Bangabandhu’s Anti-injustice Thinking: A Review from Islamic Perspective
التفكير المناهض للظلم لصديق البنغال: مراجعة من منظور إسلامي
Md. Ridwan Ullah, M.Phil, /Islamic University, Kushtia-Bangladesh
محمد رضوان الله/ الجامعة الإسلامية، كوشتيا، بنغلاديش
مقال منشور في مجلة جيل العلوم الانسانية والاجتماعية العدد 67 الصفحة 155.
ملخص:أجريت هذه الدراسة بهدف تقييم التفكير المناهض للظلم لأبي الشعب صديق البنغال المؤسس الحقيقي لدولة بنغلاديش، الشيخ مجيب الرحمن، على ضوء النظرة الإسلامية .بينما كان الظلام يتجمع في سماء بنغلاديش- البنغالية الشرقية آنذاك-في ظل ظروف ظالمة وديكتاتورية، ظهر زعيم إنساني عظيم كاريزمي،الشيخ مجيب الرحمن-كانت عادته الطبيعية الوقوف ضد المظالم-بشعلة من النور لرسم الابتسامة على وجه الإنسانية العاجزة. كان يحلم بتأسيس بنغلاديش ذهبية مستقلة بالاحتجاج على جميع المعاملات الديكتاتورية مع شعب البنغال. منذ نعومة أظفاره، كان يغني: “أرض البنغال؛ سأبقيك جميلة”. فتفانيه الأسمى للوطن شرفه بلقب “أبي الشعب”.
الكلمات المفتاحية: صديق البنغال، الشيخ مجيب الرحمن، التفكير المناهض للظلم، منظور إسلامي.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study is to evaluate anti-injustice thinking of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the Bengali Nation, on the basis of Islamic view. While the darkness was being gathered in the sky of Bangladesh, the then east Bangla, in the unjust, oppressive and dictatorial circumstances, a great charismatic leader of humanity, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, appeared with a torch of light to put laughter in the face of helpless people, as his natural habit was to stand against injustice. He dreamt to create an independent Sonar Bangla protesting all dictatorial treatment with Bangali people. From his early age, he used to sing: ‘the soil of my Bengal; I’ll keep you beautiful’. His paramount dedication for the country made him ‘the father of the nation’.
Key words: Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Anti-injustice, Islamic Perspective.- Introduction:
Almighty Allah sent the mankind with two duties. Allah says, ‘You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.[1] Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the poet of politics, the sanctuary of Majlum, the ultimate friend of oppressed humanity, the best Bengali of thousand years and ‘the nation-savior hero of Bangladesh’.[2] It’s a name, an organization, a dream, a history. Foreign author Ranjan said, “Many people are born in the country. Some are a line of history; some are a page, someone is a chapter. But someone is the whole history. Sheikh Mujib is the name of whole history. The basis of every steps of Sheikh Mujib was loud tone of voice against wrong doing.Shaukat Osman, an eminent scholar, truly said, ‘In the almost thousand years of history of Bengali Muslim society, only two talented Bengali have been born. One is rebel poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and another is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’.[3] He appeared as a rabble rousing leader against all ethnic and institutional discrimination of Bengalis. His unquestionable and uncompromising leadership made him a symbol of hopes and aspiration of the people. Finally, the UNESCO recognized his revolutionary speech of 7th march, 1971 as ‘World Documentary Heritage’, foritsepoch-making impact and importance.[4] It has been observed that “No man in the entire history of modern world except Mao for different reasons has hypnotized his people as Mujib did”.[5] The Mujib year 2020 reminds us that Bangabandhu is not dead. He will live in the heart of Bangali forever.
- Research Methodology
This study was based secondary source of information. Secondary information was gathered through available literature review from different journal, website, articles, books, essays and national and international newspapers.
- Findings and Discussion
3.1 Short Biography:
3.1.1 Early life and education:
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born in a respectable Muslim Family on 17 March, 1920, in a riverside village Tungipara under the then Gopalganj district in the province of Bengal in British India.[6] He was the third child among four daughters and two sons of Sheikh Lutfar Rahman and Sheikh Shahara Khatun.
