MUSLIMS AND THEIR STATE OF AFFAIRS

By Altaf Hussain
Today if we analyse the situation of Muslims in Muslim countries with regards to the philosophy of realism and practicalism then we come to know that reasons behind the problems faced by the Muslims is contrary to what is being propagated.  Farsighted and intellectual historians agree that written history is usually partial and biased and always projects one side of the picture.  Therefore, to arrive at a correct conclusion it is essential to look at the other side of the picture as well.  For example, reference to Jang-e-Jaml (War of Jaml) appears in every sect and fiqah (school of thought) of Muslims with a few differences.  This battle amongst Muslims took place on the issue of Qisas on the martyrdom of Hazrat Usman Ghani^RH resulting not only in heavy loss of human lives from both sides but also a large number of Hafiz-e-Quran also lost their lives.  One army was led by Hazrat Ali^RH, whereas the other army was led by Hazrat Aisha^RH.  Now if a student of history raises this question that when both sides were led by closest of the Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) then which side of those murdered during the war will be declared as martyrs?  Normally it will be replied that as this war took place because of the misunderstanding created by outsiders, therefore, all those who lost their lives are martyrs.  Will this reply be enough to satisfy the students of today’s age who have a very high IQ level?  Out of the four Caliphs in Islam, three were martyred and only one died of natural causes.  Afterwards caliphate (Khilafat) slowly entered into monarchy.  Every ruler of State gathered lackey mullahs around them – righteous religious scholars were victimised whereas vicious mullahs were rewarded and Ijtihad (interpretation of Islamic Law) was discontinued.  Today in the 21^st Century of inventions, we still could not decide whether taking photos is legitimate or not, watching televisions is legitimate or not, employment of women is legitimate or not, marriage with the mutual consent of adult male and female is legitimate or not, learning the art of painting is legitimate or not, the Wana Operation is legitimate or not.  The reason behind this uncertainty is because we (the Muslims) have stopped the process of Ijtihad.

The First and Second World War took place in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 respectively and later new changes appeared on the world map.  At that moment, focus of Muslim Khilafat was Turkey.  After the First World War, the Ottoman Empire was divided and shrunk, i.e. it ended from most of the Muslim States.  Mehmed V (Mohammad Sultan) remained the Caliph from 1909 to 1918 and Mehmed Sultan VI remained the Caliph from 1918 till 1922.  Afterwards, Caliph Abdul Majeed remained on the caliphate from 1922 to 1924 and was removed by Mustafa Kamal Ataturk in 1924.  Caliph Mehmed Sultan VI struck a deal with the British and signed an agreement called the Treaty of Sevres on 10 August 1920 that they can take all the land of Ottoman Empire but let him rule.  This is not only a historical fact but also surprising that despite the fact that Mehmed Sultan VI makes an agreement with the British, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar continued to lead the Khilafat Movement in India.

After the First and Second World War, the British Empire and the French Empire had to liberate all the occupied areas, which were made their colonies.  Similarly, in the Muslim areas or where Muslim Governments were in place, were also liberated in one form or other.  It is to be noted that in these areas the British Empire handed over the power to those who had supported them during the First and Second World War.  Soon after independence, these Muslims countries either established monarchy or military dictatorship or the so-called democracy.  In this way, a few families and their children ruled these countries and the national exchequer spent on their licentious lifestyle.   Public health, education and latest developments in science and technology were ignored thus the people in these Muslim countries were divided in two classes – one is the ruling class or monarchy and the other is the class deprived of even basic rights.  A few years ago, Saudi Arabia was seen as a sacred and respectable country, though the system of governance is not Islamic there, instead monarchy is the established system.  After the discovery of oil in Arab and other Muslim countries, their lifestyles changed, wealth poured in resulting in making the monarchs and army dictators ruling these countries richer and their lifestyles becoming more and more licentious.  As the money came in, latest developments, roads, etc were constructed and all these projects were awarded to the western or American companies.  They were compelled to rely upon the western and American companies because they did not have the latest scientific knowledge and technology.  Oil and wealth, made the ruling families of these countries arrogant and paralysed their though process.  Because of the overflow of wealth, they did not felt the need to think about their country’s defence, but heavily relied on purchasing the defence systems from America or the West.  They also thought that worst come worst they will hire the armies of America, Britain and other western countries to defend their borders.  Such paralysed thinking has made all the Muslim countries dependent upon the west and the America – and how those who are dependent on others can ever help their brothers in the time of need?  By heavily relying on others, the ruling class in the Muslim countries completely threw out the sentiment of self-reliance and self-sufficiency.  Most of these Muslim countries treat their citizens as slaves or occupied nation and keep them away from high offices of the Government. If anyone speaks against the monarchical system, they are either hanged or sent to prison.  In Pakistan as well, as a result of a hidden conspiracy, the Founder of Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah was systematically murdered.  Thereafter, his right-hand man Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was also murdered in broad daylight.  Subsequently, the feudal class with the full support of army generals hijacked the country. After 56 years of its independence, if we examine the political culture of the country then we come to the conclusion that whether it is democracy or army rule, a few families (two percent) have ruled the country.  Another class is that of political religious leaders who have served as custodian to the feudal and military system of government.

