When the Muslims are disunited they would falter in their Imaan, and would be bereft of their inherent strength – (Uthman ibn Affan)
In 2015, I was lucky to accompany ‘Molana Mushtaq Ah Khan’ to Ladakh as a part of his religious tour. The moment we reached Kharbu’ Kargil, a huge gathering welcomed us. After reaching the destination, as a part of routine exercise, a congregation of Zikr (Remembrance of Almighty) was held, followed by conversations with different religious scholars and common people. Ideas were exchanged about various issues including the religious atmosphere of Ladakh. A question-answer session took place. People asked questions to the guest scholar. A group of people, however; raised a surprising question. They asked, ‘Eight years ago, there was division among us (‘Hanafis’ -Hanafi school of thought) into two groups –Barelvis and Deobandis and latter took charge of our Mosque. Is it permissible to perform prayers behind Deobandi Imam?’ All of us accompanying Molana were dispirited after coming to know that they have not been performing ‘Friday-prayers’ from last 8 years in the name of ‘Ishq e Rasool (SAW)’. Molana, very politely responded: “I’m not ‘Mufti’ so cannot issue a decree, but tell me, Is abandoning mosque and not performing ‘Jummah’ sign of ‘Prophet’s (SAW)’ love?”.Silence filled the room. After making them understand the underlying philosophy of this issue, they finally agreed to join the congregational prayers. But soon some fundamentalists- Instilled with extremism circulated the rumor that Molana is ‘heretic’. Nevertheless, educated and intellectually sound ones accepted and reportedly, later acted upon the answer.
In fact, the idea which Molana Mushtaq Ah Khan believes in is the Idea of our ‘Aslaaf’- ‘Predecessors’ who were once represented by Molana’s mentor; Allama Qasim Shah Bukhari. Molana Showkat Hussain Keng in his book ‘Seerat ul Bukhari’ quotes Dr. Wali Mohammad, an associate of Allama and writes; In response to a query, are you Deobandi or Barelvi (Ideologies based on institutions located at Deoband and Bareli in U.P respectively)? Allama replied; ‘I neither preach on the commands of Deobandis, nor of Barelis. Knowledge makes the foundation of my sermons and I myself am ‘School of Thought’. Actually, the response was not out of arrogance. His objective was not to disprove the scholars of the aforementioned seminaries. However, he knew the pulse of the people and attempted to keep them unified through his answer. He was aware of conspiracies that were brewing to disunite people. He knew that lava of hatred is accumulating in the name of these two places and being apprehensive of its devastating emission, he tried to guard the masses beforehand by asking them to broaden the perspective, despite being the alumni of Deoband.
In a Radio- interview that has been penned down and mentioned by prolific writer ‘Syed Aarif Ahmad Qadri’ in his fresh book ‘Allama Bukhari aur un kay Aqaid’, Allama responds to question about unity of Ummah as: ‘9 years ago, I openly expressed disagreement with leaders of existing religious organizations about their way of discourse. In addition, I suggested them to have rulings in regard to religious speeches. I told them, at least, a sermonizer should not be acerbic, and must not indulge into mudslinging but unfortunately, my solicitations got unheard and all my efforts in this direction came to naught’.
It is on record Allama approached Molana Tahiri (Ahle-Hadith scholar) for collecting donation for ‘Hanfia Arabic College’. Presently masses would find this act as ‘corrupt’ but in truth; it was a demonstration of unity and fraternity by Allama Bukhari. Molana Showket Hussain Keng rightly interprets it as Allama’s ‘broad-vision’ and writes; the wall of unity in Kashmir was intact through these acts of geniality.
There are many such incidents in Allama’s life that proves him ‘Pioneer of Unity’. Once a person of particular ideology went to Allama and asked him to issue the fatwa against another ideologue. Allama refused and said ‘Issuing Fatwa is a profession of Muslim Legal Expert (Mufti), not mine’- who said this; remember, The Mufasir (commentator of Quran), the author of Hundreds of Books, and above all a person whose ‘reply’ was considered as the authenticity.
From his speeches to writings, Allama never questioned or launched a diatribe against anyone. And for the promotion of religious harmony, Allama compromised with his identity. Today, he is treated as the controversial figure with Barelvi calling him Deobandi and vice-versa. For others, he is what they call ‘misbeliever’ etc. Even Allama’s organization Anjuman Tableegul Islam and its affiliates constantly face criticism for the adoption of a conservative approach. However; fortuitously, ATI is dogged to continue propagating of its message.
Allama was of the opinion that the differences existed even among the companions of the Prophet (SAW) and will continue to be there. In addition, no magic wand exists that can eliminate them; however, we must unite on fundamentals of religion, which are clear and make a matter of consensus on the global basis. The latter actually is the message that reached us from Quran and through the practices of our great religious personalities. Allah SWT clearly says; ‘And hold on firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided’ (Surah al-Imran). Lives of companions of Prophet (saw) too, present glaring examples of unity. In contention between Hazrat Ali (r.a) and Hazrat Mawiyah (r.a), an infidel king tried to meddle, offered help to Hazrat Mawiya (r.a) to get rid of Hazrat Ali (r.a). However, the history is witness to the fact that Hazrat Mawiyah (r.a) rejected the offer and warned the King; ‘If you even thought to touch the boundary of Islamic territory, you would be first to be eliminated.’ When it comes to discussion on unity, no one can ignore Shah-I-Hamdan (r.a), who chose to change his school of thought from ‘Shaafi’ to ‘Hanafi’ for preserving harmony. This entails that despite the difference of opinion our predecessors were always united, especially against the antagonists. They encouraged and conveyed the same message both vocally as well as practically. For this reason, our past was successful and bright.
Howbeit, at present, the representatives of predecessors have been overwhelmed by ‘pseudo-scholars’ who are in the religious field by ‘Chance’ not by ‘Choice’. ‘By Chance’, I mean to say, for their livelihood and not for serving religion. Taking benefit of people’s sentiments and their attachment to the religion, these pseudo-scholars try to prove themselves and their coterie as elysian only and declare others polytheists and hellish. Given the fact that the more religious you would be, more favor you will get from the people, these self-interested scholars play every shot to attract public. Knowing that people get fascinated and excited by ferocious speeches, they often rant and discuss controversial matters, in which they have an axe to grind. But never think about the religion that is on the target of the foe. The condition has turned so worse that we have lost sympathy for Muslims having different views. ISIS killed people and destroyed mosques in the Middle East, the pseudo-scholars supplicated for the victory of killers, as the destroyed mosque happened to be belonging to the people of ‘other’ school of thought. Consequentially, we are witnessing what Allama Iqbal said; Ganwa di hum ne jo aslaf say meeras payi thi; Suraya Say Zameen par aasmaan nay hum ko dey mara.(we have despoiled the inheritance that we won from our fathers; the heaven from the zenith has dashed us down).
If we have to rise again, there is no way other than unifying and for that, every religious preacher and common masses have a role to play. We should not become cat’s paw in the hands of self-centered extremists rather we should follow those who unite the hearts, not those who disunite. Moreover, without exaggeration, the message of a people like, Allama Bukhari deserves to be appreciated, encouraged, promulgated, and adopted.
With special thanks to Syed Asif Raza (Sub-editor monthly Al-Aetiqad- official organ of ATI )
Zeeshan Rasool Khan, writes on current socio-political issues and can be mailed at mohdzeeshan605gmail.com
