- Intro: S S A Khan was an Islamic scholar ,reformist and philosopher of 19th century.
- Context: During his time his community was passing through the phase of frustration and stagnation as British viewed Muslims with scepticism due to their active involvement in 1857 mutiny
- His ideas:
- Said hold Quran in one hand and book of science in other
- Wrote book- asbab-i-bagawat-e-hind in which he wrote about causes of revolt 1857 and gave instances where Muslims had helped save British lives. Asked Muslim Youth to leave the idea of British resistance and focus on getting Western education and scientific knowledge
- Wrote pamphlet- loyal Mohammedans of India in which he promised the loyalty of muslims towards the british
- Magzine- tehzeeb ul akhlaaq in which he criticized out dated customs of Islam
- Gave modernist interpretation of Quran
- Started AMU
- Indian institute gazette- a scientific journal
- Originator of two nation theory:
- Initially called Hindus and Muslims as two eyes of a beautiful bride called India
- Later his views changed:
- appeasement policy of British towards Hindus
- language controversy in awadh where movement started to make Hindi as official court language in place of Urdu
- adoption of Ganesha Chaturthi and Vande Mataram by INC further Marginalised SSAK
- supporters say during his time there was no idea of India as a nation at all.
- he believed in multiculturalism under which all cultural communities must be entitled to equal status under the state.
- due to his liberal thoughts on Islam, the imam of mecca had issued a fatwa against him
- Partition didn’t happen because of the theory, partition happened because the two communities failed to accommodate each other and became prey to divide and rule policy of the British
- Modern day relevance-
- Sacchar committee report
- only 3% in AIS and 4% graduates
- Muslims below sc/st in many socio-economic indicators
- his thoughts are relevant today to guide the misguided and radicalized youth joining extremist outfits like JKLF, ISIS
- Conclusion: SAK provided enlightened leadership for the betterment of the community when it needed the most.