The Creator of the world had punished mankind several times due to wickedness and inhuman nature of the people. We come across the downfall of many civilisations after they became very powerful in the history of the world. They boasted of their achievements and were arrogant and destructive. Holy Quran recollects some of the events leading to the destructions of civilisations and arrogant people. Just before the establishment of Islam Abraha of Abyssinia intruded into the land of the Arabs and tried to demolish Ka’aba, the first worshipping place on earth, even though it was housed with idols then. Allah ordered the Angels to destroy Abraha and the gang. Holy Quran mentions this incident in these words; “Seest thou not how the Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them flights of birds, striking them with stones of baked clay. Then He makes them like an empty field of stalks and straw, (of which the corn) has eaten up.” (Surah Al-Fil: 1-5).
The story of the destruction of a group of people as in the case of Pharaoh or a region as in the case of land of Noah( Nuh in Arabic) and Manu in Sanskrit) is mentioned in Holy Quran. Allah admonishes against the arrogance and mischief due to money power and political authority. The wealth of Haman, the power of Pharaoh, licentious behaviour as in the case of people of Lut, mischief of the people of Noah were destroyed by Almighty Allah. All these historical incidents are recorded in the history of the world written by modern historians. However, they misinterpret them as natural calamity or occurrences. Holy Quran warns mankind; ‘Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter, who pileth up wealth and layeth it by, thinking that his wealth would make him last forever! By no means! He will be thrown into that which breaks to pieces. (Surah Al-Humaza:1-4).
The Thamud people were successors to the culture and civilisation of the ‘Ad’ people. With the advance of material civilisation, the Thamud people became godless and arrogant, and were destroyed by an earthquake. Their prophet and warner was Salih, and the crisis in their history is connected with the story of a wonderful she-camel. The ‘Ad’ people were also punished for violating the divine law. A terrible famine afflicted the ‘Ad’ as a warning before they were overwhelmed in the final blast of hot wind. Their Prophet Hud has already warned them of a dreadful calamity. But, they did not heed to the words of their Prophet. Such a situation exists in the world today, especially in India where administrators themselves are helping and supporting evil doers and criminals. When Prophet Noah warned against the wickedness of his generation, he was laughed at for a madman, for he mentioned the Great Day to come in the Hereafter. Allah’s retribution came soon afterwards- the ‘great flood’ in which evil people were drowned, but he and those who believed in him and entered into the Ark were saved.
In Surah Al-Baqara, Allah reminds mankind regarding the punishment given to a group of people for violating the law. Allah Says; “But the transgressors changed the word from that which has been given to them; so we sent on the transgressors a plague from Heaven, for that they infringed (our command) repeatedly.” (2: 59). The downfall of Bani Israeli people is highlighted in Holy Quran in various contexts.
THE CONSPIRACY
Certain anti-social elements like fascists are deliberately raising controversial issues to create unrest and impatience in the society. It is ironical that those who are obliged to create peace and tranquility in the society are doing so. It is their conspiracy to do so frequently or at regular intervals. Aligarh issue, Shariat issue, reservation to minorities etc. are some of the unnecessary issues to ridicule Muslim community. In fact, Shariat is the ‘Divine law’ concerning the day to day life of human beings, and not marriage and divorce law as certain ignorant people think. Shariat Law needs no modification or reformation since it is the perfect verdict from the Creator of the universe. In the book titled ‘Islamic beliefs and code of laws’ edited by Morgan it is stated “The code of laws provides the regulations which create the proper relations between man and God, such as saying prayers, fasting, and other duties, they guide man in his relations with his brother in Islam or the non-Muslim community in organizing the structure of the family and encouraging reciprocal affection etc… Islam is both belief and legislation which organises all the relationships of man.” (Page, 87, OUP, 1990).
