London
8 November 2000
Dr Imran Farooq, Convenor of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) stated that all the religions of the world preach for the respect of humanity and do not permit acts against humanity. He expressed these views during a study circle at the MQM International Secretariat in London entitled “Religions of the world and its comparative studies”. He said that Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Parsees and all other religions preach humanity. However, the rulers and monarchs conniving with the spurious clergies have distorted the real form and spirit of their religions to serve their personal objectives and vested interests. Similarly, several defiled attempts have been made to introduce monarchical system by separating the true spirit of Islam from the doctrines of Islam (Deen-e-Fitrat), the religion of nature.
Dr Imran Farooq stated that the prescribed method of ijtehaad (exercise of the judgement or interpretation of Islamic laws) by consensus has ceased to exist. Today, this is not hidden from any one the way the non-Muslim world is projecting Islam, due to the tales “accomplishments” of the expedient religious elements having their personal and vested interests through collusion with non-Muslims and mighty powers for bidding their interests.
Dr Imran Farooq said that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was not only the Last Prophet of God but was the most revered personality of the world and always practised what he preached. He said that once during the construction of a mosque, the companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were extremely hungry and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) advised them to wrap a stone on their stomach underneath their garments. On the expression of the intolerable hunger by one of his companion, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) pulled his garment and exhibited two stones wrapped around his stomach.
Dr Imran Farooq questioned that which religious scholar or the so-called upholder of Islam today offers part of his meal to the impoverished and starving fellow Muslims and is prepared to wrap stone around their stomach, all the workers collectively and eloquently replied “No one and nowhere”.
Dr Imran Farooq said that those preaching others should first practically adopt and act upon their own preaching. Answering a question by a worker to define the character of “Raam”, which also appears in the drama serial “Maha Bharat” televised through Zee Television, Dr Imran Farooq said that “Raam” was also a great name in the history of the religions of the world. He further said that one could learn more about the qualities, reverence and personality of Raam from the famous poem “Raam” of Hazrat Allama IqbalRH, the Muffakir-e-Islam and Shair-e-Mashriq.
Dr Imran Farooq said that Hakim Ul Ummat, Shair-e-Mashriq and the creator of the ideology of Pakistan, Hazrat Allama IqbalRH expresses his views on Raam in his poem “Raam” as follows:
Labrayz hay sharab-e-haqiqat
say jaam-e-Hind
Sub falsafee hayn khitta-e-maghrib kay Raam-e-Hind
Ye hindiyon kay fikr-e-falak rus kaa hay asar
Rifat may aasmaan say bhi ooncha hay baam-e-Hind
Iss dayss may hooee hayn hazaron malak sarisht
Mash’hoor jin kay dum say hay dunya may naam-e-Hind
Hay Raam kay wajood pe Hindustan ko naaz
Ahl-e-nazar samajhtey hayn uss ko Imam-e-Hind
Aijaz uss chiragh-e-hidayat kaa hay yehee
Roshan ter az sehar hay zamanay may shaam-e-Hind
Talwaar kaa dhanee thaa, shuja’at may fard thaa
Pakeezgee may josh-e-mohabbat may fard thaa
Dr Imran Farooq said that this famous poem of Hakim Ul Ummat Hazrat Allama Iqbal could be viewed in his work “Bang-e-Dara”.
Note: As this study-circle was very lengthy, therefore, further details will be released tomorrow.