The system of the universe, its infinity, the whispers of human nature, the logic of unfolding events and accidents, the hidden secrets of the future, the status of vicegerent given to man, the criteria for reward and punishment, the reality of Paradise and Hell, and even salvation in the Hereafter – there is not a single unit (entity) in all this where the light of Allah is not at work, or which is outside the realm of the decisive sovereign action and deed implied by the command Kun Fayakun (Be, and it is) of the cherishing Lord. Allahu Akbar (God is Great)!
As far as the status of Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH) is concerned, no pen can undertake the task of doing justice to it. Nevertheless, this is a humble attempt: He has been honoured with divine titles such as Imam of the Prophets, Mercy to the Worlds, and Intercessor on the Day of Judgment. Furthermore, he is the sacred personality upon whom Allah and His angels send salutations and peace. Not only that, the Qur’an itself directly mandates this upon the Muslim Ummah. Without true love and complete obedience to him, the pleasure of Allah and salvation are simply not possible – this is his status.
The world is the place of action and is structured as a place of examination. Man has been made autonomous; he has been given sovereignty, authority, and independence on earth. However, it must be clearly understood that the Creator, Master, and ultimate source of Sovereignty and Supreme Power is none other than the Cherishing Lord. Everything -every bestowal of reward or punishment, honour or disgrace, progress or decline, existence or annihilation, every state, every rise and fall, every power and subjection, health and sickness, weakness and strength, and practically every situation – is dependent on His grant. Doubtless!
Speech and action (verbal and practical), movement and construction, oration and writing, composition and authorship, planning, and explanations are included in your scope of work and authority. However, your assumption that “I make others like myself” or that you have the authority to do so is incorrect. You certainly have the authority, within defined conditions, for propagation, and counselling as a communal obligation.
But in this action, or in any such movement, neither you nor anyone else possesses the right to coercion, force, aggression, extremist behaviour, or armed adventure. The scope for action must remain within the bounds of the constitution, ethics, accepted human values, and religiously, within the framework of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Islamic Jurisprudence.
“You will enforce your will, and whoever does not obey, you will take their life”- no school of jurisprudence, ethical, or human perspective permits this. If A targets B, then B will exert all their strength to target and hit A. In this way, neither will mischief end or diminish in the world, nor will killing and bloodshed reach their conclusion. In the present era, a section of Muslims adopted this path, and the outcome is evident. The invocation of peace (Assalamu Alaikum), meaning safety and security, runs throughout the day.
Allah is the Lord of the Worlds, not the Lord of the Muslims. This proclamation is given during the five daily prayers. His wisdom and policy encompass the existence of both evil and good. So, where did this extremism, ultra-zealotry, and fundamentalism find a place in the temperament of a certain group?
Allah the Almighty Himself tells His Messenger (PBUH) that “You are entitled to propagation and invitation”. Whoever accepts it, that is his destiny, and whoever chooses error that is his action; thereafter, the matter rests with Us (Allah). This point is further clarified: “I have provided the means of guidance and light which is the nourishment for your purification of the soul and cleansing of the heart”. This will lead you toward closeness to Allah and divine recognition.
You have been made the Ummah of the one who is the reason for the existence of creation. For a pattern of guidance, you have the excellent example. You have the sciences of the universe in the form of the Qur’an for education and research.
It is known that Islam is the name of moderation. In Islam, there is no place for extremism, its adherence, or any movement, propagation, or invitation in its name that authorizes violence or the killing of human lives.
The Prophet said that the Muslim Ummah is the moderate nation. We are the proponents and practitioners of the straight path. patience, complete action, and forgiveness are our invaluable assets that lead a Muslim to the level of a Believer.
The opponents’ claim that “everything is wrong with us, that moral corruption is not knowledge, and that we alone are involved in violence, aggression, recklessness, and extremism, while everyone else is spotless, and every stain is on our cloak”- this may be the subject matter of malicious politics, but a humble student of justice and ethics will tell you that a Muslim means that servant of God who is the perfect embodiment of peace, reform, safety, and mercy. The conduct of a misguided group in any society should not decisively influence the formation of an extreme opinion or the taking of an extreme step regarding the entire society.
Indian Muslims, overall, are hard-working, economically weak, relatively low in education, and possess an average social status. However, in whatever capacity they operate and whatever responsibility they hold – be it in national defense, the process of national development, fine arts, education and teaching, research, or daily affairs and routines – their activity, performance, and patriotism are a living image.
In the mirror of history, if we negate the roles of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Brigadier Usman, where would Kashmir be? If we forget the opposition of Maulana Azad and other patriotic Muslim elders and circles to the Partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan, where would our national map be? Did Gurdaspur, a Muslim-majority district from where we get the path to Kashmir, come to our share? Were the Muslim – majority provinces of Punjab and Bengal divided? The Muslim elders associated with the Indian National Movement (in today’s map) and the public support behind them gave the Congress leadership the strength needed to challenge Jinnah’s leadership and all his claims. The division of Punjab and Bengal was its logical conclusion.
Readers should understand that Jinnah’s Pakistan consisted of United Punjab, Bengal, Assam, Northern States, the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan, Balochistan, Sindh, the Frontier, and the Tribal Areas, bordering Delhi. Under an ideological conspiracy, the Indian Muslims have been made the accused and criminals for the partition of the homeland.
The claim of moderation and moderate thought should be publicized: the national role that we and our leadership play in today’s national map should be made known. If extremism had been the motto of our elders, the scholars would have sided with Jinnah instead of Gandhi. Furthermore, internationally, more than ten million Indians are working in Muslim countries, leading dignified lives according to their beliefs. Muslim countries are honouring our Prime Minister with their national awards. We are the molten wall of the first rank for the honour, glory, and life of our beloved homeland at every moment.
We have always chosen a leader belonging to the majority group in the political arena. Muslims are connected, more or less, to every party and ideology. However, we must overcome emotionalism, haste, and a lack of foresight in decisions. Moderation is the cure for every ailment, and extremity is the illness for every cure or the disease itself.
The writer is the author of The Meeting of Minds: A Bridging Initiative