Now we have a lot of books written on the Islamic concept of ‘law of inheritance, right property to women, freedom of women, polygamy intended for the safety of women (this law is not intended to man’s enjoyment), the law of marriage, right given to women on personal and social issues etc. Those who need to know may contact authorities in the Muslim community, and not raise unnecessary and foolish problems. Richard Tames writes; “The teaching of the Quran represented a great advance in the position of women in Arabian Society, granting them rights of property and inheritance and forbidding the common practice of female infanticide. The special allowance is made for women in respect of certain religious obligations.” (Islam, OUP, London, 1985). Cyril Classe writes; “In ancient Arab society, the coming of Islam brought women rights where they had none, or few, before. ‘You have rights over your women’ says a Hadith, ‘and your women have rights over you’. These rights were conferred as an integral part of Divine legislation without being demanded, that is to say, there is no evidence that they were the result of any struggle on the part of Arab women.” (The concise Encyclopedia of Islam, P.420, OUP, London). According to Ira M Lepidus ;“For the benefit of women, marriage was recognised as having important and spiritual values. …the Quran urged respect for their modesty and privacy, that they are treated as feeling persons. The Quran granted them certain specific rights that they did not enjoy in pre-Islamic Arabia. …..In addition, the Quran tried to protect women from hasty and willful divorces, by urging delay, reconciliation, and mediation efforts by families.” (A History of Islamic people, P.30). Anne Besant opines that ‘in Quran, the law about women is more just and liberal.’ She added ‘woman is more protected in Islam than by the faith which teaches monogamy’. (The life and teachings of Muhammad. 3, 1932).
Certain people in authority make allegations against Muslims just to conceal the crimes of corruption, public land grabbing, nepotism and other illegal activities.
In the book titled ‘Age of Faith,’ it is written that ‘In the like manner he (Muhammad) improved the position of women. He placed women on the same footing with a man in the legal process and in financial independence. She might follow any legitimate profession, keep her earnings, inherit property, and dispose of her belongings at will. He abolished the Arab practice of transmitting women as property from father to son.” (The Age of Faith, P.181).
DUTY OF ADMINISTRATORS
The duty of administrators is conveyed to mankind by Allah from the time of Adam (Peace be on him) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Prophet and four Caliphs who followed him are living example to the world. It is the duty of the rulers or authorities to see that no kind of discrimination is done to any section or group of people on any ground. In India, we see a group of anti-social elements brand patriotic and peace loving people as anti-National ‘unpatriotic’. Ironically, these people work against the spirit of the constitution and kill the peace loving citizens of India. Muslim rulers who ruled the world from Spain to the Western China for seven centuries were secular as well as democratic. The Muslim rulers of in India had worked for the welfare of the people irrespective of caste and creed. Temples were given grant and land. Everyone who knew the official language-Persian, Turkish etc.- were given employment; qualified Hindus were given high offices.
History tells us what happened to noble administrators and evil administrators .In India, the puritan Aurangzeb Alamgir ruled for 49 years, despite severe opponents from evil people. The rules of Salahudin Ayyubi, Umar bin Abdul Aziz and Zahirudin Babar are remembered forever as noble persons. In Mahabharata, good rulers and bad rulers are sorted out. The rules of Mussolini and Hitler are remembered as despots (Fascism and Nazism). Indian anti-social elements are crueller than Fascists of Italy and Nasists of Germany. Hitler and Mussolini were ultranationalists and persecuted only foreigners like Israelites who were immigrants in Germany. Mussolini believed in the ‘superiority’ of Italians and wanted to bring other nations to Italy. But, in India, the sons of soil are persecuted, discriminated against and even killed just because they believe in truth. These anti-social elements have no religion, for, no religion tell its adherents to kill people of other faiths. In India, Rajput or Kshatriya kings respected Muslims and were posted in high offices in their kingdom for their honest and trustworthy.
In democratic country members of Parliament or Assembly is selected from different parties. Once they become a part of government they represent the whole people of India and not a party they represent for contesting election. Contrary to this universal law certain representatives misuse their office and exploit the wealth of India, which is the property of all the people of India, and makes their own private property. They have no fear of law for this robbery or plundering, and they make illogical claims to ‘justify’ their ransacking.
