Aligarh movement

According to some scholars, Shibli was against the Aligarh movement. He opposed the ideology of Sir Syed and that is why he was debarred from the services of MAO College.Kamleshwar wrote a novel ‘Kitne Pakistan’ (How Many Pakistan?) ^[4] and in that novel he portrays Maulana Shibli Nomani as a narrow minded Muslim theologian. In another book, ‘Ataturk Fi Karbala’, the author alleged that Shibli was not happy with Sir Syed’s policies and ideologies and was involved vehemently against Aligarh movement.^[5] It is a false propaganda that he was till his last breath closely associated with Aligarh Muslim University.

Aligarh movement

There does not appear to be evidence of any difference of opinion between Shibli and Sir Syed either in the former's writings or correspondence during the life-time of the latter.Shibli's first critical reference is not to Sir Syed but of Hali with reference to "Hayat-i-Javed" which Shibli referred as "sheer hagiography" (sarasar madah sarai). It was only later, i.e. after 1907 that Shibli made many critical references to 'Aligarh College' and occasionally to the founder Sir Syed.
From these writings one is inclined to agree with the reasons assigned by Shaikh Ikram for this change of attitude. These are; (a) Shibli's desire to show that the traditionalist model of Nadwa was superior to that of Nadwa.
(b) Shibli's affection and reliance on Abul Kalam Azad who was allergic to Aligarh and Sir Syed. One of the primary objectives of 'Al Hilal' was "Aligarh ke Aiwan-i-Ghulami ko girana. Shibli and Azad's desire that promoters of the proposed Muslim University should not give up the demand for an all India affiliating jurisdiction.
(c) lack of equation between Shibli and Viqarul Mulk unlike his deep relations with Mohsinul Mulk who had appointed Shibli as the first Secretary of the Anjuman Taraqq-i-Urdu which started as a subsidiary of the All India Muslim Educational Conference.
(d) The effect of pro Congress Muslim families of Bombay on Shibli.