Unit # 01: Vision and Mission
Study Questions:-
Q1. When and where did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) deliver his last sermon?
Ans: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) delivered his farewell sermon on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. (632 C. E) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat (in Mecca), at the end of his first and last pilgrimage to Makkah. This momentous address which he gave is known as the ‘Farewell Sermon’ (Khutba-e Hajjatul- Wida). A large number of people assembled over there at the occasion.
Q2. Whom did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) ask to repeat the sermon sentence by sentence after him and why?
Ans: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) appointed his trustworthy and pious follower “Rab’ah Ibn Umayya Ibn Khalaf” who was famous for his loud voice, to repeat the sermon sentence by sentence after him. It was a huge procession of over 120,000 pilgrims and his voice could not reach out to all those who were present. The message of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) was so important that he wanted to convey it to all his followers.
Q3. State in your own words did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) say about the life and Property of Muslim Brethren?
Ans: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said, “Your lives and properties are sacred trust amongst you, so return the things to their rightful owners”. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) forbade the people from taking the lives and properties of others. He (S.A.W) said that all the believers are brothers and they are not allowed to confiscate or take anything of their Muslim brothers unlawfully or forcefully, unless they give it to them willingly.
Q4. What did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) instruct the people with regard to their women?
Ans: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) instructed the people to be kind and affectionate to their women. He said, “You have rights over your wives and your wives have rights over you”. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said that they should remember that they have taken them as their wives only under Allah’s trust and with his permission. Women have been stated the partners and committed helpers to men. Men have to feed and clothe them.
Q5. What did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) say about the superiority of one individual over another? What it depends upon?
Ans: The Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) said about the superiority of one individual over another in these words, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. There is no preference for an Arab
over the non-Arab nor the non-Arab over an Arab. A white has no merit over a black, similarly a black cannot claim any superiority over a white”. No one is superior to other on the basis of caste, race and colour .“Superiority and preference only depends on Piety and Good actions”.
Q6. What did he say about “Khatme Nabuwwat”?
Ans: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) is the last Prophet of Allah. No other Prophet will come after him. He said about “Khatme Nabuwwat” in these words, “O people no Prophet or messenger shall come after me. I am the last prophet of God and no new faith will emerge”. The process and routine of appointing prophets and messengers by Almighty Allah has been terminated and sealed. No one will be appointed as Prophet after him. His Prophet hood will continue until the “Day of Judgment”.
Q7. What did The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) ask the people towards the end of the sermon?
Ans: Towards the end of the sermon, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) asked the people if he had faithfully delivered his message unto them. Thousands of people replied loudly and with one voice that he had. Vibrant words “Allahumma Na’am” echoed like thunder throughout the valley.The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) raised his forefinger and said: “O Allah bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people”.
Q 8: What was the significance of the verses recited by the Holy Prophet(S.A.W)? One tradition has it that Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) cried when he heard these verses. Why? And why did the Holy Prophet say that he may not be amongst his people the year after?
ANS: The Holy Prophet recited verses about the completion of Islam, which he had just received. The religion Islam has been selected and completed by Allah Almighty following which one can succeed in this world as well as in the hereafter. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) was the closest companion of the Holy Prophet and he wept as he perceived from the verses that the Holy Prophet had fulfilled his duty of delivering the religion of Allah to the people and will soon be departing to meet Allah Almighty. The Holy Prophet said that “he may not be amongst his people the year after” as he had foreseen his imminent death.
Q9. There is only one clause about worshipping Allah. The rest are all about the rights of men and women and how they should live in the society and their obligations with regard to one another. Why is there more emphasis on man in society?
ANS: The preservation of a social order depends on its members strictly adhering to Islamic principles. Collective morality is expressed in Quran in terms of equality, justice, fairness, brotherhood, mercy, compassion, solidarity and freedom of choice. The Holy Prophet emphasized the rights of the men and women as they were to reside in this world in a way that Allah wanted and he believed that it was important for Muslims to incorporate the teachings of Allah into their daily actions in order to avoid hurting anyone, since in the end, they would be accountable for their actions.
Q 10: What do the religious scholars of today emphasize most often upon? What has it resulted in?
