REMEMBERING JINNAH -- The Father of Pakistan

The Founding Father Of Pakistan

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Was Born On 25^th December

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

***********************************************

“There is no power on earth that can undo Pakistan.”

-- M.A. Jinnah

***********************************************

“The great majority of us are Muslims. We follow

the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (may peace

be upon him). We are members of the brotherhood

of Islam in which all are equal in rights, dignity and

self-respect. Consequently, we have a special and

a very deep sense of unity. But make no mistake:

Pakistan is not a theocracy or anything like it.”

                           –    Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was born on 25^th of December, 1876, as Mahomedali Jinnahbhai to very rich parents in Karachi. He spent his early years with his aunt in Bombay where he got his primary education. Then he moved back to Karachi though He obtained his Matriculation from Bombay University. In 1892, he went to London for apprenticeship with Graham Shipping & Trading Company. Later on, he left the company and started studying law. He was trained as a Barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, London.

In 1895, at the age of 19, he became the youngest Indian to be called to the bar (a lawyer) in England. Although he returned to Karachi, he remained there only a short time before moving to Bombay.

At twenty, Jinnah began his practice in Bombay, the only Muslim barrister in the city. English had become his principal language and would remain so throughout his life. He took his first step towards a brighter career when the acting Advocate General of Bombay, John Molesworth MacPherson, invited Jinnah to work from his chambers.

In 1900, P. H. Dastoor, a Bombay presidency magistrate, left the post temporarily and Jinnah succeeded in getting the interim position. After his six-month appointment period, Jinnah was offered a permanent position at a salary of Rs.1,500  per month. Jinnah politely declined the offer, stating that he planned to earn Rs.1,500 a day – a huge sum at that time – which he eventually did. Nevertheless, as Governor-General of Pakistan, he would refuse to accept a salary, He fixed his own ‘token’ salary at Rs.1.00 (just one Rupee) per month. He was given the title of “Quaid-i-Azam” (The Great Leader) by the nation.

(M.A. Jinnah with Lord Mountbatten, British Viceroy to India and Jawahar-lal Nehru)

One of Jinnah's fellow barristers from the Bombay High Court remembered that "Jinnah's faith in himself was incredible". He recalled that once a judge admonished him by saying:

"Mr. Jinnah, remember that you are not addressing a third-class magistrate."

Jinnah shot back: "My Lord, allow me to warn you that you are not addressing a third-class pleader (solicitor)."

Another of his fellow barristers described him: “He was what God made him, a great pleader. He had a sixth sense; he could see around corners. That is where his talents lay ... He was a very clear thinker ... But he drove his points home – points chosen with exquisite selection – slow delivery, word by word.”

Jinnah was an excellent lawyer, an honest politician and a great fighter for his cause which he proved by becoming the ‘Founder of Pakistan’. He was the leader of All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the independence of Pakistan on 14th August, 1947. The Muslim League, under his leadership, passed the historic Lahore Resolution (or Pakistan Resolution) demanding a separate nation in 1940. He was the first Governor General of Pakistan. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough after the independence of Pakistan to see it strengthened and developed. He died a year later in 1948.

(M.A. Jinnah's tomb in Karachi)

The Father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, got his higher education in the English institutions of Britain. He spent many years overseas and he knew very well the nature and character of the ruling elite running the British Empire. He knew how to deal with them but it was the Indian people who created problems for him. Just like today, they were then also divided into ethnic groups/sects; and it was very difficult to bring them on one platform. Jinnah asked Indian Muslims to learn their lesson.

“LEARN YOUR LESSON!”

(Excerpts from Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Presidential speech to the Muslim League at Lucknow, October 1937).

“The one wholesome lesson that I ask the Musalmans to learn, before it is too late, is that the path before the Musalmans is, therefore, plain. They must realize that the time has come when they should concentrate and devote their energies to self-organization and full development of their power, to the exclusion of every other consideration.”

“I have pointed out before that a section of Musalmans is divided, that there is a group that stands with face turned towards the British. If they have not learnt by now of the bitter consequences, they will never learn. God only helps those who help themselves”

“There is another group which turns towards the Congress, and they do so because they have lost faith in themselves. I want the Musalmans to believe in themselves, and take their destiny in their own hands. We want men of faith and resolution who have the courage and determination, and who would fight single-handed for their convictions, though at the moment the whole world may be against them. We (must) develop power and strength, till the Musalmans are fully organized and have acquired that power and

strength which must come from the solidarity and the unity of (the) people.”

(M.A. Jinnah with Lord Mountbatten, British Viceroy to India, his wife and Fatima Jinnah)

“Eighty millions of Musalmans in India have nothing to fear. They have their destiny in their hands, and as a well-knit, solid, organized, united force can face any danger; and withstand any opposition to its united front and wishes. There is the magic power in your own hands. Take your vital decisions – they may be grave and momentous and far-reaching in their consequences. Think (a) hundred times before you take any decision, but once a decision is taken, stand by it as one man. Be true and loyal, and I feel confident that success is with you.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

ADDRESSING MUSLIM LEAGUE, LAHORE, 1940:

           

“But one thing is quite clear: it has always been taken for granted, mistakenly, that the Mussalmans are a minority, and of course we have got used to it for such a long time that these settled notions sometimes are very difficult to remove. The Mussalmans are not a minority. The Mussalmans are a nation by any definition. But surely the Mussalmans are not a minority. We find that even according to the British map of India, we occupy large parts of this country where the Mussalmans are in a majority, such as Bengal, Punjab, N.W.F.P., Sind, and Baluchistan.”

