Downfall of Islamic Society and Sir Sayad Ahmed Khan .pptx

Downfall of Islamic Society

The decline of Islamic society began due to internal weaknesses such as political disunity, moral decay, and neglect of education and science. External factors like colonial invasions, economic exploitation, and the rise of Western powers further weakened the Muslim world. As a result, Muslims lost their political strength, economic independence, and cultural influence, leading to centuries of decline until modern reform movements emerged.

1. Downfall of Islamic Society Instructor: Bijjar Gul

2. Political Causes After the end of the Mughal Empire after the 1857 revolt. Muslims lost their ruling class position → became politically weak. British treated Muslims harshly (seen as leaders of the revolt). Muslims excluded from government jobs and political representation.

3. Economic Causes Muslim landlords’ lands were confiscated by the British T raditional industries (textiles, handicrafts) collapsed under British imports. Muslims heavily taxed → widespread poverty. Hindus who adopted British trade and jobs advanced economically.

4. Educational Causes Muslims avoided English education (considered un-Islamic). British replaced Persian/Arabic with English as the official language. Hindus accepted English education and dominated government jobs. Muslims fell behind in modern sciences, law, and administration.

5. Social Causes Lack of unity among Muslims (sects, divisions). Old traditions and superstitions weakened progress. Decline in moral and social values. Weak social institutions (charities, welfare, orphanages).

6. Cultural & Religious Causes Western culture spread through British schools and media. Christian missionaries challenged Islamic beliefs. Islamic law and traditions were sidelined.

7. Overall Impact Muslims became backward and marginalized . Politically voiceless, economically poor, educationally weak. British favored Hindus, creating a Muslim-Hindu gap . Sparked the need for reform movements (Aligarh, Deoband , Nadva , Himayat -e-Islam).

8. Rise of the Aligarh Movement

9. Need for Reform Muslims had become marginalized and powerless . Sir Syed Ahmed Khan realized that without modern education , Muslims could not progress. There was a need to bridge the gap between traditional Islamic education and modern sciences . British government favored Hindus , who quickly adopted English education, leaving Muslims behind. Persian and Arabic (traditional Muslim languages) were replaced by English in administration and courts.

10. Muslim youth lacked job opportunities because they avoided English education. Christian missionaries spread Western ideas , threatening Islamic beliefs. Muslims needed a reform movement to protect their culture while embracing progress. Without reforms, Muslims risked becoming a permanently backward community .

11. Role of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Worked in British administration and witnessed Muslim decline closely. Advocated for loyalty to the British as a strategy for Muslim survival and progress. Believed Muslims must adopt English education, science, and modern thinking while preserving their faith. Founded the Scientific Society (1864) to translate modern works into Urdu for Muslims. Wrote the famous book “ Asbab -e- Baghawat -e-Hind” (Causes of the Indian Revolt) to explain Muslim grievances to the British. Visited England (1869), studied Oxford and Cambridge → inspired to create similar institutions for Muslims.

12. Established Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College (1875) at Aligarh (later Aligarh Muslim University). Encouraged Muslims to join civil services and modern professions. Worked to remove superstitions and rigidity from Muslim society. Promoted rational interpretation of Islam (ijtihad) to align with modern times. Acted as a bridge between Muslims and the British, reducing mistrust. Created a new vision for Muslim identity: modern, educated, yet Islamic.

13. Founding of the Movement 1864 : Founded the Scientific Society at Ghazipur – translated important English books on science, technology, law, and governance into Urdu for the benefit of Muslims. The society also published a journal to spread modern knowledge and encourage rational debate 1869 : Sir Syed visited England – studied the educational system at Oxford and Cambridge → deeply inspired to replicate the same model in India

14. Impressed by the modern curriculum, libraries, laboratories, and discipline of British universities Realized that Muslims could not compete with Hindus in jobs and politics without English language proficiency and modern sciences. 1875 : Established the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh . Started first as a school in 1875 , then upgraded to college in 1877 . Later became Aligarh Muslim University (1920) .

15. The college introduced Western-style curriculum with subjects like: Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, Law, Political Science, Economics Alongside Islamic Studies, Arabic, and Persian (balance of deen + dunya ). Education at Aligarh emphasized discipline, rationality, and modern outlook . Promoted the idea of separating politics from education in the early phase to focus on uplifting Muslims academically first.

16. The institution became the center of Muslim intellectual and cultural revival in India. Inspired later Muslim leaders and reform movements across the subcontinent.