At the age of seven (1927), Bangabandhu began his schooling at Gimadanga Primary School. At nine, he was admitted to class three at Gopalganj Public School, two year later, class four at Madaripur Islamia High School. Subsequently, he was transferred to a local Missionary School. He passed his Matriculation exam from Gopalganj Missionary School in 1942 and Intermediate from Islamia College.[7] Later he got himself admitted at the University of Dhaka in the Department of Law.[8]
3.1.2 Married life of Mujib:
He got married with Sheikh Fazilatunnesa at the age of 18 years. Together they had two daughters—Sheikh Hasina, the present Prime Minister and Sheikh Rehana—and three sons—Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Rasel.[9]
3.1.3 Political contribution:
After taking admission in Islamia College he became engaged with different student organization as the key leader. Later, he held various key posts of Muslim League & Awami League. He worked as the hero of redemption in every movement to protect the rights of the Bangalis including the Language Movement of 52, the Education Movement of 62, the 6-point Movement of 66, the People’s Uprising of 69, the Independence Movement of 71. Finally, under his successful leadership, the people of Bangladesh won an independent Sonar Bangla through a bloody war of nine months.[10] On the night of August 15, 1975, a group of wayward army officers assassinated Mujib and all of his family members except the two daughters.[11]
3.2 Bangabandhu’s anti-injustice thinking:
3.2.1 Protesting teenager:
At the stage of very beginning of life, Bangabandhu proved the proverb ‘morning shows the day’. Our Prophet Mohammad (SM) contributed to stop Battle of Fizar (Harbul Fizar) by creating ‘Hilf-al-fudul’ at the age of 15.[12] Mujib observed the cracked roof of Missionary school &stood against this negligence. He led a group of students to demand that the cracked roof of the school be repaired when Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq, Chief Minister of Undivided Bengal, came to visit the school along with Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy in 1939.[13]
3.2.2Non-communal ideology:
Mujib grew up in a well-respected Muslim family. On the other hand the family genealogy shows that Bangabandhu was the seventh generation of the great saint & preacher of Islam Sheikh Awal as well as a brilliant inheritor of Islamic tradition and culture.[14] Growing up in a lovely environment of social harmony and family tradition made him a believer in the non-communal ideology. The Medina Charter is a shining example of this ideology. Allah says: ‘If any one killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land- it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind’.[15]
3.2.3 Ethical Impact of House Tutor in Childhood:
During his study in class five, Bangabandhu was impressed by the moral character of his house tutor Hamid Master,[16] the courageous activist of anti-British independence movement.[17] Imprisonment of teacher for being active in the movement against the injustice of British left strong hatred in the mind of child Mujib against wrongdoing. Allah sent Prophet SM to save the people from all wrongdoing. Allah says: ‘(This is) a Book which We have revealed to you in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light’.[18]
3.2.4 Close companionship of iconic leaders and their Spiritual influence:
Bangabandhu’s political career was inaugurated while he was a student at Gopalganj Missionary School.In 1943, he joined Bengal Muslim league in affiliation with Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy (Fifth prime minister of Pakistan). His active social consciousness and political dedication help him to come in intimate touch with the great leaders like Netaji Shubash Bose, Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq, Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashem, revered scholar Shamsul Haq Faridpuri, Maulana Abdul Hameed Khan Bhasani, Maulana Abdul Rashid Tarkabagish who were the great fighters of independence stuggle of India. The non-communal, humanist personalities, adventurous and patriotic companion of these great leaders played a bold and courageous role in making-up of Mujib’s rabble rousing mentality against all misdeeds.[19] The four caliphs of Islam also were influenced by their great leader Prophet Mohammad SM.
- Observing the politics of division:
While he was in Calcutta in pursuing higher education, he was observing the politics of division. Allah says emphasizing on unity for good deeds: ‘And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves’.[20] Due to the divided politics of Congress and Muslim League, the socio-political life of Bengal was severely wounded up.[21] These inhuman and unstable political situations made him very upset and rebellious against injustice.
