Quaid’s concept of state, Islamic or secular?

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Introduction:

Some people claim that Quaid’s ideal was a modern national secular state. They base their claim on the report of the court enquiry 1953. The enquiry was presided over by C.J. Mr. M. Munir quoting from speeches of Jinnah reports say that Quaid said:

“The state would be a modern democratic state with sovereignty vested in the people and the members of the new nation would have equal rights of citizenship regardless of their religion, caste or eared.”

Islamic or secular state:

The Quaid’s speech of 11 August 1947 to the constituent assembly of Pakistan has led some people to argue that he was not in favor of the idea of an Islamic state. But a careful analysis of the same speech and his other utterances before and after partition convince one that he had no obligation to a state based on the broad principles of Islam.

Address to constituent assembly August 11, 1947:

He said:

“…..if we want to make Pakistan a happy and prosperous state, we should wholly and solely any other doctrine for state craft other than Islam.”

i) Quaid’s concept of Islamic state:

During his visit to Usmania University Hyderabad he delivered a lecture to the students.

“…. The concept of an Islamic state which should always be kept in mind is that is it one has to obey Almighty Allah faithfully. This obedience is through the injunction and principles of the Holy Quran. In Islam sovereign powers are not vested on the person of King or parliament or any particular person or institution. Quran has prescribed the limits of our political and social life. In other words Islamic government in the rule of the Quranic injunctions and principles: for establishing such a government a separate country or a state is must.”

II) Islamic State:

Quaid was against the exploitation of the masses in the name if Islam. He believed that a state which may allow the exploitation of the masses cannot be an Islamic state while addressing all India Muslim League in 1943 at Delhi he said.

“…. Here I should like to give concentrate on the well being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor. If you will work in co-operation, forgetting the past, you are bound to succeed. If you change your past and work together in a matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his color, caste or creed, its first, last a second to a citizen of this state with equal rights, privileges and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make”

In fact Quaid wanted to establish an Islamic welfare state where none in exploited. Where it is the duty of the state to see that none goes without food and cloths, and every individual is provided with all the basic necessities of life.

Moreover we have examples of Holy Prophet (PBUH), forgiving his enemies who did not behave him well in the past, at the historic victory of Mecca.

The vision of Islamic state in his sayings:

Quaid-i-Azam always wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state and did not want a warning to the landlords and capitalists who flourished at our expense. The exploitation of the masses has gone into their blood. They have forgotten the teachings of Islam. It is true that we are not in power today. I have visited villages. There are millions and millions of people who hardly get one meal a day. If this is the idea of Pakistan I would not have it…..”

III) Anti-imperialism:

Quaid was an anti-imperialism democrat. He haled imperialism and he was one of those rare leaders who never made any compromise with imperialism.

IV) Islam as a code of life:

The Quaid has a clear concept of Islam as a code of life. During his interview with a journalist in 1943 he said:

“… Islam is not a mere religious doctrine, but a realistic and practical code of conduct. In all things we are fundamentally different from Hindus. There is nothing in life which links us together. Our names, our cloths, our foods, our economic life, our educational ideas all are different. We challenge each other at every point.”

V) Real democratic popular government:

Before the establishment of Pakistan Quaid said:

“… Pakistan is the Muslims demand for freedom because Muslims in Pakistan want to be able to set up their own real democratic popular government.”

VI) Pakistan – a Muslim state:

During his address to the last session of All India Muslim League in 1947, he said:

“…. Let it be clear that Pakistan is going to be a Muslim state based on Islamic ideals. The whole world, even UNO has characterized Pakistan as a Muslim state”

VII) Future constituent of Pakistan:

“… I don’t know what the ultimate shape of this constituent is going to be. But I am sure that it will be of democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam.”

VIII) Economic system: anti-communism:

“…. I warn the communists to keep their hands off the Muslim. Islam is their guide and complete code of life. They do not want any ‘ism’. The object of Islam is to establish a balanced economic order based on fundamental human rights.”

IX) Islamic democracy:

“… It is my belief that our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by our great law giver, the Prophet (PBUH) of Islam. Let us lay the foundations of our democracy on the basses of truly Islamic ideas and Principles.”___ (1948)

Conclusion:

Quaid understood Islam and wanted Pakistan to lay a true Islamic state. He believed in Islamic democracy, social justice, equal rights of citizens, and non-discriminatory treatments towards minority.

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