satisfaction that Dr. Rafique Anjum has produced a remarkable research work, Religious Thought of Maulana Wahid ud Din Khan: An Analytical Study, under the august supervision of one of my close friends, Prof. Naseem Ahmad Shah at University of Kashmir. The thesis earned a doctorate degree (Ph. D. in Islamic Studies) for Dr. Rafique Anjum from Shah-i-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir. Dr. Rafique Anjum, himself, is no less an interesting personality. He is primarily a ‘Doctor of Medicine’ having served as Consultant Pediatrician in the Department of Health & Medical Education, Jammu and Kashmir, for many years. Besides; he is by intuition a linguist who has made remarkable contributions in the field of literature, particularly in his mother tongue, Gojri. He represents the higher echelon of Modern Gojri Scholarship. Lately, kindled by the passion for Islamic Studies, that always occupied a place close to his heart; he did M.A. and Ph. D. in Islamic Studies and got voluntary retirement from his parent Health Department to serve his society in intellectual and educational spheres. Dr. Rafique Anjum, has joined Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri as Assistant Professor in the Department of Islamic Studies. Embracing one of the brilliant minds of the region, BGSBU is availing services of this scholar, who has in a short span of time, firmly established himself as a dedicated teacher and learned scholar having created a niche for himself in the intellectual circles of the varsity.