THE ROLE OF THE ULEMA — Guidance and Reformation

rudimentary form of printing had been invented in China, which was later further refined in Europe before Aurangzeb’s time. Aurangzeb is hailed by some for making copies of the Quran with his own hand, but he was not aware that before him, in 1455, Gutenberg had printed the first copy of the Bible in the printing press that he had invented, thereby taking the Christian missionary enterprise from the age of handicrafts to that of the machine. Had Aurangzeb known of this development, he could have set up printing presses in India to print the Quran, rather than having to make copies of the Quran by hand. Even though you may see injustice and corruption in your political leaders, only speaking to them words of justice and truth is considered as the best Jihad. Cambridge University was established in 1571, while Paris University and Oxford University were established much before that — in the 12th century. Aurangzeb reigned in the seventeenth century. How much better it would have been had he focused on a much more important task — that of establishing a massive university in India for all the various branches of knowledge! He could have set up centres to engage in research in various contemporary disciplines. He could have established a new ‘House of Knowledge’ in Delhi to translate important works by European scholars. He could have arranged for an academy of ulema, who could have acquired modern subjects and engaged in research on them. But he did no such thing whatsoever. And the simple reason for this was because he did not agree to observe the distinction in the arena of activity that we have alluded to. Ulema and political rulers According to a Hadith, To speak words of truth before a tyrant ruler is amongst the best of Jihad. Abu Dawud It must be noted that the Jihad mentioned in the above Hadith, is a verbal Jihad and not an armed Jihad. That is, according to its guidance, even though you may see injustice and corruption in your political leaders, only speaking to them words of justice and truth is considered as the best Jihad. It does not imply that in the face of injustice and corruption, a revolt or agitation can be undertaken against the leaders