Dr Zafar Khan Safdar
“Mohammad Ali Jinnah was the recipient of devotion and loyalty seldom accorded to a man”. This was the glowing tribute that President Truman of the United States paid to the Quaid-i-Azam. According to Allama Iqbal, Jinnah was the “only Muslim in India to whom a community had a right to look up for safe guidance”. In the history of Indian Muslim life and thought, he was one of the most striking and distinctive figures. At one time or other, he was the greatest legal luminaries India had ever produced during the first half of the 20th century. An ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity, a great constitutionalist, a distinguished parliamentarian, a brilliant and strategist politician, a tireless freedom fighter, a gifted debater and orator, consummate master of logic, a profound lawyer, a sound statesman, a dynamic mass leader and above all, one of the greatest nation builders in modern times. He stood for justice, for freedom, for equal rights, for the rule of people, for an open society and for a noble Pakistan. Through ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’ he converted Muslim nation into a dynamic force which swept the sub-continent and altered the destinies of a human race by lying the foundation of the second biggest Muslim State, an achievement without parallel in the annals of civilization.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah lived through remarkable times — a tremendous period of upheaval and struggle in modern history. He saw two world wars and freedom’s triumph over the forces of fascism. He was part of the epic battle to end colonial domination and liberate Asia and Africa from the stifling hold of imperialism. He saw the rise of socialism with its promise of peace, justice and equality. It was inevitable that his political beliefs should have been shaped by these momentous events and to have led him unerringly to his commitment to democracy and liberal humanism. In the brief time he had to manage Pakistan’s affairs, the Quaid made an effort to leave this dedication to the country’s leaders and populace. Regretfully, we have repeatedly betrayed that legacy. Mr. Jinnah was something more than Quaid-i-Azam, supreme head of the state, to the people who followed him; he was more than even the architect of the Islamic nation he personally called into being. He commanded their imagination as well as their confidence. It was entrusted to him to fulfil the hope hinted at in the inspired vision of the great Iqbal, despite obstacles that might have overwhelmed him, by giving the Muslims of India a homeland where the ancient glory of Islam could reshape itself into a contemporary state deserving of its place in the community of nations. Few statesmen have shaped events to their policy more surely than Mr. Jinnah. He was a legend even in his lifetime.
The Quaid was able to win the battle for Pakistan with to his extraordinary persuasive abilities, brilliant exposition, probing reasoning, and excellent judgement. His capability to counter-argument was evident even during the official ceremony held on August 14, 1947. In his speech to the Constituent Assembly, Lord Mountbatten suggested that Pakistan take a cue from Akbar the Great, who was a tolerant Muslim emperor. But the Quaid was up to the challenge. He quickly offered an alternate model—that of the Holy Prophet (SAW)—in his response to the discourse. “It is not a recent phenomenon that the great Emperor Akbar offered kindness and tolerance to every non-Muslim. To be exact, it dates back thirteen centuries ago” the Quaid roared back.
Quaid-i-Azam led the Muslim League since 1937, aiming to unite the nation and remove pessimism. He reformed men and provided them with new emotional equipment. French philosopher Renan argued that man is not enslaved by race, religion, or geography. Instead, a united group of sane and warm-hearted individuals creates a moral consciousness and instills the idea of reasserting their hegemony. How eloquently Allam Iqbal captures what a great leader entails “by leaders, I mean those who, either by divine appointment or personal experience, have a clear sense of both the spirit and destiny of Islam and the general direction of contemporary events. These guys are indeed the divine energies within individuals; nevertheless, they are gifts from God and cannot be coerced into following orders”.
H.V. Hudson in his ‘The Great Divide’ eulogizes Quaid’s character in these words “Not even his political enemies ever accused Jinnah of corruption or self seeking. He could be bought by no one, and for no price. Nor was he in the least degree weathercock, swinging in the wind of popularity or changing the times. He was a steadfast idealist as well as a man of scrupulous honour”. Even Lord Mountbatten for all his hostility towards Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam made the admission that “If it could be said that any single man held the future of India in his palm, that man is Mohammad Ali Jinnah. To all interests and purposes, Jinnah was the Muslim League and if the dream of Pakistan ever did come true, it could be Jinnah who brought it to life and fashioned it”.
Quaid-i-Azam fought his entire battles single handed with courage, fortitude and determination. Often his firm adherence to what he considered to be right and tenacity of purpose was misunderstood by lesser people as obstinacy. He never wanted to share his sorrow with others. The great leader did not live long to witness the progress of the state that he founded. His excessive work soon confined him to bed. Disregarding medical advice, he devoted much of his time to official work that impaired his health and died. According to Richard Symonds (The making of Pakistan) “Mr. Jinnah had worked himself to death, but contributed more than any other person for survival of Pakistan”.
The writer is Ph.D in Political Science, and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad. His area of specialization is political development and social change. He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo.com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar.
