Dialogue With A Giant II

It is a common notion that Quaid-e-Azam united Muslims of India but it is hardly ever acknowledged that the Muslims of India were an organic entity and it was growing on its own terms especially after 1857. This aspect is discussed in depth in my teacher's book "Azaadi" in which he describes painstakingly how Muslim Nation evolved and Pakistan came into being. I am by no means diminishing Quaid's role in freedom movement, no. What I mean to highlight is the Muslims of India had developed their intuition and they were growing onto that. Quaid himself always believed that the people had bestowed the power upon him and not vice versa. He acknowledged this principle number of times. For example, when he was proposing the 14 points for Muslim League he clearly conveyed that these are only suggestions based upon numerous meetings with different minority groups within India and it is unto these groups whether they accept them or reject them. 

Here, in below responses also, you will feel Quaid had an unwavering believe in Muslim nation and he wanted others to believe it also.  

SELF(BN):  How would you describe the 'vital principles' of Pakistan?

JINNAH: In five words. The Muslims are a Nation. If you grant
that, and if you are an honest man, you must grant the principle
of Pakistan. You would have to grant it even if the obstacles were
a hundred times more formidable than they actually are. Of
course, if you do not grant it, 'then ... He shrugged his shoulders
and smiled . . . Then, there is an end of the matter.

SELF(BN): When you say the Muslims are a Nation, are you thinking
in terms of religion?


JINNAH: Partly, but by no means exclusively. You must remember that Islam is not merely a religious doctrine but a realistic and
practical Code of Conduct. I am thinking in terms of life, of
everything important in life. I am thinking in terms of our
history, our heroes, our art, our architecture, our music, our laws,
our jurisprudence . . .

SELF(BN): Please, I would like to write these things down.

JINNAH: (after a pause] In all these things our outlook is not only
fundamentally different but often radically antagonistic to the
Hindus. We are different beings. There is nothing in life which
links us together. Our names, our clothes, our foods- they are
all different; our economic life, our educational ideas, our treat-
ment of women, our attitude to animals ... we challenge each
other at every point of the compass. Take one example, the eternal
question of the cow. We eat the cow, the Hindus worship it. A
lot of Englishmen imagine that this 'worship' is merely a pictur-
-esque convention, an historical survival. It is -nothing of the sort.
Only a few days ago, in this very city, the cow question became a
matter for the police. The Hindus were thrown into the greatest
agitation because cows were being killed in public. But the cow
question is only one of a thousand. (A pause) What have you
written down?

SELF(BN): I have only written 'The Muslims are a Nation'.

JINNAH: And do you believe it?

SELF(BN): I do.

There is also an answer to the strife where 'liberals' say Quaid wanted a secular Pakistan. He was a true liberal and it clearly shows in his response. He understood Islam well and knew that this is the only answer to every question. It is a way of life, simply. Everything is engraved in this principle. It does not bound you to the specific notion rather it opens several paths for whoever adheres to it.  


Please let me know what do you think of this post. Your feedback is highly appreciated.