The rector of the Deoband madrasah...

The rector of the Deoband madrasah, Maulana Husian Ahmed Madani*,* argued, that in Islam nationality was determined by common homeland and not by religion, the claim strongly contested by Allama Mohammad Iqbal*.* Giving an example from the life of the Holy Prophet, Madani claimed that the state set up by the Holy Prophet in Madina gave equal rights to Muslims, Jews and pagan Arabs, and all of them were regarded as the members of one ummah or community.

Therefore, according to this principle, all Muslims and Hindus of India were members of a common nation. Most of the Deobandi believed that in free and united India, Muslims would be able to lead their personal lives in accordance with the Sharia, while also co-operating with people of other faiths in matters of common concern.[^76] The ulema were in favor of unconditional…