A muted response to minority killings – by Sana Saleem
Picture of a banner from Mall Road outside the Lahore High Court, which and reads “Jews, Christians, Ahmadis are enemies of Islam”.
Source: Dawn Blog
Incomprehensible. That is the only word I can use to express my feelings about the indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday. Attacks that were carried out in broad daylight, killing over 90 people and injuring many others. Attacks that turned into a hostage situation with over 1500 people at risk of being killed or fatally injured.
I am disappointed that there is no one to protest and lament the killings, especially since the Ahmadi community seems to have been silenced by years of discrimination and persecution. I was six years old and attending a Quran class when the maulvi sahib blatantly refused to teach two of my friends, Maham and Rija. I remember his words, his eyes flaming with hate as he refused to let them sit in his class, or even touch ‘their’ Quran. I did not understand why no one protested, why they had chosen to leave the room silently, as if the hate and discrimination was expected. I found myself in the same dilemma on Friday, when after one of the largest attacks against them in the history of Pakistan, this was the only official statement issued on behalf of the Ahmadi community:
Despite what has happened no Ahmadi has taken to the streets in protest; no Ahmadi has displayed anything but patience. Instead we have turned towards God and prayed for the victims, for their bereaved relatives and for the long term peace and prosperity of Pakistan. We will continue with this example no matter what is thrown at us in the full certainty that God is with us and always will be.
The only reality check regarding this horrifying episode has come from a woman who was attending to one of the people wounded in Friday’s attacks. She refused to accept a bouquet from Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and went on to lambast him for inadequate security provisions at the sites of worship. It was indeed ironic to see dozens of security guards accompany the interior minister to his trip to the hospital to visit the survivors of Friday’s attacks. If only half of those were present to guard the two sites that came under attack, this incident could have been prevented, or, if nothing else, casualties could have been minimised. There is thus absolutely no justification for this act of negligence.
Meanwhile, the social networks have also been abuzz with outrage. Twitter, in particular, was flooded with messages of condemnation, shock, and horror. Many were disgusted by the way in which media outlets were describing the sites that were attacked as ‘worship places’ instead of ‘mosques.’ Others accused the media of downplaying the casualties. Someone remarked how a popular news channel’s comments suggesting ‘worship places should have their own security’ were derogatory and inhumane. There were debates on whether the media channels will count those killed as ‘martyrs,’ and if not, then why not?
Here’s the thing: I do not care whether those killed on Friday will be labeled martyrs or not. It does not make a difference to me whether the authorities have traced the terrorist outfit responsible for this attack. I remain enraged that most of us refuse to recognise the attacks as a human rights issue, and, most importantly, as a violation of minority rights. And by ‘most of us,’ I am referring to those of us who are neither politicians, scholars, clerics, or media personnel. I have lived in Pakistan long enough not to expect the authorities to be sensitive towards the real issues of the people. But the public framing of Friday’s attacks is about the underlying hate, discrimination, and religious bigotry that has been suffocating us for years. This is about those of us who choose to use religion to justify inhumanity despite the gory images showing attacks on innocent civilians.
There is no justification for killing unarmed civilians – no religion or legal system allows a bunch of people to take the law in their hands and carry out barbaric acts of terror.
Today, I must confess that I am scared of the uncertainties the future holds. I fear that this attack might be one of many to come. And most of all, I fear that another attempt will be similarly downplayed and labeled an act of terrorism, rather than a violation of minority rights. The stabbing of an Ahmadi man at Narowal on Mondayfurther strengthens my fears, especially as the threats of the assailant to “not leave any Ahmadi alive” serve as uncanny reminders of state-sanctioned discrimination against the Ahmadi community.
I feel that in our attempts to prove ourselves so-called pious Muslims and patriotic Pakistanis we have left humanity far behind. Our sympathies have become political, and our humanity has been compromised. Somewhere in our tussle to become pioneers of Islam and the darling of the West, we have stopped being human. For every atrocity that unfolds around us, we have a home-made conspiracy theory, a religious justification, or a history lesson with which to identify the culprits. But amid this information overload, the atrocities go ignored, priorities remain distorted, and the massacre continues.
For every one who witnessed the horrendous killings of Ahmadis this past week, I have one question: how many Garhi Shahos and Gojras will it take for us to stop abusing religious beliefs to justify killing innocent people?
Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at Global Voices, Pro-Pakistan her personal blog Mystified Justice. She tweets at twitter.com/sanasaleem.
thanks to sanity, atleast u or some one other is raising voice against such an horrendous violation of so called minority rights in this islamist state..be blessed and saved being labled as non-believer.
Thank you sana for such an excellent analysis. I am sick to my stomach to see the response of our fellow Pakistanis whom we thought were our well-wishers.
