Ideological Rationale with Special

Reference to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan,

Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid-I-
Great Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Ideology of Pakistan
Ideology is a set of beliefs, values and ideas of a group and a nation. It is deeply
ingrained in the social consciousness of the people. It is a set of principles, a framework
of action and guidance system that gives order and meaning to life and human action.
Ideology emphasizes some particular principles, ideals, and a blueprint for the future.
is a review of the existing political, social, and economic arrangements that create
consciousness based on its principles. It legitimizes or delegitimizes certain actions and
philosophies. Ideology gives a nation a direction and worldview, and its implementation is
the responsibility of the concerned people.
What was the ideological relation with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan?
Sir Syed is considered as the first person to theorize the idea of separate nationhood for
Muslims in the subcontinent. In a speech at Meerut in 1888, he presented on overall
scenario of post-colonial phase in which he described Muslims and Hindus as two
nations.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a great reformer, a visionary, an educationist, a writer, and a leader in the
socio-educational landscape of the subcontinent during the 19th century. His profound impact on
society especially in reference to his struggle for the reawakening of Muslims earned him the title of
Sir Syed. His pioneering efforts laid the foundation for modern education. In an era marked by
During British colonial dominance, Sir Syed emerged as a bridge-builder, dedicated to the uplift of Muslims.
community.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is also regarded as the Founder of the Two-Nation Theory. He was the first who
realized that, after the fall of the Mughal Empire, Hindus had cleverly switched their loyalties to the
British rulers started sowing seeds of hatred against Muslims who had already been bearing the
brunt of East India Company because of the failed 1857 War of Independence. His realization was
that the Muslims should accept the reality on the ground and acquire modern education, so that they
might get government jobs and avail business opportunities. Otherwise, they would lose their
already damaged standing. His efforts led to convey to the British that Muslims were different from
Hindus, thus introducing the concept of Two-Nation theory.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born on October 17, 1817, in Delhi. He belonged to a noble family that had
witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire. He grew up in an environment that was a blend of
traditional Islamic values and the changing sociopolitical landscape. It was the time when the last
Mughal Emperor reigned Hindustan. His father Syed Muhammad Muttaqi was a personal advisor to
the king. Sir Syed got his early education from his maternal grandfather Khawaja Farid and his
mother Aziz-un-Nisa who was a respectable lady.. He was awarded an honorary degree of doctorate
in law.
Professional Career
As a shining young man, Syed Ahmad Khan had learned Arabic and the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh, Persian and
Mathematics, Science and Medicine, and what not! He had been regularly participating in literary
gatherings and cultural activities. This all helped him in widening his knowledge and global
understanding. After the death of his father in 1838, he at the age of 21, had to start his career in a
court of law where he was made Munshi in 1840, and then Sadr-us-Sadurin 1858. He was promoted
as Sessions Judge at a Small Causes Court in 1867. He retired in 1876.
The failure of the War of Independence was the turning point in Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s life. The war was
started by Hindus as well, but only the Muslims were made to bear its brunt. Hindus instead, joined
hands with the British. Sir Syed realized this fact, and thought that Muslims too needed a pragmatic
approach. First, he advocated for cooperation with the British Raj, and then even during his service
career, practically started his endeavors for the uplift of Muslims.
Anglo-Oriental College
He established schools in Muradabad and Ghazipur in 1859 and 1863 respectively, and founded a
scientific society in Aligarh in 1864. The society held annual conferences, disbursed funds for
educational causes and regularly published a journal on scientific subjects in English and Urdu. His
A marvelous achievement was the establishment of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) High School.
in Aligarh, in 1875, which was elevated to the level of college on January 8, 1877. It emerged as a
groundbreaking institute that later evolved into Aligarh Muslim University, in 1920, and then
transformed into Aligarh Movement. The establishment of the college was a revolutionary step
towards providing modern education, combining western and Islamic knowledge. The curriculum
included English language, science, and humanities alongside traditional Islamic studies.
Social Reforms
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was not merely an educationist but also a social reformer who sought to
address the socioeconomic backwardness of Muslims. He recognized the importance of English
education for securing government jobs, and through his writings and speeches, he encouraged
Muslims to embrace modern education. He said the call of time was that the Muslims should
befriend the British if they wanted their due rights. He also tried to convince the British in Muslims’
favor. He wrote books like "Loyal Muhammadans of India" and "Cause of Revolt" to remove
misunderstandings. He also wrote a commentary on the Bible and tried to prove that Islam was
closer to Christianity.
Literary contribution
Sir Syed's literary contributions included the renowned work 'Asar-us-Sanadid' (The Remnants of
Ancient Heroes). This showed his deep interest in historical preservation and cultural heritage. His
emphasis on rational thinking, scientific inquiry, and acquisition of knowledge helped in dispelling
superstitious beliefs. His role as a journalist and founder of the journal 'Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq' (Social)
Reforms) exemplified his commitment to intellectual discourse and social uplift. The journal became
a platform for promoting rational thinking, scientific temper, and social harmony. The magazine
extensively talked about Muslim civilization, their culture and traditions, education and rights. It
played a vital role in giving back the Muslim identity. Though the magazine lasted for just six years,
the enlightenment it stirred served the purpose well.
Politics and the Two-Nation Concept
The Indian National Congress invited him to join politics under its banner, but he refused. His
prediction proved true that the Congress would be a Hindu-centered party. He formed own-led
Muhammadan Educational Conference and provided Muslims a platform to discuss political
problems. Sir Syed believed that India was a continent, not a country and it was inhabited by a vast
population of different races and creeds; among these Hindus and Muslims were the two major
nations on the basis of nationality, religion, customs, cultures and historical traditions. He believed
that the Indian National Congress was not in favor of the Muslims because after the British quit, the
Congress would not give due share in the political power to the Muslims. There would be a
disastrous civil war if the Congress persisted in its policy of yoking together the two nations. Before
he died on March 27, 1898, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had succeeded in his Muslim awareness campaign,
which actually became the basis of Pakistan Movement. He is regarded as the first Pakistani who laid
the foundation stone of Pakistan.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan faced a lot of opposition from conservative elements from within the
Muslims. Many of them issued fatwas (decrees) against him, calling his reforms a departure from
traditional Islamic values. The establishment of MAO College was resisted by some quarters. But he
showed perseverance and dispelled the impressions that embracing modern education did not
negate Islamic values but rather facilitated a harmonious coexistence of tradition and progress. He
also faced opposition from the pro-British Hindu majority. Their biases tried to hinder the progress of
Muslim education. They also opposed his efforts to promote Urdu as a medium of instruction.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s life and contributions stand as a testament to his unwavering
commitment to the uplift of Muslims. His struggle was well lauded by Maulvi Abdul Haq, a scholar
famously known as 'Baba-e-Urdu' (the Father of Urdu). He said: 'People say Sir Syed established College'
I claim. I say no, they have made a nation.
college. No, I would say ‘No’; he founded a nation.)

