Quotes by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the empowerment of the poor and backward Muslim community. In more than one ways, Sir Syed was one of the greatest social reformers and a great national builder of modern India.

1. Atif Ghayas
MBA
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Quotes By
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

2. About Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
•SirSyedAhmadKhan,oneofthearchitectsofmodernIndiawasbornonOctober17,1817
inDelhiandstartedhiscareerasacivilservant.
•Hewasoneofthoseearlypioneerswhorecognizedthecriticalroleofeducationinthe
empowermentofthepoorandbackwardMuslimcommunity.Inmorethanoneways,Sir
Syedwasoneofthegreatestsocialreformersandagreatnationalbuilderofmodern
India.
•HebegantopreparetheroadmapfortheformationofaMuslimUniversitybystarting
variousschools.HeinstitutedScientificSocietyin1863toinstillascientifictemperament
intotheMuslimsandtomaketheWesternknowledgeavailabletoIndiansintheirown
language.
•In1875,SirSyedfoundedtheMadarsatulUloominAligarhandpatternedtheMAO
CollegeafterOxfordandCambridgeuniversitiesthathewentonatriptoLondon.His
objectivewastobuildacollegeinlinewiththeBritisheducationsystembutwithout
compromisingitsIslamicvalues.
ThisPPTshowssomeofSirSyed’squotes,writtenonthebackdropofbeautifulpicturesof
AligarhMuslimUniversity,embodimentofhisdreams.

3. “

4. “

5. We (Hindus and Muslims) eat the same crop, drink water
from the same rivers and breathe the same air. As a matter
of fact Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of the beautiful
bride that is Hindustan. Weakness of any one of them will
spoil the beauty of the bride (dulhan)
“

6. Idleness is a word the meaning of which is not rightly comprehended by
the people. They think that abstaining from manual work, lack of
alertness is doing labor and laziness in routine duties is all that idleness
implies. However, they do not realize that
The real idleness is the idleness of heart and mind
“

7. A man should be upright, righteous and honest even while
opposing his opponent“

8. When a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it
invites poverty. And when poverty comes, it brings in
its wake thousands of crimes
“

9. Remember that the words Hindu and Muslim are only meant for
religious distinction: otherwise all persons who reside in this
country belong to one and the same nation.
“

10. If we ignore that aspect of ours which we owe to God, both of us, on
the basis of being common inhabitants of India, actually constitute
one nation: and the progress of this country and that of both of us
is possible through mutual cooperation.
“

11. Sons (of MAO college later AMU) shall go forth
throughout the length and breadth of the land to
preach the message of free inquiry, of large hearted
toleration and of pure morality.
“

12. To permit liberty of the Press is the part of a wise government: To
preserve it is the part of a free people.“

13. The basis of all (progress) is that you should bring all
treasures of knowledge under your control.“

14. In our opinion just as the differences of religion which exist between
the Musalmansand the Hindus ought not to prevent social dealings,
mutual affection and love and sympathy between them, so also
differences on political questions ought not to prevent social dealings,
mutual affection and love and sympathy.
“

15. “
We (Hindus and Muslims) should try to
combine our hearts and souls and act in
unison. If united, we can sustain.

16. How good is the saying , whoever may be its author, that a human
being in composed of two elements –his faith which he owes to
God and his moral sympathy which he owes to his fellow beings
Hence leave God’s share to God and concern yourself with the
share that is yours.
“

17. Ignorance is the mother of poverty“

18. Yes the main purpose of this college (MAO) is to impart
modern education to Muslims who are suffering because
of lack of it but this institution is for all, Hindus and
Muslims alike. Both of them need education.
“

19. Do not show the face of Islam to others; instead show your
face as the follower of true Islam representing character,
knowledge, tolerance and piety.“

20. All the creatures of God have equal rights. No man is entitled to allow
one particular race of men to obtain the good things of this world,
and to bar the rest from participating in them, and it is the duty of
the government to observe this divine law in all its integrity.
“

21. Get rid of old and useless rituals.
These rituals hinder human progress.“

22. The first requisite for the progress of a nation
is the brotherhood and unity amongst
sections of the society.“

23. Acquisition of knowledge of science and
technology is the only solution for the problems
of Muslims.“

24. My advice to all of you is: Do only that which you believe (to be
right) and do not do anything in (the rightness of) which you do
not believe. This is real truthfulness and this is the only thing on
which depends success in both the worlds.
“

25. We believe that the righteous and pious people, to
whatever religion or community they might belong,
deserve our respect in the same way as the righteous
people of our own religion.
“

26. Look forward, learn modern knowledge, and
do not waste time in studies of old subjects of
no value.“

27. I wish that youth of India should follow the example of young
men and women of England who are religiously engaged in
the hard work of industrial development of their country
(During the stay of Sir Syed in England).
“

28. Call me by whatever names you like. I will not ask you for my
salvation. But please take pity of your children. Do something for
them (send them to the school), lest you should have to repent (by
not sending them)
“

29. “
National progress is the sum total of the individual’s labor,
honor, honesty and sympathy. Similarly, national downfall is
the cumulative result of the individual’s laziness, dishonor,
dishonesty, selfishness and other weaknesses of character.

30. Ijtihad(innovation, re-interpretation with the changing
times) is the need of the hour. Give up taqlid(copying
and following old values).“

31. Man himself is his own greatest teacher.“

32. I have said it many times and I say it again that
India is like a beautiful bride blessed by two
attractive eyes –the Hindus and the Muslims.“

33. I hope you will try to set an example in both
scholarly pursuits and the practice of Islam. Only
then will our community be honored and respected.
“

34. It is the first and foremost duty of all the well-wisher
of the country to strive for the welfare of all people
irrespective of any consideration of caste or religion.“

35. All human beings are our brother and sisters.
Working for their welfare is obligatory for
Muslims.
“

36. We should not (by remaining ignorant and illiterate)
tarnish the image of our able elders“

37. It is the categorical verdict of all the nations and great
seers of the world that national progress depends on
education and training (of the people).“

38. Photo Credits:
AatifPhotography
www.facebook.com/AatifPhotography
SarimPhotography
www.facebook.com/pages/Sarim-Photography/361883960579451?fref=ts
Through the Lens-ShahabKhan
www.facebook.com/clicks.shahabkhan
Life in still frames
www.facebook.com/LifeInStillFrames?fref=ts
AMU through the lens
www.facebook.com/pages/AMU-through-the-Lens/671602646207412?fref=ts

39. Thank You!