Salvation of the World
“The world is fastly changing its ideals. The West is confused. Things taken at their face value do not vouchsafe a bright future. Why this diffidence? Spiritual anarchy and moral degeneration have brought disruption and disintegration. The world has taken a fancy
to extremes. ‘East with its blessed legacy of religion shuns materialism; and West is West.’ They do not seem to meet together... Loud noised assertion of private liberty is nothing but a grand hoax-a mere cloud of abstraction, both vague and undefined, full of found and fury signifying nothing.
Hope rises eternal in human breast and we can speak with certitude that the sea of faith is not lost to us—the Khaksars. We feel, we can thread our way through the present chaos…The virtues of materialism guided by spiritual values can lead world to a society of ‘right reason and best self.’ Liberty, equality and fraternity are not mere catch-words to us. We firmly believe in these noble fundamentals and will propagate and perpetuate them. We will share them with everybody. Europe…has failed to grasp their true sense. Lust of power and a variciousness have blinded them to the genuine interests of other races and hence this perpetual state of warfare.
Our progamme, which is a practical formula, admits of no narrow-minded exclusiveness, or callous selfishness...Theo-Democracy is the only system of government which will serve the world’s purpose in future. We are not mere theoretical dreamers. We believe in right action; which is capable of redressing the wrong...The salvation if the World lies in service. If Khaksars movement is looked at in its true perspective we are sure none will dare doubt our assertion.—The Radiance”
The above article was published in 1942. Source: Allama Mashriqi & Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan: Two Legends of Pakistan by Nasim Yousaf, pp. 439-440
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ALLAMA MASHRIQI
The Man and His Message
By KHAN
"It is difficult to understand the writer of the Tazkira and the Originator of the Khaksar Movement, our traditions and way of thinking; our likes and dislikes; our petty interests and pretensions are in the way.
Allama Mashriqi, the literary genius of India, who has challenged the world by upholding the cause of religion, is a little beyond the medeocrats, who believe in safety first. Those who believe in doing things without risking their case and try to serve the nation without creating a new outlook and without changing their own habits cannot appreciate the great enthusiasm and love which the Allama displays in his thought and actions.
To remain safely within the limit, to follow the precedents and traditions and to be afraid of risks has been and will remain the doctrine of ordinary and middle class people.
All the great men have been the originators of new thought and new outlooks. They have been the founders of new traditions and propounders of philosophies. Their life and sayings have been complimentary to each other and throughout their life they have worked for their mission of remodeling and creation like a drunken man. And this enthusiasm for their cause have always been the key to their success.
Allama Mashriqi is the great man of the present age. He has given to India a new outlook and a new way of life. His daily life is a constant struggle and a persistent endeavor for this new ideal. He has changed his life and wants to change our life and outlook. In order to grasp the magnitude of the change let us study the life of the man.
Allama Inayatullah Khan Al-Mashriqi after studying for twelve years [five years] in the University of Cambridge and securing many degrees and half a dozen fellowships…[and] held the honourable posts of Secretary and Under Secretary to the Government. In 1924, he published his well-known book the Tazkira in which he explained to the world, that the cause of all the ills in society, in the first place is due to disregard of religion and secondly to the misleading idea that all the religions are different from one another and so must be hostile and intolerant.
At this time the Allama was living in luxury like nabob [nawab] and thought that some one would take up the work of organisation and that his work was only to explain the Koranic life. He waited for seven years for news of some action and to see the result of his book. Letters poured in from all over the Islamic world praising his genius and applauding his work, but no one moved from his place to lead the Millat [nation].
When he was convinced that no one was going to move and the Tazkira was regarded merely as a literary masterpiece and nothing more, he gave up his old way of life, pomp and all, donned the khaki dress and started serving men irrespective of cast, creed and position. He wrote Isharat, at this time, in which he gave to India the same message in precise and practical form which he thought of Islam in the Tazkira. The Isharat which was published in 1931 explained the weaknesses and strong points of the Muslims and pointed to them in a simple form the way to be strong and righteous.
After one year i.e. in 1932 [1930] he resigned his Government post and we see a changed man, living in simple way, serving people with his hands, his money and his soul. This is the simple man who leads the Khaksar Movement with his only weakness of being truthful and ‘undiplomatic’…
At present western Nations are disregarding the religious books and instead of looking for guidance in the Book they have devised their own laws. The theory of Darwin which attempts to explain the survival of species through ages fails when it is applied to human problems. The laws of history which try to explain the rise and fall of Nations prove inadequate and seek exceptions. Such is the attitude of the intelligent brains of the world. Allama Mashriqi declares that the religious books instead of being regarded as historical records must be treated as treasures of knowledge, material and spiritual. It seems strange that men of science disregard books of such importance and do not take help from divine knowledge. The Allama says that in the present age due to relative broadmindedness and tolerance men can unite on a single ideal and thus all bigotry and rivalry can be brought to an end…
We are told and we know that the Koran being the last and still unaltered and in the same language in which it was originally revealed is the complete and final law. In Koran the world can find the laws of human progress. And these in Allama’s words are:-
Unity of Action; Unity of Millat; Obedience to Leader; Strife with Property, Sword and Self; Migration; Persistent Effort with Trust in Results; Knowledge; Noble Character; Faith in the Day of Judgment.
The Khaksar Movement is the practical message of the Allama. It is the living book in which people can [?] the truth of religion and selfless service which it touches. We are sure that the principles laid out by the Allama and the way in which he practices them will lead us to success. The truth of his message is felt and people are taking it [?]
We have confidence in our leader and in our God. I [?] the people see the light and follow."
“[?]” Denotes a word that was illegible in the source used.
Source: The Radiance, Aligarh, February 06, 1943 page 1-2. Published by M.Obaidur Rehman, Civil Lines, Aligarh, Printed by A.H. Rizvi at the National Ptg [ Printing] Works, Aligarh, Editor Riaz Ahmed Khan.
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“The Khaksar Problem”
By Ahmed Dastagir
“...The Khaksar organisation [Khaksar Tehreek] was started by Allama Inayetullah Khan Mashriqi, the renowned author of Tazkira in 1931 [1930] on the basis of Islamic principles. Its motto was discipline, its line of action social service and its aim peace – the essence of Islam and every other religion. The organisation spread to every corner of India, Burma, Bahrein, South Africa... There are many Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in it. Its principles are betterment of physical and spiritual health; development of individual and collective character; end of all controversies through extensive social service, strict discipline and all embracing love…There is no subscription in the movement because its gatherings, marches, receptions in fact every thing is simple and inexpensive, and every member and worker meets his own expenses and does not depend on public collections. Every one works toils, serves and strives to bring man and man together. Its members and workers are prohibited from accepting dinners or presents. Every member has to be self-supporting and self-disciplined. Love, toleration, silent service and non-participation in political or religious controversies are its features.
The mission caught the imagination of the people and millions flocked to it. Strict discipline created a very high level of character and selflessness in the Khaksars. Wherever there was any need or distress, a Khaksar was there to soothe and to serve. In the historic fire of Rangoon of 1938; during the Shahidgunj events and on numerous other occasions Khaksars endangered their lives to save those of their fellow beings. Everywhere a Khaksar was loved, honoured and trusted. Through endless toil and steady work the movement spread and was established firmly in every corner of India..."
Source: The Dawn, Delhi June 07, 1942
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