Hundred Great Muslims

Hundred Great Muslims
3/7
Jamaluddin Afghani was a linguist. He knew Arabic, Persian, Turkish,
Pushto, French, English and Russian. His extremely busy and turbulent life
did not give him respite to settle down to the writing of books. But he wrote
a number of pamphlets on diverse subjects in different languages. In fact, he
stirred the spirit of Muslim intelligentsia all over the world and directed their
hitherto dormant energies towards constructive channels. The East has much
profited from the writings of his disciples.
As a man, Jamaluddin was humble, courteous, laborious and amicable. He
slept little, working for more than 18 hours a day. "He received those who came
to visit him with great courtesy", writes Edward G. Browne, author of the wellknown
work, "A Literary History ofPersia ", "the humblest as much as the most
distinguished, but was very chary of paying visits, especially to persons of high
ranks. In speech he was eloquent, always expressing himself in choice language,
and avoiding colloquial and vulgar idioms, but carefully adopting his words to
the capacity of his hearers. As a public speaker he had hardly a rival in the
East".
Regarding his other qualities Browne states :
"He was abstemious in his life, caring little for the thing, of this world,
bold and fearless in face of danger, frank and genial but hot tempered,
affable towards all but independent in his dealings with the great. His
intellectual powers and his quick insight and discernment were equally
remarkable, so that he seemed able to read men's thought before they had
spoken."
About his versatility Browne writes:
"His knowledge was extensive, and he was specially versed in ancient
philosophy, the philosophy of history, the history and civilization of
Islam, and learned French in three months without a master, sufficiently
well to read and translate".
"He knew the Arabic, Turkish, Persian and Afghan languagestogether with
a little English and Russian. He was a voracious reader of Arabic and
Persian books. He appears never to have married, and was indifferent to
female charms."
His influence throughout the East and specially in the world of Islam was
indeed overwhelming. He was, to a great extent, responsible for the awakening
of Muslims during the 19th century.
The contemporary high personalities of the East and the West vied with
each other to win his favour. He was loved and respected by Muslim intelligentsia
allover the world, but feared by the Imperialist powers, who were
afraid of his mission and growing influence. "He raised up a living spirit in the