Analysis, Side Feature, South Asia

Pakistan Headlines – 4 Aug 2017

Headlines:

  • No Change without the Khilafah on the Method of the Prophethood
  • Building Barriers between Muslims, Open Borders for Enemies
  • Shaken by Poorly Armed Groups, How will the Hindu State be when it faces the Muslim Armed Forces?

 


There is No Real Change Without the Khilafah on the Method of the Prophethood

PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was sworn in as prime minister of Pakistan in an oath-taking ceremony held at President House on 1 August 2017. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to Abbasi. Abbasi was elected prime minister by lawmakers in the National Assembly earlier today, bagging 221 votes to become the successor to ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Thus, the Muslims watched on as Democracy ensured the replacing of the corrupt with the corrupt. Indeed, the British legal system, implemented in Pakistan as a legacy of the British Raj, is a system of arbitration and public opinion management rather than real justice. In this case, they have produced a verdict that will maintain some degree of institutional credibility, satisfying public opinion and the opposition political party (PTI), while at the same time allowing Nawaz Sharif a way to clear his name through the forthcoming trial proceedings, whilst putting a trusted stalwart, Mr. Abbassi in his place. Also, the verdict has not judged on the ownership of the Park Lane flats, or the Panama papers, but simply alleged the appearance of impropriety. The current system leaves the door open so that  Nawaz can return to politics also, in which case there are multiple options open to Nawaz Sharif other than Prime Minister, such as continuing political activities, attending party meetings and controlling the PML-N by remaining behind the screen as a “God Father”.

Looking for real change through the current system is ensuring disappointment every time. Indeed, any clamoring or movement for change within the current system is like the pot of water boiling loudly in the kitchen, lots of commotion and motion, but deprived of the means for satisfying the starving. How can it be, when Democracy itself is the cause of corruption, financial and otherwise; a fact that has clearly been established over seven decades, since the creation of Pakistan in August 1947? How can it be when throughout the Muslim World, from Morocco in the  West, through to Turkey and onwards to Indonesia in the East, those calling for Democracy give us occasional words of hope to cling on to, but then dash our hopes every time?

There can never be real change through those who call for Democracy, whether from the rulers or those who are seeking to rule after them. Anyone who rules through Democracy is making corruption on the earth by disobeying their Lord (swt) in their capacity as rulers. When ruling by Democracy’s constitution and laws, such rulers flagrantly ignore that which Allah (swt) ordered and openly embrace that which Allah (swt) forbade. So there will never be real change for Muslims, whether we wait another seven decades under Democracy here in Pakistan or indeed anywhere else in the Muslim World. Allah (swt) warned,

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

“And when it is said to them: “Do not make corruption on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.”

(Surah al-Baqarah 2:11)

 

Building Barriers between Muslims, Open Borders for Enemies

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Gen Qamar Bajwa, met Afghanistan’s ambassador, Dr Omar Zakhilwal, on 2 August 2017 centered around security situation and border management, amidst simmering tensions between the two neighboring Muslim states, which have flared up as deadly skirmishes. The meeting was a follow-up to a meeting of operations chiefs of Pakistani and Afghan armed forces on May 11 in Rawalpindi. Prior to Musharraf’s U-turn over Afghanistan, there was strong co-operation between the Muslims of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This co-operation was instrumental both in preventing the Soviet occupation from settling and keeping Indian regional aspirations in check. However, after Musharraf’s U-turn, the Indians and Americans are benefiting from the divide and rule of Muslims. The US demands that our armed forces fight the tribal resistance to the US occupation, whilst stoking tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and strengthening borders between the Muslims. Moreover, the US has facilitated strong ties between India and Afghanistan on the one hand, whilst pushing Pakistan towards normalization with India. By doing so, India can rise as the region’s dominant regional power so as to keep check both on Muslims and China.