ANS : The scholars of today emphasize upon worshipping Allah by bringing to light the importance of praying five times a day and following other pillars of Islam. They do not give as much importance to the basic moral values like equality, justice, fairness, brotherhood, mercy, compassion, and the obligations and the responsibilities that the men and women have in the society. Unlike what the Prophet said in the last sermon, the scholars do not pay heed to ensuring that the people should also incorporate Islamic teachings into their daily lives. The result is that people are pious yet unfaithful in their normal dealings.
Q11: What has the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said about women and slaves in his last address?
ANS: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) instructed the people to be kind and affectionate to their women. He said that they should remember that they have taken them as their wives only under Allah’s trust and with his permission. Women have been stated the partners and committed helpers to men. Men have to feed and clothe them. About slaves, the Holy prophet clearly stated that if you have slaves or servants, he or she should eat the same food as you and wear the same clothes as you. An example of this feature was Hazrat Bilal (R.A) and his high podium in Islam.
Reading selection 1.2 JINNAH’S VISION OF PAKISTAN (SPEECH) Mohammad ALI JINNAH
Study Questions:-
Q1. When and where did Muhammad Ali Jinnah deliver this speech?
Ans: Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan and the greatest political leader of the Muslims of the subcontinent delivered this unforgettable and historical speech on 11th of August, 1947 in Karachi. He addressed the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan as the first Governor General of Pakistan.
Q2. What two functions of Constituent Assembly did Muhammad Ali Jinnah refer to in the beginning of his speech?
Ans: Muhammad Ali Jinnah manifested two main functions, the Constituent Assembly had to perform. The first function of the Assembly was to frame the future Constitution of Pakistan. The Quaid told the members of Constituent Assembly that they needed to work very hard and show great sense of responsibility for the effective performance of this task. The second function of the Constituent Assembly was to play its role as completely sovereign and independent body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan.
Q3. What did he say about the first function of the Assembly?
Ans: In the beginning of his speech he said that the first function of the Assembly was to frame the future Constitution of Pakistan. The Quaid told the members of Constituent Assembly that they needed to work hard and show great sense of responsibility for the effective performance of this task as it was the need of new born country. He mentioned some of those principles which would provide base to the constitution of Pakistan. These principles included maintaining law and order and providing complete freedom and equality to all the citizens of Pakistan.
Q4. What did he say about second function?
Ans: About the second function Quaid-e-Azam said that the Constituent Assembly is supreme in rank and authority. The second function of the Constituent Assembly was to play its role as completely sovereign and independent body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. He hoped that this Assembly would take enough measures to eliminate all social evils.
Q5. What legacy does Muhammad Ali Jinnah refer to in his speech?
Ans: Muhammad Ali Jinnah refers to legacy of great evils like ‘nepotism’ and Jobbery which have been passed on to us. He clarifies his position that he would never tolerate any kind of nepotism and Jobbery or any influence directly or indirectly. He also tells clearly that he would not allow other government officials to indulge in these at any level, low or high. He expressed complete dislike for this attitude. He said that the first and foremost duty of the government is to eliminate these evils.
Q6. What are the Quaid’s views about the division of India?
Ans: Jinnah’s views about division of India were clear and straight forward. He said that there are many people who do not agree with the division of India but now it should be accepted. Quaid termed the division of India as mighty revolution which is unprecedented. He said that the division was the only solution to India’s constitutional problems. The Idea of United India could never have worked and would have led to a terrific disaster. He further says that the future history would justify it.
Q7. What does he say about the minorities?
Ans: In his speech the Quaid-e-Azam did not neglect the rights of minorities. He favoured them by saying that the minorities are the citizens of this state of Pakistan with equal rights, privileges and obligations. They are free to profess their religion and go to their respective places of worship in the dominion of Pakistan. Both majorities and minorities should work together as first, second and last citizens of Pakistan. Religion, caste, colour and creed have got nothing to do with the business of the state.
OR
“You are free to go to your temples: you are free to go to any place of worship in the state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste we are all citizens and equal citizens of the state”
Q8. What kind of freedom does Muhammad Ali Jinnah envision for the people of Pakistan in general?
Ans: According to the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah the freedom for the people of Pakistan in general means that in the dominion of the Pakistan the lives, properties and beliefs of its subjects would be fully protected. All the communities and sections of people would enjoy the full freedom of equal rights, privileges, and obligations as citizens of this state. He also envisioned a complete religious freedom, in which individuals would be free to go to their mosques, temples or any other place of worship.