Let us now analyse the situation of human rights in Muslim countries.  Is there a Muslim country that has granted asylum to a Muslim struggling for the promotion of democracy and democratic system in his own country and had to flee his country fearing persecution and threat to his life?   All such revolutionaries had to seek asylum in America, Britain and other western countries. Millions belonging to such families have sought refuge in western countries and America and are being provided all the facilities.  Today our intellectuals and political religious leaders condemn the West and America and also continue to preach for jihad.  Are they prepared to wage jihad? The countries with no democracy or justice system can neither fight the powerful countries nor can they wage jihad.  Were the 70 Muslim countries able to unite and prevent attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan?  Unfortunately, for the past 56 years, we cannot liberate Kashmir but the political religious leaders and certain intellectuals raise emotional slogans of capturing the Red Fort in Delhi, India. When are we going to adopt and plan our line of action in light of the philosophy of realism of practicalism?  I invited the readers to decide that when the western electronic media displays how Talibans run their affairs in Afghanistan; televisions, radio and tape recorders burning and hanging in the streets; women are being brutally tortured with guns – then what image of Islam will be created?  What will they think about Islam?  How the world will view when they witness killings of women in the name of honour killings (karokari)?  Recently, a resolution was presented in the United Nations on the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yaseen, a Palestinian Leader, by the Israeli Army, which was vetoed by America.  All the Muslim countries were powerless and kept silent.  In short, the state of affairs of the Muslim countries can be easily gauged with the fact that not even a single Muslim country has acquired the veto power.

Here the question arises, what should the Muslim countries do to acquire respectable position in the world?  First of all, the Muslim countries should establish true democratic system of governance.  Secondly, the Muslim countries should be establish an educated system meeting the requirements of the 21^st Century.  Thirdly a true and independent system of justice be established. Fourthly, instead of relying on others steps be taken to make ourselves self-sufficient.  Fifthly, special attention be given towards scientific knowledge including information and technology and lastly monarchy and autocratic rules from Muslim countries should be abolished.  Who will take these steps?  Its reply is simple but no an easy task.  The Muslims countries must educate their citizens with latest knowledge and spread the awareness against the paralysed and antiquated systems, do away from the emotional slogans and mystical stories and beware of the so-called religious intellectuals and mullahs and demonstrate intellectualism according to the philosophy of realism by Allama Iqbal:

Khudi ko kar baland itna
Ki har taqdeer sey pehley
Khuda bandey ko khud poocchey
Bata, 'Teri raza kya hai?'

Endow your will with such power
That at every turn of fate it so be
That God Himself asks of His slave
'What is it that pleases thee?'

And according to the philosophy of practicalism

Amal sey zindagi banti hai
Jannat bhi jahannum bhi;
Yeh khaki, apni fitrat men
Na noori hai na nari hai.

'Tis how we act that makes our lives;
We can make it heaven, we can make it hell.
In the clay of which we are made
Neither light nor darkness (of evil) dwells.