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Woman in Modern Society
The greatness and achievement of a person is judged on the basis of his or her
services rendered for
the benefit of mankind. Life is a reality; it is not a drama. The treatment of
women with compassion or
cruelty in a society, will not be judged on the basis of empty words, but on the
basis of observation . The Western world, woman is considered
a vehicle for promoting products and services,
including political maneuvering by the political
parties. She is being robbed of integrity. The concept
of extra marital relationship is being marketed by the Western media .
Fornication and adultery is considered normality. The institution of
marriage is considered a relic of the past. The same
media then goes on to jeer permission
given by Islam for polygamy, which in itself is regulated by the
concept of justice. When
it comes to giving legitimacy to the relationship between man and woman and
binding them under a covenant of marriage, the trends in the West seem to be
moving in the opposite direction.
Chastity of Woman
Islam places importance on the protection of the chastity of woman. To accuse
her of inchastity
without producing necessary evidence, is a crime
punishable severely under Islamic code of law. In the
process, Islam prescribes
for woman a dress of modesty in order to give her a shield for self-protection.
But unfortunately, there
are certain European countries who are not prepared to honour the rights of
their
own citizens to wear a
respectable dress - the hijab. A few years ago, the French media made a big fuss
over the civil right of the two Muslim
University students who decided to wear hijab - the Islamic dress
of decency - on the University campus. The two ladies became the focus of
attack in the press and
media. Suddenly the world was made to believe
that French civilisation and culture was threatened by
Islam. The French politicians behaved desperately to
deny the two ladies an entry into the classrooms
with head-scarf. If some European ladies had decided to go in indecent dresses
into the classrooms, this
would have been construed as their freedom of choice under civil rights. No
civilization can be
considered mature if it denies equal rights to its own citizens, regardless of
colour, race and religion. But
when the Muslims are involved, they are treated with bias and double standards.
Dignified Status of Woman
Islamic law bestowed upon woman the right of inheritance and the right of
possessing and disposing of
her property, when other communities of the world deprived her of her basic
human rights. Islam placed
the eternal reward of Paradise under the feet of woman, in her capacity as
mother. The Prophet
emphasised in his sermon on the mount Arafat, during his last pilgrimage to
Makkah, as well as, in his last
will on the death bed, that woman must be treated with kindness. Islam also gave
equal rights to men and
women to acquire knowledge. The Messenger of Allah said : "Acquisition of
knowledge is an obligation
on every believing man and every believing woman." The key to any
development is knowledge. By
giving woman a complete right to progress in the field of knowledge, Islam
considers woman an
indispensable partner of man for building a healthy and constructive society.
One of the outstanding achievements of the mission of Prophet Muhammad (saww)
was to uplift the
status, honour and dignity of woman, who was meted out a brutal and inhuman
treatment in the
pre-Islamic era. Islam prepared woman to fulfil her social duties and become a
dignified daughter, a
respectable wife and a loving mother. At each phase of her life, Islam elevated
progressively, the respect
to be given to womanhood. She was not to be considered a mere chattel. She was
not to be exploited for
economic and commercial ends. She had a role to play, not only in protecting her
household, but also in
protecting the society as a whole. Islam placed on her shoulder a
co-responsibility of safeguarding the
purity and sanctity of family environment, and that of generations to come. The
fabric of the society is
shaken when woman leads the way towards social decadence. Families are
disintegrated and children are
left to wander in wilderness, when woman fails in her obligations.
Greatest Woman of Islam
Islam presented a model character of womanhood in the great personalities of
Lady Khadijah, the
Mother of the Believers, and her daughter Fatima, the truthful. The former
sacrificed the power and
glory of abundant wealth for the sake of Islam, and adopted a life of poverty.
The latter followed the
footsteps of her mother and left an immortal legacy of human greatness,
expressed in her attributes of
purity, sincerity, unshakeable faith and contentment with the pleasure of Allah,
in happiness and
afflictions.
Lady Fatima was born on 20th Jamadi-ul-Thani, five years after the declaration
of Prophethood. Ibn
'Abdul Birr quotes 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet as saying, "I have seen
no one whose words and
speech were as similar to that of the Prophet as Fatima's " (Al-Isti'ab).