"You remember the conversation I reported to you in Calcutta which I had with Hakim Ajmal Khan and Dr. Kitchlew. There is no finer Muhammadan in Hindustan than Hakim Ajmal Khan, but can any Muslim leader over-ride the Quran? ….. I think that the masses are wide awake. They only want your guidance and your lead. Come forward as servants of Islam. organise the people economically, socially, educationally, and politically, and I am sure that you will be a power that will be accepted by everybody.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

(Muhammad Ali Jinnah with Gandhi)

He fought with an iron will, all alone,

against heavy odds, to create a homeland

for the Muslims of South Asia. And Allah

helped him by honoring his efforts.

Pakistan is in turmoil these days. It is high time for the people of Pakistan to clean up the mess; single out the traitors and the ‘Munafiqeen’; and get rid of them as soon as possible. Fix your house well before it crumbles! Unless you get together on one platform with one force binding all, you cannot achieve success. Read the warning signs of Allah and show your gratitude. The best help comes from Allah. It’s time to repent and revert to Allah. He is the Most Merciful and the Best Protector!

پاکستان کو سب سے زیادہ نقصان غدار پاکستانیوں نے پہنچایا۔

قومیں جب بے غیرت ہو جائیں تو مٹ جاتی ہیں۔

یہ قانون قدرت ہے۔ قرآن کھول کر دیکھیں!

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلاَ يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ 
“To every people is a term appointed. When their term

is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour)

can they advance it (in anticipation).”

(al-Quran 7:34)

وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا يَمَسُّهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْسُقُونَ

“But those who reject our signs, punishment shall

touch them, because they used to disobey. “

(al-Quran 6:49)

****************************************

“I cannot understand the logic of those

who have been deliberately and mischievously

propagating that the Constitution of Pakistan

will not be based on Islamic Shariah. Islamic

principles today are as much applicable to

life as they were 1300 years ago.”

-- Muhammad Ali Jinnah

***************************************

جاگو۔ ابھی وقت ہے توبہ اور استغفار کے لئے۔ تباہی دہلیز پر کھڑی ہے۔

منافقت اورفرقہ پرستی چھوڑو مسلمان بنو۔ صوبہ پرستی چھوڑو  پاکستانی بنو۔

اپنی بداعمالیوں ، نااہلی، جہالت، کرپشن  اورملکی تباہی کا الزام دوسروں پر نہ ڈالو۔

ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَاهُمْ

عَذَاباً فَوْقَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُواْ يُفْسِدُونَ

“Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the

Path of Allah, for them will We add penalty to penalty;

for that they used to spread mischief.”
(al-Quran 16:88)

QUAID-I-AZAM SAID:

“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“You will have to make up for the smallness of your size by your courage and selfless devotion to duty, for it is not life that matters, but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“Islam expect every Muslim to do this duty, and if we realize our responsibility, time will come soon when we shall justify ourselves worthy of a glorious past.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim Ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which, we hope other will share with us.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of mankind in your own native soil.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“We should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

(M.A. Jinnah and sister Fatima Jinnah getting off the the Pakistani train. Pakistan Railway - PR - used to be NWR - North Western Railway in the 1940-50's before becoming PWR - Pakistan Western Railway and finally PR)

“The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principle of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fair-play to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims — Hindus, Christians, and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”

“I have one underlying principle in mind: the principle of Muslim democracy. It is my belief that our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by our great lawgiver, the Prophet of Islam.”  

“I cannot understand the logic of those who have been deliberately and mischievously propagating that the Constitution of Pakistan will not be based on Islamic Sharia. Islamic principles today are as much applicable to life as they were 1300 years ago.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

ADDRESSING KARACHI BAR ASSOCIATION, 1948:

“The Quran is the general code for the Muslims, a religious, social, civil, commercial, military, judicial, criminal and penal code. It regulates every thing, from the ceremonies of religion to those of daily life, from the salvation of the soul to the health of the body, from the rights of all to those of each individual from morality to crime; from punishment here to that in the life to come, and our Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace by upon Him) has enjoined on us that every Musalman should posses a copy of the Quran and be his own priest. Therefore, Islam is not merely confined to the spiritual tenets and doctrines or ritual and ceremonies. It is a complete code regulating the whole Muslim society, every department of life, collective and individual.”

EID-UL-FITR MESSAGE, 1945:

“The Western world, in spite of its advantages, of mechanization and industrial efficiency is today in a worse mess than ever before in history. The adoption of Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contended people. We must work our destiny in our own way and present to the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice. We will thereby be fulfilling our mission as Muslims and giving to humanity the message of peace which alone can save it and secure the welfare, happiness and prosperity of mankind.”

OPENING OF STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN:  

“When we say 'This flag (Muslim League's flag) is the flag of Islam' they think we are introducing religion into politics - a fact of which we are proud. Islam gives us a complete code. It is not only religion but it contains laws, philosophy and politics. In fact, it contains everything that matters to a man from morning to night. When we talk of Islam we take it as all embracing word. We do not mean any ill. The foundation of our Islamic code is that we stand for liberty, equality and fraternity.”

GAYA MUSLIM LEAGUE CONFERENCE, 1938:

“We should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play.”

(M.A. Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah with Capt. Ayub Khan, who later became Major-General, then Field Marshal in 1958 and then became the President of Pakistan for 10 years - The most prosperous period of Pakistan's history)

 ADDRESSING ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE OFFICERS, 1947:

“There is no power on earth that can undo Pakistan.”

SPEECH AT THE UNIVERSITY STADIUM LAHORE, 1947:

“Yet this is a truth people so easily seem to forget and begin to prize local, sectional or provincial interests above and regardless of the national interests. It naturally pains me to find the curse of provincialism holding sway over any section of Pakistan. Pakistan must be rid of this evil.”

CIVIC ADDRESS, QUETTA, 1948:

“We are now all Pakistanis — not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on — and as Pakistanis we must feel, behave and act, and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else.”

***********