Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, May Allah Have Mercy on Him (Part 28)
Power and revolution are rooted in the blood and skin of the Afghan nation!
Lecture at Kabul University
Honorable Saudi Ambassador, Respected University Director, Deans of Faculties, Esteemed Professors, and Dear Students, I feel immense happiness and joy when I stand before these radiant faces and noble, virtuous individuals. Expressing my gratitude for this honor bestowed upon me is beyond my capacity, except to say that I am visiting a land about which I have heard and read so much. As I have shared on other occasions, I can truly say: I have lived with the history of Afghanistan, spent my life immersed in its triumphs and struggles, and studied the lives of its great men, victorious leaders, noble individuals, and bearers of knowledge, light, and the mission of Islam that extended beyond these mountains to India and other lands.
Therefore, this feeling of happiness and joy is not surprising. Above all, I am delighted as a Muslim to meet and connect with my brothers in faith, living far from me. I am deeply pleased with this gathering, and I thank you for the courtesy extended to me, allowing me to stand here and speak to you.
All of you, especially those engaged in the study of literature and history, know well that the Afghan people have been noble since ancient times, living with freedom and dignity for hundreds and thousands of years. From the earliest days, the Almighty has endowed them with distinctive qualities, blessings, and commendable attributes.
I ask myself and take pride in having pursued and specialized in the study of history—a field I deeply cherish. But why has this nation, for such a long time and through the centuries, withdrawn from the world? Why has it remained indifferent to the events of the world, to the occurrences of good and evil, victories and defeats, oppression and tyranny? Why has this brave and fearless nation, capable of leadership and filled with intelligence, vitality, and empathy, spent centuries preoccupied with itself and distanced from the global stage?
Was it the mountains that separated this nation from the world? No, my brothers! History acknowledges that no towering mountain has ever been able to obstruct the path of warriors and conquerors. These mountains cannot block the way. You all know that there are arduous, winding, and perplexing paths that separate Afghanistan from Pakistan and India. During the leadership of this nation under conquerors like Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, Sultan Shahabuddin Ghauri, and Ahmad Shah Durrani, these paths became accessible, allowing the expansion of Islam.
Has this nation been shackled or rendered helpless? Never! The courage and capabilities of this nation have been proven time and again. However, the stagnation that has befallen the Afghans is due to their contentment with fertile meadows, agriculture, livestock, and limited resources. But why this contentment? This is a question for you to answer.
Why do we read in history that when Islam entered this region, a nation long dormant suddenly awakened and rose with remarkable vigor, transforming into a strong, courageous, ambitious, visionary, determined, and unparalleled community? When this nation emerged, it seemed like a hidden treasure newly discovered.
Was it as if an electric current surged through their bodies, or were they transformed by some magical wand? Indeed, it was a remarkable transformation—from a weary, content, reclusive, and subdued people to a fearless, triumphant, and dynamic nation.
Was there previously a barrier obstructing the flow of this bountiful river? The true key to this mystery lies in the fact that the Almighty blessed this noble nation with three fundamental factors brought to them through Islam:
– A lofty mission and its objectives
– A broad vision toward humanity, the truth of existence, and the external world
– Pure trust in divine support and the outcomes of effort and striving
These three elements grant any community a new identity, transform it into another nation, breathe fresh life into it, and enable it to shape a new history and illuminate the world with its hidden potential.
This nation lacked a mission and was occupied with its pastoral life, harboring envy toward one another. As an Arab poet says:
واحیانا علی بکر اخینا
اذا ما لمنجد الا اخانا
Translation: “When we could not find anyone else, we would fight and struggle with our brothers (Bani Bakr).”
The nature of war reflects the result of separation and distance from religion, morality, and spirituality. The Arab tribes engaged in internal wars during the era of ignorance, with one tribe fighting another and competing with each other. The Afghan nation also could not find anything to satisfy their warlike nature and thirst for conflict, leading to many internal wars resulting from individual and tribal pride and arrogance. It is not uncommon that they have gone to battle because of false and imaginary grievances.
The Arabic poet is indeed right:
النار تاکل نفسها
ان لمتجد ما تاکله
Translation: “If the fire finds nothing else to burn, it will burn itself.”
When Islam emerged, the Arabs became the owners of a mission; similarly, the Afghan nation acquired its mission. They used to live solely for themselves, but they came to understand the saying of Allah Almighty: «كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ» Translation: “You are the best of nations that have been raised up [to reform human societies]. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah [through research, knowledge, truth, and sincerity].”
These people have realized that they were not created in vain and are not like weeds; rather, their creation was based on goals and purposes.
Their faith is intended to achieve a goal and mission; they are a nation that has come out for the benefit of the public and has not grown solely to satisfy their warlike instincts and violent nature, to engage in plunder, to fight, and to incite bloodshed. This nation believes that they have come out to ensure that no sedition remains, and that religion is purely for Allah.
They have stepped into this worldly existence to rescue people from darkness and guide them toward light, to free them from the humiliation of being subservient to others, and to direct them to the presence of the One Creator. They seek salvation from the narrowness of this world and strive to lead others to the vastness of this world and the hereafter, guiding them from oppression and the diversity of religions to the justice of Islam.
Continues…
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