3.2.6 Leadership in suppressing Hindu-Muslim riots:
In 1946, suddenly a communal riot took place. It was a great challenge to mitigate this riot thatbroke out in the wake of the partition of India and the birth of Pakistan. Later, in 1956 there another riot took place. Mujib led volunteer force to suppress riot and establish peace between Hindu and Muslim. Our Prophet said: ‘O people, your Lord is one and your father Adam is one. There is no favor of an Arab over a foreigner, nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white skin over black skin, nor black skin over white skin, except by righteousness’.[22]
3.2.7 Leadership in the mother tongue protection movement:
Language is a creation of almighty Allah. It is an effective way to express what is in one’s mind. In this case, there is no difference between white and black, elder and younger, rich and poor or muslim and non-muslim. Allah says, ‘And we sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Messege) clear for them’.[23] However, the Prophet (SM) urged his trainer Sahabee (Companion) to learn the language of the apostolic region. When he ordered Zaid bin Sabit to learn the language of the Jews, he learned it within 15 days.[24] The ransom of the war prisoners of Badar Jihadwas fixed 400 or 4000 dirhams, butfor those who had financial ability and knowledge of letters, the Prophet (SM) set their ransom to teach the knowledge of letter to sons of Ansar.
Pakistan disregarded that message and tried to force another language onto Majority People of East Bangla who speaks Bangla as their mother tongue. Bangabandhu protested against the discriminatory implementation of Urdu as the only national language by the rulers of Pakistan. He led the strike on 11 march, 1948. As a result, he got arrested. After his arrest on March, he was detained in various jails till February 1952. During this blood-drenched language movement of 1952 he led the movement from inside of bars. He fought in the Constituent Assembly to recognize Bangla as a state language. At the 26th session of the UN on September 17, 1974, he delivered his lecture in Bangla before whole human being of the world.[25]
3.2.8 Leading against unjust treatment by the university administration:
Mujib got himself admitted at the University of Dhaka in the Department of Law. During his studies at Dhaka University, the unjust treatment of university administration to lower grade employees made him rebel against injustice. So he supported the lower grade employees to strike against unjust treatment. As a result, he was expelled from the University but he did not come to the University to bow his head to injustice.
3.2.9 Paramount Dedication and Illegal imprisonment:
This unquestionable leader was active in politics for 37 years of his life of only 55 years. Unfortunately and illegally, he had to spend 40% in the jail and 48% among the people of his 33 years before liberation war.[26] He faced with the death for two times in 20 years of Pakistan.[27] But he never compromise with injustice and bowed his head to oppression, injustice and violence.
3.2.10Speaking the truth before unjust ruler:
Afraid of public support for Mujib’s 6-point demand, the then Pakistani government put him behind the bars to kill tovandalize the independence movement of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu was shown arrested as number one accused who with other accused were secretly planning to separate East Pakistan by force with the help of India.
This case is known as the Agartala Conspiracy case.[28] He didn’t lose his courage for a moment and never bowed to conspiracy.At last they became bound to release the great hero. Our prophet SM praised this virtue and said that the best Jihad is “a word of truth spoken before an unjust ruler”.[29]
3.2.11To fight for human rights:
Iron man, a humanitarian, a soldier of truth and human rights, tiger of Bengal, has shown the utmost courage of the overwhelming leadership by sacrificing his life against oppression, injustice and discrimination.
In 1966 he proclaimed Six Point Demandas the carta of liberation of the deprived, taking away the economic, social and political rights of the exploited people, the assurance of religious co-operation, the key to self-reliance and respect for self-esteem.[30] He declared war to liberate 7 crore people in Dhaka on March 7, 1971.. “The struggle now is the struggle for our emancipation; the struggle now is the struggle for our independence. Joy Bangla! Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Permission to fight (against disbelievers) is given to those (believers) who are fought against, because they have been wronged; and surely, Allah is able to give them (believers) victory’.[31] He responded to the words of the Holy Quran. Allah says, ‘And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, who cry is: our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from you one who will protect, and raise for us from you one who will help’.[32]
3.2.12Supreme sacrifice to protect the country:
The revolutionary patriotism of Isha Khan, one of the Bengali generals of the Bar Bhuiyan, Haji Shariat Ullah, Pir Dudu Mia and Titumir tremendously influenced on the rebellious sentiment of Mujib.[33] He has set a unique example of patriotism in every step of his life.