The overwhelming love and
respect which existed between the Prophet and his daughter, were based at the
apex of human
compassion. When 'Aisha was asked : "Who was the most beloved to the
Prophet among men?" She
replied : "Ali". When she was asked : "Who was the most beloved
to him among women?" She replied :
"Fatima". The Prophet normally welcomed his daughter by rising, taking
her hand, kissing her and
seating her in his place. She was the last person the Prophet used to see when
leaving Madina; and was
the first person the Prophet used to visit on returning back to Madina.
When the companions of the holy Prophet, Abu Bakr, Umar and Abdul Rahman bin Awf,
in turn,
asked her hand in marriage, the Prophet replied that he was awaiting Divine
Order in this respect. This
reply shows that all the actions of the Prophet were dictated by the Divine
Will. When Ali proposed, the
Prophet gladly accepted after consulting her. The Prophet said that had it not
been for Ali, Fatima would
not have had a suitable match. It was only through the family of Ali and Fatima
that the Almighty gave
an ever present existence to the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (saww). The result
of this wedlock was
revealed across centuries when, the world of Islam witnessed constructive
contribution made by the
lineage of Ali and Fatima, in the field of science, exegesis of the Quran,
ahadith (traditions) of the
Prophet, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), adab (literature) and other branches of
knowledge. They broke the
record of bravery in Jihad - the struggle for the sake of Allah and His
religion. They sacrificed their life
but never abandoned the battlefield.
The Most Blessed Wedding on Earth
The words uttered by the Prophet on the occasion of the marriage of Amirul
Moamineen Ali and Lady
Fatima in the Mosque, in the assembly of Sahaba (the companions), reflected his
insight and wishes,
which were translated into actions and achievements that followed. The Prophet
prayed in his sermon:
"O Allah! Bless both of them, sanctify their progeny and grant them the
keys of Your Beneficence, Your
treasures of wisdom... and let both of them be a source of blessing and peace to
my ummah
(community)." It was a perfect harmony and greatness in the character of
Imam Ali and Lady Fatima,
which never allowed them to lose patience and perseverance. They were indeed, a
great blessing to the
ummah as the Prophet had foreseen. Numerous narrations related from the Prophet
and recorded in the
ancient books of ahadith, describe their proximity with the Prophet in his
mission. Imam Ali and Lady
Fatima and the children from their lineage are at the apex of the taharat
(purity) of the Prophet's
household. The verse of purification revealed in the holy Quran is a living
testimony to this fact. Their
foremost and pioneering spirit of sacrifice for Islam, could never be
obliterated from the hearts and
memory of generations of mankind. Their prayers and sacrifice, their living and
dying was for Allah, the
Lord of the Universe. Their faith and devotion was for their Creator and for His
cause, which they
served selflessly.
No household was as successful as that of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima because it
was built on the
foundation laid down by the Prophet and Lady Khadijah, whose greatness surpasses
human imagination.
The graduates of this purified family were given honours, hitherto unheard of.
The Prophet named his
daughter Fatima : "Leader of the women of the worlds." He described
her husband Ali, the valiant in
Jihad, as : "I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate." He
called her two sons Hassan and Hussain :
"the Leaders of the youths of Paradise." No family unit, since the
creation began, has ever produced so
many qualities, whose radiance glitters the soul and spirit of the obedient
devotees of the Almighty.
The Knowledge and Wisdom of the Leader of the Ladies of Paradise
The outstanding wisdom of the members of the household of the Prophet is
expressed through their
deeds and words, which were always coherent with each other. They were the role
models of all the
ethical behaviour which they taught. They preached what they practised in public
and private life. The
purity of their faith in Allah was manifest in their love, devotion and
obedience to Allah.
