By Mazhar Khan Jadoon
First published in The News on Sunday, August 29, 2010
The News on Sunday: How do you view secularism as having evolved in the particular case of India where the kings did not run their empires on the clergy’s instructions but according to political exigencies?
Mubarak Ali: Secularism has been in evolution since medieval times and if you go back to the ancient Ashoka period in India, you will find the ruling pattern to be entirely secular. It was a requirement for all the empires in India, including the Mughal Empire, to be secular and tolerant towards different religions under their rule. Ghauris,
Mughals, Durranis and all other emperors had to opt for a secular approach to keep their vast dynasties intact. Clergy was not allowed to interfere in state matters and all the decisions were taken according to practical political exigencies. Allauddin Khilji was one of the great rulers of India who did tremendous welfare work for his people. Once he asked the Qazi whether his acts were according to Shariah or not. The Qazi said no. Khilji told Qazi, “I am illiterate and I don’t know whether my acts are according to Shariah or not, but what I am sure of is that I work for the betterment of my people.”
TNS: Does secularism have any place in Muslim history?
MA: Yes. Almost all the rulers in Muslim history applied the model of secularism during their rule. During the Abbasid period, ulema were not allowed to interfere in the political affairs of state and the caliph was not allowed to meddle in religious affairs. The Abbasid came to power with the help of Iranians who wanted the caliph to remain secular while the clergy at that time wanted the caliph to adhere to Islamic laws and impose Shariah. The conflict was resolved with the signing of a pact regarding state and religion being separate. Great historian Ziauddin Burney, in his book Fatwa-e-Jahandari, also emphasises that state and religion should be kept separate.
TNS: What about the political role of Sufia in this region?
MA: There are many Sufi orders in the subcontinent. Sufia were very successful in spreading Islam, as many aspects of Sufi belief had parallels in Indian philosophical literature. The Sufis’ tolerant approach towards other religions made it easier for Hindus and other communities in India to accept Islam and Muslims. The Sufia played a crucial role in bridging the distance between Islam and the indigenous traditions.
TNS: How has India being secular helped the cause of Indian Muslims?
MA: Though Indian state is secular and its constitution provides equal rights to all citizens irrespective of their religion, Indian society is not at all secular. Secularism of mind takes time and the process is on. The attempts by successive political leadership in the country to integrate Indian society under a secular code are strongly resisted by Hindu extremist groups like Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Muslims in India favour secularism because it will ensure maximum religious freedom for them in a Hindu-dominated society.
The Partition of India in 1947 triggered large-scale sectarian strife and bloodshed. Since then, India has been experiencing violence sparked off by underlying tensions between sections of the Hindu and Muslim communities. These conflicts mainly stem from the ideologies of Hindu nationalism versus Islamic extremism that exist in certain sections of the Indian population.
TNS: Was Muhammad Ali Jinnah secular? People managing the dominant discourse have questioned his August 11 speech as a reversal from his earlier stance. How would you assess Jinnah’s politics?
MA: Yes, Jinnah was secular and an honest and upright leader and politician. But, why are we following Jinnah now when he is part of history? We should look into the merits and demerits of secularism instead of bickering over what Jinnah had said in his August 11 speech. Instead of brooding on the past, we should act like a vibrant society by keeping our approach futuristic.
TNS: How do you view the post-partition political developments in Pakistan that progressively Islamised the state, starting with the Objectives Resolution?
MA: The Objectives Resolution decided the fate of Pakistan as an Islamic country. Jinnah became irrelevant with the passage of the Objectives Resolution by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in 1949. The resolution, proposed by the then prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan, proclaimed that the future constitution of Pakistan would not be modelled entirely on a European pattern, but on the ideology of Islam. But most of the Islamic provisions were introduced in the 1973 Constitution and Islam became the religion of state.
TNS: Is it true that the dominant military and religious elements are supporting each other to Islamise the society?
MA: Till the time of President Ayub Khan, Pakistan army remained secular and it used to follow the tradition of a colonial institution. The army became religious during the Zia regime. Yes, the impression that army and religious elements are in agreement over an Islamic outlook of Pakistan is somewhat correct.
Rashid Saleem
September 22, 2010
The way religion has been manipulated in Pakistan to feed personal agendas is a point of worry for all of us. If we have to come out of this menace, we must adopt more liberal, rational and secular ways in life.
Bilal Ahmad
September 22, 2010
Really, Jinnah’s ideology is meaningless after passing of objective resolution. But I feel really sorry to all elders of minorities who were made fool by Pakistani State, when its founder Jinnah said something on August 11, 1947, which was not to be implemented but only to retain rich section of minorities in Pakistan.
Rehman
September 24, 2010
“Some people may think that I’m very harsh about the powerful secret agencies: Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI). But I’m right in doing so. Because they’ve criminals and mercenaries in their ranks who have brought a bad name to our armed forces and damaged the reputation of our country in the world. Pakistan was neither founded by the mullahs nor the military but by a liberal Muslim leader of the 20th century: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.” An innocent woman not allowed to go university since March 22, 2010 http://nblo.gs/86Cwu
Muhammad Akbar
October 1, 2010
Ha?
Mr. Mubarak Ali theres no palace of secularism in islam.
We should never speak without knowledge. Islam is a DEEN which means it has to be applied in aspects of life.
Nadia
October 26, 2010
What aspects of life you are talking about? A man marrying two women at the same time is aspect of life? Young people blow themselves as Jihad is an aspect of life. Children sexually abused in Madrassas is aspect of life.
humayun
November 28, 2010
Well said… i think now its time when people living in dreams should wake up and come down from imaginary heavens to attend the realities of actual world.. before its too late !
Nadia
October 26, 2010
If there is no power to say in any religion then we should avoid it as the state religion.
humayun
November 28, 2010
All of the major religions are solely composed of commandments, and u know very well what a commandment means. YOU MUST FOLLOW IT, and their is no room for using your brain or to reason or amendment in it. And in case u dont follow what u r commanded, then u stand sinner and criminal. its all clear no ambiguity.
A religion which doesn’t allow reasoning, a religion which doesn’t allow amendments, a religion which doesn’t allow criticism. Such religion must never be allowed to become State religion.
Nadia
November 29, 2010
I agree with you Humayun. Faith should be a personal decision, not an imposed decision.
yogesh
June 20, 2011
…….we are arguing same things in india about secularism and extremism. i believe if we want to act, think secular, radical…we have to forget religion and talk more about humans and environment.
anybody want to know more about muslim reformation activism in india..do read hamid dalwai’s work. (he was a socialist reformer). nice article.
sc sharma
December 25, 2012
extremism in any form is not helpful to human society and that includes religion.The human society is forever evolving due to scientific, industrial, political changes and therefore we need to have a liberal flexible approach to life in order to stay in sync with the time as that is the only logical way for continuous progress of human society.