2017 - Happy Independence Day Pakistan

2017 - Happy Independence Day Pakistan

2017 - Happy Independence Day Pakistan

by S Roman Ahsan

POSTED AT: http://bit.ly/2uDzo04

Pakistanis celebrate 70th Independence Day Anniversary of their country on 14th August 2017. Our elders sacrificed so that we can live freely in this homeland. Whatever others say, this country is a great blessing if we truly reflect.

However, we still have to achieve independence in the true sense. There is immense conflict between different groups of the country because we have failed to attach importance to the ideals of a true Muslim State. Consider the quote below by our Quaid Mohammad Ali Jinnah which has been misinterpreted time and again:

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”

Some elements use this quote to declare that Jinnah envisioned a secular country. Sadly, they are ignorant that what this quote describes is the essential spirit of a true Muslim State and never did the founder of Pakistan use the word 'Secular' in his speeches when talking about the ideology of the country.

Whenever there has been a true Muslim State starting with the conquest of Makkah, the worship places and institutions of Non-Muslims have always been protected, while they have been allowed to worship there. When the Second Caliph of Islam, Hadhrat Umar (ra) conquered Jerusalem, Christians and Jews were allowed to worship there. The Christian Crusaders were not so kind in return. A foul bloodshed followed when they captured Jerusalem in 1099 with little Muslim babies thrown off the towers or smashed against the walls.

Islam emphasizes fairness in all matters whether it concerns Muslims or people of any other religion. As inhabitants of planet Earth, we are all human beings first and must relate to each other in this manner. However, as Muslims we do have certain obligations but which should not make us scorn anyone on the basis of his/her faith. In dealing with Non-Muslims and especially minority citizens of Pakistan, we have to be careful and not become offenders. On the other hand, we cannot let anyone be an offender in Pakistan either, whether one is Muslim or Non-Muslim citizen of Pakistan.

Issues like blasphemy against any religious figures of Islam are very sensitive. Mobs cannot be allowed to take matters in their hands and kill people over personal rivalry using a false pretext of blasphemy. Court has to decide the punishment.

Few cases have been exceptional where someone in authority in Pakistan exceeded his limits and used foul street language in front of camera on matters concerning Islam thus infuriating the society at large (later on exhibiting further ill-mannerism). However, our enlightened media takes sides with groups owing to its own interests and not delving deep into what Islam says about the whole matter. Proper Scholars of Islam have to be consulted there.

Lastly, the element of love for Prophet (pbuh) is not about killing but when it is a matter of utter disrespect and high arrogance against the persona of our Prophet (pbuh) then the Court should declare stern punishment for the offender. 

In the 1920s, Mohammad Ali Jinnah defended the case of Ghazi Ilm-ud-din Shaheed who had killed a Hindu publisher for publishing a very blasphemous book against our Prophet (pbuh). So we should remember all this also.

Corruption is a big matter in the country nowadays but we forget our inner corruption. We cannot fight corruption by depending on our human efforts alone but need to bring Allah's support on our side. For that we have to 'try' to be 'sincere' in our obligations towards Allah and towards our fellow beings. Then we can have greater chance of victory. 

Pakistanis take more interest in politics and in blaming everything on a corrupt ruler but they are not keen about improving themselves on overall basis with regards to the golden principles of Islam. This is especially true of the educated class and they have a greater responsibility in this context. An optimum balance is desired between the positive Western thought and the teachings of Islam (with focus on Qur'an, Sunnah and Authentic Hadith literature).

Blind pursuit of Nationalism is not going to liberate us. We should love our country, yes, but within the framework of Islam.

In the end, some quotes by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah which our esteemed English newspapers seem to avoid all the time:

 - Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim Ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which, we hope others will share with us..

- We should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play.

- You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood in your own native soil.

[The opinions in this article are solely of the writer and may not reflect the philosophies of any institution in Pakistan]