Islam, universal peace and role of Pakistan
RELIGIOUS pluralism can be defined as “respecting the otherness of others”.Freedom of religion encompasses all religions acting within the law in a particular region.
This was a common historical attitude prior to the Enlightenment, and has appeared as governmental policy into the present day under systems like Afghanistan’s regime in the past, which destroyed the ancient Buddha of Bamyan.
While some claim that religious pluralism is controversial in Islam, Islamic civilizations have been characterized as one of the most religiously pluralist.
The acceptability of religious pluralism within Islam remains a topic of active debate; however the vast majority of Islamic scholars and historical evidences reveal Islam’s commitment to no coercion in religion, supporting pluralism.
Bernard Lewis presents some of his conclusions about Islamic culture, Shari’a law, jihad, and the modern day phenomenon of terrorism in his text, Islam: The Religion and the People.
He writes of jihad as a distinct “religious obligation”, but suggests that “it is a pity” that people engaging in terrorist activities are not more aware of their own religion: Muslim fighters are commanded not to kill women, children, or the aged unless they attack first; not to torture or otherwise ill-treat prisoners; to give fair warning of the opening of hostilities or their resumption after a truce; and to honor agreements.
At no time did the classical jurists offer any approval or legitimacy to what we nowadays call terrorism.
Nor indeed is there any evidence of the use of terrorism as it is practiced nowadays.Islam stresses the necessity of fighting against the People of the Scripture, but under what conditions?
Who do not oppress Muslims, or try to convert Muslims by force from their religion, or expel them from their lands, or wage war against them, or prepare for attacks against them.
According to Sufi approach Islam is actually purification of mind and soul to facilitate everyone without discrimination of religion, cast and community.
Pakistan is the country where different religious communities are living together and have equal rights according to constitution of Pakistan.
In recent time’s incidents of violence against other minorities increased in numbers.I have evaluated this situation, it’s and cause’s solution in Islamic perspective.
Islam believes in universal peace and harmony and teaches believers to interact with the whole human beings with love, dedication and politeness.
Unfortunately some groups in minority from Muslims involved in violent and extremist activities against the teachings of The Holy Quran and Sunnah of prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
These activists caused ugly and blur image of Islam as Religion and Muslims as community.
After the worst incident of terrorism at 9/11 Muslims were facing threat and fear from every part of the world and were felling insecure in terms of displaying and performing their religious duties peacefully.
Pakistan was the only Muslim country which led the war on terror from the front and sacrificed more than eighty thousands innocent lives in suicide attacks, bomb blasts and other terrorist activities.
Pakistani forces were fighting against terrorist at military front with great courage and bravery.
At that moment famous Pakistani religious Scholar Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul Qadri presented famous Fatwa on Terrorism and suicide bombings comprising 692 pages in Urdu language and 475 pages in English.
This Fatwa was very precious contribution to eradicate extremism and terrorism from every aspect with truly academic and research based approach.
Pakistan is far better country than India in terms of minority’s rights such as equal citizenship, equality, justice and worship according to their religious faith and practices.
Recently Government of Pakistan provided all facilities on the religious celebration, the arrival of thousands of Sikh devotees and opening of Kartarpur Corridor marks is a rare moment of peace between Pakistan and India amid tense relations.
There are some people who declare that the majority of the Muslims are disbelievers, polytheists and innovators on account of political, ideological or religious differences, and subsequently massacre them ruthlessly.
They must know the sanctity and honour of a believer’s life in the sight of God and His Messenger a.
The Prophet (SAW) declared the honour and dignity of a believer greater than that of the Ka’ba, the Sacred House of God.
Imam Ibn Ma’jah transmitted a Hadith on this subject.“Abd Allah bin Umar said, ‘Once, I saw the Messenger of God a circumambulating the Ka’ba and he was addressing it: “How excellent you are and how sweet your smell is!
How grand you are and how grand your sacredness is! By the One in Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, the inviolability of a believer’s property and blood is greater in the sight of God than your sacredness.
The Prophet (SAW) made it clear that these groups would comprise immature youth who are sidetracked by propaganda and brainwashing and encouraged to commit wanton acts of violence.
It is also clear from the Hadith reports that the Kharijites are not exclusive to any one given period and that they will continue to appear until the emergence of the Anti-Christ.
Islam does not allow any Muslim citizen to encroach upon the rights of non-Muslim citizens or resort to oppression and violence against them, verbally or physically.
—The writer is PhD in Islamic Studies, author and academic writer & lecturer at NUML, Islamabad.
