Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind
Definition
Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind is an influential association of Indian Ulama (Islamic scholars), established in New Delhi during the Khilafat Movement conference in 1919. The organization is noted for its advocacy of a united India, opposing the partition into India and Pakistan, and contributing significantly to the theory of composite nationalism.
Etymology
The term Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind is derived from Arabic: Jamiat (جمعية) meaning “association,” Ulama (علماء) referring to “scholars” or “learned ones,” and Hind (هند) meaning “India”. Therefore, the full name translates to “Association of Indian Scholars”.
Arabic Translation: جمعية علماء الهند
Turkish Translation: Hind Alimler Birliği
Historical Context
The association was significantly influenced by the Deoband school, an Islamic seminary. Established at a critical juncture during the Khilafat Movement, the Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind played a pivotal role in advocating for a united India. It opposed the partition plans spearheaded by the All-India Muslim League, instead proposing a vision of India as a nation defined by various factors including religion, race, homeland, and language.
Main Contributions
Composite Nationalism
One of the primary intellectual contributions of the Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind is the development and support of the theory of composite nationalism. This theory proposes that a nation can be composed of diverse elements, such as different religions, ethnic groups, and cultures, that live together as a unified entity. This idea directly challenges the notion that homogeneity is necessary for national unity.
Support for Secularism
Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind presented a unique case where traditional Muslim religious scholars openly supported the policies of a non-Muslim, secular government. This stance was a departure from the more typical narratives of religiously distinct leadership and served to reinforce the idea that religious diversity could coexist peacefully within a single nation.
Books for Further Study
- Islamic Revival in British India: Deoband, 1860-1900 by Barbara Daly Metcalf
- Pathways to Contemporary Islam: New Historical Perspectives edited by Adam Hugh Graham and Donald Longfield
- Indian Muslim Minorities and the 1857 Rebellion: Religion, Revivals, and Secularism by Ilyse R.F. Morgenstein Fuerst
- Muslims In Indian Cities: Trajectories of Marginalisation edited by Christophe Jaffrelot and Laurent Gayer
Conclusion and Takeaways
The Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind stands out in history as an Islamic organization that sought to integrate Islamic theology with the modern concept of pluralistic nationalism. This association’s insistence on a unified Indian state, despite religious and cultural diversity, offered a compelling counter-narrative to the sectarian and communal divisions that led to the partition of India and Pakistan. Their support for a secular, multi-religious nation challenges both classical and contemporary notions of nationhood in Islamic thought and serves as a testament to the intellectual and theological flexibility within Islamic scholarship.
Conclusion
Jamiatul Ulama-i Hind’s theory of composite nationalism and unique historical stance exemplify how religious scholarship can intersect with broader sociopolitical movements. The association’s contribution to Indo-Muslim thought underscores the dynamic and contextual nature of Islamic scholarship. Their support highlighted the potential for traditional Islamic thought to engage meaningfully with modern, secular governance.
