Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Philosopher of Afghanistan; Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan (Part 26)
Introduction
Intellectual and social developments in Islamic societies have always been influenced by prominent figures who have changed the course of history with their innovative thinking and reformism. Among these thinkers, Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan, (MABH), holds a special place. He was one of the pioneers of the Islamic Awakening Movement, making extensive efforts to revive Islamic identity, confront colonialism, and reform Muslim societies. Unlike many thinkers before him, Sayyed Jamal did not limit himself to presenting theories but, as an active reformer, took practical steps and sought to sow the seeds of awakening in Islamic societies through his numerous trips to different Islamic countries, especially Egypt.
Egypt, as one of the most important Islamic countries in the nineteenth century, provided a fertile environment for accepting Sayyed Jamal’s reformist ideas. This country, with its rich history in Islamic civilization and prominent academic centers such as Al-Azhar University, has attracted innovators and reformers throughout history. However, at the time of Sayyed Jamal’s arrival, Egypt was embroiled in severe political, economic, and cultural crises. Foreign colonialism, internal tyranny, and intellectual stagnation had placed the country on the brink of an identity crisis, paving the way for the acceptance of reforms and new ideas.
The Necessity of Addressing the Role of Sayyed Jamal in the Islamic Awakening of Egypt
The Islamic Awakening, as an intellectual and political movement, is one of the most significant phenomena in the contemporary history of Islam. This movement emerged in response to the crises caused by colonialism, tyranny, and intellectual decline, aiming to restore the glory of Islamic civilization, revive the spirit of Ijtihad, and foster unity among Muslims. Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan was one of the first thinkers to recognize this necessity and presented a comprehensive plan to realize it. Criticizing the current situation in the Islamic world, he proposed several solutions to overcome these challenges, the most important of which include:
– Returning to authentic Islam and avoiding intellectual stagnation and blind imitation.
– Reforming educational systems and reviving the role of scholars in the intellectual guidance of society.
– Fighting against domestic tyranny and foreign colonial domination.
– Uniting Muslims to confront foreign threats and internal challenges.
Since Egypt was one of the first countries to host Sayyed Jamal’s reformist ideas, examining the impact of his presence in this country is crucial for understanding the Islamic awakening. The basic question of this research is how Sayyed Jamal’s ideas spread in Egypt and what impact they had on the intellectual and political movements within the country.
Historical and Social Contexts for the Acceptance of Sayyed Jamal’s Ideas in Egypt
Egypt in the 19th century was, for several reasons, an appropriate platform for accepting intellectual and social reforms. On the one hand, the country was under Western colonial domination, and on the other hand, it faced internal challenges such as authoritarian governance and scientific decline. The most significant factors that made Egypt receptive to Sayyed Jamal’s reformist ideas include:
1. The weakness of the Khedives’ rule and their dependence on foreign powers:
The Egyptian government during this period was controlled by the Khedives, who were dependent on England and France. This reliance angered the elites and the Egyptian populace, prompting them to seek independence.
2. Intellectual stagnation and the need to reform the educational system:
The traditional Egyptian educational system, which was primarily based on memorization and imitation, struggled to meet new demands. Many Egyptian intellectuals, especially scholars from Al-Azhar, recognized this deficiency and called for reforms in education.
3. The presence of reformist elites and acceptance of new ideas:
Unlike many Islamic countries, Egypt had a significant number of elites and intellectuals eager to embrace reformist ideas. Sayyed Jamal was able to quickly spread his ideas in Egypt by establishing connections with these influential figures.
Sayyed Jamal’s Reform Methodology in Egypt
Sayyed Jamal, unlike many traditional reformers, did not restrict reform to the religious sphere; he pursued it across various social, political, and cultural dimensions. His methodology was based on several key principles:
– Raising awareness through education:
Sayyed Jamal believed in the fundamental role of educating and raising awareness among the populace. He sought to familiarize youth and elites with the necessity of Islamic reforms by teaching in Egyptian academic circles and writing articles in various publications.
– Using the media to spread reform ideas:
The publication of the newspaper “Al-Urwa Al-Wothqa” was one of Sayyed Jamal’s most important actions in this regard. This publication, which garnered a wide audience in the Islamic world, criticized colonial and authoritarian policies and called on Muslims to awaken and resist.
– Cooperation with reformist elites and scholars:
One of Sayyed Jamal’s significant strategies was to connect with the elites and prominent scholars of Egypt. He established close ties with Muhammad Abduh, who later became one of the most influential Islamic reformists thinkers and shared his ideas with him.
– Emphasis on Islamic unity and fighting against division:
Sayyed Jamal believed that division among Muslims was one of the most critical factors contributing to their weakness against colonialism. He endeavored to promote unity and solidarity among Muslims by advocating Pan-Islamism.
Conclusion
An analysis of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan’s thoughts illustrates that upon entering Egypt, he played a key role in shaping the Islamic awakening in this country. Although his ideas faced opposition at the time, they laid the groundwork for profound intellectual and social developments whose impact continues to resonate today.
Continues…
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