Second Phase: Informal Conversation

it, he responded, “Maulana Maududi is absolutely right; everything has already been addressed, and there is no need for further discussion.” Hearing this, I was shaken. I thought to myself, “When conformity and personality-cult are at this level, how can anything be understood?” Another respected figure, a senior official in charge of a Jamaat department and a member of the Shura Council commented, “I agree with the spirit, but I disagree with the tone.” I spoke with him for an hour, yet I could not determine whether he agreed or disagreed. He admits that there is a difference between my interpretation and that of Maulana Mawdudi, yet he regards both as correct. Six months later, in a follow-up conversation, he remarked, “Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Maududi, and you are all affected by the same mistake—that after realising some contemporary evils you tried to bring reform in them. But, this attempt at reforming the present situation unconsciously turned into an attempt to reinterpret Islam. What was originally intended as a practical correction has mistakenly assumed the form of a theoretical interpretation, resulting in excesses and imbalances, jettisoning the balance”. Another senior figure stated, “I completely agree with the chapter on ‘Consequences,’ but the ideological explanation lacks balance.” I asked him to provide