Pak Tea House » Opinion, Reviews » Why a Secular Pakistan is closer to Islam? (Part 2)
Why a Secular Pakistan is closer to Islam? (Part 2)
A major objection that is raised against a secular Pakistan is that Islam describes a complete way of life covering both the state and the society. Hence all laws of Pakistan must be in accordance only with Sharia. This objection is, however, made without considering what exactly is a secular state and is without regards to the logical consequences of numerous Islamic principles.
To reiterate, a secular state is defined as one where each citizen has complete freedom to convert, to preach, to practise or not to practise any religion, and to have equal rights in participating in the affairs of the state. While it can be demonstrated from a careful study of history that a flexible enough political framework can be established in Pakistan which is simultaneously secular and Islamic however such a framework is strongly at odds with the Islamist narrative.
Before answering this objection, it is important to backtrack and examine a most important event from Muslim history that, in principle, establishes that mosque and state can be separate in Islam. This event is the tragedy of Karbala where Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet (pbuh) and revered by Muslims of nearly all denominations, was killed by Yazid’s army. Imam Hussain had also been branded a ‘wajib-ul-qatal’ (liable to death) by certain Ulema for refusing bayit (allegiance) at the hands of ‘Amir-ul-Momineen’. Yazid’s Ulema had issued these verdicts simply because Imam Hussain deemed Yazid unworthy of any spiritual station and his refusal threatened Yazid’s legitimacy. The events at Karabla tell the story of a man disinterested in aspiring to political offices but at the same time he cannot give his support to the tyrant posturing as a custodian of Islam. Despite being a Caliph with support from a council of supposedly learned Muslims, Yazid’s act was a most outrageous abuse of religion for political purposes.
Muslims of all sects would acknowledge that while Yazid may be the Caliph of an Islamic state, or that his administration supposedly ran the affairs of the state according to Sharia, yet the real religious leader of Islam was Imam Hussain. Therefore, this tragedy should explode the myth that somehow a Muslim state or its head is necessarily a divinely sanctioned entity. Certainly, Imam Hussain did not think that the office Yazid occupied had any religious merit. Thus those today who want to bring a Caliph to power as a representative of Islam ought to learn from Karbala that true leadership of Islam is not vested in any political office.
This, however, does not mean that spiritual leaders will never have political authority – the Prophet’ (pbuh) life is certainly one instance of this. But instead of drawing the right lesson from Sunnah that, as a role model, the Prophet also had to demonstrate a righteous example of statecraft to his followers, Islamists today covet purely worldly offices like the ultimate spiritual prize. Certainly, Muslim political leaders have a right to seek guidance from Islam. However, this right is often made an excuse for violating basic moral principles of statecraft derived from the religion itself.
Even the Sunnah itself demonstrates that the religious liberties and rights of non-Muslims cannot be sacrificed to consolidate Islamic rule. Numerous treaties that the Prophet agreed to illustrate his political principles. For example, the Charter of Madina is the first political agreement in the history of Islam by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that establishes a working relationship between a plurality of Muslim and non-Muslim denominations. As such, it may represent the default position of the Prophet (pbuh) in how to conduct statecraft where a number of inhabitants do not profess affiliation to the Islamic faith. Thus the Charter of Madina sheds light on constitution-making as this has the blessings of a person none other than the Prophet himself.
A closer examination of the Charter would refute the idea that only law deemed ‘Islamic’ by a creed of Ulema can be used within an Islamic state. The fact that the Prophet asked for and used Jewish law in passing some of his rulings should be sufficient to dispel this notion. Clearly, an Islamic state must accomodate the religious traditions of other faiths in line with this.
Another interesting observation from the Charter is that there is no mention of jizya (protection money in lieu for military service) on non-Muslims inhabitants of Madina. After all, the Charter required the Jews to defend the city along with Muslims from outside aggression thereby obviating the need for jizya. This implies that under peaceful circumstances, when Muslims and non-Muslims share equal responsibilities, such a poll tax cannot be imposed.
