Allah says in the holy Quran, “Allah does not change people until they change themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, Quran: 13:11)
“As far as the scum is concerned, it passes away as dross; but that which is of benefit to mankind remains on earth.” (Quran: 13:17)
It has been observed that in India, Muslims have adopted a “reactive” approach to various situations arising out of the changed conditions rather than “proactively” working on the potential future by anticipating the changes to come.
In such scenario, discussion on the role of Muslims for India 2047 is a good sign of changed mindset of the Muslim community in India. In the following paragraphs, strategies and role of Muslims for India 2047 is discussed.
DIVERSITY ORIENTED STRATEGIES:
In order to draft comprehensive strategies and clear-cut road map, it is necessary for the Indian Muslims to understand the unique features of India. Foremost, India is not a homogeneous country like other nations in the world. It is a multicultural and multi-lingual nation with huge area and population. It is “Union of States” – each state having its own regional language, culture, tradition and food habits. Urdu is not the language of all Indian Muslims; about 45% of them speak Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali, Malayalam, etc. So, a uniform and North Indian Urdu specific approach could not be applied throughout the length and breadth for Muslims.
It is therefore suggested that the strategy to contribute to India’s future should be based on the principle of diversity.
CONSTITUTION AS PROTECTOR OF RIGHTS:
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26thJanuary 1950. The Preamble of the Constitution resolved that the people of India to constitute a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens;
- JUSTICE social, economic and political
- LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
- EQUALITY of status and opportunity and to promote among them all
- FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation
Indian Constitution is serving as a guide and protector of rights for Indian Muslims since its adoption and it will serve in future as well. It is the responsibility of Muslim community also to safeguard the Constitution and to know the rights and duties the Constitution provides. Particularly, the religious scholars and intellectuals have to undertake a thorough study of the Constitution and its provisions. Muslims in general should be made aware of the positive aspects of the Constitution of India and its role in protecting the rights of the citizens.If there are hurdles and challenge then they should be resolved within the limits of legal provisions, ensuring to safeguard their faith and freedom as ensured in the Constitution.
MAQAASID AND FIQH-UL- AQILIYAT GUIDED APPROACH:
Historically, Muslims were either living in Muslim majority countries or were living as a minority in non-Muslim countries with negligible rights. However, in India, the situation is different. The Constitution of India provides equal rights to all citizens. Muslims in India are equal partners in governance. Hence, the role of the Muslims in India’s future cannot be passive. Muslims can play an active role in India’s future by deriving guidance from the Constitution and the Shariah (Islamic Law).
The Seerah of the Beloved Prophet ﷺand his companions who migrated to Abyssinia and their stay there under a just ruler Najashi, the Meesaq-e-Medina to coexist with the others in participating the governance and the Prophet’s involvement as well as appreciation of the Treaty of HilfulFudhul to support the weaker sections of the society and uphold justice and fair play for all, are some of the examples that can be emulated in this context.
More specifically, the Muslim scholars should be equipped with both traditional Fiqh as well as the Indian legal system so as to properly guide the Indian Muslims. Markaz of Sunni group in Kerala has established a law college for Madrasa scholars and a few batches have come out and engaged in judicial system of Kerala. Similar initiatives to be undertaken by other seminaries across India.
Guidance can be drawn from “Fiqh-ul-Aqiliyat” (Jurisprudence for minorities) and “Maqasid-e-Shariah” to deal with issues such as Uniform Civil Code, and make way for the active role of Muslims in the country.
ISLAMIC AND MODERN EDUCATION:
Replacing the present dual system of education – traditional and secular – and adoption of a single education system which combines both Islamic and secular is the need of hour. Such a shift would also empower the learners and enable them to follow the teachings of the faith as well as cater to today’s demands.
During the Moghul period, famous scholar Mujaddid Alf Sani, Memar Ahmed who constructed the Taj Mahal and Mughal Commander-in-Chief Sadatulla Khan had undergone their basic education in the same school then diversified further in various fields. Fathima Al Fahiri of Tunisia established the first university Qarriyuyun where not only Arabic and Islamic subjects but also geography, astronomy,and medicine were taught and wherefrom scholars like Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd graduated. Even European studentsjoined the university and distinguished themselves as great scholars of repute.
The Arabic language, which had assumed great importance globally and for Muslims to directly acquaintwith the language of the Quran Hadith and other Islamic literature, has to be taught in a modern way as a living language for which the best example is DurusulLughatul Arabia Li GhairiNatiqinaBiha by Dr. V. Abdur Rahim of Madina University for new Muslims of any origin.
