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Taliban harm Islam
By Mohammad Abdus Samad
Taliban's recent actions pose a
question: are non-Muslims living in an Islamic state allowed to maintain
their religious identity? If so, the destruction of Buddha statues by the
Taliban is an injustice to the religious sentiments of the Buddhists.
Non-Muslims living is an Islamic state are considered ‘protected
people’ (dhimmis) implying that the Islamic government has made a
covenant with them for providing safety and security to their lives,
properties and faith. Having emphasized the duty of Muslims towards
non-Muslims living in an Islamic state, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
‘On the Day of Resurrection I shall be the adversary of the one who
oppresses a dhimmi or violates his right or puts a responsibility on him
which is beyond his capacity or takes something from him against his
will’ (Abu Dawood). The Prophet also said: ‘He who hurts a dhimmi
hurts me and he who hurts me annoys Allah’ (Tabarani).
The Prophet maintained good relations with those non-Muslims who did not
want to harm Islam and Muslims. It is reported that the Prophet offered
gifts to non-Muslim kings and received same from them. A polytheist known
as Abdullah ibn Uraiqit was employed by the Prophet as his guide during
his emigration (hijrah) from Makkah to Madina in 622 CE.
The religion of Islam is based on the absolute belief in the Oneness of
God (Tawhid). Worship of no object is allowed other than Allah. It teaches
us that Allah is the Lord of heavens and earth and all that is in between
them. Hence He alone deserves worship and praise from Mankind and other
creatures. But this does not mean that idols or any objects worshipped by
believers in other religions should be forcefully destroyed in order to
maintain the Oneness of God (Tawhid). There is not a single verse in the
Holy Qur’an directing the Muslims to destroy the idols worshiped by
other religionists. Conversely the Holy Qur’an orders Muslims not to
abuse and decry the objects worshipped by others: ‘Revile not those unto
whom they pray besides Allah lest they out of spite revile Allah in their
ignorance’ (6:108). Thus Allah has ordered us to avoid a situation which
allows others to hate and abuse our religion and its symbols. The recent
burning of Qur’an in India is a reaction to the demolition of Buddha
statues in Afghanistan.
The Holy Qur’an says: ‘Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom
and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and
most gracious’ (16:125). Conversely the use of force and coercion in the
matter of faith (Iman) is prohibited in Islam. The Holy Qur’an states:
‘There is no compulsion in religion (2:256); ‘There has already come
to you enlightement (proof) from your Lord, then whoever is enlightened is
for his own soul and whoever remains blind is so against it’ (6:105);
‘Unto you your religion and unto me my religion’ (109:6).
Justifying the act of Taliban, some Muslims would like to reason that the
Taliban have followed the footstep of Sahabis who destroyed the idols
installed at the Ka'ba. It is a wrong perception. Prophet Abraham (pbuh)
built the Ka’ba at Makkah and dedicated it to One Allah. But in the
course of time, polytheists in Makkah placed 360 idols inside the Ka’ba
for worship. When Prophet Muhammad came to power in Makkah in 630 CE, his
companion, at his behest took all idols out of Ka’ba and destroyed them
and thus restored the original status of the Ka’ba and re-established
the worship of Allah therein which was the objective behind the
construction of the Ka’ba at Makkah. So we can not reasonably equate the
destruction of idols by Sahaba with the destruction of Buddha statues by
Taliban as both cases are different.
Again, the Taliban would like to reason that they have destroyed the
statues with a view to eradicating the worship of false gods which is
prohibited in Islam. According to Islam, the worship of any object or
being other than Allah is considered as the worship of false gods. There
is always a section of people in every age who worship various objects and
beings either material, spiritual or celestial. As for example, pagans
worship idols and Christians worship Jesus Christ as their gods. So how
can it be possible on the part of Taliban to eradicate the worship of
false gods and goddesses? The worship of false gods can be wiped out of
society only when people would be aware of the teachings of Islam and the
fear of punishment in the next world.
When Hazrat Omar (R) was elected as the second Khalifa, he brought Egypt
under his rule and appointed Hazrat ‘Amr ibn a-Aas (R) to the post of
governor in Egypt. There were then in existence the statues of Pharaohs
and other heroes in ancient Egypt. If the existence of statues in an
Islamic state had been prohibited, the Khalifa would have then directed
his officials to destroy them. But this did not so happen. The statues
still exist in Egypt where they are preserved as historical and cultural
heritage. Are the Taliban better Muslims than Khalifa Omar (R) and his
governor ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas (R.)? q |
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