International Seminar on “Shibli and his legacy” held in Azamgarh

By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net,

Azamgarh: An international seminar on “Shibli and his legacy” [‘Allama Shibli ka Ilmi aur Fikri Warsa’] in collaboration with Iran Cultural House was held on 11th - 12th December, 2011 in the conference hall of Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy in Azamgarh.

After the seminar began with recitation of verses from holy Quran, Professor I.A Zilli, director Shibli Academy, elaborated on the multi faceted personality of Allama Shibli Nomani and briefly described the various institutions established by him.

In his keynote address, Professor Yaseen Mazhar Siddiqui said that Shibli was an excellent critic, who used to point out not just the deficiencies of Ulema and the old school of thought but of the modern educational system as well.

He said Shibli’s intellectual growth after being subscribed to Sir Syed’s library was phenomenal. Shibli had a view that modern Ilm-ul-kalam should be based on history and not on Greek philosophy. Mr. Siddiqui opined that it is not right to say that Shibli took up the work on Seerat at last. Actually he wrote the first Arabic book on Seerat on the request of Sir Syed and it was included in the syllabus of Aligarh College. Shibli always took up modern/contemporary issues and wrote books on them. He said in the last hundred years no scholar or group of scholars had the command on resources compared to Shibli when many scholars were not even aware of available literature. He said, Shibli has painted a picture of an era through his writing.

Shibli preferred an impressive language. His language progressed slowly. The Initial colloquial influence gave way to an erudite and highly polished language which got perfected when he wrote Seerat. Shibli did not suffer from regionalism and was always in search of talent. He had great influence over his readers. He preferred Urdu over others because he believed it was the language of Ulema as well as the common man. Shibli used to say that he wanted the Ulema, to get involved in literature. He always wanted to be associated with Ulema but also wished to influence Ulema discreetly. Criticism on Shibli’s personality and his work can be traced to jealousy, said Prof Yaseen Mazhar Siddiqui.

Iran Cultural House of Iran Embassy in New Delhi printed selected manuscripts including a list of manuscripts preserved in Shibli Academy. They were:

1. “Ain-e-Akbari”
2. “Munis-ul-arwah”
3. List of manuscripts
4. Index of Ma’rif, first volume, compiled by Dr. Jamshed of A.M.U.
5. “Kitabiyat-e-Shibli” by Dr. Ilyas Azmi

Dr. Karim Najfi, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi; Professor Shahid Mehdi, Former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Syed Salman Nadwi and Professor Yaseen Mazhar released these books on the auspicious occasion.

Syed Salman Nadwi in his address emphasized that it depends on the inheritors as to how they preserve Shibli’s legacy. He said Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy is indeed the biggest legacy of Shibli and thus one can safely surmise the inheritors of the legacy of Shibli. He said that it is necessary to review and research the books written by him.

D. Ali Reza Qazveh, Iran Cultural House, said that translation of Sher-ul-Ajam was published many times in Iran.

Dr. Karim Najfi extolled the virtues of multi faceted personality of Shibli. He said that Shibli appears to be a great theologian, philosopher and thinker. Shibli wrote on Maulana Rum even thirty years before the book was written in Iran. He longed to revive the heritage of Muslims as he believed Islam gave every thing for one’s life. He said Shibli’s article “Musalmanon ki Guzishta Taleem” is actually an educational guideline for the present and future generations.

In his presidential remarks Syed Shahid Mehdi [IAS, former VC of Jamial Millia Islamia and Vice President, ICCR, New Delhi] said that the British compiled the history in a way to disturb communal harmony. He opined that Shibli’s attitude was as such good but a bit defensive. He said that “Bhasha aur Musalman” as well as “Musalmanon ki Political Karvat” written by Shibli has its relevance today. Shibli refuted the apprehension that Muslim will get annihilated through their association with majority community. He was critical of Muslim League and highlighted the plight of small farmers. Shibli questioned the work done by Anjuman Urdu for the promotion of language.

Mr. Shahid Mehdi said that how long we will depend on government aid and emphasized self strife for promotion of Urdu. He stressed on Ittehad-e-Masalik and pointed out the social consciousness of Shibli. Maulana Umair-us-Siddique Nadwi controlled the proceedings of the occasion.