Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s Theory of Nationalism and Secularism

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 20 August 2025 Summary: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad viewed secularism as India’s soul, ensuring unity, equality, and religious freedom. He opposed partition, promoted composite nationalism, and believed Islam supported tolerance and justice. For Azad, secularism safeguarded minorities, preserved cultural diversity, and guaranteed India’s pluralistic identity. Its protection remains crucial today. Main Points: 1. Secularism keeps religion and state separate, ensuring equal treatment. 2. Azad emphasized Islam’s teachings of freedom, tolerance, and equality. 3. Composite nationalism united Indians beyond religion, culture, and race. 4. Secularism protects minorities and preserves India’s pluralistic traditions. 5. Neutral governance safeguards Muslim identity and religious practices. 6. Secularism remains essential for India’s unity and social harmony. ----- It is true that in the present era, there are two different views regarding secular ideas. One group considers secular values and their impact beneficial for society, while another group believes that secular traditions and values are unnecessary for social life. In the Indian context, when we look at secularism, we realize its true importance. The fact is that secularism is the soul of India. If the word secular is removed from India, the country will lose its identity as a society of diversity, traditions, and multiple beliefs. Today, differences in worship, rituals, and ideologies are not seen as faults, and the sole reason for this is that our Constitution upholds secular values. This is why many Indian religious scholars have not only supported Indian secularism but also struggled to protect it. Even today, a large number of Muslim scholars are committed to preserving Indian culture and traditions. Thus, in the changing political and social conditions of the world, secularism has emerged as a philosophy that has left a deep influence on the state, politics, society, and education. In today’s multi-religious societies—where people of different nations, cultures, and religions live together—secularism is presented as a principle that guarantees peace, harmony, and social equality. Some consider it a symbol of human freedom and equality. The Meaning and Origin of Secularism: Linguists write that the word secularism is derived from the Latin word saeculum, which means “world” or “time.” It implies separating worldly life from religious commands. In terminology, secularism refers to a system in which: State and religion remain separate. The government treats all citizens equally, regardless of religion or belief. Religion is regarded as a personal and individual matter, having no effect on state affairs. Historical Background: Researchers have written that during the Middle Ages in Europe, the Church held absolute authority over religious, social, political, and educational matters. But in the 15th century, an intellectual and cultural awakening challenged this monopoly. Arts, science, and philosophy opposed the dominance of the Church. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, philosophers presented the idea that the state and government should be established on the basis of reason, science, and human values. The American Revolution (1776) and the French Revolution (1789) laid the foundation of secular states, where religion was considered a private matter and kept separate from state affairs. Benefits of Secularism in the Modern Age: The advantages of secular ideas in the present era cannot be denied. For example: The state gives preference to no particular religion. Every individual has the right to adopt or abandon any religion freely. State laws are based on rationality and equality, not on religion. Education is based on scientific principles, not on any specific faith. All citizens enjoy equal status regardless of race, colour, or creed. Thus, secularism promotes tolerance and harmony, ensures equal rights for minorities, frees research and science from religious restrictions, and guarantees freedom of thought and action. In short, secularism is not about opposing religion, but about keeping the state neutral so that all citizens can enjoy equal rights. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Secularism: The question of adopting secularism fully in the Islamic context remains a matter of debate, but one thing is clear: a large section of Muslim scholars supported secularism. Among them, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s name stands at the forefront. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958) was one of the greatest leaders and thinkers of the subcontinent. He played a central role in the freedom movement and, after independence, contributed significantly to shaping India’s intellectual and political future. His scholarly insight, deep religious thought, and active participation in national politics made him one of the most distinguished leaders of his time. Regarding secularism, Azad’s stance is extremely important. He did not accept secularism merely as a Western idea but interpreted it through the principles of Islam and presented it in the Indian context. For him, the main purpose of secularism was to keep the state impartial and to grant equal rights to all religious groups. He emphasized that Islam, from the very beginning, taught religious freedom, tolerance, justice, and equality. Quranic verses such as “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256) and the principles of the Charter of Madinah formed the basis of his view that secularism is not against Islam, but aligned with it. Azad argued that India’s multi-religious and multi-linguistic atmosphere could only be preserved through secularism. If the state favoured any single religion, it would endanger not only minorities but also national unity. For this reason, he stressed that independent India must be built on a secular framework, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and followers of all religions could live together with equal rights. United Nationalism in Azad’s Vision: The central idea of Azad’s thought was composite nationalism. According to him, all Indians—regardless of religion or race—are members of one nation. For him, nationhood was not based on religion but on shared geography, history, and collective interests. This is why he strongly opposed partition on religious grounds. He believed that Muslims would be safer in a secular India rather than in a divided nation. He repeatedly clarified that a secular state would never harm Muslims; rather, it would safeguard their religious and cultural identity. A neutral state would allow Muslims to freely perform their religious practices, run educational institutions, and carry out social activities. In his view, secularism was the best way to protect Muslims from majoritarian biases. During the freedom struggle and even after independence, Azad upheld secular principles in practical politics. He constantly advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and promoted secularism through the Congress platform. He explained that secularism does not mean the rejection of religion or promotion of atheism; rather, it ensures that the state remains neutral, giving all citizens freedom of faith. Humanism and Equality: Azad’s writings show that he placed humanity, freedom, equality, and justice as the foundation of politics. For him, true nationalism meant guaranteeing equal rights, civil liberties, and mutual respect. He connected nationhood with homeland and citizenship, not with religion. Centuries of shared living, common languages, cultural traditions, art, markets, and institutions had formed a Ganga-Jamuni culture in India, which he saw as the essence of secularism. Though a distinguished religious scholar, he did not consider religion as a criterion for political nationhood. For him, religion was a spiritual wealth of individuals, while the duty of the state was to protect civic rights and maintain social order. Conclusion: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s stance makes it clear that secularism is an essential political and social principle for Muslims and other minorities. He considered it close to Islamic teachings and believed that in a multi-religious country like India, secularism was the only system that could guarantee unity, equality, and freedom. His thought remains a reminder that secularism is not only the foundation of national unity but also the protector of religious freedom and human equality. In today’s time, one can say with certainty that secular values and their collective benefits are being denied and attacked with arrogance, and attempts are being made to erase secularism from India’s pluralistic society. Such actions would destroy the very identity of Indian society. Therefore, protecting secularism is extremely necessary. If India continues as a secular state, all communities will enjoy religious and spiritual freedom. But the day secularism ends or is regarded as unnecessary, remember: pluralistic society will also come to an end. 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