Having An Academic Debate!

One of the three hot topics that are being discussed is the points that Mr. Altaf Hussain put before the people in his press conference. According to what MQM`s Quaid has referred to is Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was also under oath to be loyal to the British Crown. Not only that, even after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he took oath as the first governor General of Pakistan, as being faithful to His Majesty King George VI, his heirs, and successors.

Very obviously, by quoting all these things in his speech, MQM`s Quaid Mr. Altaf Hussain tried to respond to his rivals who were criticizing not only him, but also Dr. Tahir–ul-Qadri due their nationality. The critics were raising very serious questions on their loyalty to Pakistan as dual nationals especially after the oath they had taken. Even in a talk show, referring the contents of the oath, one anchorperson asked Dr. TUQ why he took that oath when he, as a Muslim believed in the supremacy of Allah. In words, he was raising questions to his basic Islamic belief that could have been hurt due to the oath.

However, regardless of what his critics are blaming him of, Mr. Altaf Hussain brought to light another important aspect of the life of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah which was previously hidden from the people. This decent aspect increased more respect for the founder of Pakistan in my heart.

The Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinah did take oath of the allegiance of the British Crown. Apparently, it looked to be very strange to believe that how a man, who had taken oath to be loyal to the British Crown, would manage to fight for the rights of the Muslim community even to the extent of demanding a separate piece of land for them. Principally speaking, he could not have done such a thing which might have gone against the interest of the British Empire causing the violation of his oath.

This was the real test of a leader that how he would solve a very complex riddle of the leadership. But, it was not anyone else, but the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammda Ali Jinnah. He eventually made it! He fought this political war in a legal way that the British Empire had to be convinced to constitutionally endorse the demand of Pakistan for Muslims. As a result, the sub-continent was divided into two dominion states (i.e., Pakistan and India) under the Indian Independence Act 1947 that had been legislated by the British Parliament. It was also stated in that Act that the Governor Generals of both the new countries would be the representatives of the British Empire. This was the reason why the Quaid-e-Azam had to take oath of the British Crown.

When the Hudaibiya deed was being written, the misled people (Kuffar) objected to the word “Rasool-Allah” as the suffix of Muhammad (PBUH) for singing it. The Prophet (PBUH) agreed to remove it. But, Hazrat Ali (RA) hesitated to do that. However, the Last Prophet (PBUH) himself removed the word “Rasool-Allah” as the part of his name and, thus, the deed was finalized.

We know very well that the most important attribute of the Last Prophet`s life due to which all the Muslims have been following him is the fact that he was “Rasool-Allah”______,i.e., the messenger of God. But, on the objection of the non-Muslims, he (PBUH) rubbed it with his own hands. The question is, could separating the word “Rasool-Allah” from his name remove the undeniable fact that he was the messenger of God? On top of it, did this act affect his belief in God “Imaan” any way?? No! Not at all! The time proved that having the Hudaibiya deed was the one of the best decisions that turned out very positively for the Muslims in many ways and Islam spread at a faster pace.

Similarly, did taking oath under the British Crown affect the basic belief (Imaan) of the Quad-e-Azam? Did such an oath lessen his sincerity and loyalty to his own Muslim community anyway? If either of things had taken placed, would Islamic Republic of Pakistan come into being? The answer is of course not.  As the MQM`s chief himself said in his press conference,” The Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took that oath under compulsion. If he had not chosen it as the need of the time, would Pakistan come into existence?”

Proudly speaking, our great leader the Quaid-e-Azam also removed the misconception from the minds that Islam`s teachings of morality are confined only to the Muslims. Through his acts, he revealed that no matter whomever he is dealing with, a Muslim must keep his commitment at any cost as Allah, in a verse of the Holly Quraan, warns Muslim not to do injustice to anyone just due to the enmity with the his community.

So, the way the founder of Pakistan achieved the great cause for the Muslims without violating the oath he had taken, proves that he was a man of word; he was the man of great character. That is the reason why the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is not called a rebellion commander, but is respected as one of greatest leaders of the world. This was the role and this was the vision of the father of the nation because of which our political leaders like to refer to him. Thus, why so many objections when Mr. Altaf Hussain quoted some aspects of the Quaid`s life that have pointed out towards one more good aspect of his vision? When Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah did not have any flaws in his life, why to be so hesitant to it? If anyone disagrees with Altaf Hussain, he or she, like a learned person, is supposed to come up with the facts and the logic that can prove Mr. Hussain`s claims wrong.

Mr. Husssain himself invited the learned people to share their views based on facts on this matter. So, there should be an academic debate on this topic so that the students, like me, can learn something new about the historical facts of the freedom movement. But in return, if MQM and its Quaid are criticized in a way as if political leaders are targeting their rivals during the election campaign, it would create only confusion and consequently, the positive aspects that may come up through this process would remain hidden.