Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, May Allah Have Mercy on Him (Part 23)
Meeting with Ministers and Officials
At the forefront of our meetings with ministers and officials, we met with Mr. Mohammad Yasin Azim, the Honorable Minister of Education, and his deputy, Dr. Mohammad Seddiq, in their office. The discussions centered around education policy in Islamic countries. We observed that the Minister of Education demonstrated good listening skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and attentiveness to the topics at hand. The Ministry of Education has put significant effort into arranging programs and facilitating the delegation’s mission, and on behalf of the host government, it organized a banquet for us. Therefore, we extended our gratitude to the Minister and his deputy.
We also met with Professor Abdul Sattar Sirat, the first advisor and Prime Minister, who completed his studies at Al-Azhar in Egypt and speaks fluent Arabic. Additionally, we met Mr. Samiuddin Zhowand, the lawyer of the Ministry of Justice, Abdul Hadi Hedayat, the lawyer of the public court of this ministry, and Prof. Kamal Shinwari, head of the Central Endowment Department. Prof. Mohammad Seddiq Kabari, the head of Jamiat, held separate public meetings with a group of notable employees from the Ministry of Justice and the heads of some branches. Professor Ahmad Mohammad Jamal had met with the Minister of Information before my arrival in Kabul.
Professor Abdul Rasool (Abd al-Rab Rasool) Sayyaf skillfully translated our words into Persian during all meetings. We noticed that educators, ministers, and high-ranking officials spoke Persian (Dari); although the official language of the country is Pashto, in which government letters and decrees are issued and invitations sent, the public understands and speaks Persian in academic events and literary meetings. I informed them that the Pashto language is more popular in Kandahar, which borders Baluchistan (Pakistan) and is the center of Pashtunistan. Among the most esteemed individuals we met on this trip, who provided companionship, cooperation, and guidance, was Sheikh Mohammad Islam Taslim, an exemplary scholar proficient in both religious sciences and contemporary issues in Afghanistan. Sheikh Mohammad Islam enjoys considerable trust and respect among officials in the Ministry of Education and other prominent leaders.
The Weak Influence of Scholars in Society and Its Results
Not long ago, Afghanistan was renowned as the land of scholars and shaykhs. The Afghan people were deeply respectful and submissive to the influence of scholars, which is a phenomenon not found in many eastern nations. The people of the Afghan government have always recognized their honor and dignity, and the advice and critiques of scholars significantly impacted them. When called to Jihad, often termed “Ghaza,” the people from cities and villages responded with fervor unlike any other call.
These scholars were the ones who bravely confronted the British invasion, maintaining national integrity and guarding freedom and independence, all while adhering to Islamic morals and ethics. They rejected deviant invitations contrary to Islam, proudly exiting the battlefield. It was their guidance that ensured the continued presence of Islamic courts and the enforcement of rulings according to Islamic Sharia in this country. Thus, we should commend the nation and government of Afghanistan and acknowledge their grace and superiority.
Like the people of Turkey, all Afghans are predominantly Sunni and Hanafi, with only a few followers of other sects. Hundreds of Afghan students have graduated from major religious schools in India, particularly the renowned Darul Uloom Deoband. However, on this trip, we observed that they have withdrawn and distanced themselves from society. Unfortunately, over time, the influence of scholars among the populace has diminished. This reduction in influence appears to stem from governmental policies aimed at preserving their interests. The government learned from past experiences, particularly how scholars rallied the nation against “Amanullah Khan,” leading to his downfall.
Perhaps the government has taken heed of the advice attributed to Allama Iqbal Lahori, which cites Iblis advising leaders and followers: “Afghans possess religious zeal; to undermine this zeal, you must suppress their students, scholars, and religious leaders, exiling them from the homeland.”
The religious pride and fervor of the Afghans have noticeably weakened, leading to drastic changes in Afghan society, changes that have been accepted by various groups without sparking any movement. Westernization and imitation of Western civilization have become commonplace, and these events have caused little concern in their everyday lives.
As a result of the influx of various types of drugs, Afghanistan has become a significant point for disaffected youth. A large number of these misguided youths, accustomed to mixing genders, were traveling with us on the plane to Kabul. The impact of these changes was largely evident, contrasting sharply with the traditional Afghan values. Unfortunately, these developments did not provoke any responses; no one took a stand. All of these issues signify stagnation and a decline in pure zeal and Islamic character. The primary reason for this is that leadership and oversight have shifted from scholars to individuals who evaluate matters solely through the lens of economics and politics, exhibiting ignorance and negligence towards fundamental truths.
I’ve heard that the city of Herat, historically a center for knowledge and learning, has many schools and mosques where the candle of science and religious reform has always burned brightly. We had a strong desire to visit this revered religious center and ancient city; however, it was not possible to travel to witness a city that has produced many esteemed figures, such as the great mystic and able researcher Imam Abdullah Ansari. He authored the book “Manazel al-Saerin,” which Ibn Qayyim later explained in his renowned work “Madarj al-Salkin.” He also nurtured the respected scholar Sheikh Nuruddin Ali bin Sultan Muhammad, known as “Mula Ali Qari.”
