Mawdudi - How He Distorted Islamic Theology
Hasan Mahmud
Mawdudi’s view about Islam and the world:-
Mawlana Mawdudi is the founding father of modern version of radical Islam; he formed “Jamayat-E Islami
in India in1941. His vision of Islamic State and worldview are amply reflected in his colossal writings. Here are some of them:-
1. “The Muslim Party will inevitably extend invitation to the citizens of other countries to embrace the faith……..Even otherwise also if the Muslim Party commands adequate resources it will eliminate un-Islamic governments and establish the power of Islamic governments in their stead…... Islamic “Jihad” does not recognize their (non-Muslims’) right to administer State-affairs according to a system, which in the view of Islam is evil.”[1]
2. When Mawdudi was strongly against the creation of Pakistan in 1947 his argued that as a global religion Islam cannot be confined in a particular state. But when Pakistan became a reality on 14 August 1947, he changed his statement to :- “Although an Islamic State may be set up anywhere on earth, Islam does not seek to restrict human rights or privileges to the boundaries of such a State.”[2]
3. “The system of this (Islamic) government is such that it does not leave much room for man to exercise his own free will.”[3]
4. “Islam, speaking from the viewpoint of political philosophy, is the very antithesis of secular Western democracy.”[4]
5. “Dancing, singing, etc., are “ugly arts.”[5]
6. “(Regional) Nationality based on family, birthplace, language, race, etc., is a great danger for humankind…If there is any enemy to Islam’s call after Kufr (disbelief) and Shrik (multi-deities), it is the devil of nationality based on blood and birth-place…One has to shun feeling of land and blood (regional nationality) to remain a Muslim…… The ideas and bases on which the European Nationalism flourished are much against humanity…. Islam’s ultimate goal is to create (Islamic) World-State.”[6]
- “Islam wishes to destroy all States and Governments anywhere in the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and program of Islam. If the Muslim Party commands adequate resources, it will eliminate un-Islamic governments and establish the power of Islamic governments in their stead.”[7]
“Truth is one of the most important principles of Islam and lying is one of the greatest sins. But in real life some needs are such that telling a lie is not only allowed, in some circumstances it is decreed mandatory.” (Mawdudi)[8]
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MAWDUDI’S FLIP FLOP WITH QURAN’S DEFINITION OF ISLAM
The Quran clearly defines Islam by: (A) defining itself, and (B) defining the life mission of all Prophets. It is interesting to note that like all radical Islamists, Mawdudi either skipped “explaining” those crucial verses that define the Quran or was forced to support them since the verses are so clear and precise that, unfortunately for the radicals, it left absolutely no scope for twisting or “improvement”! Let’s see what Mawdudi says about the verses defining the Quran in his massive book “Tafhimul Quran” in which he “explained” thousands of verses.
(A) The Quran defines itself:-
1) “Say: "That is a Message Supreme” (38:67). Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
2) "This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds”. (38:87). Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
3) “Verily this is an Admonition” (73:19) -. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
4) “This surely is an admonition”. (74:54). Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
5) “We have made the (Qur'an) a Light”. (42:52). Mawdudi explained other verses but skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
6) “Rejected apostles before thee, who came with Clear Signs, Books of dark prophecies, and the Book of Enlightenment” (3:184). Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
7) “Blessed is He who sent down the criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures.” (25:1). Mawdudi says- “The warner may be AI-Furqan or the Holy Prophet to whom it was revealed. In fact, both were the Warners because they were both sent for one and the same purpose”.
8) “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message.” (15:9). Mawdudi changed the word “Message” to ‘Word.’
9) “Yet there is among men such a one as disputes about Allah, without Knowledge, without Guidance, and without a Book of Enlightenment.” (22:8). Mawdudi says “Illuminating Book" is “Source of information gained from Divine Revelation”.
10) “Allah has revealed the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book……. Such is the guidance of Allah.” (39:23). Mawdudi agrees that the Quran is “the best teaching, a self-consistent Book. That is Allah’s Guidance.”
11) “For it is indeed a Message of instruction” (80:11). Mawdudi explains – “The allusion is to the Quran”.