Allah’s Apostle said, “To guard Muslims from infidels in Allah’s Cause for one day is better than the world and whatever is on its surface, and a place in Paradise as small as that occupied by the whip of one of you is better than the world and whatever is on its surface; and a morning’s or an evening’s journey which a slave (person) travels in Allah’s Cause is better than the world and whatever is on its surface’.[34]
Bangabandhu said, “When I go to the gallows, I will say that I am Bangali, Bangla is my country, Bengali is my language”.[35] On March 7, 1971 he called for independence. Then the Pakistani occupation forces arrested him on March 25, 1971, from his Dhanmondi residence during the late-night crackdown on the people of Bangladesh.
3.2.13Avoidinganimosity, Generosity for the Defeated:
On the day of returning from Pakistan jailhe delivered a historic speech in New Delhi, emphasizing on avoiding animosity, the victory for righteousness, Generosity for the defeated and the world brotherhood.[36] From Abu Hurairah (R), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that,‘a believer is a symbol of love and kindness. There is no welfare in that person, who does not love anyone and does not get love of anyone’.[37]
Conclusion:
The advent of a visionary leader like Bangabandhu was essential in a small but populous country like Bangladesh. From adolescence till the last moment of his life, he has only loved the country and the people selflessly. Fidel Castro remarked: “I have not seen the Himalayas. But I have seen Sheikh Mujib”. We believe that the dreams of Bangabandhu will be successfully implemented under the auspices of the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has strong leadership in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Works Cited:
- UNESCO, The Historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 2017,http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-4/the-historic-7th-march-speech-of-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman/
- Surah Al Imran: 110
- Stanley A Wolpert, Jinnah of Pakistan, London: Oxford University Press, 2005
- Md. Rahim Ullah, Shaheed Bangabandhu and Muslim World, Islamic Foundation Quarterly Magazine, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Year 38, Issue 3, January-March 1999
- Bhatnagar, (1971). Mujib- The architect of Bangladesh, New Delhi, R.K. Printers.
- Sheikh Hasina, (edt. Perth Ghosh), Sheikh Mujib My Father, Calcutta: 1999
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The Unfinished Memories, Bangladesh: The University Press Limited, 3rd printing, 2017
- Harun Aur Rashid, Banglapedia (Edit: Sirajul Islam), Dhaka: Bangladesh Asiatic Society, 2nd ed. 2011
- Ashikur Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Contribution to Establish Islamic Ideals and Values in post Independence Bangladesh, Dhaka: University of Dhaka, 2015
- Bangladesh Awami league (BAL), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 2017, http://www.albd.org/pages/7/Bangabandu-Sheikh-Mujibur-Rahman
- Anu Mahmud, Bangabandhu murder verdict Redemption of the nation, Dhaka: National Publication, 2017
- https://www.islamweb.net/ar/article/183163/حلف-الفضول, 24 August 2020
- Sayedur Rahman & others, Evaluation of Charismatic Leader of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2014 1 ISSN 2250-3153
- Shamim Mohammed Afzal, The Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Preaching & Propagating Islam, Islamic Foundation, 2011
- Surah Al-Maidah: 32
- Surah Ibrahim: 1
- R A. M. Ubaydul Moktadir Chowdhury, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Life and Work, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, 3rd edition, 2014
- Surah Al-Imran: 103
- Musnad Ahmad 22978
- Surah Ibrahim: 4
- Tirmiji: 2715
- Shamuzzaman Khan (edit: Dr. Shahadat Hossain), Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, 1998
- Abul Barakat, Bangabandhu-Equality-Imperialism, Dhaka: Freedom of mind publication, 2015
- Mohammed Yusuf, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to develop religious consciousness, Islamic Foundation Quarterly Magazine, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Year 57, April-June 2018
- Harun-or-Rashid, Banglapedia, Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur, 2015, http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur
- Sunan an-Nasa’i: 4209
- Shahadat Hossain (edt), Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dhaka, Islamic foundation, 1998
- Surah Al-Hajj: 39
- Surah An-Nisa: 75
- Sahih al-Bukhari: 2892
31.Mishikatu Masabih, 4995.
