The Error of Political Islam

Preface to the Second Edition (1903–1979) Tafheem-ul-Quran was published after my book. It contains nearly seven pages of commentary under the verse from Chapter Al-Shura, “Establish the Deen” (42:13), which contains indications that suggest Maulana Maududi might have indirectly responded to Tabeer ki Ghalati (The Error of Political Islam). This extensive note not only has a rebuttal tone but also includes allusive phrases such as: “How could anyone present this as the sole purpose of the Prophetic mission?” “Above all, the thing with which this misinterpretation most directly comes into conflict is…” After the publication of Tafheem-ul-Quran, Volume Four, I wrote to Maulana Maududi, asking whether his commentary on the verse in Chapter Al-Shura was intended as a response to my book. If so, I informed him, I would publish a refutation since, in my view, this entire discussion was irrelevant. In his reply, he denied that he had intended his commentary as a response to my book. I consider this simply an instance of lack of intellectual courage on his part, as he did not acknowledge that he had, indeed, indirectly addressed my objections. Nevertheless, I sent him a copy of my book Al-Islam through an informal channel,