Takfeer: The Dreadful Doctrine of Terror
Conclusion:
The heretic
doctrine of Takfeer; being used by
the blood thirsty extremists world wide, has only worked in tarnishing the
image of Islam. It is also the ideology of Pakistani Taliban, to justify
indiscriminate killing of innocent Muslims including women and children even in
mosques through suicide bombers. They have unilaterally declared all Muslims
opposed to their brand of Islam as apostate (Murtad), to justify their killing. The doctrine of Takfir is an atrocious deviation (bid’at), weakening the unity of Muslim Ummah, when it is the urgent need of the
hour against onslaught of evil (taghoot).
This doctrine has been condemned and rejected by the eminent scholars including
the Saudi scholars. Parallels may be drawn between, Terrorist groups like Daesh.ISIS, Boko Haram, Pakistani Taliban and
Khwarij due to the intolerance and militancy being employed by them against
fellow Muslims on the pretext of enforcing their vision of Islam. As a first step we should stop calling them Islamic Mujahdeen etc or ‘Taliban’, they should be called ‘Khwarij’ or ‘Khwarji
of Pakistan land
of Muslims
All the efforts of
reconciliation in the light of Qur’an;49:10 remain futile so far due to
stubbornness of Pakistani Taliban. It is important that the intellectuals, as
well as electronic and print media should take the lead to give moral and
religious ascendancy to the soldiers, fighting the enemies of Islam and Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan
The
rebellion will ultimately be suppressed militarily but the war has to be won on
ideological front, which is not possible without whole hearted support from the
religious scholars (Ulema) and all segments of society. It is due to the
importance of acquiring deeper knowledge of Din, with a view to educate the
others; that (Ulema) have been even exempted to proceed with the expedition (of
war) (Qur’an;9:122). There are many authentic Hadiths to highlight the
importance of learning:” Striving after knowledge is a sacred duty (faridah) for every man and woman who has
surrendered himself or herself to God (muslim
wa-muslimah)" (Ibn Majah); or, "The superiority (fadl) of a learned man over a (mere)
worshipper (i.e., one who merely prays, fasts, etc.) is like the superiority of
the full moon over all the stars" (Tirmidhi, Abu Da'ud, Ibn Majah, Ibn
Hanbal, Darimi). Consequently, the obligation of the believers to "devote
themselves to acquiring a deeper knowledge of the Faith" (li-yatafaqqahu fi'd-din) and to impart
its results to their fellow-believers.
It is
high time that Scholars (Ulema) should come forward in big way by dispelling the
impression of their tacit sympathy for Pakistani Taliban, even as a reaction against prevalent
immorality in society. The society is degenerating in spiritual and moral values
at very fast pace, which can only be checked through preaching the true message
of Islam by those Ulema who are selfless, men of action not mere words,
possessing strong character, faith and knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the
role model to be emulated, he was known as Truthful (Sadiq) and Trustworthy (Ameen)
much before he started to preach. The credibility of preacher is very important,
which is lost at the outset for the Ulema venturing in to the dirty field of
power politics. However it does not mean to leave the field wide open to the
selfish, greedy, corrupt and scrupulous elements to exploit. Acting as a strong
‘pressure group’ they can do wonders through peaceful efforts without taking
the law in their hands [Lawyers movement in restoration of judges is a case in
point]. Ulema can support the good politicians, political parties and educate the
masses to build pressure on the rulers for fairness and justice. They have to work
hard to change the moral and spiritual out look of the society so that people elect
the good people. The history shows that most of the great scholars of Islam
like Imam Abu Hanifa, took no direct part in court politics or
power struggles, despite his obvious antipathy toward the Umayyads and
'Abbasids, the ruling dynasties of the time. This fact partly explains why Abu
Hanifah steadfastly refused to be Chief Justice and also why he suffered severe
persecution under both dynasties.
The history is witness to the fact that
persecution and atrocities of the worst kind were inflected upon opponents once
clergy of a particular sect or group acquired prevailing influence upon the
rulers. Once Ulema indulge in power politics they are doing it at the cost of
their main role. The declining society in dire need of ‘men of knowledge’; will
be deprived of it, further hastening the decline and degeneration.
This is the
age of specialization, advancement in science & technology puts heavy demand
upon Ulema to be also well versed with the modern knowledge and techniques.
This will enable them to convince the young people (the future generation)
about relevance and importance of Islam in their social, physical and spiritual
lives. We must critically weigh the disadvantage against benefits to be
achieved through politicizing the religious scholars, students (genuine taliban) and institutions. Damage to
their ‘credibility’ is just one factor that has already caused immense damage
to the cause of Islam, which the enemies of Islam could not achieve even during
many centuries of colonization of Muslim lands. The fact is that the society is
at the lowest ebb, every field requires reformation, and the Ulema have to
abandon their original job to become economist, politician, journalist, lawyer
or businessmen etc, as they can’t do justice to more than one specialty at a
time. The books, internet, TV and other such means can not be substitute to the
genuine scholars with ‘creditability’
to teach students in seminaries (Madaris), write new books, articles on
internet, newspapers, participate in TV talk shows, address congregations in
Friday Prayers and so on. The scholars though knowledgeable but lacking
credibility will be laughing stock at all these forums, as already being
witness in some cases.
