| 30 January 2010
It was 26 November 2008 when the major onslaught and siege of the Taj Palace and other adjoining places of Mumbai happened. Today a year has passed since that atrocious event. It was really a bone chilling havoc for the entire world globally. I was really aghasted when I learned that around 200 people lost their precious lives and more than 300 people were injured by that severe terrorist assault. That really stirred my existence deep inside. Only God knows what was in the minds of those who did all this chaos. I think the assailants who were behind this brutal massacre are not humans by any means because this offence bears a clear testimony to their inhuman nature. I was even more shocked when I read in Indian Express that some 300 real estate brokers in Surat declared that they will not sell or rent houses to Muslim clients and the reason for this "boycott" were the Mumbai attack.
On the other hand, the government, once more tried to pass on the buck of this attack on the Muslims and claimed LeT (They however denied the charge) and Deccan Mujahideen (This organisation was never heard before) to be responsible for it without realizing the it could lead to communal riots in a state like Maharashtra where BJP and VHP dominate. All of this was scratching the surface on TV and internet. But violence and terror have got no religion and have nothing to do with a peaceful religion like Islam. Islam teaches Patience, Tolerance, Justice and Harmony. Terrorism, Oppression and Disunity are the antithesis of Islam. The word Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m, which is also the root for the word 'salaam' meaning 'Peace' and 'salima' meaning 'To be safe'. Islam teaches utmost respect for human life. And one who is not a good human being can never be a good muslim. Even the heart of humanity would have trembled on witnessing such a mass killing. All those who did this assail have indeed throttled the real essence of humanity.
Life in Islam is a very precious asset bestowed with love from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). He is the Giver of the Life and He only has the right to take it back. That’s why Islam prohibits suicide. Life is a trust from Allah (SWT) and man is a trustee who should handle this trust with skill and honesty. When Allah (SWT) gives life, it's not in vain, but He endows him with great qualities to make the life purposeful. And only that life is purposeful which is lead in accordance with the Allah's command. And Allah, through Islam, commands us to love and respect all human beings. The Qur'an mentions:
"If anyone slew a person (unjustly), it would be as if he slew the whole mankind; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the all mankind" (Al Qur'an 5:32).
This verse clearly implies that whoever kills any innocent person, irrespective of any religion or group, is as if he killed the whole humanity. Muhammad (SAW) has said:
"Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years" (Bukhari).
Further he said:
"Truly your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable (Bukhari & Ahmad).
Now Imagine! How can a religion like Islam preach violence? It’s a religion in which there is great respect and value for humanity. Muhammad (SAW) has always advised us to be compassionate to people irrespective of their religion. Whenever a funeral of a non-muslim (Jew, Christian, etc) passed by, Muhammad (SAW) used to get up to show respect.
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 23 :: Hadith 399
Narrated 'Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila:
Sahl bin Hunaif and Qais bin Sad were sitting in the city of Al-Qadisiya. A funeral procession passed in front of them and they stood up. They were told that funeral procession was of one of the inhabitants of the land i.e. of a non-believer, under the protection of Muslims. They said, "A funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet and he stood up. When he was told that it was the coffin of a Jew, he said, "Is it not a living being (soul)?"
Islam is a religion of mercy and justice. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers." (Qur’an, 60:8).
"Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.... " (Qur’an, 4:58).
And
" ...And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just." (Qur’an, 49:9)
“...And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety...." (Qur’an, 5:8).
Further Muhammad (SAW) said:
"People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment (Bukhari & Ahmad).
Islam teaches its followers to strive to the utmost level for the reformation of any offensive act.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
"If anyone of you sees an offending act, let him change it with his hand, if its not possible let him change it with his tongue. If that too is not possible let him part ways from it, hating the same in his mind. This is the minimum required standard of faith" (Sahih Muslim).
So Islam clearly advises us to take stern action against all such grave assaults and condemn them in strongest terms. So In the light of authentic Islamic texts, the inflicting of terror into the hearts of innocent and defenseless people, the destruction of houses, buildings and public property and gore killing of men, women and children are strictly prohibited in Islam. These acts are highly detestable according to Islam. Muslims follow a religion of peace and mercy and majority of Muslims have nothing to do with the violence that has been associated with Muslims. If some Muslims commit the act of terrorism, that person would be guilty of violating the Islamic laws but we can never paint all with the same brush. The Islamic teaching is pure. But the people may not be pure.
To conclude, I would like to ask, What have those people attained who did the Mumbai mayhem? What have they derived from it except mass deaths and gore? War and violence can never be a solution to any problem. Wars spread hatred and enmity. They just bring misery and destruction all over along with the impoverishment of resources which otherwise can be employed for far better reasons. The only need of the hour is that we make a correct approach towards Islam and we study the Islam in its correct perspective so that it will not only remove the 'Islamophobia' but will also make this world a better place to live in.