Often ignored is the religious right of non-Muslims within an Islamic state to preach their beliefs. Chronicles record that in the 9th Hijri, a Christian delegation from Najran debated religion with the Prophet in his own mosque. This was the year when the Prophet’s political authority had expanded nearly all over Arabia. Clearly, a religious debate of the Christians with the Prophet himself illustrates that non-Muslims should have complete freedom in preaching their faith. Moreover, instead of taking offense from their arguments, the Prophet signed a treaty with them providing guarantee that their religious places and liberties will be protected at all costs.
To summarize, there appears to be ample Islamic sanction for a pluralistic multi-religious society where each community can practise and preach its faith and can be accorded equality in the service of the state. Such an ideal Islamic state can also be described as secular.
In our times, laws created by worldly leaders declare the official religion of Pakistan to be Islam (as interpreted by them) and limit key political offices to Muslims. This only contradicts the spirit of equality between different faiths and creates classes of citizens. Moreover, allowing the state to arbitrarily determine who is a Muslim or not serves only to gives it authority to abuse the rights of its citizens.
Instead Quran’s emphasis has been on establishing justice among people. We find a pertinent verse instructing those in power to exercise strict fairplay: “Surely, Allah commands you to make over the trust to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice” (4:58). The verse clearly asks for people capable of honestly running affairs of the state to be placed in positions of authority so that they act without discrimination. Thus the whole idea of purging a state’s administration of able non-Muslims on religious grounds seems foul and against this message.
History has borne witness that Islam has prospered in societies which have given Muslims the right to religious freedom (contrast the tolerant society of Madina with the bigoted culture of Mecca) whereas whenever religion has been abused for statecraft then no community has been able to follow its faith in peace. Would we Pakistanis learn and apply this lesson?
Filed under: Opinion, Reviews · Tags: Islam, Islamic, Muslims, Prophet
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Without probing the history, one thing is clear from the present day practices, overwhelming majority of muslims not ready to buy the slogan “secular state closer to Islam”. Due to such perception Pakistan started as “secular” outlook endedup as Islamic state.
[...] Why a Secular Pakistan is closer to Islam? (Part 2) [...]
Excellent arguments, as usual, Mr Amaar. Given how close secularism is to Islam, would it not be better to propose even greater Islam in Pakistan, first, which will then naturally take Pakistan toward your stated goal of secularism?
I really liked how the author referrred the the Tragedy of Kerbala. This is an extremely important event!
I would also like to add with the author that there were Christians, and people of other races in Imam Hussain (A.S) army. Imam Hussain (A.S) army was by some estimates 72 or byt others 150 men, or something. But it was an international Army. It had people of different bakcgrounds.
So my Question, what is Secularism exactly? We need a clear definition. Also are you talking about Religious tolerance or secularism? Or are they both the same thing?
Ofcourse when talkin about Islam , it dusnt mean intolerance of toher faiths. Its quite the opposite, Islam is a tolerant religion.
Also Shariah Law is not intolerant, Shariah Law applies to Muslims, Non Muslims have thier own laws. This is also a principle of Caliphate. Caliphate and religious tolerance IN PRINCIPLE do not contradict on another. History can be different, but not everyone is principled.
Anyhow nice article!
good article. separation of state and mosque is best solution to Pakistan. It is mullah Islam that has ruined the nation, making it so narrow minded that any other idea beside mullah’s idea is a wrong idea according to them. Islam is a religion which brought peace and security to Arabia. But these days opposite is happening. God bless Pakistan and save from mullah who does not see anything other than its own belly and beard
Islam is a greedy religion. It is greedy after more land, human beings, might and power. Even your Mohammad did nothing to set a contrary precedent. When political-juridical authority fell upon his shoulders he should have clearly stated that he will not accept it and that his task was to moralize and be normative for his god and nothing more and this god must then reward or punish as per his (=god’s) final judegment, no matter when this final judgement is to take place. Mohammad instead occupied positions of political and juridical authority and even created an army (?!) and even killed those who left islam.