So, we see that the Quran defines itself nowhere as a book of law or state-administration. Dabbing the Quran with the brush of politics was one of the most serious betrayals to the Quran. Similarly, transforming the meaning of the Quranic word “Sharia” from “Path to Salvation” (it literally means the path on sand to go to water) to “State Law” was one of the major conspiracies against Islam.[9]
(B) The Quran defining the life mission of all Prophets:-
Here also Mawdudi either skipped “explaining” the crucial verses defining all Prophets’ life-mission or was forced to support.[10]
1. “Therefore, do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish.”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 88:21)
2. “Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 88:22)
3. Say: "O ye men! …. I am not (set) over you to arrange your affairs.". Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 10:108)
4. “Our Messenger’s duty to proclaim (the message) in the clearest manner”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 5:92)
5. “The Messenger’s duty is but to proclaim (the message)”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 5:99)
6. “But what is the mission of apostles but to preach the Clear Message?”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 16:35)
7. ““verily thou dost guide (men) to the Straight Way”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 15:89)
8. “he is but a perspicuous warner”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 7:184)
9. “But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 16:82)
10. “It is not required of thee (O Messenger., to set them on the right path, but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleaseth”. Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse. (Quran 2:272)
11. “Verily We have sent thee in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner”. (Quran 2:119) Mawdudi did not contradict it.
12. “Verily We have sent thee in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner”. (Quran 2:119) Mawdudi did not contradict it.
13. “Messenger. who gave good news as well as warning, that mankind, after (the coming) of the apostles, should have no plea against Allah”. (Quran 4:165). Mawdudi did not contradict it.
14. “Truly We have sent thee as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner, And as one who invites to Allah’s (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading Light.” (Quran 33:45 & 46). Mawdudi supported it.
15. “We made thee not one to watch over their doings, nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs”. (Quran 6:107) Mawdudi also said, “It is emphasized that the Prophet (peace be on him) is only required to preach the Truth and try to call people to embrace it. His responsibility ends at that for he is, after all, not their warden”.
16. “I am but a Warner open and clear." (Quran 46:9). Mawdudi supports it by saying, “My only mission is that I should present the right way before the people and should warn of an evil end those who do not accept it.”
17. “But if any turn away, we have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds)”. (Quran 4:80) Mawdudi supports it. “The task entrusted to the Prophet (peace be on him) was merely to communicate to them the ordinances and directives of God and he acquitted himself of it very well. It was not his duty to compel them to follow the right way.”
18. “Say: "Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs.” (Quran 6:66) Mawdudi also says, “His task is merely to proclaim Truth as distinct from falsehood.”
19. “Thy duty is to make (the Message) reach them: it is our part to call them to account.” (Quran 13:40) Mawdudi supported it.
20. “'Only this has been revealed to me: that I am to give warning plainly and publicly." (Quran 38:70) Mawdudi skipped explaining this verse and went to the next verse.
21. “Thou art no other than a warner.” (Quran 35:23). Mawdudi said, “Your only duty is to warn the people and nothing else.”
22. “But We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a bearer of good tidings and a warner” (Quran 25:56). Mawdudi wrote:- “For after conveying the message, he is relieved of his duty and responsibility; then the matter will be between you and Us”. Immediately after that he wrote just the opposite – “yet some people erroneously conclude from it that the only duty and responsibility of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is to convey the message and nothing else” etc.
23. “We only send the apostles to give Glad Tidings and to give warnings.” (Quran 18:56). Mawdudi translates as, “The only mission for which We send the Messengers is to convey good news and stern warning.”
24. “We have not sent thee as a guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (the Message) …. “Verily thou dost guide (men) to the Straight Way.” (Quran 42:48 & 52) This chapter has 53 verses, but Mawdudi’s “Tafhimul Quran” ends with verse 29.
25. “We made thee not one to watch over their doings, nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs.” (Quran 6:107). Mawdudi says, “the Prophet (peace be on him) is only required to preach the Truth and try to call people to embrace it. His responsibility ends at that for he is, after all, not their warden.”
Even after agreeing to these verses Mawdudi’s Islam is all about establishing a theocratic state. He even audaciously and unethically declared that we will not be completely Muslim unless we establish Islamic State – “Witness to mankind” page 32.
However, in the minds of Muslims the image of the Prophets loomed tall and formidable as mighty preachers and not as Presidents or military generals. Just a few of many thousands of Prophets like Prophets Yusuf, Daud and Solomon ruled over kingdoms, but those were purely circumstantial. The Egyptian king Talut gifted the kingdom to Prophet Yusuf, Samuel gifted kingdom to Prophet Daud and his son Suleiman (Solomon) inherited it.[11] Those were not the norm but exceptions. Conducting politics, waging wars, or running an administration were never conditions of prophethood.