Fatima, the truthful lady of the house of the Prophet, derived her knowledge and
wisdom directly from
the Prophet, who derived his through the Revelation. Lady Fatima (a.s.) watched
closely all the actions
of her father, who was commissioned by the Almighty to guide humanity towards
the Right Path. She
was brought up by the Prophet and taught how to be a perfect example for
womanhood, as he was for
man. The Prophet said, "Fatima is my part. Whoever pleases her, pleases me,
and whoever displeases
her, displeases me." There are many ahadith (traditions) of the Prophet
narrated in the authentic books
of Muslims, which emphasise clearly the special position enjoyed by her in the
Islamic upbringing
(tarbiyah) of the Muslim community (ummah). Indeed, Lady Fatima was an integral
part of the mission
of Prophet Muhammad (saww) and she remained totally committed to that status as
long as she lived.
Lady Fatima describes Iman (Faith) and the
Articles of Faith
Faith in the Creator is essential for submission to His Will. Polytheism
pollutes the soul, in as much as,
disbelief in the Oneness and Uniqueness of God, results in agnosticism. This
fact is best reflected in the
wise tradition of Lady Fatima. She says, "Allah ordained Faith for you as a
purity from polytheism."
However, Faith must have its outer expression in the form of worship. The mode
of prayers (Salaat)
prescribed by Islam is such that a worshipper remains ever conscious of the
presence of God. Human
weakness and its susceptibility to commit sins has to be constantly reminded of
the favours of God.
Salaat (Prayers)
All our endeavours are incomplete without being thankful for the benevolence of
the Sustainer. Hence,
Lady Fatima says, "And Allah ordained Salaat (prayers) as the cause of your
purification from pride." In
the daily prayers performed in congregation, the white and the black, the rich
and the poor, the rulers and
their subjects, the master and the slave, become equal in the sight of God and
stand shoulder to shoulder,
without any discrimination.
Zakaat (Alms)
If the sense of thankfulness is not extended to humanbeings, with whom we have
to co-exist, then
thanks-giving to God is not complete. We are interdependent on each other. Islam
neither believes nor
preaches any existence in isolation. Human favours must be repaid with favours,
according to the Quran.
Therefore, helping fellow humans who are in need, is also an obligatory duty in
Islam. Says Lady Fatima,
"And Allah made alms (obligatory), for the purity of your soul and as a
means of increasing your
sustenance." This shows that Zakaat (poor due) is not considered a loss,
but an investment which will be
repaid with manifold favours and bounties of Allah.
Saum (Fasting)
In order to formulate a habit of extending a helping hand to the needy and poor
members of human
society, one has to feel their hardships. Islam trains the believers for any
eventuality. Poverty and
richness can easily change sides, as the history of human existence on earth
teaches us. Lady Fatima
throws light on this aspect of Islamic teachings in her tradition. She says,
"And Allah made (obligatory),
fasting (saum) for the firmness of sincerity." Indeed, sincerity towards
the creatures of God is an
expression of sincerity towards the Creator. Those who do not value human life,
are not sincere to God.
Those who cannot feel and meet the hardship of poor, have some defects in their
humanity. The
believers are given a practical spiritual training through all forms of worship.
For example, fasting keeps
them aware of the throngs of hunger and thirst suffered by the majority of human
beings as a daily
routine in their life.
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)
Muslims also have to have a first hand knowledge of the plight of the fellow
members of the
community. Islam goes as far as providing an opportunity, where the believers
can meet each other in the
largest gathering ever on the face of the earth. Once in a life-time, the
believers who can afford, have a
duty to go for pilgrimage to Makkah. Lady Fatima says, "And Allah made
(obligatory), Hajj (pilgrimage),
for the reinforcement of the religion." This proves that religion is
expressly concerned with serving the
cause of God, one of the most vital aspect of which is, to be in communion with
the masses.
'Adl (Justice)
The obvious shortcoming of the modern society is the absence of fairness in most
of the human
dealings. This creates hard feelings in the hearts of the ones who are deprived
of justice. All the class
struggles, crimes, wars and other violent outbursts are due to lack of justice.
Lady Fatima emphasises the
importance of justice in her tradition. She says, "And Allah made
(obligatory), abiding by justice, a means
for harmonisation of the hearts."