[1]-Surah Al Imran: 110
[2]-Stanley A Wolpert, Jinnah of Pakistan, London: Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 442
[3]– Dr. Md. Rahim Ullah, Shaheed Bangabandhu and Muslim World, Islamic Foundation Quarterly Magazine, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Year 38, Issue 3, January-March 1999, p.95
[4]-UNESCO, The Historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 2017,http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-4/the-historic-7th-march-speech-of-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman/, 26.08.2020
[5]-Y. Bhatnagar, (1971). Mujib- The architect of Bangladesh, New Delhi, R.K. Printers.
[6]-Sheikh Hasina, (edt. Perth Ghosh), Sheikh Mujib My Father, Calcutta: 1999, p. 28
[7]-Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,The Unfinished Memories, Bangladesh: The University Press Limited, 3rd printing, 2017, p. 23
[8]-Harun Aur Rashid, Banglapedia (Edit: Sirajul Islam), Dhaka: Bangladesh Asiatic Society, 2nd ed. 2011, v.12, p. 22
[9]-Md. Ashikur Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Contribution to Establish Islamic Ideals and Values in post Independence Bangladesh, Dhaka: University of Dhaka, 2015, p. 18
[10]-Bangladesh Awami league (BAL), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 2017, http://www.albd.org/pages/7/Bangabandu-Sheikh-Mujibur-Rahman, 26.08.2020
[11]-Anu Mahmud, Bangabandhu murder verdict Redemption of the nation,Dhaka: National Publication, 2017, p. 277-280
[12]– https://www.islamweb.net/ar/article/183163/حلف-الفضول, 24 August 2020
[13]– Md. Sayedur Rahman & others, Evaluation of Charismatic Leader of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2014 1 ISSN 2250-3153
[14]-Shamim Mohammed Afzal, The Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Preaching & Propagating Islam, Islamic Foundation, 2011, p.4
[15]-Surah Al-Maidah: 32
[16]– Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ibid, p. 11
[17]-Shamim Mohammed Afzal, Ibid, p.4
[18]-Surah Ibrahim: 1
[19]-Dr. Mohammed Yusuf, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to develop religious consciousness, Islamic Foundation Quarterly Magazine, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Year 57, April-June 2018, p. 42-43, R A. M. Ubaydul Moktadir Chowdhury, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Life and Work, Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, 3rd edition, 2014, p. 8
[20]-Surah Al-Imran: 103
[21]– R A. M. Ubaydul Moktadir Chowdhury, Ibid, p. 8
[22]– Musnad Ahmad 22978
[23]– Surah Ibrahim: 4
[24]– Tirmiji: 2715
[25]-Shamuzzaman Khan (edit: Dr. Shahadat Hossain), Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,Dhaka: Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, 1998, p.303
[26]– Abul Barakat, Bangabandhu-Equality-Imperialism, Dhaka: Freedom of mind publication, 2015), p. 20
[27] R A. M. Ubaydul Moktadir Chowdhury, Ibid, p. 9
[28]-Harun-or-Rashid, Banglapedia, Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur, 2015, http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur, 26.08.2020
[29]-Sunan an-Nasa’i: 4209
[30]-Dr. Shahadat Hossain (edt), Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dhaka, Islamic foundation, 1998, p 403
[31]-Surah Al-Hajj: 39
[32]-Surah An-Nisa: 75
[33]-Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ibid, p. 23
[34]-Sahih al-Bukhari: 2892
[35]-Shamuzzaman Khan (edit: Dr. Shahadat Hossain), Ibid, p.293
[36]-Md. Ashikur Rahman, Ibid, p. 18
[37]-Mishikatu Masabih, 4995