Muslims are incapable of seeing and unwilling to see the defects and deficiencies in Mohammad or kuran. Mohammad failed to set necessary good precedents – as did later fail also Mohamad Ali Jinnah.
Hence islam as a whole and Mohammad as a whole will be always inimical to secularism and tolerance. To hope against that is heroic but bound to mislead or fail.
Some very unusual claims are made by some on behalf of Islam:
- That a society can be both ‘secular’ (which means independent of religion) and Islamic
- That covering women from head to foot and equating two women’s testimony to that of one man ensures equal rights for genders
- That a family that hates ‘fucking Hindus’ can be the last word in liberal sensibility
- The spokeswoman in this video says equating Christians to monkeys and Jews to pigs and teaching children that those who do not embrace Islam are condemned to hellfire is not hateful or racist if only viewed “in the right context”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hBXHtQDxOo
It is very puzzling that rational human beings can hold such strange views.
It\s disgusting to note only minority religious groups vying for the so-called secularism so that they can fulfill their ambitions and ulterior motives in a Muslim state. If, as ‘played’ by the scribbler of this article, secularism is closer to Islam then why not endeavor to enforce Islam itself to end the problem?? Apparently, this only seems like a dream but Islam itself does not teach anything averse to the minority religious groups except punishment for those who” transgress”; are hypocrites or who try to change the Quranic lines and their meaning. Wonder if the writer of the article is not trying to do that????
@ observ European Union Internet Explorer Windows
Islam is another name for ‘Blind Faith’.If someone doesn\t like it he is not forced to accept it. He can leave the Muslim Brotherhood and live out of their sight!! Deviating from Islam and also living among them merely to imitate and tease other Muslim will naturally give rise to trouble!!!
Why would a Muslim like to pick on Quran or Prophet Muhammad??
Do you pick on your father or mother?? If so you are not a good son, daughter or even a good human being! Sooner or later your parents will shunt you out of their house…and even outstrip you of any right to their ”legacy”.
BTW which religion is NOT greedy???
I agree that Islam does not provide a concrete system for political ”transfer of power” and this is why Islamic history is full of bloodshed. Then again this could be attributed to so many sects found among Muslims themselves.
If there had been any defect in the Quran or the character of Prophet Muhammad Islam wouldn’t be having so many adherents and their number wouldn’t be on the increase day by day!! Ever pondered why this isn’t with other religions??
The main problem with Islam is ‘sectarianism’ and this is the main hurdling block in their progress and prosperity. If Muslim could do good at science and arts in the past why aren’t they doing it now?? The answer is lethargy, static zeal and fervor and deviation from the Quranic teachings. Nowhere is Islamic legal system enforced. All you find is enforcement of a few Islamic precepts mislabelled as Sharia and hand-picked to ensure long rule and sustenance of power.
An eye-opener for the secularists, by a secularist, from a secularist!!
Germany Will Become Islamic State, Says Chancellor Merkel
Germany, with a population of 4-5 million Muslims, has been divided in recent weeks by a debate
Over remarks by the Bundesbank’s Thilo Sarrazin, who argued Turkish and Arab immigrants were failing to integrate and were swamping Germany with a higher birth rate.
The Chancellor’s remarks represent the first official acknowledgement that Germany , like other European countries, is destined to become a stronghold of Islam. She has admitted that the country will soon become a stronghold. In France , 30% of children age 20 years and below are Muslims. The ratio in Paris and Marseille has soared to 45%. In southern France , there are more mosques than churches.
The situation within the United Kingdom is not much different. In the last 30 years, the Muslim population there has climbed from 82,000 to 2.5 million. Presently, there are over 1000 mosques throughout Great Britain – many of which were converted from churches.
In Belgium , 50% of the newborns are Muslims and reportedly its Islamic population hovers around 25%. A similar statistic holds true for The Netherlands. It’s the same story in Russia where one in five inhabitants is a Muslim.
