Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the empowerment of the poor and backward Muslim community. In more than one ways, Sir Syed was one of the greatest social reformers and a great national builder of modern India.

1. Atif Ghayas
MBA
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Quotes By
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

2. About Sir SyedAhmadKhan
• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, one of the architects of modern India was born on October 17, 1817
in Delhi and started his career as a civil servant.
• He was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the
empowerment of the poor and backward Muslim community. In more than one ways, Sir
Syed was one of the greatest social reformers and a great national builder of modern
India.
• He began to prepare the road map for the formation of a Muslim University by starting
various schools. He instituted Scientific Society in 1863 to instill a scientific temperament
into the Muslims and to make the Western knowledge available to Indians in their own
language.
• In 1875, Sir Syed founded the Madarsatul Uloom in Aligarh and patterned the MAO
College after Oxford and Cambridge universities that he went on a trip to London. His
objective was to build a college in line with the British education system but without
compromising its Islamic values.
This PPT shows some of Sir Syed’s quotes, written on the backdrop of beautiful pictures of
Aligarh Muslim University, embodiment of his dreams.

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5. We (Hindus and Muslims) eat the same crop, drinkwater
fromthe same rivers and breathe the same air. As a matter
of fact Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of the beautiful
bride that is Hindustan. Weaknessof any one of themwill
spoil the beauty of the bride (dulhan)
“

6. Idleness is a word the meaning of which is not rightly comprehended by
the people. They think that abstaining from manual work, lack of
alertness is doing labor and laziness in routine duties is all that idleness
implies. However, they do not realize that
The real idleness is the idleness of heart and mind
“

7. A man should be upright, righteous and honest even while
opposinghis opponent“

8. When a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it
invites poverty. And when povertycomes, it brings in
its wake thousands of crimes
“

9. Remember that the words Hindu and Muslimare only meant for
religious distinction: otherwise all persons who reside in this
country belong to one and the same nation.
“

10. If we ignore that aspectof ours which we owe to God, both of us, on
the basis of being commoninhabitants of India, actuallyconstitute
one nation: and the progressof this country and that of bothof us
is possible through mutual cooperation.
“

11. Sons (of MAO college later AMU) shall go forth
throughout the lengthand breadthof the land to
preach the message of free inquiry, of large hearted
toleration and of pure morality.
“

12. To permit liberty of the Press is the part of a wise government: To
preserve it is the part of a free people.“

13. The basis of all (progress) is that you shouldbring all
treasures of knowledge under your control.
“

14. In our opinion just as the differences of religion whichexist between
the Musalmansand the Hindus ought not to prevent social dealings,
mutual affection and love and sympathy betweenthem, so also
differences on political questions ought not to prevent social dealings,
mutual affection and love and sympathy.
“

15. “ We (Hindus and Muslims) shouldtry to
combine our hearts and soulsand act in
unison. If united, we can sustain.

16. How good is the saying , whoever may be its author, that a human
being in composedof two elements – his faithwhichhe owes to
God and his moral sympathywhichhe owes to his fellowbeings
Hence leave God’s share to God and concernyourself with the
share that is yours.
“

17. Ignorance is the mother of poverty
“

18. Yes the mainpurpose of this college (MAO) is to impart
modern educationto Muslims who are suffering because
of lack of it but this institution is for all, Hindus and
Muslims alike. Bothof themneededucation.
“

19. Do not show the face of Islamto others; insteadshow your
face as the follower of true Islamrepresenting character,
knowledge, tolerance and piety.
“

20. All the creatures of God haveequal rights. No man is entitled to allow
one particular race of mento obtainthe good things of this world,
and to bar the rest fromparticipating in them, and it is the duty of
the government to observe this divine law in all its integrity.
“

21. Get rid of old and useless rituals.
These rituals hinder human progress.“

22. The first requisite for the progress of a nation
is the brotherhood and unity amongst
sections of the society.
“

23. Acquisition of knowledge of science and
technology is the only solution for the problems
of Muslims.
“

24. My advice to all of you is: Do only that whichyou believe (to be
right) and do not do anything in (the rightnessof) which you do
not believe. Thisis real truthfulness and this is the only thing on
whichdepends successin boththe worlds.
“

25. We believe that the righteous and pious people, to
whateverreligion or community they might belong,
deserve our respect in the same way as the righteous
people of our own religion.
“

26. Look forward, learn modern knowledge, and
do not waste time in studies of old subjects of
no value.
“

27. I wishthat youthof India should followtheexample of young
men and womenof Englandwho are religiously engagedin
the hard work of industrial development of their country
(During the stay of Sir Syedin England).
“

28. Call me by whatever names you like. I will not ask you for my
salvation. But please take pityof your children. Do something for
them(sendthemto the school), lest you shouldhave to repent (by
not sending them)
“

29. “National progress is the sum total of theindividual’s labor,
honor, honestyand sympathy. Similarly, national downfall is
the cumulative result of the individual’s laziness, dishonor,
dishonesty, selfishnessand other weaknesses of character.

30. Ijtihad(innovation, re-interpretationwiththe changing
times) is the needof the hour. Give up taqlid(copying
and following old values).
“

31. Man himself is his own greatest teacher.
“

32. I have said it many times and I say it again that
India is like a beautiful bride blessed by two
attractive eyes – the Hindus and the Muslims.
“

33. I hope you will try to set an example in both
scholarlypursuits and the practice of Islam. Only
then will our community be honored and respected.
“

34. It is the first and foremost dutyof all the well-wisher
of the country to strive for the welfare of all people
irrespective of any consideration of caste or religion.
“

35. All human beings are our brother and sisters.
Working for their welfare is obligatory for
Muslims.
“

36. We shouldnot (by remaining ignorant and illiterate)
tarnish the image of our able elders“

37. It is the categorical verdict of all the nations and great
seers of the worldthat national progressdepends on
educationand training (of the people).
“

38. Photo Credits:
Aatif Photography
www.facebook.com/AatifPhotography
Sarim Photography
www.facebook.com/pages/Sarim-Photography/361883960579451?fref=ts
Through the Lens- Shahab Khan
www.facebook.com/clicks.shahabkhan
Life in still frames
www.facebook.com/LifeInStillFrames?fref=ts
AMU through the lens
www.facebook.com/pages/AMU-through-the-Lens/671602646207412?fref=ts

39. Thank You!