There are many people who are hurt by the society's failure in dispensing
justice. When the Bosnian
Muslims were massacred and their women were raped by the barbaric supporters of
the brutal dictator of
Serbia in the early nineties, the NATO was indifferent to the tragic plight of
Bosnians. The UN
intermediaries appointed to broker a peace agreement, told the helpless and
abandoned people of Bosnia,
not to expect any intervention from the Europeans to solve their problems! It
was in fact, one of the most
serious crisis of the twentieth century. As a result, by the late nineties, the
fascism in Serbia was already
emulating the form and style of Nazis. Suddenly the NATO realised that it cannot
tolerate ethnic
cleansing in the heart of Europe. Had action been taken when the Bosnian men
were bundled in mass
graves and their children were separated from their mothers, the Hitlers of
Serbia would not have
succeeded in their crime against humanity in carrying out genocide. When people
are deprived of justice,
hearts cannot be harmonised and the enmity continues from generation to
generation.
'Amr bin Ma'aroof' and 'Nahi anil Munkar' (Enjoining
good and forbidding evil)
Peace can be established in a society through interaction of certain
contributory factors. Islam trains members of its community to meet the
objective of peaceful co-existence with others by promoting righteousness and
opposing evil. Only in this way justice can prevail. Without justice, there can
never be peace; and dispensation of justice can only be achieved through
authoritative guidance. Yet, we come across strange standards being set by
politicians. So long as the autocrats, coming from the other parts of the world,
confine their ruthlessness to their own countrymen, the champions of human
rights are prepared to turn a blind eye. In the case of the third world
countries,
if these dictators can prove their worth by serving political interest of the
'democratic nations' of the West, then they might even qualify for moral and
military support! Where does the fundamental concept of 'enjoining good' and
'forbidding evil', preached by the revealed religions, fit into such political
games?
Lady Fatima says, "And Allah made (obligatory), enjoining good (amr bil
ma'aroof) and forbidding evil
(nahi 'anil munkar), for the improvement of the society." Every member of
the society who cares for its
betterment, has to honour this duty. Life is like a journey which moves towards
a set destiny. All the
travellers on a plane, normally have one common objective, that of reaching
their destination safely. But
if anyone of the co-travellers tries to open the emergency door of the aircraft
in mid-air, he has to be
restrained by other passengers. No sensible person would justify the action of a
crazy traveller in the
name of 'freedom of choice'. In other words, no excuse can be acceptable under
the slogan of 'freedom
of action' when life of other people is in danger. At this point in time, the
effort of all the passengers
would be concentrated on enjoining good and forbidding evil. If persuasion
fails, then they would have to
use force in the interest of all concerned.
Jihad (Holy Struggle)
This leads us to yet another important duty bestowed on responsible communities
- that of struggling
towards the Right Path or the Path of God, which features an inherent goodness
and purity. Lady Fatima
(a.s.) draws our attention by saying, "And Allah made (obligatory), Jihad
(struggling for the sake of God)
the glory for Islam and humiliation for the infidels and the hypocrites."
But how can one struggle with
himself (or herself) and with the outside world? There is one essential
ingredient which can lead to
success. Jihad has to be supported by patience, so that one does not lose the
aim of the struggle, which
one undergoes persistently in life.
Sabr (Patience)
A person is constantly struggling with his own desires and with the challenges
of the outside world. He
may have to adopt different mode of fighting the evil tendencies of his inner
self and of his surroundings.
In both the processes, impatience can thwart his efforts. Therefore, Lady Fatima
advises us, "And Allah
made (obligatory), the patience (sabr) as an aid for getting eternal
reward." God is the bestower of eternal
rewards, which will be extended beyond life, when all our actions would have
come to an end. The
virtues of this life, for the benefit of mankind, would materialise in the form
of bounties of God.
Birr-al-Waledain (Righteous conduct towards parents)
First and foremost in the categories of virtuous living and maintaining human
rights, are the rights of
parents that must be respected. Says Lady Fatima, "And Allah made
(obligatory), the righteous
behaviour (or kindness) towards parents (birr al waledain) as a protection from
His wrath."
Silat-ul-Arhaam (connections with kinship)
Second in the category of human rights are the rights of blood relatives (Silat-ul-arhaam).
Lady Fatima
continues, "And Allah made (obligatory), connections with kinship the cause
of lengthening of life." One
of the strong bond of protection is good relation of a person with his
relatives. They are his partners in
joy and sorrow. They are the first source to whom he turns in need and in
hardship. They provide
solace in grief. They are his backbone when he is treated unjustly by others.
