GE 171

Ideology
What is an Ideology?
The word “ideology” is composed of two Greek words “ideo” and “logos” It is the study of
the nature and origin of ideas. The French Philosopher Antoine Destell De Tracy used the
word “Ideologie” during French Revolution.

The ideology of any nation reflects the ideals and aspirations of its people, and their thinking
which binds them together. Literally ideology means a set of ideas on which a political or
economic system is based. It is a set of ideas & an attitude that strongly influences the way
people behave. It is the study of ideas, their nature & resources. It is science of ideas. Thus in
simple words:
‘Ideology is the body of ideas on which a particular political, economic, social
or religious system is based.’

According to David Apter,

Ideology helps to make more explicit the moral basis of action.
In the words of Gabriel Almond,
Ideology plays the adhesive role of linking thought to behavior.

An ideology offers an interpretation of the past, an explanation of the present and a

vision of the Future.

How Ideology Emerges?

Ideology often reflect the way of thinking of a nation or a social group who has been rejected a
social position which otherwise would have been its due place in the society. It grows amongst
dissatisfied and annoyed group of society as a challenge to the prevailing social setup.

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According to Reo M. Christenson (Ideologies and Modern Politics) that;

An Ideology emerges when people feel strongly that they are being
mistreated under an existing order, when their status is threatened
by fundamental changes occurring in the society and when the
prevailing ideology no longer satisfies them.
Importance of an Ideology
Ideology is a motivating force for a nation, which is striving hard to bring stability to its
nationhood. It provides the cement binding base to the scattered groups in a society and brings
them closer to each other on a common platform. Ideologies give shape to the revolutions and
give birth to new cultures and civilizations.
Basis of Pakistan’s Ideology
Apparently the ideology of Pakistan seems to be a subject of recent history but in the words of
Quaid- i- Azam,
Pakistan came into existence when the first Muslim put his feet on
the soil of Sub- Continent. It is as old as the emergence of Islam on
this soil.
Differentiating the Hindus & the Muslim ideologies Quaid-i-Azam said,
The Hindus worship cows where as the Muslim Slaughter it.
Ideology of Pakistan is based on the ideals of the Islamic system. It was a reaction to the Hindu
and British exploitation of the Muslims of Sub-Continent. It was a revolt against the prevailing
system of Sub-Continent where the Hindu nationalism was being imposed on the Muslims and
their culture. It contained a strategy to save the Muslim nationalism from total elimination.
Definition and Explanation of Pakistan’s Ideology

Ideology of Pakistan is defined by the different scholars as: -

Syed Ali Abbas defined Ideology of Pakistan as,

Ideology of Pakistan and ideology of Islam has same meaning. Actually

Ideology of Pakistan is the practical shape of Teachings of Islam.

Dr. Aslam Syed defined the Ideology of Pakistan as,

ldeology of Pakistan is the name of molding of individual and collective

lives according to Islam and also of saving form conflicting ideologies.

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The creation of Pakistan was unique in the sense that it was based on an ideology which required
its roots from the religion of Islam. The famous slogan Pakistan ka Matlab kiya La-Illaha
Illallah became the core of the freedom movement and the basis of Pakistan.

As far as the meaning and definition of Pakistan’s ideology is concerned it basically means that
Pakistan should be a state where the Muslims should have an
opportunity to live according to their faith and creed based on the
Islamic principles. They should have all the resources at their disposal
to enhance Islamic Culture and Civilization because this was the sole
purpose of demanding a separate homeland for the Muslims.
Two-Nation Theory
The Pakistan movement was revolved around the Two Nation Theory which becomes the basis
of demand for Pakistan. The concept of Two Nation Theory was base on the fact that Muslims
were a separate nation having their own Religion, History, Culture, Civilization, Customs,
Literature, Festivals, Heritage, Rituals, Social Values and Way of Life. They cannot be merged
in any other nations because their philosophy of life is based on the principles of Islam.

As the Muslims of India found it difficult to live according to the principles of Islam in the
United-India, they were forced to demand a separate homeland to safeguard their national and
religious identity. Ideology of Pakistan was based on the Two-Nation theory which meant that
Hindus and Muslims were two separate and distinct nations whose understandings of life were
different from each other.

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Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the pioneer of two nation theory used the word Two Nations for Hindus
and Muslims after being convinced of the Hindu and Congress injustice for the Muslims. Earlier
he was a staunch propagator of Hindu Muslim unity. He considers the Muslims and Hindus as
two eyes of a beautiful bride. But some incidents of high political significance changed his ideas.
He believed that the Muslims were a separate nation who always attached to their religious
identity.

Aims and Objectives of the Establishment of Pakistan

Following factors can be said to be the objectives of the establishment of Pakistan.