THE DESTINY
Holy Quran warns mankind not only the consequences of their evil acts but also the destiny of the world and mankind. Every created thing has an end. The earth and its inhabitants are created by Allah, and there is an end to all the created things. Holy Quran makes it clear that ‘all things in this world would come to an end except Allah’ (Surah Ar-Rahman). Everyone has to follow the natural law, and no one has to frame law for their own benefit. The law of a nation is also based on ‘Divine law’, even though it differs from natural (religious) law in matters concerning the safety and security of the nation. Natural law is for the whole universe and is applicable to mankind residing all over the world where as national law is applicable only to a particular nation. Allah Says; “Owe to those who write ‘The Book’ with their own hands and say: ‘This is from Allah’ (2:79). The law of nature is misinterpreted by anti-social elements make sedition charges on innocent people who are real patriotic people.
All human beings are equal before God, and those who does good will be rewarded and those who do evil will be punished. Holy Quran makes it clear that ‘anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good will see it, and anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil will see it’. (99:7-8). However, certain people feel that they have a special treatment and whatever they do will be pardoned. Certain people believe that one who believes Jesus as the ‘son of God’ will be forgiven even if he/she is criminal; Israel people believed that they are special people and God has sent them to earth as masters over other people. Unfortunately, they were slaves for many centuries. In India, among the ‘Hindu’ people Brahmins believed that they are above the law and their evil acts will be pardoned by God. In fact, they believed that whatever evil they do are their ‘rights’ over other Hindu sections.
Reminding us the natural phenomena and human duty in the present context, translator of Holy Quran (published by ‘The presidency of Islamic Research, Saudi Arabia) writes; “Kindness and generosity set up standards which even worldly men feel bound to follow out of social considerations even if they are not moved by higher motives. But the wicked and plausible excuses for their hard-heartedness and their evil example choke up the springs of charity and kindness in others.” (Footnote No. 6122, Page 1951). It is evident that evil persons find their own justification for their evil acts. When they kill innocent people, rape women, cut trees and plants for evil acts and causing severe damage to environment and nature they do not feel that they are doing very severe crime and would be punished in the Hereafter world.
Even though Allah’s punishment is delayed, it is not be supposed that He does not see all things. Allah’s providence is ever vigilant; His punishment of evil doers is a form of justice to the weak and the righteous whom they oppress. It is part of the signification of His title Rabb (Cherisher). Warning the anti-social people Allah reminds them that; “Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not.” (Holy Quran, Surah 2:9). Further, it is said; “Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro). (Holy Quran, Surah 2:15). Allah recollects the fate of those who did mischief and barbarism in the past in Holy Quran. It is said; “Seest thou not how the Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did he not make their treacherous plan go astray? And he sent against them flights of birds, striking them with stones of baked clay.” (105;1-4). As a reminder to the present day, Abu Lahabs Allah recollects the fate of Abu Lahab who fought against Prophet. Holy Quran says; “Perish the hands of father of flame! Perish he! No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains!(111:1-3). According to the Divine law, persecution is a serious crime, and death punishment is recommended for such crimes.
THE PROPHECY
The end of the world is mentioned in Holy Quran in many contexts. In Surah Al-Zilzil (The Convulsion) Allah admonishes mankind, “When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion and the earth throws up her burdens (from within), and man cries (distressed);what is the matter with her? On that day will she declare her tidings: for that thy Lord will have given her inspiration” (Al-Zilzil: 1-5).