Therefore, Islam places
great importance on the bond of kinship.
Wafa bin-Nadhr (fulfilment of vow)
This is how Islam lays the foundation of the social structure of society. In any
society, there are bound
to occur deviations and inequities. But there are ways and means to enforce
corrective measures. For
example, a person may take a vow or make a promise to himself that he would
carry out certain good
deeds. He is expected to fulfil his vow, simply because God is aware of his
intention and is the main
witness of his vow. Lady Fatima says in this respect, "And Allah made
(obligatory), the execution of vow
(wafa bin-nadhr) as a medium of forgiveness." This means that Allah has
kept His door of Mercy open
and is willing to forgive His repentant servants, who fulfil their vows. Despite
such lofty morals, Islam
comes under attack from many obstinate people with half knowledge, although they
are aware that Islam
has solutions to many challenging problems of the modern world.
Qisaas (Punishment for homicide)
Deviation in society is reflected in an increasing rate of violent crimes.
Murderers get away with
sentences far less in proportion to the severity of grievances caused to the
bereaved families. Islamic
penal law is based on capital punishment as a deterrent to crime. In this way,
the rights of all citizens to
live in peace can be respected. Lady Fatima has explained this aspect in her
tradition. She Says, "And
Allah made (obligatory), law of qisaas (retaliation for homicide against the
guilty) as the security from
spilling (innocent) blood."
Tawfiyat al-Makaeel wal Mawazeen (correct use of
weights and measures)
As people interact with each other in economic activities, Islam emphasises fair
dealings in trade.
Dishonesty in trade can generate enmity. Lady Fatima, whilst explaining the
Islamic principle of just
dealings, says, "And Allah made (obligatory), the correct use of weights
and measures as a deterrent from
fraud." Modern societies have introduced many legal requirements to protect
the interest of consumers,
as regards the description of goods and usage of correct weights and measures.
Yet, this does not stop
greedy traders from cheating innocent members of the public.
Tark as-Sirqah (refraining from theft)
Thefts committed through misrepresenting the description of goods and services,
generate counter
reaction at consumer level. Lady Fatima covers this point by saying, "And
Allah made (obligatory),
refraining from theft for the sake of decency." Decent behaviour in the
process of exchange of goods and
services, can spare buyers and sellers from unfair transactions.
An-Nahi 'an Shurbil Khamr (prohibition from drinking
alcohol)
In recent years, scientific discovery that, smoking imminently damages health,
has been given a wide
publicity. If a fraction of similar publicity was given to the negative and
destructive effects of drinking
alcohol, then society would have been saved from many disasters. The adverse
effects of consumption
of alcohol are too obvious to be concealed. At personal and social level, this
habit is showing its landmark
in the increasing number of accidents, crimes, assaults and wastage of
resources. Says Lady Fatima,
"And Allah made prohibition from drinking intoxicants, the cause of
refraining from evils."
Ijtinab al-Qadhf (prohibition from accusing others of
adultery)
Islam has prohibited certain acts as a shield from going astray. Society
consists of individuals, and
individuals comprise communities and families. If family unit is saved from the
damaging effects of
permissiveness, then the foundation of community becomes strong. If the
community is on the right
track, then it enjoys respect in the society. This is why Islam seeks to protect
the chastity of family
above everything else. However, where the fabric of society is threatened due to
sinful acts, rigorous
procedure is followed under Islamic law before verdict is passed. A person
cannot indulge himself in
loose gossip of accusing others of adultery. If he cannot produce witnesses, he
himself becomes liable to
punishment. This is one of the cases, where damage is easy to inflict but
difficult to mend. This fact is
reflected in the tradition of Lady Fatima who says, "And Allah made
(obligatory), the prohibition from
accusing (others) of adultery, as a protection for avoiding the curse (of
Allah)."
Tahrem as-Shirk (prohibition of polytheism)
If the triangle of family, community and society is to remain healthy, then at
each level there has to be
a conscious recognition of the purpose behind human existence. God did not
create mankind in vain. In
Islam, Tawheed (Oneness and Uniqueness of God) is at the core of religious
faith. Polytheism is
considered an unforgivable sin. Lady Fatima emphasises this fact and says,
"And Allah prohibited
polytheism for the sake of sincerity in (abiding by) His worship."