1. Enforcement of the Sovereignty of Allah Almighty

The Islamic state is built up on the concept of the Sovereignty of Allah Almighty. The prime
objective of the demand for Pakistan was the establishment of a state where Almighty Allah’s
Supremacy could be enforced and where the government based on the Islamic principles could
be instituted. Quaid-e-Azam said,

We did not demand Pakistan to acquire a piece of land,

But we wanted a homeland where we could
Introduce Islamic Principles.

2. Establishment of Islamic Democracy

Islam has given an ideal concept of democracy which is distinctively different from the western
concept. In Islamic democratic system, everyone is equal and no one enjoys a privileged position
on the basis of his social status, color or creed. The Khalifa, the Naib of God on earth, strictly
follows the principles of Islam and Sunnah in the administration of the state affairs. The Khalifa
has dual accountability…… on earth; he is responsible to the people and in heaven to Allah
Almighty.

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3. Revival of Muslim Image and Identity

In United India the Muslims were dominated by the Hindus in every social field. The Muslims
were not in a position to compete with the Hindus because of their backwardness in education
and politics. The Hindus has adopted harsh attitude which block all channels to prosperity and
progress for the Muslims. The national image and identity of the Muslim was in great danger
because of the Hindu hostility. So a demand was forwarded to the British Government for a
separate state.
4. Protection of Muslim Culture and Civilization
The Muslims were always a separate nation because of their distinctive cultural values and
patterns. The Muslim culture, civilization and literature were the living and proud symbols of the
Muslim identity as a separate and distinct nation. Although the Muslims lived with Hindus and
other nations for centuries, yet they proudly maintained their separate image. The Muslims and
other nations of Sub-Continent remained distinct with an emphasis on their separateness.
The Hindus always desired to crush the Muslims as a nation and ultimately to merge them into
Hindu society. Several attempts were made by the Hindus to remove Muslim culture and
civilization. One of the great objectives of the demand for Pakistan was the protection of Muslim
culture and to save it from Hindu domination.
5. Two-Nation Theory
The entire freedom movement revolved around Two-Nation Theory which became the basis of
demand for Pakistan. It means that the Muslims were a separate nation with their distinct
Culture, Civilization, Literature, History, Religion and Social Values. Islam, the religion of the
Muslim, was based on the concept of Tawheed, therefore could not be merged in any other
system or religion.
The establishment of Pakistan further strengthened the Two-Nation concept, which means that
Pakistan would be a country where Islamic principles would be followed. With the creation of
Pakistan it became possible for the Muslims to mould their life according to the principles of
Islam.
6. Liberation from the Harmful Hindu Majority
The Muslim came to India for trade, permanently settled in the Indian society, though
maintaining their separate identity. The conversion of Hindus to Islam, in the later stages, caused
the population of India to gradual change. With lapse of time the Muslim came to form one-
fourth of the total population of India. The Muslims belonged to all walks of life and
understandably dominated in all spheres of social life during their rule. The Arab conquest was a
blessing for the Sub-Continent which attained maximum economic prosperity during Muslim
rule. The Muslim domination aroused jealousy who had to live under the Muslim in spite of their
numerical majority.
With the advent of the British rule the Muslim lost their empire and political supremacy. The
British extended special treatment to Hindus in view of their numerical strength in order to win
their cooperation. Hindus, who were eagerly looking for an opportunity to settle their old score

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with the Muslims, were very happy on the turn of the events. They quickly snatch the golden
opportunity to them by their new masters, and joined hands with the rulers of India for the
elimination of the Muslims from the Indian society.
The British and the Hindus adopted a cruel policy of mass elimination against the Muslims in
order to crush them as a nation and subsequently merge them in the Hindu nationalism. The
demand for Pakistan was based on this very feeling that the Muslim should be released from the
clutches of the Hindu domination.
7. Establishment of a Balanced Economic System
The economic condition of the Muslims before partition was terrible. The Muslims were not in a
position to enter in the business and trade because of biased policy of government. After the war
of independence of 1857, the British government had banned Muslim entry into government
service. All high civil and military positions were reserved for the Hindus. The Muslims were
considered eligible only for low ranking jobs. The agricultural land was mostly owned by the
Hindus who fully exploited the Muslim cultivators. The government policy provided no shelter
to the Muslims for earnings in a respectable manner.
The major objective of the creation of Pakistan was the establishment of a balanced economic
system based on economic principles of Islam which could be ensures a happy and stable
economic life to every individual. The demand for Pakistan was motivated by the desire of
Muslims to have a homeland of their own where everyone had enough opportunities to earn.
The economic system of Islam is based on the balanced
principles which do not permit an individual to keep wealth
and economic resources more than one’s needs.

Quaid-e-Azam while inaugurating the State Bank of Pakistan on 1st July 1948, said
The bank symbolized the sovereignty of our people in
the financial spheres. The western economic system is
creating unsolvable problems for humanity & would
not help us in setting up a workable economic order. It
has failed to provide justice to the people. We should
evolve an economic system based on Islamic concept
of justice and equality.

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