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MAWDUDI’S SUPPORT TO KILLING APOSTATES VIOLATES BOTH THE QURAN AND PROPHET
1. The Quran mentions apostasy in quite a few verses, but never mentions any worldly punishment. Rather, in 4:137 it kept the door open for apostates to come back to Islam:- “Allah will neither forgive nor show the right way to those who believed, and then disbelieved, then believed, and again disbelieved, and thenceforth became ever more intense in their disbelief”. One cannot kill apostates without violating this verse. 2. Mawdudi[12] agrees that 2:217 says apostates will be hurled “into the eternal torment in the Hellfire.” 3. Context of verse 3:86 was Harith’s apostasy. The verse doesn’t mention any punishment- [13] “How can Allah guide people who once believed, after they received clear signs and affirmed that the Messenger was a true one, lapsed into disbelief”.4. Mawdudi quoted 9: 11&breakingg that the killing of covenant-breakers was “in no way can be construed to mean breaking of political covenants. Rather, the context clearly determines its meaning to be ‘confessing Islam and then renouncing it’. Thereafter the meaning of ‘fight the heads of disbelief’ can only mean that war should be waged against the leaders instigating apostasy.”[14] Mawdudi is dead wrong. Those verses are not about apostasy at all; but about non-Muslims who broke the peace treaty with Muslims.[15]
- As a ruler Prophet punished people; some of them were apostates but each of them without exception committed some other crime/s. There is not a single instant in Sahi Sitta (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, Tirmiji, Nasaee and Ibn Majah) where he punished anyone solely for leaving Islam.
Sahi Bukhari Vol 9 hadis 318:-
“Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for Islam. Then the bedouin got fever at Medina, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge," But Allah's Apostle refused. Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Proph[1]et refused Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused. The bedouin finally went out (of Medina) whereupon Allah's Apostle said, "Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good”.
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MAWDUDI’S TERRIBLY VIOLENT “ISLAMIC STATE” IS AGAINST CIVILIZATION AND HUMANITY
To keep his dreamland “Islamic State” pure, the anxious Mawdudi proposed: -
“(To) notify the Muslim population in the area where an Islamic revolution occurs that people who in belief and practice have defected from Islam and wish to remain as defectors should formally disclose their non-Muslim identity and leave our social order within a year from the date of the notification. After this period, all those who are born of Muslim lineage will be considered to be Muslim, they will be subject to all Islamic laws, they will be compelled to perform the religious duties and obligations, and then whoever steps outside the fold of Islam will be executed. Following this announcement utmost effort should be made to save as many sons and daughters born of Muslims as possible from the lap of kufr. Then whoever cannot be saved by any means should be cut off and cast away, sadly but firmly, from his society forever. After this act of purification, a new life for Islamic society may begin with only those Muslims who are dedicated to Islam.”[16]
If such a horror is not anti-Islamic, what is?
[1]Mawlana Mawdudi, Jihad In Islam, The Holy Quran Publishing House, (1939).
[2] Mawlana Mawdudi, Human Rights in Islam, Islamic Foundation, (1976).
[3] Mawlana Mawdudi, A Short History of the Revivalist Movement in Islam, Islamic Publications, (1963).
[4] Mawlana Mawdudi, The Islamic Law and Constitution, Lahore: Islamic Publications, (1977).
[5] Mawlana Mawdudi, A Short History of the Revivalist Movement in Islam, Islamic Publications, (1963).
[6] Mawlana Mawdudi, History Of Jamat-E Islami.
[7] Mawlana Mawdudi, Jihad In Islam 6 & 24, (The Holy Quran Publishing House, 1939).
[8] Mawlana Mawdudi, Tarjamanul Qura’an 54.
[9] Quran Jashiyah 18, Mayeda 48 and Ash Shura 13.
[10] Quran Araf 7:184. See also e.g., Kahf 18:56; Ahzab 33:45; Gashiyah 88:21, 22; Anam 6:107; Ra’ad 13:40; Nisa 4:80, 165; Tawba 9:51; Bakara 2:119, 272; Nahl 16:82; Sa’ad 38:65, 70; Fatir 35:23, 24; Ahkwaf 46:9; Anam 6:52, 66; Ash Shura 42:48; Yunus 10:108; Kwahf 29; Mayeda 5:92, 93; Hijr 15:89.
[11] Kasasul Anbia – Vol 1 – page 259; Vol 2 – page 62.
[12] Towards Understanding the Quran, Islamic Studies, http://Hudud.tafheem.net/main.html.
[13] Ibn Hisham/Ibn Ishaq, Sirat – page 384.
[14] Quran 9: 11-12.
[15] By Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafi, translated to Bangla by Mawlana Muhiuddin Khan.
[16] Abul Ala Mawdudi, The Punishment of the Apostate According to Islamic Law, translated by Syed Silas Husain and Ernest Hahn, (1994).