Ideology of Pakistan with Reference to Allama

Muhammad Iqbal
Introduction
Allama Muhammad Iqbal! A great poet, thinker, philosopher, scholar and politician.
When Iqbal was born, it was the time of troubles for Indian Muslims. Initial Life Friday,
On November 9, 1877, Iqbal was born in Sialkot. Iqbal received his early education from the Mission.
School and did his F.A. from Murray College, Sialkot. Then he did his M.A. Philosophy.
from Government College University Lahore. In 1905, Iqbal went to Germany where he
did his Ph.D.

Political Career
In 1926, Iqbal began his political career when he was elected as a member of Punjab.
Imperial Legislative Council (PILC). Allama Iqbal is a unique contributor to the making of
Pakistan. If Sir Syed prepared the ground through the Aligarh Movement for a Muslim State
If Sir Aga Khan founded a separate electorate for Muslims through the Simla Deputation
Mulana Muhammad Ali Johar taught the style of mass movement through Khilafat.
Movement. Then Allama Iqbal raised the structure of the Muslim state through the
Allahabad Address on which the blue print was prepared in the Pakistan Resolution. It
It is to Allama Iqbal's credit that he initiated the idea of separation of the two.
communities, Muslims and Hindus. He negated the concept of One-Nation of India and
emphasized the separate and distinct national image of Pakistan. According to Iqbal
The creation of a separate homeland was essential for the restoration of the identity of Muslims.
He clearly declared that the principle of European democracy could not be applied in
India as communalism was indispensable to form a harmonious country. It was from
here that he strongly defended the Muslim Nationalism defining it as moral
consciousness.

