Sir sayed Ahmad and Allama Iqbal are the two distinguished
figures in the pre-partition history of Indian Mulsims. There are a number of similarities between
the two, however, interestingly a large number of differences in thinking and
approach make them poles apart as well. It was due this modus operandi which
earned for them separate statuses in history. Sir sayed due to his clarity of
vision and subsequent bluntness incurred the displeasure of the then orthodoxand conservative religious quarters, whereas Sir Iqbal on the other hand
did not voice what he wanted to say and therefore always basked in the sunshine
of the religious quarters.
The similarities between them are numerous: Both were
pre-eminently erudite, both had a vision for the social reformation, religious
identity, economic uplift and political and educational development of the
Indian Muslims. Both the dignitaries have made efforts and taken steps for the
realization of their vision yet there is an unnoticed difference in their
thought and modus operandi.
Sir Sayed came forward with a vision for the Indian Muslim in
a time when the latter were badly in need of it. Having critically analyzed the
plight of the Indian Muslims and their subsequent marginalization by the
British in the state services and political affairs of the state, sir Sayed
came up with a strategy of his own. To him the key reason behind the
backwardness of Indian Mulisms was their want of the modern education and some
sort of misinterpretation of Islam by the interested religious quarters.
In order to defend Islam form the criticism of non-Muslims,
he embarked upon the adventure of writing an essay which could negate the
allegations and misconceptions raised by the William Munier. The test of his
will and faith came when his mission required finances which he could not
afford out of his resources. He sold everything he owned ,even the utensils of
his home to raise finances for the purpose, and went abroad to collect
information for his adventure and subsequently he was succeeded in his mission
and brought forth the true face of Islam and the noble and honest character of
the holy prophet.
Modern education for the Indian Muslims was the bottom line
of Sir Sayed’s mission. He wanted the Muslim to come out of the superstitions
and the traditionally imparted education. Keeping in view the dire need of the
modern education for the Indian Muslim he started the celebrated Aligarh
Movement. Thanks to this movement which produced certain outstanding personages
who later fought the social and political case of the Indian Muslims. It were
the first adventure ever taken in the history of the Indian Muslims which laid
emphasis on modern education.
Sir Sayed was conscious of the growing myths, superstitions
and irrational trends in Islam due its misinterpretation. He openly spoke
against all these misconceptions and wanted to reform such things prevalent among
the Muslims. It were due his this bluntness and the courage to speak openly
against the evil trends, which earned for him infamy from the conservative religiousquarters. He was even termed by the orthodox as non-Mulism and supporter of
the British imperialism. But in spite of the criticism leveled against
him and the adverse public opinion, he never gave up his mission and worked for
his fellow Muslims.
Allama Iqbal on the other hand is a
much confusing figure and ambiguous in his thoughts and actions. He did not have
the stomach to clearly articulate his views. He was also conscious of the
misinterpretations and irrational trends taking place in Islam. He wanted to
adapt Islam to the modern needs and dispel the myths through the exercise of
Ijtihad. But Iqbal feared displeasure of the orthodox class and did not
incurred it. Iqbal in his book “The Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts In
Islam” express his this fear.( Page 185.)
Unlike sir
sayed who was clear in his vision and have had the stomach to face the
criticism of his opponent and carried out all his schemes with fortitude, Iqbal
lacked both the courage and practical implementation for his schemes and
displayed timidity so that the displeasure of the conservatives may not be
incurred. Which he himself confessed in his abovementioned book.
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