(Umm al‑Qurā, Issue No. 1595, 1 Jumada I 1375 AH / 16 December 1955 CE)
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Peace and blessings be upon His faithful Messenger
Mr. Dean, distinguished gentlemen,
For a long time, I have yearned to visit this great scholarly institution, which has rendered outstanding service to India by producing leaders who played a decisive role in its independence, and eminent scholars whose valuable works enriched noble thought and elevated intellectual discourse. The benefits of these works have extended far beyond India to many Eastern lands and to the wider Islamic world. It fills me with joy today to find myself in the midst of this institution, recalling with admiration and appreciation the many individuals I have known among its graduates—those who carried the banner of freedom and stood at the forefront of knowledge and virtue. My joy has been further deepened by the honorary doctorate in Oriental Law graciously conferred upon me by the Dean, a distinction that binds me to you and associates me with your institution.
My brothers,
Knowledge and learning are the essential foundation of all human progress. Without them, a human being differs from an animal only by simple speech. Knowledge in its vast forms is a noble blessing that God has commanded us to seek wherever it may be found. Yet knowledge can also become a curse upon its possessor and upon the society in which he lives. The distinction between beneficial and harmful knowledge does not lie in its essence—for knowledge is knowledge in all its forms—but in the foundation upon which it is built. When its foundation is spiritual and acceptable to the Knower of the unseen, its benefit is realized, its goodness multiplies, and its possessor becomes a beacon whose light guides others. But when its foundation is purely material, its danger becomes manifest, and it becomes like a consuming fire that destroys and harms.
Knowledge is like a sharp sword: if placed in the hand of a wise person, it becomes an instrument for repelling evil and attracting good; but if placed in the hand of the inexperienced, it becomes a source of danger and harm. If this is true for all people, it is even more true for us Muslims, for God Almighty has blessed us with a divine system that governs all aspects of our public and private lives. If we build what we acquire of knowledge in institutions such as yours upon its principles, and walk upon its straight path, we shall benefit. But if we build it upon rigid materialistic foundations, we shall incur God’s displeasure and bring harm to society through our knowledge.
The principles of Islam eradicate evil and bring forth all good. Without elaborating on them here, I wish to remind my student brothers of three principles upon which they should build their culture and make them the pillars of their lives.
The first is faith in God and reliance upon Him. Psychologists and educators agree that fear is the source of psychological corruption that drives human beings toward destructive acts: the poor fear hunger, the rich fear poverty, the strong fear humiliation, and the weak fear the strong. This fear—of known and unknown harm, of what is possible and impossible—dominates souls and drives people toward evil, closing before them the doors of good. Islam came and taught us: “And whoever relies upon God, He is sufficient for him.” Reliance upon God is the refuge of the Muslim and a shield against the corruption of fear. It is not laziness or passivity; rather, it is reliance accompanied by fulfilling one’s duty and accepting the decree of the Almighty. In this lies peace of mind and body, and deliverance from the evils of fear.
The second principle is Islamic brotherhood. God Almighty says: “The believers are but brothers.” It is not enough for a Muslim to say to another, “You are my brother,” and stop at that. He must act toward him as a true brother acts—indeed, he must prefer him over himself. God says: “They give preference to others over themselves, even if they themselves are in need.” This is true Islamic brotherhood.
The third principle is good neighborliness. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Gabriel continued to advise me regarding the neighbor until I thought he would make him an heir.” In other words, he nearly placed the neighbor in the position of a brother or sister. Your forefathers in the early days of Islam conquered East and West—not merely by the sword, but by justice, good neighborliness, and kindness to those around them. Through faith in God, reliance upon Him, Islamic brotherhood, and good neighborliness, Islam raised its banners across the world. The French philosopher Renan said: “History has never recorded a conqueror more merciful or more just than the Muslim Arabs.”
God Almighty says: “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” And the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a white over a black, except by piety. The most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.”
You, my brothers, who are preparing to enter the arena of life—if you build your knowledge and culture upon these lofty principles, make faith in God your weapon, reliance upon Him your protection, Islamic brotherhood your strength, and good neighborliness and sincerity to your fellow citizens the basis of your conduct—you will succeed in this world and hope for the bliss of the Hereafter.
My brothers, Muslims of India,
You hold in my heart the place of true brothers. Your comfort and welfare concern me and concern every Muslim. My heart rejoiced and my mind was at ease when your wise President assured me during my visit to your generous and hospitable country that he and your Prime Minister are sincerely committed to ensuring equality among all the people of India and safeguarding your interests without any compromise in matters of religion. I was further reassured by what I heard from your Muslim scholars, who confirmed this sound and just position. I hope that your unity in your country will be strengthened, that harmony will prevail between you and your fellow citizens, and that you will be exemplary in serving your nation and the principles of Islam.
It may please you to know—and I say this to you and to the righteous Muslims I have met—that, with God’s help and power, I am determined to undertake a comprehensive reform of the pilgrimage, so that performing this sacred duty becomes not only a spiritual experience but also a source of physical comfort and well‑being for all pilgrims to the House of God. Likewise, I am determined, with God’s help and power, to revive Islamic sciences and sound doctrine in the holy Arab lands, so that they may once again become a source of the light of Islam and a center for scholars from all parts of the Muslim world.
I ask your pure and youthful hearts to turn to the Almighty, praying for my success and seeking divine assistance for me in this great endeavor. And I, in turn, shall pray for you at the Kaaba, God willing, asking the Almighty to grant you success, bless your future, make you righteous men in the service of your country, and bring benefit through your hands to Islam and to all people.