PKKH Exclusive | Dr. A A Siddique
1366 years after the first pilgrimage to Madinah, another seemingly familiar pilgrimage took place, when a comparatively greater number of Muslims, left their homes and properties, to inhabit another land, in search for freedom, of mind, conscience and religion.
Nationhood, from a Muslim’s point of view, is like that haven where one can survive in peace. To every Muslim, religion i.e. Islam comes not only as a formal belief, but as a way of life. It is for this reason, that every Muslim demands a place where s/he can practice his/her Deen freely.
This connection of nationhood with religion is like an equation where one variable defines the other. In Islam, the person who dies defending his country is as much a martyr as the one who dies leading his whole life in the way of Allah (swt); provided that the country is a Dar-ul Islam. Throughout history, there have been examples where Muslims have conquered lands, and established Islamic Nations, that stand out as models of nationhood and its dependence upon religion. This allows Nationhood to extend to other Islamic countries, for example in this way, the Pakistan Army has been blessed to serve other Muslim Nations notably Yemen, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iran, Somalia, and Afghanistan; and continues to defend them even today.
It should, however be kept in mind that Pakistan is to this day, the only nation to have been founded in the name of Islam; resonating the example of the Holy Prophet’s journey to the City of Yathrab hundreds of years ago, in search of a place of refuge where he could practice and spread Islam as per the word of Allah (swt), as life in Makkah, under the rules of the callous kuffars was harsh and practicing Islam there was nearly impossible.
When the Holy Prophet (saww) settled in the City of Yathrab (now known as Madinah), he founded an open way, not only to perform Islamic rituals easily, but also spread the word of Islam to the outside world. The Prophet (saww) chose to stay in Madinah, and even after the conquest of Makkah, he returned and spent the rest of his life there.
Similarly, it wouldn’t be wrong to call the independence of Pakistan as another fight for Islam, parallel to one that took place a thousand years ago. Living a life in miserable conditions, these Muslims were tired and dejected by the everyday insults and confrontations with the Hindus that they would have to face. The subcontinent was in itself a large empire, once being ruled by Muslim kings that after their downfall collapsed and broke into several states. Muslims and Hindus, although lived together in harmony, a wire of tension was always ready to trip them into fights.
This was the reason that the Two Nation Theory was proposed, triggering a nation into existence. What followed was a bloodshed witnessed as the Hindus and Sikhs went on a killing rampage, wiping Muslims off like grass.
Scores of Muslims lost their families, properties, and lives, as women saw their husbands sliced into pieces before their eyes; it wasn’t easy to claim this piece of land, but the reason made it worth all the pain suffered, because the reason wasn’t political or geographical but based on finding a nation worth dying for.
Hence, it is pertinent to keep in mind that losing the base would cause this nation to collapse.
Unfortunately this is what is happening today; a display of heedlessness that does not seem to end, so much so, that there are people who have started to believe that the separation of the subcontinent was a big mistake.
Passing such absurd remarks, these people fail to imagine living a life where you are supposed to love a country; where the meat you eat is condemned, the ballads you sing are against your beliefs and your places of worship are barraged with debris and you cannot fight back, as you are in the minority; powerless, and insignificant.
A nation that does not respect your religion cannot be worth risking one’s life for. And the creation of Pakistan was in this regard, a blessing for the Muslims of the Subcontinent as it gave them all an identity that they could be proud of.
From being named as an Islamic Republic, the essence of Islam can be found in every minor to major achievements of Pakistan that connect it to nationhood with strong threads woven with reverence. From highways to ballistic missiles, all monumental things are named after Islam’s great heroes, allowing one to recall the golden history and be proud of it. The constitution of Pakistan also resonates with the Islamic Shariah; however, lack of implementation has caused this country to plummet into the dark alleys of lawlessness.
Even though the major population of Pakistan consists of Muslims, the essence of Islam is day by day fading away. In this situation, it is ridiculous to expect things to improve without focusing on religion; the foundation upon which Pakistan still stands today.
Unfortunately, at the moment, this compatibility between nationhood and religion can be felt lacking not only amongst Muslim countries, but also within. Several thousands of Kashmiris and Palestinians have died and continue to die in this fight for a nation, where Islam would rule, but ironically, nationhood has transformed into a cold picture of nationalism, causing Muslim nations to create boundaries against each other, and form allies with open enemies of one another.
As for Pakistan, a country that faced external threats and wars with India and found itself in the vortex of global war of power struggle is again being pushed into a state of meltdown from within. Enemies that failed to intimidate beyond borders have found traitors within. Exploiting the fault-lines of Sectarianism and Ethnicity, these mercenaries and their lethal operations will fail again to dent the valor of this nation. To stop this virus from spreading, the antidote in the form of Islam with its tranquility must be brought into practice.
It is high time to realize that the foundations of this state get its nourishment from the core of Islam, and depriving it would only result in a barren land.
“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.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
23rd of March is the day when through these words, the two nation theory was brought into view by the Quaid, and behind that man stood a sea of Muslims ready to submit their lives for the sake of a nation where their following generations could live a life in peace.
At the present, this spirit of nationhood has been lost, and can only be felt through the eyes of a Kashmiri or a Palestinian, who lives every day facing the enemy in the eye. A Muslim can never compromise upon religion, and for this reason, it is mandatory upon us to rise with the same valor displayed 75 years ago; to call for the rights of nationhood that the Kashmiris and Palestinians rightfully deserve. In these words of Allama Iqbal, the reminder calls out loud to awaken the Muslim nations from slumber so they could rise and unite in submission to Allah (swt), as promised through the protection of religion through nationhood.
O sleeping bud, wake up to a narsissus-like vigilance over the world,
Rise, for griefs have devastated our haven;
Let the lament of the morning fowl and the dawn call of prayer wake you up;
Rise, the fire-eaters are at work and the fire-balls hang in the air.
Rise from heavy slumber, from heavy slumber arise!
What an ocean is thine that is silent like a desert?
What an ocean is that which swells not and falls like a lake?
What an ocean is it that knows no storms and whales?
Rise like a tidal wave from the split breast of the ocean!
Rise from heavy slumber, from thine heavy slumber arise!
Beware of the West and its bewitching coquetry!
Beware of its disloyal charm and its Michiavellian malice!
The world lies desolate from the savagery of the West!
O builder of the Sanctuary, take up the task of building a new world!
Rise from thine heavy slumber, from thine heavy slumber arise!
From thine heavy slumber arise!
Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Dr. A. A. Siddique, pharmacist/ freelance writer; interests: religion/human psychology; blogs at http://wwe.deadpoetsanctuary.wordpress.com/