Syed Abul Ala Maududi passed away 36 years ago after spreading his philosophy all over the world which now accepts the realism present in his concepts. In fact, he is one of the personalities of 20th and 21st centuries who have impressed the world especially the Muslim world with their philosophies.
It is the need of the hour that the services and struggle for Islamic system of the personalities like Allama Iqbal, Hasan al-Bana, Syed Qutab and Maulana Maududi should be composed and transferred to new generations. Now only few contemporaries of Maulana Maududi are alive.
After 36 years, it has become our moral duty to make aware the new generation of his philosophy and struggle for Islam. No doubt a lot of books have been written in this regard. His companions Naeem Siddiqui, Syed Asaad Gillani Badshah Puri, Rafiuddin Hashmi, Saleem Mansoor Khalid and others have written many authentic books on him. These books have a dominant touch of biography.
However Prof Khursheed Ahmad wrote Adbiat-e-Maududi which was a great attempt. A critical analysis of Maulana Maududi’s literature and style was presented in it. The critical comments of prominent writers were also presented in it.
Maududi’s struggle for Islamic system, the concept and literature have been discussed widely. But as a prose writer he was discussed very little. Less attention was paid to this aspect of his personality. Dr M Javed worked very well on this aspect in the supervision of Dr Rafiuddin Hashmi who was a companion of Syed Maududi. We can judge the standard of someone’s work properly when we are fully aware of the background and circumstances in which a particular work is done. The time when Maulana Maududi started his literary and political struggle was very tough. There was the deep influence of western civilization which was fascinating the Muslims; Islam as a religion was in danger.
Maulana Maududi began his struggle for Islam at the critical time. He led Ummah to the right path. He gave them confidence, and faced every challenge which was presented before him. A prominent aspect of his prose is the tafsir (exegesis) of the Holy Quran and the life history of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Tafheem-ul-Quran is the masterpiece about the life of the Prophet (SAW). He presented the life history of the Holy Prophet (SAW) like a movement instead of events. No doubt, it is a great success of Maududi.
Even though Maulana Ghulam Ghos Hazarvi had been a severe critic of Maulana Maududi in his time, he used to keep a copy of Tafheem-ul-Quran with him to prepare for the parliament sessions.
Today in the light of Maulana’s philosophy, it has become necessary to unite the Ummah, struggle for Islamic system, reformation of political system and change of governing style. The balance of power is changing in the world. Although Islamic movements are weak but the future of the present system is associated with Quran and Sunnah.
The scholars and critics should accept this fact that so called modernism and socialism have come to an end. Now they should use their abilities for the promotion of Islamic values, in the society.
The writer is Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.