Sir Syed’s Message
By Dr. A. Khan
Chicago , IL
October 17 marks the 192 nd anniversary of the birth of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the great leader, scholar, reformer and educator of the 19 th century. Sir Syed (1817-1898) considered education as a solution for rectifying the social, political and economic backwardness of the Indian Society. He was the pioneer for the movement of educational advancement of Muslims in India.
Sir Syed repeatedly appealed to the Muslim masses to broaden their intellectual horizons. In one of his addresses, highlighting the importance of education, Sir Syed said, “If the Government has not conceded some of our right to us yet, for which we may have grudge, higher education is such a thing that it will secure those rights for us, may be willy, nilly or against its wishes….God does not communicate his command in black and white; it can, however, be seen written large on walls of time” (Amritsar, January 29, 1884, lectures p.184 & p.189 )
Sir Syed’s contributions to the educational advancement of Muslims in British India are numerous. Some of the significant ones are the establishment of (i) Madrasah at Moradabad (1859), (ii) Scientific Society (1863), (iii) School at Ghazipur (1864) ,(iv) Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental ( M.A.O) College(1875)/ Aligarh Muslim University, and (v) Modammadan Educational Conference (1886).
Sir Syed strongly believed in social reform. He advised Muslim to: (1) develop freedom of thought and get out of the rut of customs and traditions, (2) get rid of those religious beliefs which had no real religious sanction behind them but stood as an obstacle to the growth of culture, (3) educate children, no real progress was possible without literacy on a wide scale, (4) educate women and teach them handicrafts, etc. (5) make collective efforts for providing educational facilities, and (6) develop various arts and industries.(Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by Professor Nizami, pp. 79-80)
Sir Syed was a man of letters; he authored numerous books on history, education, social reform and religion. Some of his well-known works are: Jam-i-Jum, Asar-us-Sanadid, Silsilat-ul-Muluk, History of Bijnor, Intikhab-al-Akhwain, Tafsir-ul-Qu’ran, and Khutbat-i-Ahmadiya.
Advising Muslims about the importance of honor, Sir Syed said, “Honor is a great asset in this world. But every one cannot have it individually unless and until the community he belongs to does also enjoy an equally honorable position. If a particular person belonging to a community in disgrace somehow or other is able to win the honor, of what use is it to the whole community, which is in disgrace? He himself will always be put to insult on account of his association with a community which has lost its prestige. Those who wish that they be held in esteem ought to enhance the prestige of their community in the first instance. If a particular individual tries to win honor after his community has struggled out of its position of disgrace, he will not only bring genuine honor to himself but to the entire community too. I do hope the exhortation of this humble visitor will not fall flat on ears.” (Safar Namah-i-Punjab, p. 80)
Today in the first decade of the 21 st century the intellectual capital of Muslims is declining fast. In order to replenish the vanishing intellectual capital, they need to ponder over what Sir Syed advised them fourteen decades ago: “The basis of all (progress) is that first of all you should bring all treasures of knowledge under you control.” (Benares, December 20, 1867, Lecturers, p. 38)
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