Nonviolent Activism in Islam: The Message of Abul Kalam Azad

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In this book, author Hayat Alvi’s purpose and focus are to illustrate the legal basis for Islamic nonviolent activism, as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad promoted and exemplified. Maulana Azad’s endorsement of nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to expel British colonial rule from India poses a strong counterargument against Islamist extremism, and a legal precedent for nonviolent activism in Islam. Millions of Indian Muslims participated under Maulana Azad and Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in nonviolent civil disobedience against the British Raj. These facts indicate that there is such a thing as nonviolent activism in Islam. Abul Kalam Azad introduced “nonviolent Jihad” in the form of civil disobedience. As a legitimate religious authority, trained as an Islamic jurist and scholar, he endorsed Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent civil disobedience and activism to free India from British colonial rule. A highly respected Islamic scholar and jurist, Maulana Azad’s endorsement of nonviolent civil disobedience provides the legal precedent for nonviolent activism in Islam. Contemporary Muslim leaders and activists can learn lessons from Maulana Azad’s example, and as Alvi’s thoroughly researched book shows, can be an argument against blind dogma, extremism, and militancy in the modern era. Cover Half Title page Title page Copyright page Contents Preface Note Acknowledgments Introduction What Is Jihad? Abul Kalam Azad—A Biographical Profile An Argument against Militancy and Extremism The Purpose and Focus of This Book The Contents of This Book Notes Chapter 1: Abul Kalam Azad Abul Kalam Azad: Who Was He? Long Live the Revolution The Pain of Partition Conclusion Notes Chapter 2: The Concept of Justice, Zulm, and Mazlum in Islam The Concepts of Oppression, the Oppressed, and Oppressors Conclusion Notes Chapter 3: The Islamic Principles of Social Justice Historical Background and Key Concepts of Violent Islamist Militancy The 2011 Arab Awakening Conclusion Notes Chapter 4: The Islamist Extremists The Rise of ISIS The Utility of Violent Jihad in International Relations and How It Has Backfired Political Islam on the Subcontinent Conclusion Notes Chapter 5: The Implications of Nonviolent Islam for Peace and Security Revenge Does Not Equal Justice Unity within Islam Conclusion Notes Notes Appendix Inspirational Speech of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Excerpts of a Speech Delivered by Maulana Azad Note Bibliography Index About the Author