Taa'at Ahl ul Bait (obedience of the holy progeny of
the Messenger of Allah)
The path that leads us to God is pure and sublime, without any crookedness. In
the human society,
certain selected persons have been chosen to lead the human caravan towards
salvation. Due to their
own exalted character and devoted spirit, they are best placed to guide humanity
towards justice and
peaceful living. They are the ones through whom Allah departs his guidance
because they are the keepers
of His Trust. They are the heirs of the Final Message of God, conveyed to His
creatures. Lady Fatima is
explicit on this matter. She says, "And Allah made (obligatory), the
obedience of us (the holy household
of the Prophet) for safeguarding the society's system of organisation, and our
Imamate (leadership), as a
security from disunity."
In the short period that Fatima Az-Zahra (Fatima the radiant) lived after her
father, and until the time
she died at the age of 18, she devoted her life to fight for justice. She was
absolutely sure that Muslim
community can only be saved from misguidance by following the leadership of the
House of the Prophet,
in accordance to his will. But the majority of Muslims opted to follow whoever
came to power. What
was the result? The innumerable divisions among Muslims speak for themselves.
Muslims have agreed
not to agree with each other despite the fact that the Quran invites them
towards tolerance, respect, unity,
and brotherhood.
The Opposition resorts to Distortions
Let us take only one of many examples that could easily fill volumes. A
majority-sect of Muslims
consider 'Al Bukhari', the work of Muhammad bin Ismail Al Bukhari, of the
collection of the narrations of
Prophet Muhammad (saww), as the most authentic. That is why, they call it 'Al
Sahih Al Bukhari'. The
description 'Sahih' is attached to the compilation made by imam Bukhari himself.
But the latest editions
of Al Bukhari are being censored. The censors have taken out the Prophet's
traditions (ahadith) that do
not comply with, or contradict their own pre-conceived beliefs. This matter has
to be viewed from a
simple point of logic. If it is possible for them to distort the book of
traditions of the holy Prophet, which
a majority-sect of Muslims consider 'Sahih' (authentic), how much more
distortions they would have
introduced since the early eighteenth century, when, with the support of the
British, they became
dominant in the holy lands? This particular class considers all Muslims, except
their own sect, as nothing
but heretics. It is a tragedy for all Muslims that many of the mosques and their
imams, are coming under
the direct influence of this sect, simply because they are very good spenders of
petro dollars. But Muslim
masses are not deaf, dumb and blind. They are aware that in the name of
enforcing the laws of Islam
(Shari'a), the people who are introducing innovations in religion, have two
different faces. When a poor
person, who is a victim of the injustices of their society, turns to stealing,
his hand is cut off. But when
men in power resort to bribery and misappropriations involving millions of
dollars, nobody could point a
finger at them. When a poor man or woman is accused of adultery, they have to
face capital
punishment. But when men in power inhabit the night clubs and casinos and openly
flout Islamic
injunctions, the law of Shari'a suddenly becomes unenforceable!
Who Can Implement Islamic Shari'a?
In any country where Islamic Law is the supreme Law of the State, no exceptions
can ever be allowed.
The rulers and the ruled become liable to the authority of the Law, without any
distinction. The tragedy
of the matter is, the governments who are making noises in the name of Islamic
Law or the Shari'a are the
ones who exempt themselves from its enforceability. Whether they commit cold
blooded murders or
break their covenants or commit a robbery of the savings of their own citizens,
they always find
loopholes to save their own skins. In the name of the Shari'a, they make mockery
of Islam, when they
know quite well that they simply do not have basic qualities and authority to
talk in the name of Islamic
Law. The appropriate qualities give necessary authority to the persons who are
qualified to establish
Islamic System. The enthusiasts might not have to go any further in search of
the pre-required qualities in
Islamic leadership. History bears testimony to the fact that the first Islamic
Government in which the
Law of the Quran was most supreme, was established by the Prophet who won the
title of 'the truthful'
and 'the trustworthy' from friends, as well as, foes. No person lacking these
essential qualities can
possibly stand in his shoes or claim to be the protector of Faith.
