Iqbal and Quaid's Vision of Pakistan - Qurtuba University of Science ...

Iqbal and Quaid’s Vision of Pakistan Zamir Akhtar Khan
correctly interpret them and follow our great Holy Book,
the Quran.” 44
• Tribute to Quaid by a British
Quaid's Islamic character was even known to non-Muslims. One
of his critics remarked:
“Mr. Jinnah is the sword of Islam resting in a secular
scabbard.” 45
• Controversy over one statement: 11 Aug 1947
One of the statements of Quaid is often repeated by so called
secularists. It is quoted out of context to prove that Quaid
probably wanted a secular state instead of Islamic one. It is
sheer intellectual dishonesty that in the presence of so many
quotes in favour of Islamic system of life only one statement is
given importance which suits the view point of secularists. The
fact is that Quaid was referring to the rights of minorities and not
giving a verdict about secularism to be adopted in Pakistan. He
says:
“You will find that in course of time Hindus would cease
to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims,
not in the religious sense, because that is the personal
faith of each individual, but in the political sense as
citizens of the state.”
“I can give you the highest authority of our book in
Islam and the authority of our history that Islam has not
only treated minorities justly and fairly but generously
wherever they had any authority or power. That is
almost a sacred injunction upon the Muslims.” 46
• Islamic principles are applicable today
“Islamic principles today are as applicable to life as
they were thirteen hundred years ago. I could not
understand a section of the people who deliberately
wanted to create mischief and made propaganda that the
constitution of Pakistan would not be made on the basis
of Shariah.” 47
• Proud to belong to Islam
He left London and adopted the present course of strenuous life
only because he had no doubt in his mind that the political future
of the Indian Muslim community and Islam, to which he was
The Dialogue 153
Volume V Number 2