Sir Syed’s was a multi-faceted personality. He was a powerful orator, innovative writer, social reformer, visionary, educationist and much more. He was a farsighted leader who changed the destiny of the nation. He was not a politician but a revolutionary in the true sense of the word. He was a man of strong commitment and integrity who was confronted by many problems and stiff oppositions. He faced all challenges with exemplary courage and patience. His life beautifully exemplifies how problems can be converted into opportunities.
Till 1857 Sir Syed was more concerned about the past. Most of his writings during that period were related to the history and achievements of the past. He penned such important books as Jilaul-Qulub, Tashil fi Jarr-i Saqil, Risalah Radd-e Bidaat, Asar us Sanadid, Silsilatul Muluk and Jam-e Jam, and edited Ain-e Akbari. These books captured the glory of the past and highlighted the achievements of the earlier generations.
After 1857 Muslims were the main target of the British wrath and anger. They lost their power, position, property and too many precious lives. Their future was bleak and their sufferings seemed to be unending. It was in this very difficult situation that Sir Syed was called upon to lead the community out of the dark night of despair to a morning of hope.
He authored Tabeenul Kalam fi Tafseer il Taurat wal Injeel ala Milalat-e Islam, Tarikh Sarkashi-e Zila Bijnore, Asbab-e Baghawat-e Hind and a very scholarly critique of Our Indian Musalmans written by Dr. Hunter. In these terrible days it required extraordinary courage to point out the shortcomings of British policy in India. Dr. Iqbal salutes the courage of Sir Syed in his couplet as:
“There is absolutely no place for fear and hypocrisy in the heart of believer. The believer is fearless against the ruler’s power.”
At the same time Sir Syed also worked to bring about reconciliation between the British Government and the Muslims to save them from the vengeance of the ruler, to enable them to live a life of comfort and dignity.
In 1870 Sir Syed returned from London and thereafter he never looked at the past. He concentrated all his efforts and energies on the future building of the nation in general and Muslims in particular. As a poet says:
“My sight is set on the destination ever since I commenced my journey. My eyes have never sought the milestone.”
Sir Syed worked hard for empowerment of Muslims through education. He formed a number of committees such as Committee Khwastgaran –e Talim, Mohammadan Civil Services Fund Committee, Mohammadan Educational Conference and established Madarsatul Uloom in 1875 which evolved into Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. At the time of laying its foundation stone he visualised its future as:
“From the seed which we sow today there may spring up a mighty tree whose branches, like those of the Banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth and themselves send forth new and vigorous saplings; that this College may expand into a University whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large-hearted toleration and of pure morality.”
At that time Indian Muslims were totally unaware of the advancement in the field of empirical sciences. Sir Syed made the Muslims realise that the power of knowledge has now transformed into the power of Science and Technology. It was absolutely impossible to survive in the changed situation without acquisition of this power.
Sir Syed laid stress on Modern Education as it was the need of the time. But he did not aim at producing simply an imitation of the west. He advised his community to hold onto the basic and fundamental teachings of the religion but at the same time it was also imperative for them to shed those aspects of religious education which did not conform to its basic spirit and which had sapped the energy of the community. Sir Syed said:
“Leave the discussion of the sciences that were considered to be the means of progress in former times because, now, instead of development, they are considered to be the means of decline. The sciences that are the means of development at this time are the science and the arts of Europe, which are known as European literature and sciences and are acquired through the English language.”
Sir Syed believed in a judicious blend of religious and modern education. He said:
“Science shall be in our right hand, Philosophy in our left and on our head shall be the crown of There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is messenger of Allah.”
It was only natural then that he was more concerned about the plight of Muslims but he kept the doors of his institution open for all Indian citizens, irrespective of their caste and creed. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru appreciated the policy of the Sir Syed as:
“Sir Syed’s decision to concentrate on western education for Muslims was undoubtedly a right one. Without that they could not have played any effective part in the building up of Indian nationalism of the new type and they would have been doomed to play second fiddle to the Hindus with their better education and far stronger economic position.”
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal has encapsulated the message of Sir Syed in his famous couplet as:
“Firm belief, consistent endeavour and love and affection of mankind, these are the weapons of brave people in the struggle of life”.
[The writer is Director, Sir Syed Academy, AMU, Aligarh]