The heart aches with grief at the sight of Muslim blood being shed by Muslims, when the right of Muslim blood as to be shed in the pursuit of martyrdom or victory against the hostile US and Indian presence within Afghanistan. The weapons of the Pakistan armed forces, Afghan armed forces and tribal fighters on both sides of the colonialist imposed Durand Line, are being pointed at each other, when it is the duty of those who wield these weapons to point and fire their weapons at the crusaders and Hindu Muskhrikeen who have flagrantly violated the sanctities of the Muslims repeatedly since 2001. The fires of Fitna rage today even though Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

 «مَنْ أَشَارَ عَلَى أَخِيهِ بِحَدِيدَةٍ لَعَنَتْهُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ»

“Whoever points a piece of iron at his brother, the angels curse him.” [Tirmidhi, Chapter of Commotion]

And this commotion rages because both the Pakistani and Afghan oppressors command the munkar and forbid the khair day and night, rejecting the ruling by Islam and persecuting those who call for it, despite its consequence of sin and Fitna. RasulAllah ﷺ said,

«كَلاَّ، وَاللَّه لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بالْمعْرُوفِ، وَلَتَنْهوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، ولَتَأْخُذُنَّ عَلَى يَدِ الظَّالِمِ، ولَتَأْطِرُنَّهُ عَلَى الْحَقِّ أَطْراً، ولَتقْصُرُنَّهُ عَلَى الْحَقِّ قَصْراً، أَوْ لَيَضْرِبَنَّ اللَّه بقُلُوبِ بَعْضِكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ، ثُمَّ لَيَلْعَنكُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَهُمْ»

“Nay, by Allah, you either enjoin good and forbid evil and catch hold of the hand of the oppressor and persuade him to act justly and stick to the truth, or, Allah will strike the hearts of some of you with the hearts of others and will curse you as He had cursed them (Bani Israeel).” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

 

Shaken by Poorly Armed Groups, How will the Hindu State be when it faces the Muslim Armed Forces?

Thousands of Indian police and troops enforced a lockdown on 2 August 2017 in parts of India-held Kashmir, fearing violent reprisals a day after a top mujahideen commander and two civilians were killed in clashes in the disputed Himalayan territory. Then, two Indian soldiers were killed and two suspected mujahideen were martyred in armed clashes on 3 August 2017 in held Kashmir, officials said, in another day of bloodshed in the region where tensions are high following the killing of a prominent suspected mujahideen.  Residents in the old quarters of Srinagar were ordered to stay indoors and obey the curfew as government forces patrolled streets lined with steel barriers and razor wire. “I was not allowed by soldiers to leave home for work. They are right outside my door,” Gulzar Ahmed, a mechanic, said by phone from his house in downtown Srinagar. Authorities clamped a curfew in the old parts of Srinagar in anticipation of more protests and also blocked internet services to stop activists from using social media to rally support against Indian rule.

The Muslims of Occupied Kashmir have written in blood a new chapter in the history of the Ummah’s sacrifices in their struggle liberation from brutal Hindu state since the martyrdom of Burhan Wani over a year ago. Yet, the Muslims are limited to civilian and armed groups in confronting the Hindu armed forces, when the situation demands that a Muslim armed forces is mobilized. Today, the defiant Muslims of Occupied Kashmir have shaken the cowardly Hindu armed forces to their core, preparing the firm ground for the mobilization of Pakistan’s armed forces to march to ensure liberation. However, every successive Pakistani political and military leadership has turned its back upon Islam’s commands to mobilize our powerful armed forces for the liberation of occupied Kashmir from the Hindu State, even though  Allah (swt) said,

وَإِنِ ٱسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّصْرُ

If they seek your support in Deen, it is your duty to support them”

(Surah Al-Anfal 8:72)

We ask the Muslims, of the Hindu State is shaken by poorly armed groups of mujahideen today, how will it be tomorrow when it faces the Muslim armed forces under a Khaleefah Rashid (righteous Caliph)?