A MOST WELCOME VISITOR
Notes & Comments
Pakistan has had the privilege of welcoming many a distinguished visitor from time to time, among them being crowned heads, statesmen and scientists. The visit of the celebrated historian, Professor Arnold Toynbee, however, carries a unique significance in as much as he is one of the few leading Western thinkers who have given special thought to the role of religion in the making and unmaking of nations and civilizations, and have brought an objective view to bear upon the contribution of Islam towards human civilization. The authorities of the Peshawar University must be congratulated on the happy choice in inviting him as a visiting Professor. His course of lectures should prove of much value to stem the tide of scepticism which unfortunately is sweeping our intelligentsia, especially the university -undergraduates, as result of the impact of Western influences.
Islam a Great Force
In a speech in Karachi last Thursday, the distinguished visitor paid a glowing tribute to the virility and force of the Islamic ideology, leaving a lasting impact of its science and philosophy on the future course of Western civilization”. The following is a brief press report of his speech:
”Speaking at the Jamshed Memorial Hall, the celebrated author said that the outburst of Arabia under Islam was a challenge to the great civilizations of that time. The Islamic civilization broke the ascendancy of the Imperial Christian Church on the one hand and the Zoroastrian civilization on the other.
He said that Islam was not only a religion but had a political mission also, and that its dynamic force was inherent in its principle of monotheism, which shattered the forces of polytheism and idolatry which had infiltrated in other religions.
Contribution to Science and Philosophy
He said Muslim scientists and philosophers not only assimilated the Greek knowledge but also produced original works which were later given a serious study by the Western scientists in the sixteenth century, when Europe was in a very feeble state of civilization.
The renowned historian exhorted the followers of the three great religions of the world, i.e., Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to shun prejudice and tolerate each other for the good of humanity. He said that the three religions represent one aspect of the same dogma, i.e., monotheism.
Islams unique achievement
Answering a question, Prof. Toynbee said: “Islam has made a tremendous contribution for the welfare of mankind. Its universality had broken the geographical and linguistic barriers and united different communities into a single family which was in itself a unique achievement.
Answering another question, Prof. Toynbee said that religion was indispensable for human beings and without it the existence of man was not possible. He said religion was essential for solving the most complicated problems of the individual and the society. In modern scientific advancements, religion has still to play a better and important role for the preservation of the personality of man, he concluded.”
Islamic Tolerance
These precious ideas should give some foretaste of what Professor Toynbee has brought with him as his message to the people of Pakistan. As regards his plea for greater tolerance among Judaism, Christianity and Islam, we need hardly say that in saying so, he was only striking a note of the teachings of the Quran, which at its very inception, extended a hand, not only of tolerance, but of co-operation to the Jews and the Christians, addressing them by the honoured epithet of the “people of the book” and calling upon them to come to the common ground between the three religions – viz., the Unity of God which formed the bed-rock of all true religion. Indeed, the Quran looks upon religion as a single continuous process, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ being the exponents and manifestations of the same process.
M.Y. Khan
(The Light – March 1, 1960)