Holy Quran says; “When the earth is shaken to its (utmost) convulsion, and the earth throws up her burdens (from within), and the man cries (distressed); ‘what is matter with her?’ ‘On that day will she (earth) declare her tidings.’ (99:1-4). Reminding mankind of the doomsday Allah says; “When the sky is rent asunder, and hearkens to (The command of) its Lord,-and it must needs (do so); – and when the earth is flattened out, And casts forth what is within it and becomes (clean) empty….soon will his account be taken by an easy reckoning…And he will enter a blazing fire.”(84:1-12). In Surah Al-Mursalat it is said; “by the (winds) sent forth one after another (to man’s profit); which then blow violently in tempestuous gusts, and scatter (things) far and wide; then separate them, one from another, then spread abroad a reminder, whether of justification or of warning ;-,…then when the stars become dim; when the heaven is cleft sunder; when the mountains are scattered (to the winds0 as dust;….Thus do we deal with men of sin.” (Surah 77:1-18).
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NATIONALISM VS POLITICAL DESPOTISM
Constitution of India is the basic document explaining the conditions of patriotism and nationalism. Anyone who believe in constitution and act accordingly is a patriot, and those who oppose such a person are anti-national, and therefore, seditious. Ministers are liable to change from time to time, but. The offices of various administrative blocks remain as a part of Indian government all the time. Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister was replaced by many others. But, the government remains same as per constitution and should not change its policy according to the political outlook of party or parties which come to power. As per the constitution, India is a democratic country and its function is made according to the practice based on the constitution. A minister is one supervises the working of officers and makes corrections based on democracy and secularism, which our constitution demands. On the contrary, we now witness illegal involvement of authorities for violating the law of the land. Such a situation is created to enforce the law as per the saying, ‘might is right’.
Contradicting the communal theory that Muslims invaded India, Pandit Nehru wrote; “It is thus wrong and misleading to talk of a Muslim invasion of India or of the Muslim period in India, just as it would be wrong to refer to the coming of the British to India as a Christian invasion, or to call the British period in India a Christian period. Islam did not invade India; it had come to India some centuries earlier.” (The Discovery of India, P.258, penguin Books, 2010).
In India, universities and educational institutions have played a remarkable and significant role in the freedom movement and also national development. In this respect, the role of Aligarh Muslim University is noteworthy. Those who disrespect the university just because of its name should understand that numerous national monuments like Taj Mahal, Kutab Minar or Mughal Gardens have a Muslim identity. Indians should be treated as Indians despite the difference in the form of worship. Pandit Nehru has pointed out the religious harmony that existed in India once. The theory of ‘unity in diversity’ was working practically for centuries. Reminding the role played by Muslims during freedom movement Nehru wrote; “After 1857 the heavy hand of the British fell more on Muslims than on the Hindus. They (British) considered Muslims more aggressive and militant.” (An Autobiography, P.477, Penguin Books, 2004).
Aligarh controversy is a part of a conspiracy against Muslims by Fascist forces. They attack Muslim personal law or even Shariah. But, Pandit Nehru makes it clear in his writing that ‘Islam had a fairer law of inheritance but this did not affect Hindu women.’ (The Discovery of India, P.288, Penguin Books, 2010). Pandit Nehru citing Gandhiji’s view that Indian culture is a mixture of many racial or religious cultures opines that Muslims had made many contributions in the field of administration, food, costumes and behaviour. Salvar and Khamees used by the majority of the Indian girls is a Muslim contribution. (See the book titled ‘Costumes’ published by the Ministry of Culture, India). In food,
Muslims introduced many items to the people of India. Just by compelling people to accept certain religious views no one can erase deep-rooted culture from the minds of the people. Highlighting the present situation Holy Quran says; “Their purpose was to scare Thee off the land, in order to expel thee; But in that case they would not have stayed (there in) after thee, except for a little while.” (17:76).
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University is a Minority Educational Institution of national reputation established by the great scholar Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for the uplift of educationally backward people who happened to be so due to historical reasons-i.e. British policy. The backwardness affected the people who were engaged in the freedom movement and who were reluctant to follow Western culture catered through British Educational System.
