Defining future course of action
THE creation of Pakistan was based on the singular cognitive rationality of a separate ideology; “The Islam”.
The foundation of Islam is affirmation of belief in and submission to Allah Almighty. Islam is a religion of peace and love among all believers and for the rest of humanity.
Among its believers it strictly ordains; “Hold firmly to the way, rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” After this Holy Verse, division based on any sect stands null and void.
Indeed, the Holy Quran and Sunnah are the two sources of Islam. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said in his last Serman (Hajjatul Wida) “O People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born.
I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.”
In the light of the directive of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), all Muslim must follow the teachings of Islam.
The essence of Islamic teachings, driven from Holy Quran and Sunnah are promotion of peace and love among all Muslims through unity.
Indeed, not only for Muslims but, for entire humanity the Sermon of Hajjatul Wida is a complete charter of human rights which needs to be followed by everyone.
As an ideological state, Pakistan has the distinction to be a Islamic state, created to experience the golden principles of Islam; the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
For Muslims, there is One God (Allah), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the last messenger of Allah, the Holy Quran and Sunnah, leaving no chance of any sectarian division within Islam and among Muslims.
Unfortunately, contrary to the teachings of Islam, there developed sectarianism among the Muslims which caused great harm to Muslims, Pakistan being the worst sufferers. Today, sectarianism is hurting the Muslim world on almost all fronts.
Based on the sectarian divide the anti-Islam forces are exploiting the Muslims all over the world while robbing their wealth (natural resources) and making use of their geopolitical locations.
In Pakistan, there has been repeated sectarian based violence in the past. Shia-Sunni clash badly damaged the national unity and harmony in the decade of 1980s and 1990s.
Among the Sunni Muslims there emerged many more schools of thoughts, mostly clashing with each other based on their self-made narratives aimed to counter each other.
The worst port of this sectarian divide has been the usage of their narratives against the state and society of Pakistan through violence and intolerance.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said the best among you is the one whose mere existence is beneficial for other human beings.
In yet another Haidith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “The best among you is the one, who does not harm others through his tongue and hands.”
The militant organization; Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stood against the state and society of Pakistan under the cover of Islam in first two decades of 21st century.
The narrative of TTP goes against the basic ideology of Islam; the Holy Quran and Sunnah, thus cannot be called as Islamic.
Similarly, many other sectarian organizations terrorised their rivals sects and society while threatening the state and its institutions.
Since 2017, the newly borne, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) geared-up its undesired activities against the government and even society under the cover of religion. Currently, it is agitating against the incumbent Government in order to fulfil its own agenda.
Contrary to the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah, their protests which entail roadblocks and use of violent means have caused discomfort to millions of Pakistanis.
Apart from using the violence against the law enforcement agencies they have badly damaged the national image of Pakistan at international level.
Being the worst sufferers of the terrorism and sectarian divide, the people of Pakistan have unanimously rejected the narratives of all terrorist and sectarian based organizations, since they are against Islam and humanity.
The word Islam itself means peace since Holy Quran ‘teaches love and compassion for every human being’ irrespective of their religion. Indeed, Islam denounces militancy, terrorism, violence and intolerance against anyone.
Truly the radicalization, the extremism and the terrorism is not the agenda of Muslims and Islam.Similarly, the divide and violence based on sectarianism has no place in Quran and Sunnah.
The Constitution of Pakistan is in line with the teaching of Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Indeed, “It is our foremost responsibility that we must hold this foundation (Constitution).”
The constitution provides us the strength to achieve a dignified place amongst the comity of nations, if everyone in Pakistan follows it in letter and spirit.
Since Islam guides us towards unity and concord and so is the constitution, should there be any place for sectarian based organizations in Pakistan which promote violence against the state and society. Indeed, this is the basic question, the cause of all iniquities in Pakistan.
The auxiliary query is why such hate based sectarian organizations are allowed to be founded and subsequently grow in-proportionately? Here come the vested interests of political forces which use them for their vested interests as tools.
The vested interests of these forces are personal in nature, thus runs against the Pakistani national interest and its ideological bases.
The ruling class and people at helm of affairs at national level have to decide once for all; for how long Pakistan will remain hostage to personal interests of few with hate based none-state actors as their instruments. Such a step will clearly define the future course of action for 122 million people of Pakistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
