Revival of Past Glory

Mohammad Ali (1878-1931) was a famous Indian Muslim leader. He once had an encounter with a Delhiite painter, who had prepared a painting which he showed to Mohammad Ali in the hope that the leader would buy it. The painting depicted the great Jama Mosque of Delhi, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. The mosque is situated on a high foundation. There are flights of stairs leading up to it, on which beggars are a common sight. In this painting, a beggar-woman was shown standing on the steps of the mosque holding a child in her arms.

Mohammad Ali looked at the painting and said, ‘I will buy it on one condition; that at the bottom you write the words, ‘Her fathers built it.’

This incident shows what has motivated modern Muslim leaders. More than anything, they were longing for their lost glory; all their efforts were directed towards regaining it. They gave their movements the name Islamic revivalism, but in fact, they were only seeking to revive the past glory of Muslims.

This thinking of Muslim leaders in the present century has prevented them from accomplishing any far-reaching, constructive work. Take, for instance, the case of Delhi. At least one hundred large mosques deserted or, at least, neglected—existed in the city. In most cases, sizeable plots of land were attached to these mosques. If they had made these their centres, Muslim leaders could have engaged in constructive efforts at spreading their faith. But instead, their sacrifices were wasted in trying to bring back the political power Muslims had lost. All the opportunities for constructive work which were available went unavailed.

When politically-minded Muslims look at the Great Mosque and Red Fort of Delhi, they are reminded only of their past glory. Muslims who are endowed with missionary spirit, on the other hand, look at such monuments and are filled with a desire to use such places as centres for the missionary work which has been neglected up to now. □

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A man could do nothing if he waited until he would do it so well that no one could find fault with what he has done.

Cardinal Newman