Q9. What does M.A Jinnah mean by “Hindus would cease to be Hindus, and Muslims would cease to be Muslims”? Explain.
Ans: Muhammad Ali Jinnah says in his speech that in the course of time “Hindus would cease to be Hindus, and Muslims would cease to be Muslims”. He wanted to say that all would be equal citizens of Pakistan. Religion is the personal matter of every individual or group but politically they would be the citizens of the state. They would enjoy full freedom and their fundamental rights would be protected by the state. These remarks did not mean that both the ‘Hindus’ and the ‘Muslims’ would lose their separate identities. Simply both will work together for the prosperity of Pakistan as its equal citizens.
Q10. Make a list of the fundamental principles that comprise Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan?
Ans: Jinnah visualized Pakistan as a modern democratic State, based upon Islamic principles. He envisioned that there would be complete justice and equality for all the individuals. He told the people that Prejudice, ill will, partiality and favoritism are not his principles. All the sections of the people would be able to practice their own religious beliefs. Pakistan would be an ideal state free from the evils and curse of bribery, corruption, nepotism and jobbery and one day it would become a greatest nation of the world.
Q 11. Having read Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan, and the list of fundamental principles that you made in answer to question 10 above, say;
a. What have we achieved and what not with regard to Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan?
b. Do we have the Pakistan that Jinnah wanted? Why Yes or why not?
c. Where did we go astray as regard to achieving the Pakistan that Jinnah wanted for us?
ANS: According to the vision of Jinnah, it can be said that certain principles have been taken under consideration but they have not been fully established till now. A proper law and order system has been set up but due to its inadequate implementation, it does not have the positive effects which Jinnah expected from it. Similarly, the factors that Jinnah wished to eradicate such as bribery, corruption, nepotism and jobbery are still found in the government system today, thus causing great damage to country in all aspects. The principle of unity mentioned by Jinnah also could not be fully achieved as there are still flaws that need to be corrected. In a nutshell we can say we have gone astray in not following the golden principles of our dynamic leader.
Q 12. It would appear that we, as Pakistanis, have failed to achieve the vision of the father of the nation, so far: what is the best way now for us to realise his vision? Discuss
What should we do to make Pakistan a stable and prosperous country?
ANS: This country was founded in the name of Islam. The best way to realize Quaid’s vision and make Pakistan a stable as well as prosperous country is to follow the golden rules of Quran and Sunnah. Our biggest flaw is that we have deviated from the path of Islam. We need to be educated, civilized, religiously enlightened and must respect the rights of others. Only in this way the evils prevailing in our society i.e injustice, corruption, indiscrimination could be eradicated. An effective, impartial and independent judicial system must be established and everyone whether rich or poor, high or low, privileged, or unprivileged, must all be taken into trial in case of violation.
Reading selection 1.3 THE BLADES OF GRASS (Stephen Crane)
Q1. Read the first stanza. What does God ask the little blades of grass? What do the blades of grass say in response?
Ans: On the day of judgement God summoned blades of grass and asked them about their deeds and actions on earth. They all impatiently started to relate their actions and boasted their virtuous deeds. Only one blade of grass stood aside and felt ashamed of what he had done in this world.
Q2. Read the second stanza. What does the little blade of grass say when it is addressed by God? Why was God moved by the blade’s answer?
Ans: After listening to the conceited and pretentious blades of grass, God asked the little blade who was standing quietly behind others and seemed quite ashamed of himself. He replied that he couldn’t recall any virtuous deed that he had done. On the contrary, he had a bitter memory of his bad deeds only. God was moved by the blade’s answer because God likes humility and repentance. He was very much pleased with his confession and called him the best amongst all.
Q3. This poem uses a personification. Personification is talking about inanimate and abstract objects as if they were human. Why does the poet use blades of grass to communicate such a fundamental idea? Why didn’t he use man to convey his idea?
ANS: The poet uses a trivial object of nature to communicate his idea because he wants to emphasize the quality of humbleness. Grass never raises high above the surface and is usually trampled under man’s feet whereas man who considers himself a strong, powerful being is also very weak and fragile. As man’s position is far inferior to that of God Almighty, grass has been used to depict this difference. In front of God’s superiority, man is as insignificant as blades of grass.
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