Conference on Sir Syed as Forerunner of Modern Seerah-Writings held

Aligarh: Renowned scholars and experts delineated the unique features of “Al Khutbat Al Ahmadiya” a book penned by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1870 as an academic response to Scottish Orientalist Sir William Muir, and described Sir Syed as forerunner of modern Seerah-writing, in an international conference organized today by the Sir Syed Academy, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

AMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor presided over the conference, which was addressed by distinguished scholars of Islamic history and Seerah writing, including Prof. Craig Considine, Professor of Islamic Studies, Rice University, USA; Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Chairman, Khusrow Foundation, and Professor Emeritus, JMI, New Delhi; Prof. Reza Shakeri, Chief Representative, Al-Mustafa University, Iran; Prof. Aquil Ahmad, Director, NCPUL, New Delhi; Prof. AR Kidwai, Honorary Director, KA Nizami Center for Quranic Studies, AMU; Prof. Touqueer Alam, Dean, Faculty of Theology; Prof. Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Director, Sir Syed Academy; and Dr. Mohammad Shahid, Deputy Director, Sir Syed Academy.

In his opening remarks Professor Reza Shakeri said Sir Syed was an intellectual and reformer with scientific temperament. He went to London and wrote an analytical and academic answer to William Muir’s book against the Prophet of Islam, for which he sold his valuable assets. He said, “Sir Syed’s services and achievements make him a man of renaissance. He wrote his book on the life of the Prophet by sifting through the sources found in the libraries of England”.

Professor Shakri also presented an overview of Seerah writing in Iran.

Delivering the keynote address Prof. Akhtarul Wasey said, ‘Khutbate Ahmadiya is the first Urdu book on Seerah written objectively with proper research and citations, giving a befitting reply to the objections of the Orientalists to Islam. Sir Syed wrote this book in London and published it from there only. “Its style is not argumentative but conciliatory and the answers are based on reason and logic which was later followed by other Seerah writers”, Prof Wasey added.

Presiding over the conference Prof. Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor AMU said “Sir Syed had a multi-faceted personality. He was an educationist, author, archaeologist, journalist and reformer. Khutbate Ahmadiya is an example of impeccable research on Seerah and ability to use both modern and ancient sources while writing a biography.

Congratulating Sir Syed Academy for organizing a conference on a unique topic, Prof Mansoor reiterated that any personality and his services should be analyzed in the context of his era, then only we can evaluate and understand the significance of the person and his contributions. The same applies to Sir Syed who was a man of scientific temper and great foresight.

Addressing the programme as chief guest Professor Aquil Ahmad, Director, NCPUL said Sir Syed is an inspiration for all. Khutbat Ahmadiya is a trendsetting book from the perspective of modern research.

Professor Craig Considine, Professor of Islamic Studies, Rice University, said in his online address that the Prophet of Islam taught religious tolerance, harmony and brotherhood and applied it throughout his life. Referring to the Medina Charter, he described the Prophet’s interactions with the people of other tribes and religions in Medina saying that the Prophet of Islam has been misrepresented or misunderstood in the West.

Referring to his English work, “The Humanity of Muhammad: A Christian View”, Professor Considine said the Prophet of Islam was strongly against racism. He propounded the concept of ‘Civil nation state’ where people of different faiths and religions could live together”, he added.

Prof. AR Kadwai said Sir Syed established a new standard in Seerah writing in Urdu, which was later adopted by Allama Shibli Nomani, Syed Sulaiman Nadvi etc. He said “Sir Syed used Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic sources and referred to both ancient and modern sources including Tabari, Ibn Hisham, Ibn Ishaq, Masudi, Shah Wali Allah, Shah Abdul Aziz etc. while writing Khutbate Ahmadiya”.

He further said, “Khutbate Ahmadiya is a scholarly and analytical work which also provides a comparative study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and highlights the importance of interfaith dialogue.

Prof. Touqueer Alam said that while writing this book Sir Syed was not influenced by the rulers and undeterred by the consequences he gave a clear answer to the doubts that arose in the minds of the youth through his writings.

Earlier, Professor Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Director, Sir Syed Academy welcomed the guests and shed light on the theme of the conference. He described the main features of modern Seerah writing and termed Sir Syed a pioneer and trend setter in this field.

Dr. Mohammad Shahid, Deputy Director said that Sir Syed Academy has published several books including 40 monographs on the academic services of Sir Syed, and his associates, and Maqalat-e-Sir Syed (collected works of Sir Syed). He extended special thanks to the Vice Chancellor and appreciated his support to the Academy and its academic activities.

The seventh volume of Maqalat-e-Sir Syed which is based on Khutbat-e-Ahmadiya was released on the occasion.

Dr. Syed Hussain Haider conducted the proceedings.