H.R.H Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan III believed in Islam as a world religion and he worked ceaselessly for its triumph and glory throughout his life. He had always been passionately interested in promoting unity and understanding among the Muslims all over the world and contributed immensely to the social, cultural, political, economical and educational development of the Ummah.
In studying his services to Islam and the Muslims in general and to that of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, one would find the most remarkable and distinguished aspect of his work in his untiring efforts for the unity of the Muslims as a whole irrespective of their geographical, political, sectarian or denominational difference and affiliations.
"The world of Islam today is at a turning point of its history. The middle ages are over, and either Islam must go forward or be added to the other might-have-beens of history."
This historic warning, mutatis mutandis, is applicable even to the present times and the world of Islam should realise even now that if they are not to go behind the progressive countries of the world, they must work in unison for their economic and social advancement and take seriously to the learning of sciences. His Royal Highness said that formalism and verbal interpretation of the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) are in absolute contradiction to the whole life history of the Prophet (PBUH) of Islam.
"Our social customs, our daily work, our constant efforts must be turned up, must be brought into line with the highest form of possible civilisation. At its greatest period, Islam was at the head of sciences, was at the head of knowledge and was ahead of others in political, philosophical and literary thought. Let us not forget that in the struggle for existence only those will survive who can control the forces of the nature to the greatest extent." These words of HRH, addressed to the world of Islam, reflect the soul of half a century's crystallised wisdom.
It had always been a matter of great distress to the late Aga Khan III that after their early glorious advancement, the Muslims forgot the message of the Quran and the noble teachings of the Prophet (PBUH). "The Muslims stuck to their rites and ceremonies, to their prayers and fasts, forgetting the other half of their faith. Thus, during the last three centuries, the West gained an advance and the nations of Islam, in spite of their humble prayers, their kindness and gentleness towards the poor were faced with constant deterioration of one form or another, and the Muslim world went down."
Prince Aga Khan III had desired that Muslims should evolve a happy blend of spiritual and religious outlook on life on the one hand and material concepts of existence on the other.
"It will be dangerous for Muslims if there is too much leaning on one side or the other," he said on an occasion. "The present method by which the Ulema are brought up on one line of study and the science-learning youths on a different one is not wise. Real Islam can only be understood and preached by men who have not only a religious bent of mind but who have also been thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of science and philosophical studies in regular universities." The Aga Khan III said that only the post-graduate students with high scholastic attainments should be allowed to assume the role of Ulema. He put his message very graphically when he said that secular studies should be given a religious bias and religious training a scientific and philosophical outlook.
ADVICE TO PAKISTAN: "The period of Islam's downfall has vanished. Now Islam rises once again. The future of Pakistan is bright." It was with these words that His Royal Highness greeted the birth of Pakistan. He identified this new Islamic State, "a rising star of Islam, a mighty infant, the greatest child of Islam."
He pinned great hopes on Pakistan and wished to God that it might be the destiny of this country to bring about the spiritual and intellectual unity of Muslims.
In a message to the people of Pakistan in August 1947, Prince Aga Khan III said, "We must, with all our energy, heart and soul, with faith in Islam and trust in God, work for the present and future glory of Pakistan and give help to the unfortunate Muslims who still suffer under foreign domination." He, however, warned the people of Pakistan that if they looked upon Islamic principles as only rites and ceremonies and forget the real AYATS of God and did not make any attempt to conquer the forces of nature for their advancements, "then not only Europe, but China and India will go so far ahead of us that either we shall become humble protectorates like North Africa or throw away much that is most valuable and precious in our mental outlook."
On many occasions, the Aga Khan III had exhorted the people of Pakistan to strive for unity and learn to save and invest in order to better their economic well-being. Competent foreign observers believe that if Pakistan had called upon the experienced wisdom of this great Muslim leader, the birth-pangs of the young State would have been smoothed.
Prince Aga Khan III gave a very convincing reply to critics who did not like Pakistan calling itself an Islamic State. "If we call ourselves an Islamic State," he explained, "it only means that we are not a Godless State. It means that we are proud of Islam, which teaches equality of man and unity of God."
In a speech at Dacca in 1951, The Aga Khan III explained the concept of Islamic State in the following words:
"Islam has taught peace since its inception. Every one, whether a Hindu, a Christian or a Parsi, if he is loyal, will have equal rights with other Muslim citizens. Much propaganda has been going round the world that because Pakistan is a Muslim State, hence it is hostile state. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Every citizen here has an equal right to carry on his legitimate work, and all protection will be given to him as laid down by Islam. We are proud of this great Islamic State. We stand for brotherhood and our religion stands for peace."
The Aga Khan III looked upon Pakistan as a powerful instrument forging world Muslim solidarity and winning back for Islam the glory of its early days. To play this role well, The Aga Khan III believed that Pakistan must adopt Arabic as its national language. He said that in the interest of the Muslim unity and solidarity there must be oneness of language side by side with the oneness of faith. "Is it right and proper that the powerful Muslim State of Pakistan, with its central geographical position, should make Arabic as its national language and not isolate itself from all its neighbours and from the world of Islam with a language that was associated with the period of downfall of Muslims in India?" On another occasion The Aga Khan III said, "Allah has given Pakistan a chance for the leadership of the Muslims. May we be equal to our destiny, is our prayer."
This great Muslim leader of international calibre was born on November 2, 1877, in Karachi and breathed his last in Geneva on July 11, 1957. He was laid to eternal rest at Aswan in Egypt.
We can pay real tribute to the memory of this extraordinary personality of the Muslim world by making Pakistan stronger and prosperous. He had invoked the young nation at that time to forge closer unity in their ranks and eschew internal violence. Let us follow his ideals, acquire education and the knowledge of science, and convert Pakistan into a fortress of Islam and a real Islamic welfare State free from ignorance, free from poverty, hunger, and diseases.
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