The funeral of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the revered founder of Pakistan, remains one of the most solemn and significant events in the nation’s history. As the leader who guided the country to independence, Jinnah’s passing in 1948 was met with deep sorrow and profound respect. However, a question that has lingered over the decades is whether his funeral prayer was performed once or twice. This query has sparked discussions among historians, scholars, and the general public alike.
Understanding the details surrounding Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s final rites not only sheds light on the historical accuracy of events but also reflects the immense reverence and honor with which he was remembered. In this article, we delve into the circumstances of Quaid-e-Azam’s funeral, exploring the evidence and interpretations that address this intriguing aspect of Pakistan’s historical narrative.
Historians have long debated the details of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s funeral, particularly whether his funeral prayer was performed once or twice. The official account, supported by many historians, holds that Jinnah’s funeral prayer was conducted only once. This ceremony took place on September 11, 1948, shortly after his death. Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani, a prominent Islamic scholar of the time, led the prayer according to the Ahl al-Sunnah tradition, which aligns with Sunni practices.
Thus, Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani, after conducting the funeral prayer of Quaid, stated,
“The Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is dead, but the nation he brought into existence still lives and hopes to live a life of honour and strength. The Quaid-i-Azam is no more. The loss is irreparable for Pakistan, nay, I should say for the whole Muslim world. He was gifted with heart and was a rare example of nature’s gift to humanity. His selfless services to Pakistan and the Muslim nation will be remembered by all and in all ages.”
However, there are other perspectives on this matter. Some historians suggest that Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s funeral prayer was actually performed twice. According to this view, the prayer was first conducted in accordance with Shiite traditions and then repeated following Sunni practices. This interpretation reflects the complex and diverse nature of Pakistan’s early religious landscape and highlights the deep respect and honor given to Jinnah by different communities.
The discrepancy between these accounts points to the profound significance of Jinnah’s death and the efforts to ensure that his final rites honored his legacy in a manner fitting for someone of his stature.
On the other hand, Maulana Anees Al-Hussain Rizvi, a respected figure in Islamic rituals, provided an intriguing account regarding Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s funeral. According to Rizvi, Fatima Jinnah, the sister of the founder of Pakistan, specifically requested that Jinnah’s funeral be conducted according to the traditions followed by the Twelver Shia community. This request highlights the significant role that Fatima Jinnah played in shaping the final rites of her brother, ensuring that the funeral adhered to a form of worship that was deeply meaningful to her and in line with her religious beliefs.
Rizvi’s statement adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about whether Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s funeral was performed once or twice and reflects the diverse ways in which different communities within Pakistan sought to honor the nation’s leader.
Four days after Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s death, Syed Anees Al-Hussain Rizvi wrote a letter to Sagheer Hasan Naqvi, addressing the funeral arrangements.In this letter, he stated,
“It was the night between 11th and 12th September. I was sleeping in my house when there was a knock on the door, I opened the door and was told that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has passed away and Ms. Fatima Jinnah has called me to the Governor General’s House.”
After the burial of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Maulvi Syed Ghulam Ali Ahsan Mashhadi Akbarabadi performed the 12th exhortation, also known as the “Du’a-e-Tawassul,” in the Shia tradition. This act was an additional tribute to Jinnah, following the main funeral rites. Once the exhortation was completed, a solemn moment followed where the Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with federal ministers and ambassadors from various Islamic countries, paid their respects by placing soil on Jinnah’s grave. This act symbolized their profound respect and honor for the founder of Pakistan.
After the burial and the respectful gestures by dignitaries, the crowd of thousands who had gathered to pay their last respects dispersed. They concluded the solemn occasion by reciting Surah Fatiha, a traditional Islamic prayer for the deceased, reflecting the collective mourning and reverence for Jinnah’s legacy.
However, it is pertinent to mention here that Begum Nusrat Abdullah Haroon sent a letter to Muhammad Wasi Khan on October 5, 1972, in which she wrote:
“I confirm that between 11th and 12th of September at three o’clock in the night I called Maulana Syed Anees Al Hussain Rizvi to the Governor General’s House and Fatima Jinnah expressed her wish to the Maulana that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah should be buried and buried in the Shia Atzna Ashri method. So all the ceremonies of bathing and shrouding were done under the supervision of Maulana. After the morning prayer, Maulana Mosawuf led the funeral prayer according to the Shia ten-a-ashri method, Syed Hashim Raza, Syed Kazim Raza, Aftab Pasar Hatim Alvi and many people participated in this prayer.”
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Thus, to conclude it, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s funeral was a deeply emotional and significant event that captured the nation’s grief and respect. The generally accepted view is that his funeral prayer was performed once in the Sunni tradition. However, the involvement of Maulana Anees Al-Hussain Rizvi, who performed rites according to Shia customs as requested by Fatima Jinnah, adds a layer of depth to the story.
Maulvi Syed Ghulam Ali Ahsan Mashhadi Akbarabadi’s recitation and the heartfelt gestures by dignitaries placing soil on Jinnah’s grave underscore the profound reverence felt by all. As thousands gathered to recite Surah Fatiha, it became clear that Jinnah’s passing was not just a moment of loss but a tribute to his legacy, reflecting a nation united in respect for its founding father.