Iqbal and the ideology of Pakistan (Two Nations Theory)

Allama Iqbal was also a strong believer in Hindu-Muslim unity but Congress extremism
forces him to change his attitude. In 1930, Iqbal clearly discussed Two Nation Theory
as: Islam: as code of conduct and way of life. Muslims are a separate nation. Demand of
separate state

Islam: as Code of Conduct and Way of Life

Islam is a complete code of life; so Indian Muslims should seek assistance from Islam.
will support them fully. He believed that the creation of superior people centres around
Islam alone and not the race. He said: - 'Islam guides mankind in every aspect of.
worldly life and therefore must be enforced in an Islamic state as a code of life. Allama
Iqbal believed that the Holy Quran and the teaching of the Prophet (PBUH) are highly
meaningful for the development of mankind.

Muslims are a Separate Nation

Allama Iqbal openly negated the concept of one nation and said: "Nations are based with
religion; not with territories. So we are a separate nation because we have our own
ideology." Demand of Separate State "If the British Government is interested in resolving
Hindu-Muslim conflicts then India should be
divided into states. NWFP, Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab, Assam and Bengal should be
converted into one unit and authority should be given to Indian Muslims.” Thus, in
He declared at the Allahabad Address: 'I would like to see the Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and
Baluchistan amalgamated into a single state. Self-government within the British Empire or
without British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state
appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslims at least of North- West India.” He
did not believe in any system separated from religion and declared that religion and
Politics are not separated from each other in Islam. Allama Iqbal believed in the federal
system and thought it as an ideal system for India in prevailing system. He believed that
federal system would promote unity among the various segments of society which
would help in defense of the country. His concept of 'Khudi' and philosophy of belief
in faith and institutions led him to the concept of Nation as Moral Consciousness which
declared his genius in his famous Allahabad Address. It was definitely Iqbal’s call to
action in the name of Islam that Pakistan came into shape. It was him who gave the
meaning of ideology of Pakistan as ideology of Islam.
Introduction
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave practical shape to the ideology given by
Allama Iqbal. After joining the Muslim League in 1931, he continued with his efforts to bring
about Hindu Muslim unity but he was greatly disappointed to see the prejudicial attitude
of the Congress and Hindus towards the Muslims. Following are some extracts from the
speeches and statements that he delivered from time to time to explain the
ideology of Pakistan.

Address At Second Round Table Conference in 1931

Quaid-e-Azam believed that Congress and Hindus would never recognize the rights of
Muslims. He declared while representing the Muslims in the second Round Table
Conference in 1931:
The Hindu Muslim dispute must be settled before the enforcement of any system
or constitution. Until you do not give guarantee for the safeguard of the Muslim
interests, until you do not win their (Muslims) co-operations, any constitution you
enforce shall not last for even 24 hours.

Quaid-e-Azam and the Two Nation Theory

Quaid-e-Azam was a firm advocate of the two-nation theory which became the ideological
basis of Pakistan. He said:
The Muslims are a nation by every right to establish their separate homeland. They can
adopt any means to promote and protect their economic, social, political, and cultural
interests.
On 23rd March, 1940 at the historic session of the Muslim League at Lahore, he said:
The Muslims are not a minority. They are a nation by any definition. By all
Canons of International law we are a nation.

In his presidential address at the annual session of the Muslim League in Lahore in 1940.
He said:
India is not a nation, nor a country. It is a Sub Continent of nationalities. Hindus
and Muslims being the two major nations. The Hindus and Muslims belong to two
different religions, philosophies, social customs and literature. They neither
intermarry nor inter dine and they belong to two different civilizations which are
based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions. Their aspects on life and of
are different. It is quite clear that Hindus and Muslims derive their inspiration
from different sources of history.

On March 8, 1944 while addressing the students of Muslim University, he said:

Hindus and Muslims, by living in the same towns and villages, had never
been blended into one nation. They were always two separate entities.

Quaid-e-Azam and the Islamic Nation

He believed that only Islam was the unifying force of the Muslim community. He said:
What relationships knit the Muslims into one whole, which is the formidable
rock on which the Muslim edifice has been erected, which is the sheet anchor
providing base to the Muslim community, the relationship, the sheet anchor and the
rock is Holy Quran.

Address At Islamia College Peshawar

In 1946, at Islamia College, Quaid-e-Azam declared:
We do not demand Pakistan simply to have a piece of land but we want a
laboratory where we could experiment on Islamic principles.

Address on June 18, 1945

In his message to the Frontier Muslim Students Federation, he said:
Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but Muslim ideology, which
has to be preserved which came to us as a precious gift and treasure and which
we hope, others will share with us.

Conclusion
The above sayings and statements largely prove that Quaid-e-Azam wanted to
establish an Islamic system as a code of life because he believed that it was the sole
objective of the Pakistan Movement