After the collapse of the USSR, a godless state, the people of Tajikistan, young and old rushed to Islam. The Soviet state with the help of its materialistic creed, and with the help of force and oppression kept the desire of Muslims to worship Allah. But despite all harassments, at the end of the 20th century there appeared an Islamic political party in Tajikistan. Being an ideological party, this party began accordingly to awaken and educate the people on the basis of ideology. In a short time this party was able to create Islamic personalities.
After the government of Tajikistan learned about the activities of the party of Hizb ut Tahrir, it began attacks on it. Hundreds were imprisoned, some killed during interrogations, many were forced to leave their homes and migrate. And it continues to this very day.
The government does not stop on this limit but started to fight each manifestation of Islam, such as the beard, mosques, participation of Friday prayers by the youth and more. The meanness of the government went so far as to legitimize attacks on Muslim women in hijabs. At first, they were forbidden to appear in public institutions, and then in the markets. Now these Muslim women have become the criminals, that are attacked with interrogations directly on the streets.
President Emomali Rahmon said in his speech on 8th March: “The women of Tajikistan have to give up hijab, as it is not a national dress”. It’s a shame that the muftiat and in particular the head of Tajikistan muftiat supports the government’s position.
I address the workers in the Dar al-Iftaa and imams with the Speech of Allah سبحانه وتعالى,
وَلاَ تَلْبِسُواْ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُواْ الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“Do not confound Truth by overlaying it with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the Truth”
(2:42)
Have you forgotten the words of your Creator? Are not you the slaves of Allah? Is not it your obligation to call the people to obey God? Do you miss these ayats, when you read the book of Allah? Allah will humiliate those who sell the future life for this temporary material world. Do not forget that this world is not eternal, and Ahyrat is eternal!
Each of us needs to know that the hijab for women is the duty of the believer. Allah says in the Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies”.
(33:59)
In another ayat, Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا
“And to display of their adornment only that which is apparent”
(24-31)
Praise be to Allah, we are all Muslims. Our creator is a single God, the Qur’an is our book, our Messenger is Muhammad ﷺ. Then tell me whether we should be proud of our Tajik origin or the fact that we are Muslims? Whom should we worship to the Creator of the worlds, or to a worthless servant who grew arrogant and wants to change the command of Allah? God is the great and He alone is worthy of worship. So stand firm in your worship. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
وَاسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلاَّ عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]”
(2:45)
How many tyrants did Allah سبحانه وتعالى destroy? The tyrants of Tajikistan are not eternal. The tyrant of Uzbekistan, who oppressed and killed his people, has died. Rahmon will also have the same fate. Do not assume that the help of your power can break the will of the people to practice Islam. Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives examples for the people like Rahmon in His Book:
وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ الْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَاكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
“And recall when We split the sea, providing passage for you, and thus saved you and caused Pharaoh’s people to drown before your very eyes”
(2:50)
Pharaoh also grew proud, thinking that with his authority and power, could destroy the believers, and Allah is the great indeed. Soon Allah will bestow victory for Muslims. Muslims around the world are waiting for Allah’s help day and night. They want to see the ruling of the righteous Khilafah (Caliphate). We ask Allah to speed up that day for us.
Mubin Abu Dawood