Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Philosopher of Afghanistan: Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan (Part 34)
The Parliament as a Representative of the Egyptian Nation’s Aspirations
The Egyptian parliament took a firm and resolute stance in representing the people’s aspirations. It exposed the oppression and injustice inflicted upon the nation. Poverty and tyranny had reached their peak, and the burden of heavy taxes had broken the backs of peasants. Hunger was spreading, and conditions had become so dire that Blunt, in his book The Secret History, wrote: “It is rare to find a peasant in the fields wearing a turban or more than a single shirt. Even in the outskirts of Cairo, the situation is the same. The village elders who wear cloaks are very few. On market days, small towns are filled with women selling their clothes and silver jewelry to repay debts to moneylenders, for the tax collectors are waiting with ready whips.”
Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan and the Cry Against Tyranny
These painful conditions had a profound impact on Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan. He witnessed rulers and officials recklessly squandering national wealth on their own pleasures and luxuries, while plummeting the country into foreign debt.
This situation provoked Sayyed Jamal al-din to take action. Through revolutionary and fiery articles in newspapers, he strongly criticized foreign intervention and domestic tyranny—sometimes under his real name and sometimes under the pseudonym “Mazhari bin Waddah.” In one such statement addressed to the peasants, he said:
“O poor and helpless farmer! You till the land to feed yourself and your family, but why do you not break the hearts of the oppressors who steal the fruits of your labor?”
Public Outrage and Uprising Against Tyranny
This injustice was not limited to the peasantry; it affected all social classes. A wave of public anger spread throughout the nation, reaching even the army and security forces.
Sayyed Jamal al-din and his students encouraged scholars to take a stance against tyranny. They issued fatwas declaring that despotism and autocracy were contrary to Islamic teachings, emphasizing that the foundation of Islamic governance is shura (consultation). They stressed that the legitimacy of a ruler depended on the people’s shar’i allegiance and that the ruler must work for public welfare and establish justice.
Following these fatwas, opposition to Ismail Pasha intensified. Scholars accused him of breaking laws and political oppression and discussed his removal from power.
The Plot to Remove and Assassinate Ismail Pasha
Blunt, in The Secret History, notes that a group was planning the assassination of Ismail Pasha—and Sayyed Jamal al-din supported this action. He even suggested to Muhammad Abduh that he should carry out the assassination.
Years later, on December 9, 1903, Muhammad Abduh recounted the event at his home in Ain Shams: “What ‘Urabi said about the removal of Ismail was true. We discussed it secretly, and Sheikh Jamal al-din supported it. He personally suggested that I assassinate Ismail, who crossed the Qasr al-Nil bridge daily in his carriage. We only discussed this among ourselves and kept it highly secret. I personally agreed with the idea, and if we had coordinated with ‘Urabi, we could have organized a full uprising. At that time, assassinating Ismail seemed justified and could have prevented European intervention in Egypt.”
Conflicting Accounts About the Plot’s Fate
However, Cromer offers a different account in Modern Egypt. He writes that while discussions about assassinating Ismail occurred, the plan was delayed because no suitable individual could be found to carry out the mission.
In any case, these events demonstrated that the fight against tyranny and colonialism had become a widespread public movement, ultimately leading to significant changes in Egypt’s history.
The Egyptian Revolution and the Fall of Ismail Pasha
A major revolution was taking shape in Egypt. Ismail Pasha found himself caught between two dangers: the nation and foreign powers. He chose to resist the foreigners. At the same time, a group of intellectuals and social figures gathered at the home of Sayyed Ali Bakri and called for the establishment of a national government accountable to the national assembly.
Ismail agreed and created conditions that allowed Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan and his students to speak freely against foreign interference. As a result, a national government led by Sharif Pasha was formed, recognizing the national assembly as a legislative body.
This sudden change terrified foreign powers, as the awakening of the Egyptian people could inspire other nations. These powers then demanded that Ismail abdicate the throne. Initially hesitant, he was eventually removed from power by the Ottoman government on June 25, 1879, and replaced by his son, Tawfiq Pasha.
Sayyed Jamal al-din’s Hope in Tawfiq Pasha
Tawfiq Pasha, a friend of Sayyed Jamal al-din, had been influenced by his ideas. During his time as crown prince, he once told Sayyed: “O Sayyed! You are the embodiment of my hopes in Egypt.” Sayyed hoped Tawfiq would implement reforms and govern based on consultation.
However, upon ascending to power, Tawfiq found himself torn between two forces: the people, who demanded a constitution and parliament, and the autocrats, who wanted the king to maintain absolute power. In the end, he sided with the foreigners and distanced himself from the people, fearing they might one day remove him as they had his father.
Interestingly, during Ismail’s reign, Egypt’s freedom seekers, led by Sayyed Jamal al-din, formed a delegation that met with the French political envoy. They declared the existence of a national party in Egypt committed to reform and proposed that Ismail abdicate in favor of Tawfiq.
They hoped foreign powers would support this idea—but they overlooked the fact that these powers benefited from despotism in Egypt. They did not want Egypt to become independent, as reform would mean tax control, reduced loan interest rates, and limited foreign interference.
Foreign Plots Against Egypt’s Independence
Before Tawfiq officially assumed power, the French consul in Egypt sensed danger. Aware that Tawfiq intended to realize the people’s aspirations, he sought help from Britain. Together, they tried to convince Tawfiq to abandon constitutional and popular reforms, warning him that such actions could destabilize the country in its fragile state. They also cautioned him that allowing parliament to participate in drafting fiscal laws could lead to more problems.
Though previously influenced by Sayyed Jamal al-din’s ideas, Tawfiq began to take a different path. Initially, he tried to conceal his change in stance but gradually revealed his opposition to reform. In a meeting with Sayyed Jamal al-din, he stated:
“I want the best for Egypt and wish for its progress. But the people of this land are ignorant and uneducated. It is better that nothing is taught to them, and discussions that may lead to unrest should be avoided, as such issues might destroy the country.”
Sayyed Jamal al-din replied: “O Prince of Egypt! Your people are no less intelligent or insightful than other nations. Just as you observe them, they observe you. If you consider me worthy of advice, then quickly recognize the people’s right to participate in governance. Issue a decree to elect their representatives through free elections and let them draft laws in your name and under your authority. This will strengthen your throne and ensure your government endures.”
But Tawfiq, now pursuing a path of tyranny, ignored this proposal and began suppressing the freedom fighters. This, in turn, led to further resistance and transformation in Egypt’s modern history.
Continues…
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