Aligarh Muslim University did not prohibit Non-Muslims in entering the Institution. We know many famous Non-Muslims of national reputation who are the products of Aligarh Muslim University. A.M.U. is a national pride, and it has played a major role in the freedom movement and Indian independence. A.M.U is one of the best universities in India, and knowledge imparted by the university is of international standard.
According to the Constitution of India, all Indians are eligible to get an education, and minorities have a special privilege to run and manage their own educational Institutions. During the time of Indira Gandhi’s ministry order has been passed for the safety and security of minority Institutions. However, the officials who are either fanatic or irresponsible did not oblige to the rules passed based on Constitutional provisions. In the case of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia, the authorities fail to fulfil the legal provisions. Pandit Nehru writes;”Sir Syed’s decision to concentrate on Western Education for Muslims was undoubtedly a right one. Without that, they could not have played any effective part in building up of Indian nationalism of new type. …The Aligarh College became the visible emblem of his hopes and desires. Aligarh College did fine work, produced a large number of competent men, and changed the whole tone of the Muslim intelligentsia…Sir Syed Ahmad Khan made his choice on behalf of the Indian Muslims when he started the Aligarh College.” (An Autobiography, P.485-487, penguin Books, 2004).
The Admonition
Almighty Allah sends Messengers to mankind with admonition before a natural calamity coming out of a violation of Divine Law by a race or tribe or a nation. In most cases, they rebuked the Prophets as if prophets are insane. In Holy Quran, such statements are given in various contexts including the comments made by the people of Arabia at the time of Prophet Muhammad’s mission. Certain people discard warning given to them regarding punishment for crimes they do. Holy Quran Says; “When it is said to them; ‘Make not mischief on the earth”, they say: “We are only once that put things right”. Allah Says; “Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not.” (2:11-12).
One of the very serious crimes of certain anti-social elements are that they speak only lies. We know many people who hold offices of responsibility speak lie to divert the attention of people from serious situations. Allah says; “Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter, who pileth up wealth and layeth it by, thinking that his wealth would make him last forever! By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into that which breaks into pieces.” (104:1-4). In Surah At-Tatfif Allah says; “woe to those that deal in fraud,-…Nay! Surely the record of the wicked is (preserved) in ‘sijjin’.” (83:1-7).
Warning is given to believers
Allah is the Lord of mankind, and not the Guardian of Muslim community only as people in general thinks. In fact, Muslims should not think that Allah is the God of Muslims and would punish non-Muslims against Muslims. Allah favours Muslims just for the reason that Muslims are the last community to receive the Message from Allah and the Message is applicable to the whole mankind. As a matter of fact, those who believe in the laws sent by Allah are called Muslims, who comprise of different nationalities and various tribes. Prophet has told that ‘this world is an imprisonment’ for believers. That means there are certain restrictions and limitations on freedom for those believe in the Message (The Holy Quran). In Surah Al-Asr Allah says; “By the time, verily man is in the loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy’ (103:1-3).
Messengers are charged with conveying the Message of Allah. It is not their duty to force the people to obey. People have the freedom to choose any one of the two paths- right or wrong. In Surah, Al-Jinn Allah makes it clear that “Say: it is not in my (Prophet’s) power to cause you harm, or to bring you to right conduct” (72:21). In its explanation it is written, “Do not suppose that I (Prophet Muhammad) am going to harm you individually or socially; the very opposite is my wish, but I cannot force you to right conduct; that must depend on the purification of your own faith and will. My mission is from Allah. I cannot choose but obey. He has charged me to deliver the Message, and if were to disobey him, I would myself be worthy of his punishment, and no one can save me. From every kind of trouble and difficulty, my only refuge is in Him. I must proclaim His Message: otherwise, I am false to the mission He has entrusted me.” (Holy Quran translation, Page No. 1835, Published by IFTA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
When believers fulfil their duties and responsibilities to Almighty Allah help would come from the Creator. Let believers abstain from helping the enemies of God.