Take Home Exercise

M. Hammad
19-11255
Sir Umber bin Ibaad
PKST101
04-Dec-2017
Q1. Despite Jinnahs secular religious position, or trans-communal
and trans-sectarian position, Islamization was an internal compulsion
of the idea of Pakistan. Discuss.

Jinnah never wrote a book, he never even wrote any article or pamphlet to
elaborate what was his vision for Pakistan. All the evidence we have is
from his speeches, statements, letters and memories of those who met him
personally and as we know none of the evidence is fully trustworthy.

When Jinnah was asked directly if he wanted Pakistan to be a secular or a

theocratic state while he was clear that it will not be a theocratic state he
was evasive on it being a secular state. A secular state is neutral in matters
of religion and neither supports nor opposes any particular set of religious
beliefs or practices.

Here I would like to reference about two occasions when Jinnah was pretty
clear about Pakistan being a secular state.

Siri Prakasa, the first Indian High Commissioner recalls that Jinnah told him
more than once that he intends to make Pakistan a secular state.

On 13 July 1947 at a press conference in the backyard of his house at 10

Aurengzeb Road New Delhi where all newspapers were present Jinnah
clearly said that all citizens of Pakistan will be treated as the same
regardless of their cast, color...religion or creed, (This is not the principle in
an Islamic state run on Sharia).

Despite everything, Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state. Here I

quote a few of his sayings to confirm this.

"What more can one really expect than to see that this mighty land has now
been brought under a rule, which is Islamic, Muslim rule, as a sovereign
independent State."( Speech in reply to the Welcome Address by the
Principal, Staff and Students of Edwards College, Peshawar, 18 April 1948)
"I am glad that there is full realization on your part that now the position is
basically different. It is no longer a foreign Government as it was, but it is
now a Muslim Government and Muslim rule that holds the reigns of this
great independent sovereign State of Pakistan. It is now the duty of every
Musalman, yours and mine, and every Pakistani to see that the State,
which we have established, is strengthened . . ." (Address to the Tribal
Jirga at Government House, Peshawar, 17 April 1948)

On August 6, 1939, he said: I was born Muslim; I am a Muslim and shall

die a Muslim.

Despite everything, Pakistan was achieved in the name of Islam. The

slogan PAKISTAN KA MATLAB KIA? LA ILAHA ILLALLAH
MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH, is a complete reference that Pakistan
was supposed to be nothing but a Islamic state.

Q2. Earlier state of Pakistan engaged with the religious groups in

order to gain moral control on the country. However, the state,
gradually, shifted to have the total control of Islamization in the
state, and both Ayub Khan and Zia ul Haqs periods are different
manifestations of the same activity. Discuss.

Ayub Khan took a few steps to flourish the Islamic ways of living. He gave
wives the right to divorce. He allowed a grandchildren to inherit from
grandparents.

Most importantly two institutions, an Advisory Council of Islamic Ideology

(ACII) and Islamic Research Institute were set by Ayub to neutralize
ulemas and keep them at a bay. Professor Fazal ur Rahman, an Islamic
scholar of international reputation was given the responsibility to guide the
institute, along with Dr. I.H. Qureshi. Professor Fazlur Rahman became a
persona non grata for the ulema for his defense of the use of contraception
in the family planning controversies. Then came his article on riba (Fikr-o-
Nazar, 1963) in which he argued that interest as used in modern times was
not against the Quranic injunction about riba, which was aimed at the
usurious practices of the money-lenders. The opposition from the ulema
now turned ugly and he was left with no option but to resign from his
position.

General Zia indeed brought a lot of Islamic laws in Pakistan, and some of
them are listed below.

He passed a Hudood ordinance in which Islamic punishments for various

activities like, gambling, drinking, theft and adultery. Many other ordinances
like, the Offence against Property Ordinance, the Offence of Zina
ordinance, the Offense of Qafq ordinance and the Prohibition ordinance
were passed by Zia.

A new offence of disrespect for the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) was

introduced, with imprisonment or a fine as the punishment for offenders.

In June 1980 the Zakat ordinance imposed a 2.5% wealth tax on savings
over a certain amount. This was a wealth tax in keeping with Islamic
principles. The money raised was given to Zakat committees in villages and
towns to meet the needs of the poor.

At the same time the ushur ordinance imposed a 5% tax on agricultural

income. Income raised under this ordinance was also paid into the zakat
fund to assist the poor.

Islamiat and Pakistan studies were made compulsory in schools and

colleges.

Candidates who took the Pakistan Civil Service examinations were given
extra marks if they had learned the Quran by heart.
Efforts were made to promote Arabic. Radio Pakistan introduced Arabic
courses and a daily news bulletin in Arabic was presented on Pakistan
Television.

Zia also took measures to make sure that women spent most of their time
at homes and not work at any public place or private sector. This is proven
by a census held in 1981 which showed that only 5.6% of women were in
employment.

Moreover due to political instability during Ayubs reign, Islamization

couldnt take place like it did during Zias reign because he brought a lot of
Islamic laws and made sure they were enforced.