Ulema should solely concentrate
in teaching and preaching din Al-Islam
(Dawah). While calling the Muslim
brothers deeply entangled in sins, we must not forget the universal principal
of Dawah, Allah says: “Call thou (all mankind] unto thy
Sustainer's path with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in the
most kindly manner-for, behold, thy Sustainer knows best as to who strays from
His path, and best knows He as to who are the right-guided. Hence, if you have
to respond to an attack (in argument], respond only to the extent of the attack
levelled against you; but to bear yourselves with patience is indeed far better
for (you, since God is with] those who are patient in adversity. (Qur’an;6:125-126);
“--exhort one another to the truth and exhort one another to
patience”(Qur’an;3:103).
It must not be forgotten that Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) met with stiff resistance in Makkah when he pointed out the way
to salvation, he was rewarded with abuse and persecution during initial 13
years, not only for himself but for the Truth which he was preaching. Any one
with weak heart might have been disgusted at what seemed the hopeless task of
reclaiming the world from falsehood, superstition, selfishness, evil, and
oppression. He was consoled by Allah: “[O Muhammad!] You probably will kill yourself in grief over them, if they
do not believe in this Message (The Qur'an).That which is on earth We have made
but as a glittering show for the earth in order that We may test them as to
which of them are best in conduct”(Qur’an;18:6-7).“And so (O’ Prophet)
exhort them; thy task is only to exhort them (non believers). Thou are not a
taskmaster over them”(Qur’an;88:21-22 also emphasized at 10:108, 39:41, 42:48).
The Prophet (pbuh) was sent to teach and direct people on the right way. He was
not sent to force their will, or to punish them, except in so far as he may
receive authority to do so. Punishment belongs to Allah alone, which is certain
for non repentant and rebellious people in the Hereafter, when true values will
be restored.
This is a universal advice which applies to everyone who, having become
convinced of the truth of an ethical proposition, is dismayed at the apathy
with which the people react, one must not get demoralised, as Alalh says:“For,
never would thy Sustainer destroy a community for wrong [beliefs alone]
so long as its people behave righteously [towards one another]. And had thy
Sustainer so willed, He could surely have made all mankind one single community:
but [He willed it otherwise, and so] they continue to hold divergent
views(Qur’an;11:117-118); “---If Allah had so willed He would have made you a
single people but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so
strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He
that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute.”(Qur’an;5:48 ).“Now if God were to take men
[immediately] to task for all the evil that they do [on earth], He would not
leave a single living creature upon its face. However, He grants them respite
until a term set [by Him]: but when the end of their term approaches, they can
neither delay it by a single moment, nor can they hasten it.”(Qur’an; 16:62).
Islam was not spread with the power of sword,
but with the power of superior pragmatic ideology based upon Truth and Justice.
The empire building, rise, fall and destruction of civilizations is a historic
process [see; Qur’an;35:43,10:47, 15:6, 7:34, 17:76-77, 18:55, 22:40, 2;251,
36:31, 38;3]. The basic virtues of progressive Islamic society, the peaceful
coexistence, tolerance, patience, justice, social & economic harmony,
acquisition of knowledge, Jihad-e-Kabira, respect of human life and values are
almost extinct form our public life. Mere issuing fatwa’s against Pakistani Taliban
is not enough. The common Muslims need to be educated about their doctrine and
urge them to practice Din-Al-Islam to
progress in this world and also save them from divine punishment in hereafter.
During daily and Friday prayers, special supplication (du’a) for the victims of terror be offered.
Some quotations at the end:
“We are chasing an Islamic
order stripped of its humanism, aesthetics, intellectual quests and spiritual
devotions…. concerned with power not with the soul, with the mobilization of
people for political purposes rather than with sharing and alleviating their
sufferings and aspirations.” [Eqbal Ahmad]
“I am
convinced about the authenticity of my opinions, but I do consider it likely
that they may turn out to be incorrect. Likewise, I am convinced about the
incorrectness of the views different from mine, but I do admit the possibility
that they may turn out to be correct.”[Imam Shafa’i]
“Our
Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake.”(Qur’an;2:286).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INDEX:
More:
- http://takfiritaliban.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-dreadful-doctrine-of-terror-takfeer.html
- http://freebookpark.blogspot.com/2012/05/takfir-doctrine-of-terror.html
- http://takfiritaliban.blogspot.com/2012/08/illogical-logic-of-takfiri-taliban-to.html
- http://takfiritaliban.blogspot.com/2014/02/frankenstein-cia-created.html
- “Greater Israel”: The Zionist Plan for the Middle East The Infamous "Oded Yinon Plan"
- Bernard Lewis Plan to Carve up Middle East and Muslim World
