DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

After being affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami for fifteen years, I resigned at the end of 1962. I submitted my resignation on October 15, 1962, which was officially accepted six months later, as stated in the Jamaat’s secretary’s letter dated April 25, 1963. This separation was not sudden; rather, it was the result of a long history of both intellectual and external struggles. Regarding the ideological reasons that led me to this important decision, you will find their details in the following pages. Here, I would like to briefly outline the discussions and correspondence that continued for nearly four years before this decision so you can fully understand the background of the matter.

After the partition of India, I was inspired by the Jamaat-e-Islami movement in November 1947, and I worked with it with dedication for almost ten years. During this period, like many others in the Jamaat, I believed I had discovered the ultimate truth. At that time, I was mostly involved in practical work for the Jamaat and paid little attention to studying anything other than its specific literature. Later, circumstances allowed me to dedicate time exclusively to study. I spent most of two years reading the Quran and contemplating its meanings. For the first time, I felt my confidence in this ideology wavering. During my study of the Quran, I became deeply aware that the Quran was not endorsing my existing understanding of Islam which I had received from the Jamaat, which I had believed to be the most accurate interpretation.

Fortunately, during this period, I was residing at the Jamaat’s central office in Rampur, as I was involved in its writing and publishing department. As a member of the central council (Majlis-e-Shura), I also had the opportunity to interact with the Jamaat’s most distinguished individuals. Consequently, I began discussing my intellectual struggles with senior members and central figures of the movement. However, after a lengthy period of reflection, discussions, and exchanges, I ultimately concluded that none of the arguments they presented verbally or in writing had adequately addressed the questions that had brought me to this state—at least, as far as my own knowledge and understanding allowed.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Share icon

Subscribe

CPS shares spiritual wisdom to connect people to their Creator to learn the art of life management and rationally find answers to questions pertaining to life and its purpose. Subscribe to our newsletters.

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.

leafDaily Dose of Wisdom

Ask, Learn, Grow

Your spiritual companion