Influence of religion on politics in Pakistan 1947 - 1956

Abstract

Pakistan came into existence as the result of Muslim belief that within the Indo-Pakistan Sub-Continent there lived two distinct nations, the Hindus and the Muslims. It was understood that the Muslims would be relegated to a permanent minority group if a separate political entity such as Pakistan was not created. However, the strife for Pakistan was not led by the men of religion but the westernized intelegentia. However, once Pakistan was created the 'Ulama began to voice the opinions that Pakistan has been specifically created for the purpose of creating a State based on Islam. When the Constituent Assembly sat down to frame a constitution for Pakistan a controversy ensued within it and outside. The main questions which came under discussion were; Should Pakistan be an Islamic State based on Shari’a ? If so what is an Islamic State and vdiat political and social institutions should be created to set it up and preserve it ? How should the position of 15% non-Muslims living within the political boundaries of Pakistan be resolved and what should be their legal and social position ? What should be the qualifications and powers of the Head of the State and how should he be elected and finally what steps should be taken to ensure that no laws repugnant to Islam are enacted ? The 'Ulama such as Maulana Shabbir Ahmad 'Upsmanl, and MaulanS Abul A'la Maududi were actively involved in Politics and along with other 'Ulama began to put pressure on the Constituent Assembly to create a Constitution based on Islam. This Thesis is mainly a study of influence of the men of religion on Constitution making up to the framing of the 1956 Constitution. The first Chapter discusses the political background of the creation of Pakistan. The second Chapter comprises firstly the development of Islamic political thought and secondly the concept of Islamic state as envisaged by some of the contemporary Pakistan Authorities on Islam. The Third Chapter then endeavours to trace the influence of religion on the process of constitution making. This is followed by a Conclusion.