Muhammad Zafarullah Khan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the Pakistani lawyer and politician, see Zafarullah Khan (lawyer).

José Bustamante y Rivero
Succeeded byManfred Lachs
Personal details
Born(1893-02-06)6 February 1893
British India
(now Punjab, Pakistan)
Died1 September 1985(1985-09-01) (aged 92)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Political partyAll-India Muslim League (Before 1947)
Muslim League (1947–1958)
Alma materGovernment College University, Lahore
King's College London

Sir

UN General Assembly. He is the only person to date to serve as the President of both UN General Assembly and the International Court of Justice.[2][3]

Khan became one of the most vocal proponents of Pakistan and led the case for the separate nation in the

Radcliffe Commission which drew the countries of modern-day South Asia.[4][5] He moved to Karachi in August 1947 and became a member of Pakistan's first cabinet serving as the country's debut foreign minister under the Liaquat administration. He remained Pakistan's top diplomat until 1954 when he left to serve on the International Court of Justice and remained on the court as a judge until 1958 when he became the court's vice president. He left the Hague in 1961 to become the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, a position he served until 1964.[6]

During his time at the UN, he also represented the

founding fathers of Pakistan[9] and a prominent figure in Pakistan.[10] He authored several books on Islam both in Urdu and English.[11]

Family and early life

Family

Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan was born on 6 February 1893 in the City of Sialkot in

Ahmadiyya Muslim movement
.

Khan's mother, Hussain Bibi, belonged to a well to do Zamindar family hailing from the

Allah controlled who lived or died
. Bajwa Jutts cannot be Muslims due to the code of jutts which does not allows to marry first cousins. This practice to marry first cousins is prevalent among Arabians and is thought of as a part of Islam.

Education

He studied at

Government College, Lahore and received his L.L.B. from King's College London in 1914. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, London. He practised law in Sialkot and Lahore, became a member of the Punjab Legislative Council in 1926.[2][13]

Career

Second Round Table Conference
, 7 September 1931, with Zafarullah Khan seated to the rear of the table (closest to the camera)

Muhammad Zafarullah Khan practiced law in Colonial India. He was the counsel for the Ahmadiyya cause in two landmark judgements.[14] In 1916, the Patna High Court gave a verdict on the case Hakim Khalil Ahmad Vs. Malik Israfil which gave Ahmadis the right to use religious places of Islam for prayers.[15][16] In 1922, the Madras High Court acknowledged Ahmadiyya as being a part of Islam in its verdict on the case Narantakath Avullah v. Parakkal Mammu.[17]

Zafarullah was elected a member of the Punjab Legislative Council in 1926 and presided at the Delhi meeting of the All-India Muslim League in 1931, where he advocated the cause of the Indian Muslims through his presidential address. He participated at the Round Table Conferences held from 1930 to 1932 and became the Minister of Railways in May 1935. In 1939, he represented India at the League of Nations. He was appointed the Agent General of India in China in 1942 and represented India as the Indian Government's nominee at the Commonwealth Relations Conference in 1945, where he spoke on India's cause for freedom.

From 1935 to 1941, he was a member of the Executive Council of the

Viceroy of India. Sir Zafarullah Khan prepared a note on the future of the dominion status of India analyzing the future prospects of the "Dominion Status".[18][19][20] It took into account concerns of Muslims and ultimately proposed a plan to divide the subcontinent. This note was sent to Lord Zetland, Secretary of State for India, as referred in a letter[21] by Lord Linlithgow
dated 12 March 1940.

Lord Linlithgow, however, had not a complete grasp of contents in the analytic note prepared by Sir Zafarullah Khan at the time it was sent to the Secretary of India.[22] A copy of this note was sent to Jinnah. Sir Zafarullah Khan's proposal of a two-state solution for the Indian Federation was adopted by the Muslim League with a view to give it full publicity in the forthcoming session at Lahore 22–24 March.

