The 25th of December holds great significance for Pakistanis as it marks the birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who earned the title of Quaid-e-Azam (The Great Leader). Alongside him, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet-philosopher of the East, played an instrumental role in inspiring the creation of Pakistan as a sovereign Islamic welfare state. Both Jinnah and Iqbal were iconic figures whose leadership and vision led the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent toward the creation of Pakistan.
Initially, Jinnah believed in Hindu-Muslim unity, but over time, he realized that the Muslims needed their separate state to preserve their religious, cultural, and political identity. His transformation from advocating unity to pursuing the cause of a separate Muslim nation was not based on sectarianism but on the protection of the Muslim community’s rights. Defending Jinnah’s vision, Iqbal remarked.
“People say that the recommendations are based on sectarianism. This is sheer propaganda. The recommendations are none but for the preservation of our national identity. It is only in the leadership of Jinnah that Muslims and Muslim League will bear success.” Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan was deeply rooted in Islamic principles. During a meeting with Allama Shabbir Ahmed Usmani and other Muslim scholars, he stated that he saw himself as merely a lawyer of the Muslims in the case of Pakistan.
“As Pakistan has been achieved, now duty comes to an end. Now it is up to the people what kind of system of governance they want in the country. As majority is of Muslims so there is no another option but to enforce the system of Islam by creating an Islamic welfare state.” In a speech delivered on the 12th of June 1938, to the Memon Chambers of Commerce, Jinnah laid out his vision for Pakistan and the role of Islam in shaping its future. He elaborated his vision in these words:
“There is no need to explore any new plan for the Muslims. They have been bestowed with a complete program over 1300 years ago in the form of the Holy Quran. Besides our socio-economic and cultural guidance and well-being, the Book provides guidance on politics as well. I have firm faith in this Divine Law, and the independence I am struggling for is in compliance with this Divine ordainment. The Quran instructs us for three things; freedom, equality, and fraternity. Being a Muslim, I am also great fond of these three themes. In the Quranic education lies our real salvation and only through this Book could we achieve all levels of progress and prosperity.”
Jinnah’s clear and unwavering vision for the future of Pakistan was also evident in his famous speech to the Punjab Students Federation on 19th March 1944, where he lambasted Communists and warned them to stop making Muslims fools.
“The Communists think, we are fools. But they are sadly mistaken in their thinking. But they are mistaken now because the Muslim of the last 5 or 6 or 10 years has changed, and the Communist will not succeed in fooling us. Hands off! Hands off! I say Communist Hands off!!! If you try the same game, it will hit back like a boomerang. We do not want any flag excepting the League flag of crescent and star. Islam is our guide and a complete code of our life. We do not want any red or yellow flag. We do not want any isms, Socialisms, Communisms or National Socialism.”
Concluding more, the essence of Jinnah’s leadership was his clarity of vision and commitment to the cause of Pakistan. His determination and steadfastness in his goals allowed him to overcome the many challenges he faced during the struggle for Pakistan’s creation. For modern-day leaders, Jinnah’s legacy provides invaluable lessons in clarity, conviction, and leadership. His clear vision of an Islamic welfare state, grounded in the teachings of Islam and the Quran, was the driving force behind the creation of Pakistan. The creation of Pakistan stands as a testament to Quaid-e-Azam’s profound understanding of the needs and aspirations of the Muslim population, and his ability to translate that understanding into reality.
The writer is a freelance columnist based in Lahore, can be reached at [email protected].