Muammar Gaddafi recently stated that “There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe without a sword, without a gun, without conquest. We don’t need terrorists; we don’t need homicide bombers. The 50 plus million Muslims (in Europe ) will turn it into the Muslim Continent within a few decades.” The numbers support him.
I think the Muslims are smarter than the Europeans. Muslims will reproduce like rabbits but the Islamic Countries do not need to feed the Muslims. Send them to European Countries and let the Europeans feed them and bring them up. Now who is “smarter”??
received in an email!!
If cancer kills human being by crazy growth, then it’s not a victory for a cancer. Cancer will still be cancer. It can’t be human. It will die as soon as it has killed the body it survives in.
The Greatest Man IN India’s Freedom movement..NOT Jinnah NOT Gandhi ..who were both paper-pushers..”EDUCATED” types working within Law..the Ghulaam ASKING , REQUESTING, BEGGING to be release…This great man would have won freedom & NOT INDEPENDENCE by exterminating WESTERNISM from India ( & Pakistan)…That day is yet to dawn! Subhaaj BOSE>>ZINDABAAD
Japan’s unsung role in India’s struggle for independence | The Japan Times Online http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl-x-all.html
to allah ka bandit
Islam wins and we all lose irretrievably to fascism. Muslims will first feel triumphant (like you seem to do now) till the internal killings, massacres, blood-thirst rituals start. Then they won’t even have any non-muslims around whom to blame for the evilness of the arabic religion.
I know muslims are not going to change for the better because I criticize them and their evil book, religion and god-concept. that is not my concern. My duty is to warn and let things go on as decided by the (islamic) fascists and those who do not oppose them or even defend them.
That islam is growing or that muslims have no left islam does not mean it is a good religion – it only means humans are too foolish or timid or careless or want to live as minions of fascism. Creator god is a sadist-cynic and islam is a tool of this sadism and cynicism and humans were created to satisfy this sadism and cynicism of the creator god.
My loss of hope and your islamofascist triumphalism are meaningless in this vast and deadly universe.
To add to what Kaal bhai has said. Secularism obviously seems to be anathema to the common Abdul. So why not push an Islamic state indeed (which shud be acceptable to the majority) rather than a secular state? The outcome wud in any case be a secular state as Kaal bhai says.
Regards
to majumdar
The common muslim is indoctrinated that everything pre-islamic was evil and everything non-islamic is low value or useless and everything good comes from islam and islam only. The common muslim is an irretrievable zombie. All discussion with him or about him are proving to be useless. He is fixated in his kuran-centred and Mohammad-centred fascism.
observer
Yawn..you must be living off German social benefits which explains how you have all the time to post your Aryan-centric and Indic supremicist comments on Islam every hour.
Abrahamic imperialistic gandugiri comes in “wordy” camouflage. Become wordless meditative (no thoughts or wordless thought) then only you become human.
camouflage is Roman white, Arabic green, Marxist red, Capitalist ..
to prithvi
I work as translator and language teacher. I am not employed but work freelance (so I have time to write on the internet). I have the possibility of looking into the internet anytime that I want to. My comments are never aryan centric nor indic supremacist. I merely argue against arab-supremacist fascism imposed by islam. I am not an aryan so where is the question of my being aryan centric. Indic supremacy has never been imposed on anyone outside of India. That indics should have the right to determine events and politics etc. in India is natural – this is not a case of any indic supremacy. I have never said indic philosophy should be implemented in Arabia. But muslims want arab supremacy to be implemented in the indian subcontinent.
You should not strengthen islamic fascism and arabic hegemony by directing wrongful criticism against me. Don’t accuse of what I have not done.
“Indic supremacy has never been imposed on anyone outside of India. ”
Yes I can see that in many issues – on Dalits, Nagaland people, Sikhs (Golden temple fiasco), Babri mosque, Kashmir, Gujarat violence (2002), Tamils… That is still enough to put these Muslims to shame!
