The diary of a controversial reformist
He interprets Islam in language of tolerance, peace, non-violence, progress and reconciliation that annoys thousands of commercial or jihadi mullahs who see in war their survival and the survival of their vested political agendas. In Nietzsche’s words: “Whoever lives for the sake of combating an enemy has an interest in the enemy staying alive.”
Muslims have missed and are wasting the opportunities due to misinterpretation, misreading and misrepresentation. Saving Islam from mortal misinterpretations and misreading is the core of his reformist mind; misinterpretations by traditional mullahs and misreading by common Muslims. He is the most controversial and unduly-maligned Islamic scholar thanks to bigotry-driven souls of Islamic clergy. The man honoured with many awards is a ‘traitor’ in jaundiced eyes of traditionalists.
He interprets Islam in language of tolerance, peace, non-violence, progress and reconciliation that annoys thousands of commercial or jihadi mullahs who see in war their survival and the survival of their vested political agendas. In Nietzsche’s words: “Whoever lives for the sake of combating an enemy has an interest in the enemy staying alive.”
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan abandoned Jamaat-e-Isalmi in 1962 and Tabighi Jamaat in 1975 on grounds that the former was ‘treating politics as the centre of Islamic activity’ while the latter believed in arch-traditionalism and had rejected the importance of ijtihad. While going through the Maulana’s “Diary 1989-90”, I found numerous nuggets of wisdom which shed a totally different shade of light on issues confronting contemporary Muslims. In the Diary, he also shares some historical events, observations, etc, on Pakistan’s political ideology, parties, leaders and what he terms ‘faulty interpretation’ of the true message of the divine religion.
At one point the Maulana writes: “I have strong opinion about contemporary Muslim leaders: bearded or shaven. After watching their acts and reading their statements I feel that they are just exploiters. If these are the men who will enter paradise then the hell should be kept vacant as others stand far pious than these folks.”
Blame yourself: “Today’s Muslims are not facing tyranny and bigotry of others… their incapability is their real problem… they are at the receiving-end everywhere. Recently I travelled on Libyan Airlines… it is in dire straits. I was told that the reason behind the ruin was US-imposed sanctions as the airline was not getting planes and spare parts. On the other side, Saudi Airlines is in marvelous state as it enjoys US favours. Owing to military aid, Afghan mujihideen defeated Russian troops. Palestinians are unable to win such victories in their armed struggle against Israel as they are not being backed by the US. There is prosperity in Pakistan due to American aid while Bangladesh remains poor in absence of US aid.”
In a diary entry he laments over confrontation among Muslim leaders citing an editorial from a Pakistani vernacular Urdu daily with these words. “There is Benazir Bhutto-led PPP government at the centre while Nawaz Sharif rules the Punjab. There is an unending confrontation between the two. Nawa-i-Waqt (Dec 11, 1989) writes in its editorial that according to a study Pakistan’s economy has suffered Rs65 billion losses in last one year due to political standoff between the federal and Punjab governments. There are numerous other losses mentioned in the editorial as well. In the United India there existed confrontation between Muslims and Hindus. For resolving the problem, Pakistan was created and now a new form of confrontation has come into existence. How simpletons were those who thought that the creation of Pakistan will end their troubles.”
Expressing concerns over traditional religious seminaries, the Maulana says: “I hold the opinion that in Arabic madrassas no education is imparted even not the education of Islam. I was educated in an Arabic school where no book on geography was part of the syllabus.” Two dailies, two factories: “We have access to two Pakistani newspapers here in India; Wafaq Lahore and Nawa-i-Waqt Lahore. Both are filled with hatred against India as if they were factories-of-hate.”
No-end game: He wrote in his diary on January 24, 1990: “For the last few months political unrest has engulfed Kashmir… As many as 100 organisations are active in Kashmir like Kashmir Liberation Front, Peoples League, Operation Balakot, Hizb-e-Islami, Hizbullah, Allah Tigers, Hizbul Majihideen, Zia Tigers, Zarb-e-Momin, Hizb-e-Jihad, Islamic Students League, Al-badar, Hizb-e-Momin, Al-umar Majihideen, Students Liberation Movement, Al-Karbala, Al-Khomeini, Hussaini Tigers, etc… some of them belong to Shi’a Muslims others to Sunnis… Each organisation is independent… few want independent Kashmir while others want to see Kashmir as part of Pakistan… some are secular organisations while the others believe in radical Islam… their struggle will soon turn into a failure. Perchance they succeed they will start fighting with one another.”
Prudence vs emotions: “One man who works as an engineer in Saudi Arabia came to see me. He said that there were no opportunities of making progress for Muslims in India. They are deliberately suppressed here. I asked him: “You are settled in Saudi Arabia for the last eight years. Haven’t you seen anything unpleasant to your temperament there?” He said, “Yes I observed, like American engineers get more pays, perks and respect as compared to Indians and other Muslims.” Then I asked him had he ever protested against it? He said “No, there is no room for such protests in Saudi Arabia.” I told him that the real problem with the Muslims of India was the fact that they had failed in harmonising themselves with the circumstances. They always tend to confront and fight.”
Hilarious move: “March 23 is marked as Pakistan Day. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has announced marking the day this year with special fervour to celebrate its golden jubilee. In response, Chief Minister Punjab Nawaz Sharif has announced celebrating the day on March 20. (Nawa-i-Waqt, March 1990). The differences between two Muslim leaders have touched such limits that they are making the history their subservient. The country founded on the name of Muslim-unity seeing the day when its leaders disagree even on an established historical fact. It will be not less than a miracle if such hollow people implement Islamic system in Pakistan.”
Jugglery of words: “The supporters of Pakistan movement used to chant slogans: Pakistan ka matlab kia, la ilaha illallah. After its creation, Maulana Mawdudi said that Pakistan had been allotted to Islam. Now, Dr Israr Ahmed writes in MisaaqJuly 1990 that Pakistan is the only country in the world whose father’s name is Islam. It is nothing but jugglery of words. What a pity that Muslims have fallen prey to such juggleries for the last 100 years.”
Once a visitor advised Maulana Wahiduddin to have a room cooler installed in his room which was like a burning-oven in summers, he replied, “Comfort is good but pain is excellent. Comfort bestows physical pleasure while pain gives mental experience. And experience is far better than pleasure.”
Recalling an incident of 1967 when he moved to Delhi, he writes Jamaat-e-Islami Hind announced organising All India Congregation there. “I asked secretary general JI-Hind about the special message which the Jamaat wanted to convey to the Muslims at the event. He replied, “We have not pondered about it yet.” It shows that the Jamaat is no more an ideological movement rather has become just an organisational structure.” At another place, Maulana writes: “To make war or armed struggle a mean to propagate or implement Islam is a heresy introduced by Maulana Mawdudi.”
Jeffry R Halverson in “Searching for a King: Muslim Non-violence and the Future of Islam” writes about the Maulana: “For Wahidduddin, Islam offers the world an ideology of peace. Islam, he teaches, always seeks a state of peace, because all that Islam aims to create – spiritual progress, intellectual development, character building, social reform, education and above all missionary work (dawa) – can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.”
to all Muslims who would say Islam is a religion of peace, I would say PROVE IT.?..When so many people are killed by Islamic militants who shout Allahhu Ackbar while murdering people it is hard to believe that they are from the same religion…It is Muslims who must stop these Muslims from Killing Muslims in Muslims countries !!!
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