Fazl-e-Umar — Page 161
Fazle Umar 161 It was this very leader who gave his ruling that, “Those who vote for the Muslim League are swine and swine-eaters. ” 103 Another prominent leader, Maulvi Habeebur Rahman of Ludhiana, President of the Ahrar organisation believed that: “Ten thousand Jinnahs, Shaukats and Zafars could safely be sacrificed at the point of the shoe of Jawaharlal Nehru. ” (Chamanistan by Maulana Zaffar Ali Khan, pg. 165). 104 By 1933, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] was so distressed at the prospect facing Muslims in India, he felt very strongly that a person of the political sagacity and iron nerve of Mr Jinnah was needed to secure for the Muslims a decent political future. He, therefore, directed Mr A. R. Dard, Imam of the London Mosque, to get in touch with Mr Jinnah and try to persuade him to return to India and take up the fight for the cause of the Muslims. Mr Dard called on Mr Jinnah and had a long talk with him. He found that the task assigned to him by the Khalifatul Masih was a very uphill one. Mr Jinnah was most reluctant, but eventually changed his mind and agreed to return to India and to place himself at the head of the political struggle of the Muslims for safeguarding their position in an independent India. Mr Jinnah was approached from time to time by certain leading figures among the Muslims of India who also urged him to return to India. But there can be no doubt that what prevailed with him in the end was the persistence of Mr Dard under the directions of the Khalifatul Masih. When Mr Jinnah intimated his willingness to return to India, Mr Dard held a reception in his honour at the London Mosque which was very well attended. Mr Jinnah addressed the gathering on the India of the future. He started with the announcement that Mr Dard’s persuasion had compelled him to enter the political field again from which he had withdrawn some time back. He said, “The eloquent persuasion of the Imam left me no way of escape. ” His speech was widely reported.