Thread by @TheEmissaryCo

Delving through the prequel of the partition, it becomes clear how much of a team & multi-pronged effort the creation of Pakistan was.

One of the most understated prongs is Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi.

It is Thanawi's war with Husain Ahmad Madani that tips the Ulema to Pakistan

Maulana Madani was part of a loud minority of Muslim leadership who argued for unity with Hindus to create an independent & united India.

Thanawi was initially wary of the Muslim League, but the rise of a "too Hindu" Congress changed his mind.

https://twitter.com/TheEmissaryCo/status/1435431813040726018

Thanawi noticed the closeness of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, an organization of prominent Deobandi scholars with the Congress, & sought instead to forge the JUH with the ML.

He sent questionnaires to both to inquire their goals. Nawab Ismail Khan of the ML, answered his questions.

As Ismail Khan & Thanawi interacted, the popular Thanawi assured Khan of his ability to influence as many ulem as he could (JUH was stoic in response, but others could be influenced), while Khan would allow the fanatic Thanawi to guide the ML on religious matters.

Thanawi would launch a full frontal assault on Congress's movement esp on cultural lines.

From using Urdu supremacy to separate Muslims to breaking the metaphoric idols of Bande Mataram & the tricolor flag, Thanawi claimed the British as better for Muslims than Congress.

Thanawi would go on to attack Madani's Composite Nationalism thesis. Firstly by personally attacking his Sharia credentials & how permissible his methods were. Secondly by attacking the fountain of his thesis, the pact of Medina between Jews & Muslims.

Thanawi argued the pact was under the vision of the Prophet, so it was permissible; the Hindu-Muslim was ofc not. He goes further saying that the covenant was between equals, which Hindus & Muslims aren't. Finally, he alludes to what happened after Muslims got power after victory

Thanawi accused the nationalist Ulema of being greedy for power. He said that religious leaders shouldn't be political leaders, instead ulema should only be consulted by political leaders...as the ML consulted Thanawi. Thanawi accused Madani & co of crossing their limits.

Madani & the JUH would not recover from these attacks. Thanawi would grow in influence, as he powered the ML's spread across the United Provinces, the Janmasthan of Pakistan. Maulana Madani would languish in his seat, Deoband, a town whose destiny & influence would come later.