It has been widely reported that Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has sent letters to 13 leading Muslim organisations to declare India as Darul Amn (land of peace). Behind this demand the peculiar mentality of VHP and its mentors is clearly visible. By this curious move, perhaps, they want to reap a better harvest of votes by polarising the electorate.
Yes, for the benefit of our countrymen, we deem it proper to clear things and set records right. First, the terms Darul Harb (land of war) and Darul Islam (land of peace) do not occur in the Holy Qur’an or in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him). They were later terms used by jurists in a particular context which does not exist in the present day India.
Basically, Islam stands for peace – peace with God, with humanity and with the entire universe. It presents a worldview in which God the Almighty is the Creator, Master, Nourisher and Ruler of the entire creation. Our earth is a very small part of His domain. Here man has been given the honourable status of Allah’s vicegerent. Life is a period of test and trial. It is for every individual and the society to acknowledge the over-lordship of God only, worship and obey Him alone and follow His commands in every aspect of life. Islam exhorts people to use their wisdom and free will and submit to God’s will. Almighty Allah calls all His servants towards this way of life. All Prophets preached this and the Last Prophet, Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) completed this message and spread it throughout the world.
Jihad is struggle to present and promote this God-oriented system on earth. When man is free to profess, preach and practise his religion and democratic means are available to change the society, there is neither any need nor room for use of force or violence. Therefore, our Ulema and even ordinary Muslims declare that India is certainly a land of peace and there is no room for use of coercion or violence. Islamic Jihad is a peaceful jihad to win the hearts of people for God. Indian Muslims do not subscribe to the calls of certain foreign based organisations calling for use of violent methods. In this respect VHP and its like-minded organisations should do some serious heart searching and think who is responsible for spreading hatred, marginalising minorities and suppressing the Dalits.
Who instigated more than 50,000 anti-Muslim riots and killings? Why the perpetrators of worst crimes against humanity in India are still roaming free? Why a venerated House of God, Babri Masjid, was demolished in broad daylight by frenzied mobs collected by BJP and its affiliated organisations? Why such delay in apprehending the killers of Gujarat? The Muslims are clear that they want to live and let others live in peace and harmony. They want to share the Islamic ideals of justice, benevolence and freedom to every person to follow his religion. The destiny of India lies in following these noble principles. The need of the hour is to shun the divisive tactics and join hands to make India a real abode of peace.