In September 1941, Zafarullah Khan was appointed a Judge of the

Nawab of Junagadh that if he decided to join his state with Pakistan, it would be both moral and legal. The Nawab then proceeded to announce his decision.[23]

Khan led the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

In October 1947, Zafarullah Khan represented Pakistan at the

Security Council where he advocated for the liberation of occupied Kashmir, Libya, Northern Ireland, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco
, and Indonesia.

As Foreign Minister, he represented Pakistan at the

SEATO
).

In 1954, he became a Judge at the

UN General Assembly. He later rejoined the ICJ as a judge from 1964 to 1973, serving as president from 1970 to 1973.[25]

In 1982, the first ever Provisional World Parliament (PWP) met in Brighton, U.K. at the Royal Pavilion was presided over by him.[26][27]

Religion

Zafarullah Khan in Japan, along with Japanese converts to the Ahmadiyya movement.

As an Ahmadi, Zafarullah Khan held the office of Ameer (president) of the

Punjab in the contempt of court case against the Muslim Outlook.[2]

As Pakistan's first

Islamic democracy
, is one of the most important documents in the constitutional history of Pakistan. It was designed to provide equal rights for all citizens of Pakistan, regardless of their race, religion or background. Zafarullah Khan was quoted as saying:

It is a matter of great sorrow that, mainly through mistaken notions of zeal, the Muslims have during the period of decline earned for themselves an unenviable reputation for intolerance. But that is not the fault of Islam. Islam has from the beginning proclaimed and inculcated the widest tolerance. For instance, so far as freedom of conscience is concerned the Quran says "There shall be no compulsion" of faith ...

— Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, addressing the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, c. 1949[28]

In March 1958, Zafarullah Khan performed Umrah and, at the same time, visited the shrine of Muhammad in Medina, Saudi Arabia. During his visit, he met with the King of Saudi Arabia Saud of Saudi Arabia, and stayed at the Royal Palace as a personal guest of the King.[citation needed] In 1967, he returned to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

Legacy

Khan's legacy has been hailed and his paramount role in the creation of Pakistan has been celebrated in the history of Pakistan. He is popularly known by his title Sir Zafarullah Khan, and openly acknowledged that he belonged to the Ahmadiyya Community. He was selected by Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He was one of the most influential, skilled, and passionate diplomats of his time.

In a personal tribute, King Hussein bin Tallal of Jordan said:

"He was indeed a champion of the Arab cause and his ceaseless efforts whether among the Muslim and non-aligned countries or at the International Court of Justice will remain forever a shining example of a great man truly dedicated to our faith and civilization."

— Review of Religions, September/October 1986, pg. 6

Muhammad Fadhel al-Jamali, a former Prime Minister of Iraq, in a tribute on his death, wrote:

"In fact, it was not possible for any Arab, however capable and competent he may be, to serve the cause of Palestine in a manner in which this distinguished and great man dedicated himself. What was the result of the debate in the United Nations is another matter. But, it must be acknowledged that Mohammad Zafrulla Khan occupies a pre-eminent position in defending the Palestinians in this dispute. We expect from all Arabs and followers of Islam that they will never forget this great Muslim fighter. After Palestine, the services of this man for the independence of Libya also deserves admiration. In the United Nations, his struggle for the rights of Arabs formed the basis of firm and lasting friendship between us."

— Al-Sabah, 10 October 1985

An editorial in Dawn of Karachi stated that:

"He earned the abiding respect and admiration of the Arab and other Muslim nations as a defender of their interests."