Not only Hindi all over the country but also regional languages like Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, etc. to be taught in the states and proficiency attained in them should be our target. Instead of Persian, English both communicative and written forms have to an integral part of the language syllabus.
Sanskrit and Pali languages to be learned by both Muslim men and women to get acquainted with the Hindu religion and its ethics and culture and building bridges with other coreligionists.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
The modern philosophies of economic development have created “a few Islands of prosperity and oceans of poverty”. Whereas the global wealth has multiplied manifold in the last one century so is poverty and inequality. According to S&P Global, it has been projected that India would become the third largest economy in the world by 2030. But Oxfam India’s report on “Inequality in India” reveals that just 5 per cent of Indians own more than 60 per cent of the country’s wealth, while the bottom 50 per cent of the population possess only 3 per cent of the wealth.
The situation of Muslims is more pathetic. There are various economic surveys available in the market where it is pointedout how Muslims in India “have the lowest asset and consumption levels among major religious groups and they are the poorest religious group in the country. The National Council of Applied Economic Research in India shows that Indian Muslims are below poverty line 31% compared with 26% with respect to other backward communities. Amartya Sen’s SNAP report and the recent report of Christophe Jaffrelot reveal that 31% Muslims between 18-25 years age are uneducated and unemployed. “Where there is considerable variation in the conditions of Muslims across states, the community exhibits deficits and deprivations in practically all dimensions of development” (Sachar Committee Report, Chapter 12, page 273). This situation can be dealt with by taking the following measures:
Creation of Wealth:
According to Dr Nejatullah Siddiqi, for the past three centuries no Muslim group religious or otherwise has launched a movement for creation of wealth. In his views, the need of the hour is to recognise and encourage the wealth creators of our community. If wealth is not created, wealth cannot be distributed. Further, if wealth is not distributed, we cannot uplift the poor sections of our society.
Entrepreneurship:
Islam is also known as the religion of entrepreneurship. It is defined by the verses of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺthat enable and encourage the activity of entrepreneurs, using opportunities, taking risk and following innovative methods by all Muslim men and women.
The Prophet himself was a trader and an entrepreneur and his companions particularly “Ashr-e-Mubashira” were billionaires in today’s standards. His wife Khadija was a well-known business woman, handling half of the business of the Quraiyesh tribe. The Market of Madina established by the Prophet is a shining example to be emulated and adopted by the Muslim community. In Suqul Medina, there were no taxes levied and even women were having a separate section for doing business. Scholars opine that trade caravans operating between Yemen and Sham (present day Syria) by Quraish tribes were akin to Joint Stock Company of today with all the sections of the society contributing big and small amounts to the Caravan trade.
Muslim entrepreneurs from lower-middle class like traditional skilled craftsmen are to be guided and financed. A number of investors from the country can come forward to support such entrepreneurs via participatory finance modes like Mudharaba and Musharaka. The initiatives of the Government of India in this context has also to be utilised.
Financing and Investment:
Around 20% of the total stocks listed on BSE and NSE are Shariah compliant. Unfortunately, the Muslim community,instead of investing in capital markets, due to greed and absence of financial literacy and ethics of business invests in Ponzy Companies like IMA, Heera Gold, etc. Communities other than Muslims like the Jains are benefiting from Shariah compliant stocks. There is need to create awareness about Shariah compliant capital investment among Muslims.
Efforts to introduce participatory interest-free finance and banking in the country is going on and very likely to be approved soon. Similar efforts have to be made towards introduction of Mutual and Cooperative insurance known as “Takaful”. Also, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) like Cheraman Financial Services, Alternative Investments & Credit Limited (AICL) in Kerala have to be established in other parts of the country.
Under the State and Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, credit societies like Sahulat, Janseva, Sanghamam and Khidmat are operating successfully in various states. Such institutions should be established in all the districts of India to cater to the microfinance needs of Muslims and other communities.
The present Governments both at the centre and in various states are aiming for sovereign funds from abroad and many high net-worth NRIs are interested to invest in emerging India which has to be explored.
Role of Muslim Women:
According to various reports, the Muslim women in India are relatively disempowered. The study reveals that in terms of educational attainment and access to employment, the gender gap is highest in Muslim amongst all major communities in India.The information regarding women’s household decision making power and freedom of movement also shows that Muslim women are the least empowered and one of the disadvantaged sections of the society in two ways, one being as a woman and two as a member of the minority community which is both educationally and economically backward and religiously orthodox. Hence, programmes should be drafted to empower women by providing them access to education, economic activities, social and political activism.
Collective System of Zakat: Islam is based on five foundations: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. Zakat is similar to cement in other constituents of the foundation without which it is not strong and stable. It is ironic that whereas other obligations like Shahada, Salah, Sawm and Haj are widely known and to a greater extent practised among Indian Muslims, Zakat is neglected.
