Imam-e-Ka’aba’s views on blasphemy need to be quoted again and again

ISLAMABAD: As details about the lynching of Mardan university student Mashal Khan unfold during intensive investigations, indicating his innocence in the charge for which he was killed, a most authoritative religious voice has decisively dealt with the issue of blasphemy.

Because of the reverence Imam-e-Ka’aba Shaikh Saleh Bin Muhammad Ibrahim universally attracts among the Muslims of Pakistan and the world and due to the immense knowledge of Islam he possesses, his exposition is acceptable to all and sundry. This is well timed in the context of Pakistan where blasphemous charges are leveled every now and then against different people.

In Pakistan, the viewpoints of religious scholars of remarkable standing differ on certain religious issues, impeding a consensus and creating schism. However, in Mashal Khan’s case, there is a rare agreement among these learned men as everyone has severely condemned the incident and described it as a murder. Some have called the 23-year old a martyr.

The practice of deliberately accusing opponents of blasphemy in Pakistan has gained currency for quite some time to achieve peculiar objectives. Some anchors have mastered in this job, jeopardizing the lives of their targets, as they have been issuing such decrees using the sacred name of Islam against the persons they want to suffer.

The venerated Imam-e-Ka’aba’s most authentic and elaborate remarks may serve as a beacon of guidance for those who are in the business of dishonestly subjecting others to accusations of blasphemy. A person of such high standing in the realm of religion always bases his arguments on the Holy Book and Sunnah.

His account is required to be quoted again and again in Pakistan to deal with those who allege blasphemy in the hope that it will change the polluted, prejudiced minds. The Imam-e-Ka’aba has told Geo News that the people who wrongly accuse others of blasphemy have a “disease in their hearts". Such people use the name of Islam to serve their own purposes and would never get guidance because it was 

Allah’s saying: “And I shall turn from My signs those who wish greatness in the earth unjustly; and even if they see all the signs, they will not believe therein; and if they see the path of guidance, they will not like to walk on it; and if they see the path of error, they will be ready to adopt it.” (Surah Al-A'raf, 146)

A person who accuses someone wrongly because of his/her ignorance, then he/she must be educated, he said adding that arrogance is the biggest menace and hurdle in the way of being just and being a believer. “Therefore, we work to impart education, create awareness and spread Islamic injunctions in a good way. We give education to the people and make the guidance of Allah more manifest. Indeed, this is our responsibility.”

Education of the ignorant prescribed by the Imam-e-Ka’aba is the fundamental essentiality to checkmate wrong allegations of blasphemy. But the real problem arises where the ignorant are exploited by the vested interest in the name of Islam and incited to commit murder.

The grand mosque prayer leader also said that the way of our beloved and our own way was to give education by making the rightful clear to the people, guiding them in the best way possible and educating them especially to those who accuse others of blasphemy as a part of conspiracy. He added that people who were stubborn must be dealt with strictly. “We are the followers of Islam and forgiveness is an essential part of our religion.

However, we cannot accept if someone attacks our faith, principles, sanctity or values. It is not any kind of tolerance to let such people remain unmonitored, who openly commit blasphemy. We must make stern decisions to protect our faith, principles, sanctity or values.”

According to him, one of the reasons to visit Pakistan was to promote peace, stability and moderation and to curb extremism, terrorism and sectarianism. “Our religion is free of such menaces. Saudi Arabia also stays away from them and tries to keep others away from them,” he said. 

“The teachings of Prophet’s (PBUH) Hadith were shining like a bright light. Allah had told his Prophet (PBUH): “Your duty is to only convey My message.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 48) 

The Imam-e-Ka’aba rightly referred to the menace of extremism, terrorism and sectarianism, which badly afflicts Pakistan and that has caused monumental damage to it. Full-fledged military operations have to be launched to eliminate this problem, which is yet to be fully controlled.

Over the past several years, Pakistan has spent billions of rupees on tackling this vice. It has been checked to a considerable extent but a lot still needs to be done for many years to come. Thousands of innocent lives have fallen victim to this problem. A huge number of personnel of security forces have embraced martyrdom in wiping out terrorism and extremism.