— Dawn editorial, 3 September 1985

Bibliography

Books

  • The Excellent Exemplar Muhammad: The Messenger of Allah. London Mosque. 1962. p. 65. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • The Message of Islam. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Victory of Prayer Over Prejudice. London Mosque. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Letter to a Dear One (PDF). Islam International Publications. 2001. p. 116.
    ISBN 0-9656449-4-4
    . Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  • Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddeen Khalifatul Masih I (PDF). Islam International Publications. 2006. p. 350.
    ISBN 1-85372-848-9
    . Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  • Islam and Human Rights (PDF). Islam International Publications. 1967. p. 79.
    ISBN 1-85372-040-2
    . Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  • Wisdom of the Holy Prophet (PDF). Islam International Publications. 1967. p. 91.
    ISBN 1-85372-030-5
    . Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Islam – Its Meaning for Modern Man (PDF). Islam International Publications. 1962. p. 386.
    ISBN 0-7100-0341-2
    . Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Punishment of Apostacy in Islam. Islam International Publications. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Women in Islam (PDF). Islam International Publications. 1991. p. 39.
    ISBN 1-85372-035-6
    . Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets. Routledge & Kegan Paul. 1980. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • My Mother (PDF). London Mosque. 1978. p. 117. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Deliverance from the Cross (PDF). London Mosque. 1978. p. 110.
    ISBN 0-85525-014-3
    . Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  • Islam and Modern Family (Audio Book). Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2011.

Speeches

Biographies

References

  1. ^ "All Members | International Court of Justice". icj-cij.org. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Brief Life Sketch of Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan". Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Presidents of the General Assembly of the United Nations". un.org. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  4. OCLC 1152260969.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  5. ^ Muhammad Zafarullah Khan. The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan.
  6. ^ "Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafaullah Khan - Nusrat Jahan College". njc.edu.pk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  7. ^ Khawaja, Hafsa (25 July 2014). "A forgotten hero | Pakistan Today". Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. ^ "All Judges ad hoc | International Court of Justice". www.icj-cij.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  9. ^ "A nation that forgets its heroes will itself soon be forgotten – The Express Tribune Blog". blogs.tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  10. ^ Khan, Wali. "Facts are Facts: The Untold Story of India's Partition" (PDF). pp. 40–42. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  11. ^ "Muhammad Zafrulla Khan". Goodreads. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  12. ^ a b Khan, Mhammad Zafarullah (1981). My Mother. 16 Gressenhall Road London SW18: The London Mosque. pp. 1–3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  13. ^ The Reminiscences of Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan by Columbia University p. 1,238 "THE REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN" (PDF). Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Ahmadis and an unsung hero". The Indian Express. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  15. JSTOR j.ctt46ms9p.11
    , retrieved 23 June 2021
  16. ISBN 978-1-136-51759-4
    .
  17. S2CID 145719142
    .
  18. ^ "Splitting India V". The Friday Times - Naya Daur. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Note by Sir Zafarullah Khan on Dominion Status". MSS EUR F125/135. British Library. 6 March 1940. pp. 117–150. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  20. ^ Newspaper, the (16 July 2017). "Pakistan resolution". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  21. ^ "12thMarch-1940-Viceroy-to-Zerland-Letter.pdf". Google Docs. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.[verification needed]
  22. ^ India Office Records and Private Papers (1940). (1940). Private correspondence with the Secretary of State. Volume V. Mss Eur F125/9. British Library. pp. 169–176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Singh, Iqbal. Between Two Fires: Towards an Understanding of Jawaharlal Nehru's Foreign Policy, Volume 2. pp. 41–44.
  24. ^ 28 October 1947, UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Palestinian Question, 5th Meeting of the Sub-committee 2 Press Release
  25. ^ "International Court of Justice, Members of the Court". Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  26. ISBN 978-1-933567-16-7
    .
  27. ^ "Provisional World Parliament | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". uia.org. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  28. ^ Shourie, Arun. "Surely, the Basic Lesson Flows from the Basic Premise". Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  29. ^ An English translation of the Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih IV(rh) on September 6th, 1985 at The Fazl Mosque, London.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Muhammad Zafarullah Khan.
Political offices
Preceded by
Minister of Foreign Affairs

1947–1954 		Succeeded by
Muhammad Ali Bogra
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Aly Khan
 Ambassador to the United Nations
1961–1964 		Succeeded by
Amjad Ali
Preceded by President of the United Nations General Assembly
1962–1963 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Feodor Kozhevnikov
 President of the International Court of Justice
1970–1973 		Succeeded by
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