Here is an example of spreading terrorism by SMS in the name of Allah! Just got this SMS “Beware!!! The qadiyani company SHEZAN has launched a new product, its called:SPEED (an energy drink).Please spread this message to discourage its sales because SHEZAN is a major contributor of the qadiyani movement who claim mirza qadiyani (maluun) to be the last prophet & they use their funds to convert muslims into qadiyanis. So plz stop buying shezan’s products.Forward this message & play a small part in Tahafuz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat.JazakALLAH.”
On Tuesday 1st June 2010, @abidifactor said:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/1k6v29
How this Mistreatment is against Islam?
These Political Islamists often forget that even during war following is not allowed:
“Do not kill the monks in monasteries” or “Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship” (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).
“Punishment by fire does not behove anyone except the Master of the Fire” (Abu Dawud).
The prophet (PBUH) is recorded as saying, “Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman” (Abu Dawud).
1) The Prophet SallAllahu ‘Alaihi wa-sallam said: “March forth in the name of Allah…
Do not kill an old man, nor a child, nor a woman” [Ref: Sunnan Abu Dawud and Sunnan al-Bayhaqi]
2) According to the real Mufti – Ibn ‘Abbas – the Prophet would say upon despatching his armies: “March forth in the name of Allah! Fight those who disbelieve in Allah! But do not betray your trusts and covenants, nor should you kill children, nor monks in monasteries.” [Reference: Musnad Ahmad with Hasan chain according to Ahmad Shakir]
3) According to Handhalah ibn al-Rabi’, the Prophet send a message to Khalid saying: “Do not ever kill children nor labourer” [Reference: Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, al-Hakim calssified it Sahih and al-Dhahabi agreed.
4) ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said: “Fear Allah with regards to the farmers! Do not kill them unless that wage war against you” [Reference: Sunnan al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Abi Shaiba in his Musannaf]
5) Jabir – may Allah be pleased with him – said about the early Mujahideen, that “they would not kill the Mushrikeen traders”.
Islamic Code of Conduct in War.
The media presents many images of innocent women and children who are victims of jihadist suicide bombers. If jihadists use Islam to justify this violence, then Islamic teachings can also be used to discredit these abhorrent acts. In one Quranic verse, Prophet Muhammad comes across a slain woman while riding in battle, and
he frowns with anger. His attitude prompted a distinct code of conduct among Islamic warriors which includes:
• No killing of women, children, and innocents―these might include hermits, monks, or other religious leaders who were deemed noncombatants;
• No wanton killing of livestock and animals;
• No burning or destruction of trees and orchards; and,
• No destruction of wells.
Abu Bakr, the fi rst caliph after Muhammad’s death, formulated a detailed set of rules for Islamic conduct during war. He gave the following instructions to a Muslim army setting out for Syria, which was then governed by the Byzantine Empire: Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefi eld. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fi re, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy’s fl ock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.
Mullah, Military, Politicians, Ansar Abbasi, Jang say that Pakistani Constitution [Contract] is Islamic and if we applied that Logic then Minorities are Zimmis and please do keep in mind that in Lahore people were slaughtered while they were within the boundary walls of their Community Centres and worshiping without bothering anybody.
Massacre in Gojra and then in Lahore were the biggest and nefarious ATTACKS ON ISLAM ITSELF [AS PER THE SHARIAH WHICH THESE MULLAH USED AGAINST NON MUSLIMS]
Only three Murder/Killing are allowed in Islam [as per Quran and Sunnah]: Murderer, Adulterer and Apostate [Reference: Bukhari] – Ahmedi Community is living as Minority and Muslims particularly the State are duty bound to protect them.
NOTE: Even in the above cases of Punishments, only the State has the authority to administer punishment not the common mob. Assume that tomorrow some Ahle-Hadith rise and declare that Deobandis are Deviant Apostate then would it be justified to do the same as someone did in Lahore. Assume that some Deobandis issue a Fatwa of Apostasy against Barelvis then would it be justified to do what someone did in Lahore. Shia Community is the verge of such danger due to the Calamity of Fatwa Mongering. Pakistanis should wake up and stop interpreting Islamic Laws as per whims and desire particularly the new breed of Urban Maulvis which is the product of Aamir Liaquat Hussain and Co.
We [Muslims] must not forget that even during war following is not allowed:
“Do not kill the monks in monasteries” or “Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship” (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).
“Punishment by fire does not behove anyone except the Master of the Fire” (Sunnan Abu Dawud).
The prophet (PBUH) is recorded as saying, “Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman” (Sunnan Abu Dawud).
1) The Prophet SallAllahu ‘Alaihi wa-sallam said: “March forth in the name of Allah…
Do not kill an old man, nor a child, nor a woman” [Ref: Sunnan Abu Dawud and Sunnan al-Bayhaqi]
2) According to the real Mufti – Ibn ‘Abbas – the Prophet would say upon despatching his armies: “March forth in the name of Allah! Fight those who disbelieve in Allah! But do not betray your trusts and covenants, nor should you kill children, nor monks in monasteries.” [Reference: Musnad Ahmad with Hasan chain according to Ahmad Shakir]
3) According to Handhalah ibn al-Rabi’, the Prophet send a message to Khalid saying: “Do not ever kill children nor labourer” [Reference: Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, al-Hakim classified it Sahih and al-Dhahabi agreed.
4) ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said: “Fear Allah with regards to the farmers! Do not kill them unless that wage war against you” [Reference: Sunnan al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Abi Shaiba in his Musannaf]
5) Jabir – may Allah be pleased with him – said about the early Mujahideen, that “they would not kill the Mushrikeen traders”.
Islamic Code of Conduct in War.
The media presents many images of innocent women and children who are victims of jihadist suicide bombers. If jihadists use Islam to justify this violence, then Islamic teachings can also be used to discredit these abhorrent acts. In one Quranic verse, Prophet Muhammad comes across a slain woman while riding in battle, and he frowns with anger. His attitude prompted a distinct code of conduct among Islamic warriors which includes:
• No killing of women, children, and innocents―these might include hermits, monks, or other religious leaders who were deemed noncombatants;
• No wanton killing of livestock and animals;
• No burning or destruction of trees and orchards; and,
• No destruction of wells.
Abu Bakr, the fi rst caliph after Muhammad’s death, formulated a detailed set of rules for Islamic conduct during war. He gave the following instructions to a Muslim army setting out for Syria, which was then governed by the Byzantine Empire: Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fi re, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy’s flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone. [Ref: Futhooh Al Baldan by Bilazari, Al Bidaya Wal Nihaya and Mawatta Imam Malik]
What happened in Lahore was completely against the Spirit of Islam. No doubt Quadiyanis are Non Muslims [as per Constitution too] but they are Pakistanis [constitution says this] as well and their Rights cannot be violated and if somebody violate these Rights [that too when they were practicing their religion within their Community Centres without bothering anybody] then these Violation would be termed violation of the following sayings of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH]:
قتل غير المسلم إذا كان مُعاهدا معصية وكبيرة من كبائر الذنوب ، فقد روى البخاري عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال : قال صلى الله عليه وسلم : ” من قتل معاهدا لم يرح رائحة الجنة وإنّ ريحها يوجد من مسيرة أربعين يوما ” . وأما الكافر الحربي غير المعاهد وغير الذمّي فالمسلم مأمور بقتله لقوله تعالى : ( قاتلوا الذين يلونكم من الكفار وليجدوا فيكم غلظة ) وهذا إنما يكون في الجهاد مع إمام من أئمة المسلمين أو من ينوب عنه
جب غیر مسلم معاھد ہو یعنی اس کے ساتھ معاھدہ ہوتواس کا قتل معصیت وگناہ اورکبیرہ گناہ میں سے ہے ۔
امام بخاری رحمہ اللہ تعالی نے عبداللہ بن عمروبن عاص رضی اللہ تعالی عنہما سے روایت کیا ہے کہ :
رسول اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا :
( جس نے بھی کسی معاھد کوقتل کیا وہ جنت کی خوشبوبھی حاصل نہيں کرسکتا ، حالانکہ اس کی خوشخبو چالیس یوم کی مسافت سے پائي جاتی ہے ) ۔
Killing a non-Muslim when he is a mu’aahid (one of those who have a peace treaty with the Muslims) is a sin, one of the major sins. Imam Bukhari narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever kills a mu’aahid will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance may detected from a distance of forty days.’”
It is also written in the Quran about Non-Muslims:
Hating them in our hearts does not mean that we should oppress or mistreat them under any circumstances, because Allaah said to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), describing what his attitude should be towards the People of the Book:
“and I am commanded to do justice among you. Allaah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds” [al-Shoora 42:15 – interpretation of the meaning]
even though he is a Muslim and they are following Judaism or Christianity.
Minor Interpretation: The Muslims believe that it is not permissible, under any circumstances whatsoever, for a Muslim to mistreat a non-Muslim who is not hostile towards Islam; so the Muslim should not commit aggression against him, or frighten him, or terrorize him, or steal his wealth, or embezzle him, or deprive him of his rights, or deny him his trust, or deny him his wages, or withhold from him the price of his goods when buying from him or withhold the profits of a partnership if he is in a business partnership with him.
The Muslims believe that it is permissible for a Muslim to treat kindly those non-Muslims who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving them loans if needed or interceding with regard to permissible matters, or speaking kindly to them or returning their greetings, and so on. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:64]
“And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:110].
It is obligatory upon the Muslims to honour treaties or agreements made with a non-Muslim party. If a Muslim has agreed to their conditions when seeking permission to enter their country (i.e., a visa) and has promised to adhere to that, then it is not permissible for him to commit mischief in their land, to betray anyone, to steal, to kill or to do any destructive action, and so on. Muslims should differentiate between different kinds of kaafirs in their dealings with them. They should make peace with those who make peace, and wage war against those who wage war, and wage jihad against those who stand in the way of spreading the message of Islam and causing it to prevail of earth. Muslims are commanded to call non-Muslims to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching and by debating in a manner that is better. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:46]