The salutations and blessings of Allah be upon Lady Fatima, who feared from
early days that Muslims
might end up in a menace if they do not follow the rightful leadership after the
Prophet. As a result of
this deviation, throughout the Umayyad and Abbaside reign, and upto this day,
Muslims continue calling
their tyrant and ruthless rulers 'Commander of the Believers'. But the true
believers in the Message of
Allah have not become dishonourable that they need oppressive rulers to command
them. A frivolous use
of any description, cannot change reality of the situation. Muslim masses have
been misled to believe that
any government who contemplates enforcing Islamic Law is an Islamic government.
At the same time,
non-Muslim communities are misled to believe that Islamic Law is only concerned
with cutting of hands
and chopping of heads.
Jealousy and Resentment towards the Progeny of the Holy
Prophet
Despite the great status, the pure and purified Lady enjoys in the sight of
Allah and His Prophet, there
is a deliberate attempt in the holy lands of Muslims to remove categorically the
traces of any historical site
associated with the name of Lady Fatima and Imam Ali. In 1926, the heinous crime
was committed by
the authorities to demolish the burial places of the daughter of the Prophet and
the Imams of the House of
the Prophet at Jannatul Baqi' in the holy city of Al Madina. This was followed
by destruction of the
house in which the Prophet lived happily with Mother of the Believers Khadijah
for 28 years of his life.
This was the house in which Lady Fatima was born and from which the Prophet had
migrated from
Makkah to Madina on the night of Hijrah. Gradually the quarters of Banu Hashim
(the clan of the
Prophet) in Makkah, as well as, in Madina were also annihilated. This was
followed by a total destruction
of the house of Abu Ayyub Al Ansari in Madina, which was the first residence of
the Prophet after
migration. Then came the turn of destroying the houses of Imam Hassan and Imam
Ja'ffer Al Sadiq
under the pretext of the expansion of Masjid Al Nabavi.
Now the crime of destruction has extended to the mosque of Fatima-az-Zahra at
the historic site of the
battle of Khandaq (Trenches) under the pretext of expansion of road. The
historical mosques of
Radd-us-Shams and the house of Maria Qibtiya, where she was buried, have also
been bulldozed. This
wife of the Prophet was blessed by Allah to be the mother of the Prophet's son,
Ibrahim who died in
infancy. The Prophet himself arranged for a house to be constructed for her on
the outskirts of Madina.
Recently there have been demonstrations in Pakistan against the onslaught of
these deviants to destroy the
traces of the grave of Janabe Amena bint Wahab, the respectable mother of
Prophet Muhammad
(saww). This is an insult at the honour and dignity of the Prophet himself.
According to their pervert
beliefs, the father and mother of the holy Prophet were not Muslims!!! But they
cannot possibly refute
the judgement of Allah regarding the faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The Quran says:
"Ibrahim was not a Jew
or a Christian, but he was an upright in faith a Muslim (one who surrendered to
the Will of Allah)." Are
they trying to tell us that Prophet Ibrahim failed to pass his faith in Tawheed
to his progeny? If not, then
it follows that the ancestors of Prophet Muhammad were also adherents of the
faith of Ibrahim, which is
amply demonstrated by historical evidence. So how can the father and the mother
of Sayyad-ul-Ambiya
(the leader of all the Prophets), Muhammad (saww), be non-Muslims, when they
were direct descendants
of Prophet Ibrahim?
They are successful in destroying Islamic historical sites, in flagrant
violation of the UN Charter of
Human Rights because of the conspiracy of silence on the part of the majority of
Muslims. The
distinctive feature of Islam as compared to other systems of the world is based
on supporting the truth at
all cost. But the morale of the Muslim community, at present, is to remain
apathetic no matter what
injustices prevail around them. They are not realizing that their silence is
going to cost the future
generations of Muslims a complete segregation from their roots. This is
precisely what is intended by the
dominant sect in the holy lands, who has shown its contempt against Islamic
history and Islamic
archaeology at the detriment of the interest of Muslim ummah.
By: Mahmood Y. Abdullah.
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