Abstract
The paper attempts to investigate the process of implementation of Islamic laws in Pakistan from 1947 to July 1993. The introduction of Islamic provisions in various Pakistani constitutions to date was the outcome of persistent pressure for their inclusion exerted by a very prominent religious section of the society, namely the Ulema. However, the Islamic provisions included in various constitutions failed to satisfy any group in the society, whether the Ulema or others. It is quite obvious that during the period under discussion the state of Pakistan failed to achieve the rank of a modern Islamic state. This fact obviously raises the question whether the periodic experiments with Islamic provisions in various constitutions and their implementation was of any substantial benefit to the society. Therefore, it is of immense importance to indulge in an exercise of understanding what the ideology of Pakistan, as defined during the period of the Pakistan Movement, was and how it was understood, interpreted and implemented following the emergence of Pakistan. It is equally important to investigate why the state has failed to satisfy the proponent and proponent of the Islamization in Pakistan. The main thrust of this study is how, following the emergence of Pakistan, the orthodox Ulema endeavored to put themselves in the driver’s seat regarding the correct interpretation(s) of what was the true ideological foundation, Islam, of the Pakistan Movement. This attempt on the Ulema’s part was perceived to be at great variance by other influential groups of the society especially by many intellectuals, often trained on western lines, many professional historians et al. One of the primary arenas of contention was the interpretations of various aspects of Islam as put forth by Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, considered, respectively, the main ideological and political leaders, of the Indian Muslims’ struggle for Pakistan. Since these two leaders had departed from this world, AllamaIqbal in 1938 and Mr. Jinnah in 1948, in their absence a clash between varying group and personal interpretations about the true nature of what kind of an ideological state Pakistan was going to be following its emergence, was but natural. However, the tussle assumed forms which polarized groups of people along extreme lines and continues to this day. This study will be yet another, a fresher one, and hopefully, a new attempt to interpret the definition and of Islam, and interpretation of its various aspects, relevant to Pakistan from the history of the Pakistan Movement and the dialogues which have taken place since its emergence. The main sources of such an interpretation will remain the addresses, speeches, notes and other material which issued forth from the two main personalities AllamaIqbal and Mr. Jinnah. Therefore, this study will try to find a satisfactory answer to understand the factors behind such confusion about the utility of Islam in the modern times.