From the beginning of August, preparations for celebrating Independence Day, much like a wedding, start in full swing. There is a festive atmosphere everywhere. The streets and neighborhoods of the beloved homeland’s cities and villages are beautifully decorated, and a wealth of content related to Independence Day is available to read and listen to in print, electronic, and social media.
However, in the context of Independence Day, the critical question is: What demands does this great day make on the Pakistani nation, and in fulfilling these demands, what should our national priorities and responsibilities be? Highlighting these aspects in their full context has never been more necessary than it is today. Therefore, the following lines aim to shed light on these topics.
The foremost demand of this blessed day is that our current generation needs to be thoroughly acquainted with the background of the creation of the God-given state of Pakistan. They should fully understand that before independence, all of us who profess the Kalima (Muslim men, women, and children) were under the control of non-Muslims. Our civilization, culture, honor, and dignity, our Quran, our faith, our Islam, the message of the Prophet of the Universe, all of it was under the control of non-Muslims and tyrannical powers. The integration of pure and impure societies was a source of grief and suffering for Muslims.
Our younger generation needs to be made aware that during British rule in the subcontinent, the morning did not bring good news for Muslims but rather brought bad news. The day here was like hell for them. The market of oppression and cruelty was hot everywhere. There was a constant downpour of tyrannical tactics. Our sitting, eating, rising, coming, and going were not in our control. The rulers were tyrants. Everything depended on their mercy. We had no economy or trade. We lived a life of slavery under brutal treatment. We couldn’t even raise our voices. Innocent Muslims were killed, and life was extremely difficult.
Even today, if we look into India, a Muslim child, whether named Aqeel or Shakeel, lives a life of humiliation. Although they have potential, the Hindus, with their oppressive behavior, paralyze and wound them. There is no restriction on forced labor. Muslims are forced to pull rickshaws. If a Hindu likes a Muslim’s wife, sister, daughter-in-law, or daughter, he has a free hand to violate her. If he wants to commit rape, there is no punishment. He can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. There is no restriction.
But the Muslim, whose honor is played with in this way, may burn in the fire of honor and turn to ashes, but he can neither recover his lost dignity nor claim it. The situation in the occupied valley of Jammu and Kashmir over the past seven decades clearly shows what would have happened to us all if, God forbid, our beloved homeland had not gained independence. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us to understand what the circumstances were before the establishment of this God-given state that led to the great freedom movement of the 20th century, which has no parallel.
What was the Pakistan Movement? It was essentially a movement of recognition, a realization of God. It was about illuminating the lights of Islam, which indeed were lit, and the seeds of Islam were sown. The buds were to bloom when the soil of Hindustan was to be removed from the path. The second major demand of this Independence Day is that we must create complete unity within our ranks. We should not fall prey to any form of factionalism, linguistic or provincial chauvinism, or any other basis of division.
The Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, provided guiding principles to the nation: Unity, Faith, Discipline. That is, the golden principles for any nation to achieve progress and success are to maintain unity in their ranks in pursuit of their goals, always make honesty and faith their guiding light, and be diligently committed to discipline. Every year, August 14th comes as a message of freedom and steadfastness for all of us Pakistanis, reminding us of the struggle for freedom and the sacrifices made. Today, 77 years have passed since our independence.
Freedom is a great blessing. We take pride in the immense sacrifices of thousands of scholars, elders, and women, thanks to whom the state of Pakistan came into being. Under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the entire nation rendered splendid services, and for their great struggle, the people of the homeland will continue to pay tribute until the Day of Judgment. We salute the invaluable sacrifices of the elders, women, and notable scholars involved in this great struggle.
The scholars and esteemed elders in whom the founder of Pakistan had confidence, not only took pride in their sacrifices but had complete faith in them. This was evident when, after the establishment of the state, Allama Zafar Ahmad Usmani in East Pakistan and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani in West Pakistan raised the flag of Pakistan, acknowledging their services. Today, it is necessary that the enforcement of Islam and the system of the Prophet in the beloved homeland, obtained in the name of “La ilaha illallah,” is crucial so that the spirits of Quaid-e-Azam and the martyrs of Pakistan may rejoice.
In 1857, when the British firmly established their foothold in India, a dark night of despair and slavery spread its wings over the Muslims. In this bleak atmosphere, Muslims needed a leader. This sense of slavery smoldered like sparks in their hearts, and the idea of obtaining their rights continued to stir within them until it finally took a collective form. In 1906, Muslims established their own party under the name of the All India Muslim League and, along with the Hindu organization Congress, began the struggle for independence from the British.
Gradually, the demand for freedom gained momentum, and both Hindus and Muslims, united with full enthusiasm, moved towards the goal of freedom. The British made every effort to break this united force of Muslims and Hindus, firing bullets at their peaceful processions and imprisoning them. But the freedom fighters endured all the hardships with great patience and determination. Ultimately, the British had to bow down before the power of unity, and the people of India gained many concessions. As these concessions were granted, the Hindus began to show their true colors. Muslims constantly assessed from the Hindus’ behavior that to preserve their religion, language, and culture, they would have to separate not only from the British but also from the Hindus.
Thus, in 1930, at a gathering, Allama Iqbal presented a similar proposal, and based on this concept, the Muslim League adopted Pakistan as its goal. After this decision by the Muslim League, the British and Hindus began to make efforts to ensure that the Muslims’ vision of freedom remained just a dream.
However, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Muslims were determined to achieve Pakistan. Finally, the unyielding determination of the Muslims and the political acumen of Quaid-e-Azam forced the British to accept their demand, and on August 14, 1947, India was divided, and a new state for Muslims, called Pakistan, came into existence. Alhamdulillah, Pakistan has now been established by the grace of Allah and, Insha’Allah, will remain so. August 14 is a day of joy as well as a day of renewing our pledge. If we value our freedom, we must dedicate all our strength as one nation solely to Pakistan’s construction, development, and protection. When we celebrate Independence Day on August 14, we should reflect on how much we have contributed to Pakistan’s stability.
Scholars, elders, youth, and children sacrificed greatly to create Pakistan. The sun of August 14, 1947, rose as a message of freedom for the Muslims of the subcontinent. They not only gained freedom from the British but also from the expected slavery of the Hindus. The achievement of freedom was not an easy task, as perhaps it is understood today.
From Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah to Sultan Tipu Shaheed and the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, our history of freedom and independence is a tale of unwavering dedication. The tragic events of the War of Independence in 1857 are also part of this narrative. Despite their efforts to resist, the Muslim rulers and tribal leaders, who laid down their lives and made tremendous sacrifices, could not stop the British from establishing control here.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah made a profound statement: Pakistan was established the day the first person in the subcontinent embraced Islam. The reality is that the Muslims of the subcontinent never truly accepted British rule in their hearts. Instances of hatred and rebellion against the British and their system repeatedly surfaced. The great sacrifices and unparalleled struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent to end British rule is clear evidence of their unshakeable faith in Islam and the two-nation theory. It was through these sacrifices and continuous struggle that Pakistan eventually came into existence.
We will make Pakistan dear to us, a sanctuary for the Muslim world because it is our identity, our recognition, our faith, and even our life. On this Independence Day, we must make a firm commitment to think and work solely for Pakistan. Do not think about what Pakistan has given you, but think about what you have given to Pakistan. It is hoped that this August 14th will bring a message of peace and prosperity to Pakistan, Insha’Allah. May Allah grant us all the ability to fulfill our responsibilities. Ameen.