Blasphemy

The conventional and social media in Pakistan is being dominated since yesterday with news and subsequent condemnations of a student being lynched by a mob on allegations of blasphemy in Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. The barbaric incident is another evidence of the depths that we as human beings, Muslims and Pakistanis have fallen in our morals, character and humanity. This incident is another test for KPK  Police and judiciary as the eyes of national and international media will be focused on this case for a long time and it is imperative that this case is dealt in an exemplary manner, first of all in the interest of justice and secondly to give a strong message to everyone that such vehement disregard of rule and law in the society will have dire consequences for the perpetrators.

Encouraging news is coming that KPK police has registered an FIR and arrests have also been made. At least the initial reports are suggesting that the law enforcement agencies and authorities are serious in dealing with this act of brutality and savagery with iron hands but a lot remains to be seen.

It is however vital that we analyse this incident and other such incidents in detail and try and reach to the bottom of the reasons why we as a society are so prone to such violent outbursts that shame even the most barbaric animals and what can be done to counteract such attitudes and to stop them happening again in the future. Intolerance, hate and violence is becoming our second nature and this threatens the very foundations of the society and spells disaster, chaos and anarchy. Specifically, the issue of blasphemy is becoming more and more complicated and there is no clarity of its meanings, implications, consequences and the ways to deal with it when alleged.

The very first thing to talk about is our love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). There is no disputing the fact that the love of Prophet PBUH is a very basic and absolute requirement of being a Muslim as depicted by this verse of Quran Kareem.

“Say, [O Muhammad], “If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.” (Quran 9:24)

But there are some very basic question in this regard. What are the requirements of this love for Prophet PBUH; obedience to Allah and his Prophet PBUH. What was the agenda and manifesto that Allah gave his Prophet PBUH; total implementation of Islam as a deen in one’s life, family, society, country and the world. From the day that Prophet PBUH was bestowed “Risalat” to the day that Prophet PBUH left this world, what was the aim and objective of Prohet PBUH; to spread the word of Allah and create a system of justice where the rights of the weak are protected against the strong. The mission of Prophet PBUH is depicted in this verse of Quran Kareem.

“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as Witness.” (Quran 48:28)

Yes we love our Prophet PBUH and any wrong words against him should make us feel bad but there is a bigger responsibility that comes on our shoulders when we claim to love our Prophet (PBUH) and that is to strive for the mission that our Prophet PBUH strived for in his life. That is, in my opinion, is a much much bigger responsibility and a requirement of love and takes precedence over anything else.

The religious scholars are also responsible for this scenario. Some of the scholars (so called) have been and are still playing a criminal part in this by enticing hate, violence and intolerance on this issue for their own sectarian, economic and political interests. The content that is uttered by such religious leaders in their speeches should be regularly monitored and screened by the Govt and strict actions should be taken against those that entice violence and hatred. It is also a responsibility of the true scholars to educate the masses on this issue. People need to know how to deal with such happenings and what they can and cannot do.

Most importantly it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure the writ of the state. When someone is accused of blasphemy, quick action needs to be taken by the police in ensuring that firstly, the accused is investigated thoroughly and any wrongdoings are dealt with according to law and secondly, the accused is protected from the brutality of any over-zealous, misinformed, misdirected, misguided and ignorant crazy fanatics. If ever such events happen as was the case recently in Mardan then strict action needs to be taken to create an example for the future.

Lastly, religious scholars and lawmakers need to sit together and examine the law that governs blasphemy in our country. If any lacunas or shortcomings are identified then these need to be rectified in the light of Quran and Sunnah.

May Allah guide us all to the right path and keep us on it till we all die. May Allah instil the love of Himself, Prohet PBUH and Islam in our hearts above anything else. May Allah save our Ummah, country and societies from all fitnas.

Ameen!