Sir Syed

Sir Syed was truly a gem. He really wanted the Muslims to get up again. He was the man who ensured Muslims that they could still get better. He educated Muslims ethically, politically and socially as well. Sir Syed truly regarded education as the instrumental in pacing the process of modernization, progress and The atrocities of British government towards Muslims on account of 1857 revolt in which Muslims were made scape goat by the British Rulers. Muslims were accorded responsible behind the eruption of Revolt. Seeing that, Sir Syed felt pain and penned down the Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind in order to clarify the misunderstanding of the British Government and proven that Muslims were not the reason behind the revolt. He also criticised the policy blaming the Muslims as the cause of revolt. Sir Syed had the view that English Language and modern sciences was essential to keep alive the cultural and political identity of Muslims but “In 1873 when protest against the use of Urdu in Government Courts was vehemently renewed by the Hindus, Sir Syed established the League for the Defence of Urdu. The advertisement written by him to rouse the Muslims to the protection of Urdu, and announced: “The loss of the Urdu Language for the Muslims would be tremendous. No other loss except the loss of their religion could be compared to it” (Hassaan, 1959). However, he remained attributed as to keep away Muslims from the national politics. He thought that education would eradicate the ignorant and problems of Muslim community not by participating in national politics. In addition, as Musa (2018) mentioned that “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s the “two nations” theory had a big effect on large number of Muslims in South Asia subcontinent, and even set off the British Indian nationalism movement. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s successor, such as Iqbal and Jinnah not only inherited the “two nations “theory, but put into practice, then established the Pakistani eventually. On one hand, the British India Muslims’ political consciousness had been greatly improved, and maintained their power in cooperation with the Indian National Congress Party actively. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan called on Muslims not to participate in the Indian National Congress Party, and strived to improve their level of education, so that they had the power to get jobs in the British India government and to obtain a higher level of wealth in the industry” development among Muslims. But he also advocated the need to keep intact with distinct cultural identities. His had broad vision and adapted holistic approach. He mentioned that conservative and conventional attitude of Muslims was the greatest obstacle to the material, social, and intellectual progress of the Muslims (Hashmi, nd.). He posited character building along with the modern education. In connection to social reforms, he was against the polygamy and socially ban of widow remarriages. He was aware that social reforms come through knowledge, awareness and character building. Therefore, he advocated to the Muslims to adapt refined, valid and scientific modern education. After returning from England, Sir Syed got involved himself in publishing the Tahzib ul Akhlaq along with Muhsinul Mulk. The few numbers of Journal which had stirred the orthodox classes deeply and in results severe opposition was raised but Muhsinul Mulk faced and countered with his sweetness and logical writings. Sir Syed knew that social reforms and removal of social evils can be realised by the effective writings. Thus the magazine was fully devoted to the Muslims’ social reforms and articles were for the cause of social reforms of the Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan has been regarded as a visionary, saviour of cultural and lingual identity, secular, jurist, journalist, civil servant, educationist, philosopher, religious scholar, reformer and many more. Aligarh movement was also the brain child of Sir Syed and his companions wherein emphasis was given on promotion of modern western education along with Islamic philosophy of education, adapting English language along with Urdu and protection of Cultural and Linguistic identity of Muslim community, harbouring the idea of secularism and nationalism.