The Ottoman Empire lasted from 1299 to 1922, stretching to Europe, where majority of citizens were Christians etc.
They maintained religious harmony in accordance with “Ashtiname of Muhammad PBUH” with the monks of Mount Sinai, a copy of which lies in St Catherines Monastery, bearing imprint of Prophet’s PBUH hand. It emphasizes upon obligation of an Islamic State to protect lives and places of worship of all citizens, irrespective of their faith, as long as they pay “Jizya” (annual Tax) to the state. A state that collects taxes from citizens under its administrative control is obligated to protect their lives, property and right to practice their faith. The state of Pakistan has failed to protect citizens, belonging to other faiths, from attacks by extremist fanatics like TLP, TTP etc., such as attack on homes and churches by activists of TLP in Jaranwala city in 2023. This attack should have been condemned by all political parties who have pledged an oath to uphold the Constitution. These attacks in Jaranwala city, followed announcements from a mosque alleging blasphemy by members of Christian community. Those who incited others, should have been aware of the pact by Prophet PBUH with Christians of Najran in the year 9 AH, which was binding on all Muslims for all times to come. The Holy Prophet PBUH wrote letters to all those who lived near Medina, inviting them to embrace Islam. One such letter was addressed to Christian community living in Najran, located near Yemen. It was in 10 AH (631CE), that a delegation of about 60 Christians visited Medina to meet Prophet PBUH. An agreement was reached in presence of his daughter Fatima, Hazrat Ali and his two grandchildren Hassan and Hussain, assuring Christian community protection for their lives, freedom to practice their faith and protest their places of worship etc. Given the existence of this pledge by Holy Prophet PBUH, such an attack amounts to defying the Mesenger of Almighty Allah SWT. This pact regulated relationship between Muslim and Christians of an Islamic state. Its validity was and is for all times to come.
This was the first “Interfaith Agreement” which Muslims should be aware of, because it reflects Islam’s tolerance and respect for other religions, especially in these times, when extremists within our fold, weaponize religion and allegations of blasphemy, to incite crowds to burn churches and places of worship of other faiths. Another treaty known as the “Ashtiname of Muhammad with Monks of Mount Sinai is preserved at St Catherine’s Monastery bearing imprint of the Prophet’ s (PBUH) hand. It elaborates “No one is allowed to plunder their pilgrims, or destroy, or spoil any of their churches, or houses of worship, or take any of the things contained within these houses and bring it to houses of Islam. And he who takes away anything therefrom, will be one who has corrupted the oath of Allah SWT and in truth disobeyed His messenger”. There is no justification for any Muslim religious group to incite citizens, using the Mosque’s pulpit to make such provocative statements, whatever the provocation, or the self-claimed religious status of individuals, who resort to such activities. No individual can override the Messenger of Almighty Allah SWT.
The Father of Nation, MAJ, emphasized that Pakistan would be a modern democratic welfare state where all citizens will be free to practice their faith. His 11 August 1947 speech to First Constituent Assembly is on record. While addressing the League session at Calcutta on 7 September 1920 he stated “Every country has two principal and vital functions to perform: one to assert its voice in international policy, and other to maintain internally the highest ideals of justice and humanity”. These attacks by an extremist fanatics, only justify Hindu Fundamentalists and destruction of mosques in India. It also justifies the resort to genocidal violence by Zionists in Gaza etc. While giving proposals on 28 December 1928 he stated “that all communities should live in a friendly and harmonious spirit”. He had warned that “Majorities are apt to be oppressive and tyrannical”. These attacks by TLP activists against members of other faiths are indeed tyrannical in nature and were forbidden by Holy Prophet PBUH. MAJ was of the opinion that “ We are all sons of this land. We have to live together”. Religious minorities, therefore, have a right to be absolutely secured. All citizens of Pakistan, who pay taxes to the state, whether they are Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Ahmadis, Atheists etc. must feel secure and be able to practice their faiths and beliefs without any fear or threats of intimidation.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
