Maulᾱna Waḥῑduddῑn Khᾱn’s views on relation between Islam and secularism

Abstract

The article explores views of Maulᾱna Waḥῑduddῑn Khᾱn on relation between Islam and secularism as there is no specification of his thoughts on the above issue as critics and other scholars tend to show confusion when they approach Khᾱn’s thoughts from that specific angle. Maulᾱna Waḥῑduddῑn Khᾱn is an Indian religious scholar and peace activist who is alive and known for his modern, cosmopolitan and peaceful thoughts. In this article the scattered and disjointed views of Khᾱn on relation between Islam and secularism have been portrayed as to give context to his original views and show his actual stance which might remove the confusion prevalent amongst intellectuals and scholars as to spot Khᾱn’s basic stance on the above issue. The definition and different experiences of secularism has been shortly described along with projection of diversity of stance from other Muslim scholars as to broaden the very background of the issue. Later the views of Khᾱn and his approach to the issue have been presented. The article will throw light that how Khᾱn perceives the issue of relation between Islam and secularism and what is the point of convergence and divergence between Islam and secularism. This article will also highlight that whether he deals the topic on the basis of creed or philosophy or pragmatism and that whether he takes secularism as beneficial or damaging to the interest of Muslims and Islam. The article also shed light on the scheme of Khᾱn that how Muslim should deal with the phenomenon of secularism.