Halaat Badal Saktey Hain (Urdu)
Author: Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadwi
Qazi Publishers
B-35, Basement, Opp. Mogra Guest House
Nizamuddin West, New Delhi – 110013
Price : Not Mentioned
Year: 2004

Reviewed by Mohammed Ayub Khan

Most books promising an elixir for all the ills of the Ummah turn out to be absolute duds with the usual fare of supremacist rhetoric, glorification of the past and the hate for the ‘other.’ The book under review is different in several aspects. Its arguments are passionate yet reasoned. Its style is elegant and flowing without the empty rhetoric. The balanced personality of the author reflects throughout the book. Prof.Mohsin Usmani Nadwi, Head of the Arabic Department at Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, offers a realistic analysis of the current state of affairs of Indian Muslims and how it can be changed for the better in Halaat Badal Saktey Hain. He does so in the light of the Quran, Seerah and history.

Charting a different course from the prevalent habit of reducing the science of Tafseer to mere story-telling, Prof. Usmani adopts a novel approach to the study of the Qur’an. He finds many lessons to be learned by Indian Muslims from the life of Yusuf (AS). The Indian Muslim community in India finds itself in a situation similar to the one faced by Yusuf (AS) in Egypt. They can overcome their present state of despair by inculcating the legendary faith, patience, perseverance and fortitude of Yusuf (AS). He compares the attitude of the dominant community in India towards its Muslims with that of the brothers of Yusuf (AS) towards him. Despite their jealousy and hatred which caused so many problems for him, costing him his freedom, he did not retaliate and was instead generous towards them. Muslims should replicate such prophetic behavior and work towards winning the hearts through generosity, forgiveness and kindness. He makes it clear that the character of Indian Muslims is not as innocent as that of Yusuf (AS) and that they too have a share in contributing to the animosity between the two communities. Prof.Usmani uncovers other gems that are of relevance today. Referring to the organizational capabilities of Yusuf (AS) in the times of famine in Egypt, he urges today’s Muslims to develop skill and professionalism to serve the humanity.

He says Muslims must plan for their development but they won’t be successful if they are based on disobedience of God. “When a person cannot wake up for the morning prayers fighting the joys of sleep, it should be understood that such a person has failed in the test of God-consciousness and patience.� (p.50)

Urging Muslims to break out of their shells the author says that they must develop better relations with other communities and prove their worth as exemplary citizens. At the same time they shouldn’t be lax when it comes to security. They should neither inflict nor suffer any injustice. They should stop labeling themselves as a minority as it generates an inferiority complex that is not at all healthy for progress.

The author urges the Muslim community to not to fall for the propaganda of population control theorists who call high birthrates as a risk to development. He says there is strength in numbers. This view might seem as retarding in development. But there have been several leading Western and other economists who challenged the neo-Malthusian fears. A striking similarity can be found in Usmani’s views with those of the Cornucopian school of thought like Julian Simon who argued that there are little or no limits to growth. A new book “From population control to reproductive health� by Mohan Rao further solidifies this argument. Whatever the merit of this argument the author should have cautioned his readers that his views should not lead to irresponsibility by men who father huge families without taking into account the health of the mother and are indifferent towards the health, educational, economic and other needs of the children. Large families with illiterate and underfed children living in cramped and unhygienic localities do not add to the strength of the community but instead get trapped into a cycle of poverty, marginalization and virtual slavery of other communities.

The author overlooks the role of what believing but not all that practicing Muslims can play in the development of the Indian Muslim community. After all there are many Muslims who cherish and value Islamic beliefs but are lax in observing their prayers and other required practices. Recent events have shown that they too have a significant role to play. In Mumbai for example, an Ahle Hadith Maulana , a conservative businessman and a progressive cine-writer do not feel any hesitation in come together to form an organization working for the education of children in the slum areas of Bandra.

Halaat Badal Saktey Hain is truly an extra-ordinary book. One can disagree with some aspects of the book but its over all message is worth considering. Its message of hope holds relevance not only for Indian Muslims but also elsewhere where they live as ‘minorities.’ If Prof.Usmani’s ideas are developed further and translated into action they can herald the dawn of a new beginning.