According to a survey carried out by Association of Muslim Professionals a few years ago, 30% Muslims do not know what Zakat is; 40% don’t know how to calculate it; 60% give to the same persons they used to give each year but 80% are in favour of Collective system of Zakat.
During the life of the Prophet ﷺ and then during the period of KhulafaRashidinthe collective system of Zakat was implemented,due to which there was prosperity in the society that Zakat givers were there but none was to take Zakat.
In addition, there are instances during Caliph Umar period, Zakat was given even to non-Muslims.
Today examples for collective Zakat system are available in Malaysia, Bangladesh and South Africa. In South Africa, 2% Muslim population is contributing 10% to the GDP. South African National Zakat Foundation (SANZAF) is successfully run by two women– Fairoza Mohammed and YasminaFranki with 52% staff comprising only women.
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE:
In governance and participation in political arena proportional representation can be optional.We have to ponder and if feasible prepare a blueprint and forcefully advocate for the same for meaningful representation.
The current system of politics and governance has certain issues. Most important among those is the top-down flow of decisions. Hence, efforts should be made to increase the involvement of regions, states and locals in the decision-making process. The elections at Panchayat level have to be focussed and plan to win at local level. Particularly Muslim women with spirit and skills should be fielded and supported under the women’s reservation quota.
It is suggested that the Indian Muslims have to play a greater role in the growth and development of the nation. Whereas Muslims should oppose and protest the wrong policies of the government, equally important is to appreciate the positive and productive policies like digitalisation, direct transfer of funds, toilets in villages, etc.
MEDIA ACTIVISM:
Media is the most effective channel to make or mar the public opinion and perception. Unfortunately, Indian Muslims have miserably failed in this field. There is no single newspaper or electronic channel in Hindi, even Urdu and regional languages (except Madhyamam daily and MediaOne in Kerala). Hence, there is a need to work more on this aspect. Recently eminent journalists have chosen YouTube to make their message reach out to millions. Muslim journalists can follow the same. Short films Facebook, Instagram, etc. can be utilised.
SOCIAL REFORMS IN MUSLIM SOCIETY:
At present, Islam and Muslims are very much misunderstood. It is the right time to introspect whether this is the result of misrepresentation of Islam by Muslims.
On the one side, a large section of Indian Muslim population is living below poverty line. On the other side, expensive marriages in costly hotels and banquets, repeated Umrah, extravagance in other social ceremonies, etc. are very common. Such practices need to be discouraged by scholars and opinion makers. It has to be showcased that Haj for once in lifetime is obligatory and repeated Hajj and that too Umrahs have no place in the religion. Moreover, simple Nikah as it was during the Prophet’s period to be encouraged and appreciated.
In addition, instead of creating huge infrastructure and expensive buildings, even for religious purposes it is suggested that Indian Muslims should focus on Human Resource Development.
We are the youngest country with 65% of our population below 35 years of age, including Muslims. Special planning of this young generation has to be charted out for their education, healthcare, employment and dignified life.
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF MASAAJID:
During the life of the Prophet, the mosque was a centre of various activities and not just prayers or worship. Even today many mosques in western countries are centres of ibadat, tarbiyat and khidmat. There are libraries, health clinics, marriage counselling centres, old age resting rooms, children sport space and avenues to interact with local people of all communities to share their joy and happiness attached to the Mosques. Such mosques are constructed in major towns and cities of the country.
Friday sermons should be made more effective by educating the visitors and making them leaders of change in the society. Apart from that women should also be allowed in Masjid and should be permitted to actively participate in the social activities as they used to do during the life of the Prophetﷺ.
A NEW ROADMAP FOR 2047:
Finally, to chart out a new roadmap for 2047 by Indian Muslims two steps have to be taken:
Disruptive Innovation & Lateral Entry
Disruptive innovation is the tool and technique one needs to switch from today to the future which needs a break from many or everything we had in the past.
The three stages disruptions are innovation incubation and scaling. First, we have to chart out an idea of our roadmap for 2047 then incubate and try to scale up later.
Lateral Entry is a must for preparing such an important document of future action. Lateral Entry means consulting and engaging experts and intellectuals from other groups which are not available within our fold. Unfortunately, Indian Muslims have not approached to many experts and intellectuals who are of even national and global stature. Now time has come to undertake this exercise.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, our role model, said,“The best of humans are those who are most beneficial to others.”
This has to be the motto of Indian Muslims in this great country.
[The writer is General Secretary,Indian Centre for Islamic Finance (ICIF), New Delhi. [email protected]]