Composite Nationalism And Islam

''Composite Nationalism and Islam'', titled ''Muttahida Qaumiyat Aur Islam'' ( ur, ) is a book written in 1938 by Husain Ahmad Madani, the Dean of Darul Uloom Deoband, espousing composite nationalism—a united India for both Muslims and non-Muslims. The book opposed the partition of India and in it Madani advocated for "the ideal of a 'composite nationalism' within an united India, which he thought would be more conducive to the spread and prosperity of his community over the entire subcontinent than any religious partition."

The book was translated into English in 2005 by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

The idea of composite nationalism was and remains influential among the Muslims living in India, with the majority of them staying in independent India despite the partition, rather than migrating to the areas that separated to become Pakistan.

Arguments

Asgar Ali summarized a key point of ''Muttahida Qaumiyat Aur Islam'':

''Composite Nationalism and Islam'' put forth the idea that different religions do not constitute different nationalities. Rather, "Nationality is co-terminus with territory and both believers and non-believers in Islam can share the same territory and hence the same nationality. Nations, the book argued, are formed on the basis of "a common motherland, language, ethnicity or colour, which brings together Muslims and non-Muslims sharing one or more of these attributes in common."

The proposition for a partition of India, therefore, did not have any religious justification, but was "purely political." The text emphasized that those who wished to partition India were among the secular elite, rather than religious leaders. ''Composite Nationalism and Islam'' opines that the reason the separatists wished to create a new state is because they "were aspiring for power and hence wanted their exclusive domain".

''Composite Nationalism and Islam'' therefore urged its readers to join the Indian National Congress, as its aims were in accordance with Islamic teaching. It implored Muslims not to join the pro-separatist All India Muslim League, which it called hypocritical.

The book emphasized that keeping India united would allow Muslims to illumine non-Muslims with what they saw as the true faith.

Influence

The ideas presented in ''Composite Nationalism and Islam'' were upheld by the Deobandi Ulema, whose "priority was an independent India where they could practice Islam without fear or hindrance."

Madani traveled across British India spreading the idea of composite nationalism, which opposed the concept of a partition of India. While he was doing this, members of the pro-separatist Muslim League tried to intimidate Madani and disturb his rallies. The idea of composite nationalism was nevertheless influential among the Muslims living in British India, with the majority of them staying in India after the partition, rather than migrating to the areas that separated to become Pakistan.

See also

*Madani–Iqbal debate
*All India Azad Muslim Conference
*Hindu–Muslim unity

References

External links

{{Nastaliq, متحدہ قومیت اور اسلام ''Composite Nationalism and Islam''

1930s in British India
1938 non-fiction books
1938 in India
Indian non-fiction books
Islam in India
Literature of Indian independence movement
Deobandi literature
20th-century Indian books
Indian religious texts
Books by Hussain Ahmad Madani