INDIAN MUSLIMS
An Analysis of the Past 69 Years
ALL manner of sacrifices were made in order to achieve independence and to improve the system of the country after the removal of colonial rule. Yet, with the dawn of independence, the practical result was quite the reverse. The system of the country actually worsened.
Hopes associated with independence remain unrealized. Previous generations held the British responsible for all the problems, but when independence came, it in no way solved the problems, it actually aggravated them.
When the dawn appeared after the night of August 15, 1947, all the lights had gone out, and never again did they shine with the same brilliance. Never again was the same euphoria experienced as at the brink of being independent. The expected happiness had somehow failed to materialize and is yet to be found. What has happened?
Amongst many reasons, for our discussion let us analyse the role of the Muslims in both the achievement of independence as well as the failure post independence.
Muslims & the Freedom Movement
Before 1947 Muslims were honoured and respected and they enjoyed
a status of a, giver, group contributing towards the independence
of the country. They played an important
role in it at great sacrifice to themselves.
But subsequently they failed to gain the
same status. The cause was not traceable
to enemy plots and prejudice, but lay rather
in the internal weakness which had led
them to divest themselves of their creativity
in this modern age. They paid no heed to
God’s admonition that, only those would
find permanence, stability and firmness in
this world who proved themselves useful to
others. (QURAN 13: 17)
Islamic history abounds in instances of exemplary conduct that the general public could have benefitted greatly from having them presented in their correct historical context in a purely realistic style.
In the new India there were many opportunities for Muslims to have played a creative role. They only had to identify and avail of them. There are two examples to illustrate this point. The first is given by Swami Vivekananda, an Indian thinker on the subject of India’s post-independence reconstruction. In one of his letters he writes “For our own motherland a junction of two great systems, Hinduism and Islam, is the only hope. I see in my mind’s eye the future perfect India rising out of this chaos and strife, glorious and invincible, with Vedanta brain and Islam body”.
The second example is given by Mahatma Gandhi. At the juncture of the formation of the Congress government through the pages of his journal Harijan, Mahatma Gandhi advised the Congress ministers to lead simple lives. He gave them examples of the lives of the Caliphs of Islam Abu Bakr and Umar. The rulers of vast empires, they lived nevertheless like ordinary men.
This appreciation of the Islamic Character shown by Swami Vivekanand and Mahatma Gandhi testifies to the ability of the Muslims to play a great part in the construction of India. In fact, the country was waiting for the Muslims to grasp the opportunity to play a decisive role and win an honourable position for themselves in the re-structuring of the nation. But the Muslims failed to fulfill these hopes.
The Reasons for Failure
Patience is the price of leadership. An inevitable pre-condition of
assuming the role of leadership in any country or community is
to bear resolutely, the provocation or injustice of others. Without
this patience and forbearance, no one can with distinction wear the
mantle of leadership of the world. This is an
immutable law of God and to it there can be
no exceptions. The Muslims failed to adopt a
unilateral policy of non-confrontation on all
occasions and developed a negative mentality
which led to this failure.
In the light of the Quranic wisdom, the true role of the press should be constructive, not expostulatory.
What can be done now?
Islamic history abounds in instances of
exemplary conduct that the general public
could have benefitted greatly from having them presented in their
correct historical context in a purely realistic style. Books should be
prepared on these aspects of Islam which are of special relevance to
contemporary issues; simplicity, modesty, trustworthiness etc., values
without which no social order can be properly established.
Muslims should study Islamic teachings seriously and follow the
guidelines which it presents for social reconstruction. The self development of Muslims is a primary condition for the pristine Islamic
teachings to be propagated. For this development the Muslims have
to unilaterally adopt the policy of avoidance and eschew all words
and deeds which could produce communal hatred. No plans of
reconstruction can materialize without their doing so. Only if they
learn to bear all kinds of afflictions real or imaginary with patience and
fortitude will they be able to engage in their own reconstruction.
Apart from making up for their backwardness in educational, economic and scientific fields, Muslims should develop themselves in the field of journalism. Journalism has an important role to play in this reconstruction. In the light of the Quranic wisdom, the true role of the press should be constructive, not expostulatory. Of course the press should have a powerful reach, but it must cultivate the kind of constructive thinking which will lead to a regeneration of the Muslim community.
Another important point is that any community paper which is brought out should be of very high standard. Muslim periodicals should be published in the mother tongue of their readers, so that language may not prove an obstacle to bring about an awareness of the times and a sense of commitment at the community level. They should not encourage the lodging of protests and instead point the way to modern opportunities with exhortations to make the best possible use of them.
It must be borne in mind that God's law for this world provides for difficulties and ease to exist side by side at all times.
It is essential to cultivate journalistic consciousness among the educated class of Muslims. Problems and difficulties should not be made into serious issues, considering that in this world it is hardly possible to have a completely problem-free life. It must be borne in mind that God’s law for this world provides for difficulties and ease to exist side by side at all times. With a clear understanding of the creation plan of God and a firm faith in God Muslims together with everyone else should work unitedly towards the development of this country and towards a peaceful and harmonious future.