ISLAM AS I UNDERSTAND
Dr Gautam Ghosh
The relation between with the Ghosh family of India and the subject matter of Islam– can only be gauged when one looks at Dr Ramesh Ghosh’s contribution to the Islamic World .
Dr Ramesh Ghosh , was a scholar per se of excellence — but to write on Professor Ghosh is a difficult task as well , for his scholarship is too deep to fathom, his frame of mind is too philosophical to comprehend by the usual senses of ordinary mortals and his way of life is much too simple to narrate against the back drop of the highly sophisticated living .
But felicitation is essential –as generation after generations must get the light as emancipated from the enigma of times . Throughout his life Professor Ghosh has been a prolific writer. He has written eight original books and published about a hundred research papers. Besides , he has also some important unpublished works and papers. Looking at the variety content in his writings one is simply enchanted by his encyclopedic frame of mind.1
Professor Ghosh had a long stint with Islam . Way back in 1947 , his famous book titled ‘ The Constitutional Documents of the Major Islamic States’ enlightened the World — ; -the book has since then been cited and referred in various researches , and by various authors across the globe . Some phenomenal citations and references of this book has been noted in books titled “Iran and the World: Some Contemporary Developments 3 ; Greater Iran: A 20th-century Odyssey by Richard N Frye 4.
The reference of this book is also seen in various other publications across the World — even the United States Dept. of the Army in its publication titled Middle East: Tri continental Hub: A strategic survey, Volume 1 5 has referred this book !
Other notable citations are also found in the book titled — State, Religion and Ethnic Politics: Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan By Ali Banuazizi & Myron Weiner 6 ; and in Egypt and the United Nations, 1945–2000: 7 ; other notable and important references are also available in books titled — Egypt and the United Nations, 1945–2000: 7 ( The Arab Republic Of Egypt , Ministry of Information ) By Jacob M. Landau 2015 , the list continues .
Pakistan’s dominion status required that the Constitutional basis of the country , the Government of India Act and the India Independence Act be interpreted in light of the English Common law position on prerogative powers ,8 and it is really amazing to understand that in drafting the Constitution of Pakistan Dr Ghosh’s book was referred and relied as a foundation stone 9.
It is indeed a pride to see that Shahzad Iqbal Sham, has started the very first paragraph under the Title “Religio-constitutional Institutions of Iran in 20th Century: Relevance and Viability for the Future 10- by quoting the lines the book by Dr Ramesh Ghosh .But the finest element of Professor Ghosh’s understanding Islam — has come out from his following excerpts — “ No other religion has so empathetically and persistently , in word and action , pointed out the oneness of God and equality of men . The Prophet of Islam said “ The white man is not above the black , nor the master . The difference of race language and culture are to Islam simply difference on canvass, poignantly expressing the central unity of Humanity” 11
In the daus of Kholafa Al Rashedin ( the Vice of Wisdom ) Islam produced a wonderful theocratic , communistic democracy . The Khalifs were elected by the people and they were surely responsible about the people and before the people . The Quran demanded it in verse “ Amorhum Shura Bainahum “” means The ruler must consult the assembly .” 12
I too, have voiced my finding and opinions in the same line and in several conferences, symposiums and lectures expressed this –in my understandings, there are “ A series of agreements drawn up by the Prophet during the two or three years following the Hijra (622 CE), or the migration from Mecca to Medina of Muhammad and about seventy of his followers. These agreements were made between the Muhajirun and the important tribes of Yathrib (Medina), including Jews, Christians, and the newly-converted Muslims known as the Ansar.- this was known as the Constitution of Medina ( Umma Document )’ . This Constitution ensured the protection of every clan and tribe incorporated, including Muhammad and the Muslims, against any outside enemies and protection of the city of Medina. It also granted every clan and tribe religious freedoms and rights as the people of Medina. This clearly shows the vastness of Islam a Religion encompassing the law which is the foundation for drafting any Constitution. Here it is also necessary to mention that -The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Kanna filhindhi nabiyyun asvadhul lavni ismuhoo Kahina — A Prophet appeared in India. He was black in complexion. His name was Kahina”. This saying (Hadith) is found in the book ‘Firdowsul Akbar’ by Hazrat Thylami. The word Kahina denotes to Sri Krishna who is also called as ‘Kannayya’ and ‘kanha’, the black avatar/prophet Basic Islamic jurisprudence holds that if a hadith does not contradict the Quran, and so this fact is accepted as valid. –reciprocally as a proof Lord Krishna’s scriptures clearly prophesize Prophet Muhammad’s advent in multiple places.. Bhavisyath Purana 3:5–8 states, “A spiritual reformer will come from a foreign land (outside Bharat) with his disciples. His name will be Mahamad. He will dwell in a desert.” Likewise, “His [Mahamad’s] followers will perform circumcision. They will not keep their hair in the form of Choti as the Brahmans do. They will keep beard. They will bring about a revolution. They will call with a loud voice [i.e. Adhaan]. They will eat meat of animals other than that of swine. Their civilization will be called Muslay [Muslim].” .- this verifies the entirety .
References
1 The Political Miscellany: Essays in Memory of Professor Ramesh Chandra Ghosh- Dr.Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science, Presidency College,Calcutta
2 The Constitutional Documents of the Major Islamic States’ Ramesh Ghosh -https://www.philadelphia.edu.jo/external/resources/3/12449-62409.html ; Publisher — Ashraf , 1947 , Lahore
3 Iran and the World: Some Contemporary Developments3“ edited by Bahram Navazeni (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, May 11, 2010 -) ;
4 Greater Iran: A 20th-century Odyssey by Richard N Frye ( Richard N Fyre — American scholar of Iranian and Central Asian Studies, and Aga Khan Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Harvard University.
5 Middle East: Tricontinental Hub: A strategic survey, Volume 1, United States department of Army
6 State, Religion and Ethnic Politics: Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan By Ali Banuazizi ,& Myron Weiner; Syracuse University Press, Aug. 1, 1988
7 Egypt and the United Nations, 1945–2000: 7 ( The Arab Republic Of Egypt , Ministry of Information )
8 Jennings- Federation of Pakistan and Others V Moulavi Tamizuddin Khan, PLD1955, Federal court 253
9 Essays on the Constitution of Pakistan: Including the Draft and Final Constitutions of Pakistan with Comments -. By K. J. Newman. (Dacca: Pakistan Co-operative Book Society, Ltd.1956.
10 https://en.civilica.com/Paper-IRANWORLD01-IRANWORLD01_014=Religio-constitutional-Institutions-of-Iran-in-20th-Century-Relevance-and-Viability-for-the-Future.html
11 Ramesh Ghosh
10 Author
11 Constitution of Medina, document from early Islamic history based upon two agreements concluded between the clans of Medina and the Prophet Muhammad soon after the Hijrah (Latin: Hegira), or emigration, to Medina in AD 622.
12 ibid.