Prithvi Shehanshah E Azam Akbar Kapoor,
“Yes I can see that in many issues – on Dalits, Nagaland people, Sikhs (Golden temple fiasco), Babri mosque, Kashmir, Gujarat violence (2002), Tamils… That is still enough to put these Muslims to shame!”
Mizo lived in Angloland’s capital Londonabad since 50s. In two decade Nagaland became 2% EvanJihadi Christian to 97% Christian. Arms and money flowed to make native Nagas become rootless mercenaries the way our papi brothers on western became doing Ungli and destabilize all natives be they Afghan, Eastern Punjab or Uighir.
6’7″ tall Andhrite Bodhi Dharma with thonderus laughter and a pot belly reached China without sworde. He brought out China out of dark ages according Chinese Ambassidor to Umrika in 1988 in Bell Labs Murray Hill auditorium. Same is true about southeast asea. Dharma went without imperialistic sworde.
Today Naga probably values more Vatican, Pope and Anglosthan than his/her own red soil, culture and language. Similar was happening with Sikh.
Babbri mosque needs to be Raam Mandir with Aryabhatta/Leelawati Math Chamber, Charak Pharmocology chambers, Hanuman Akhada and Vasishtha/Boudha Meditation chamber. All traces of Abrahamic green gaandugiri needs to be removed for AllahRakhi sake.
Tamil tiger leadership were converted to Christianity to get citizenship and funding in the west. All Tamil arems were coming from the west. Innocent sinhalese and tamils were made Kurbai Ke bakre for alien abrahamic imperialsitic devislish god.
That is the Itihas and history (his story who has paid).
Repeat with me India is progressing because it is Dharmik ….
Listen Bawaji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQd3GjFNLQ
BTw, How many of you remember on average 100 deaths per week by lining up passengers of deathso called Hindus by so called Sikhs. GuruJi’s faith was being hijacked to be yet another Abrahamic gaaandugiri.
that was in 1983-84. It started by killings of Nirankaris in 1978-79.
Unfortunately, no faith or ways of life or anything else has prospered in most (probably all) Islamic countries.. Why is that Islamic people need and deserve freedom and others don’t deserve! Isn’t that hypocrisy! Stop glorifying bad things and be rational.. History can always be twisted the way we like and same is true about religions and their scriptures. It is time modern humans give up religions and do just one thing i.e. to help each other irrespective of colour, caste, profession or whatever!
to prithvi
1)
The word indic, hindu, indian etc. are not all perfect synonyms.
2)
If you are a muslim then don’t write under a hindu name – stick to your arabic quisling-name.
There are internal problems within India – no doubt about that. Some problems are caused by external conquerors and imperialists. Some are caused by the hindus themselves. It would be a shortening of history to put the blame solely on the hindus or aryans or dravidians or british etc. in this long complicated history.
Muslim history-writing is done with the intention of glorifying islam and muslim imperialists and denigrating non-islam. That is not the indian or hindu or objective way of writing or learning or quoting history.
You have learnt history form propaganda pamphlets produced in Pakistan or by hindu haters. Some of the statements made there are true – but not all of them. Much injustice has been done to many peoples in India – past (indian subcontinent) and present (Republic of India).
Your criticism of India, hindus, indics etc. is very much welcome.
But do it without resorting to propaganda pamphlets produced by muslims or pakistanis or hindu haters.
I criticise islam only on the basis of what I read in Pakistani newspapers – not by reading anything produced by non-muslims.
Observer
You only bring disrepute to the Hindu peoples because of your bigotry and intolerance. Hindus must be tolerant and open-minded towards all religions.
@ observ Germany
There cannot be peace without war. There cannot be success without struggle. Action is all that Islam wants from its adherents. It is another thing if its adherents do not heed to Islam\s command.
read history and tell public at large why Islam overwhelmed the world when Europe was plunged into Dark Ages.
Muslims have become their own enemies and therefore far behind the race. It’s due to this that people like you find excuse to bad mouth them. Wait, dude, wait and you’ll soon find them in form again!!
@ hamzad Canada
People do not die of cancer only; you forget how plague has overshadowed the world!!