The road to hell

Last week I went to Karachi. I saw nothing on TV but tickers mentioning murders, targeted killings, grenade attacks, buses, motorcycles and cars being set on fire. Despicable and horrendous was the fact that killers were selectively murdering religious scholars. A large number of respected, knowledgeable religious scholars have recently been murdered in broad daylight.

We saw how three terrorists waylaid a van carrying three religious scholars and shot them dead on a busy road in broad daylight. The attitude of those passing by was also most despicable, in that they did not try to stop the motorcyclists with their cars, buses or trucks to have the terrorists apprehended. Similar mayhem is in full swing in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This reminds one of the Quranic edict (4:93): “If a person (Muslim) kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is hell, to abide therin forever, and the wrath and curse of Allah are upon him and a dreadful penalty is prepared for the killer.” I have never heard any Imam pointing out this Surah and warning worshippers of the consequences of murdering a fellow-Muslim.

One often hears them narrating stories of Hazrat Musa (AS), Hazrat Yusuf (AS), etc., but never anything related to the ongoing curse in the country. The message from the Almighty is unambiguous. It is very clear in stating that those who kill a Muslim or Muslims are destined to go to hell, and a terrible chastisement from which they will get no respite and no relief.

In the Quran the three kinds of people who will go to hell to live therein forever are clearly mentioned: 1. Those who kill a Muslim or Muslims intentionally; 2. Those who associate others with the Almighty; and 3. Apostates.

As the famous saying goes, people never learn from history. All over the world they go on committing the same mistakes as their predecessors did, with disastrous results.

If we look at Islamic history we see that, ever since the martyrdoms of Hazrat Umar (RA), Hazrat Usman (RA) and Hazrat Ali (KW), thousands of companions of the Holy Prophet and believers have died because of internal strife, and that strife continues even today.

Our religious preachers, imams, muftis, scholars, etc, hardly ever talk of this creeping curse in our society and how to contain it. All they do is propagated their own particular brands of the religion.

Why is this? Can our education and research institutes suggest a remedy for this serious problem? Have our social or political organisations paid due attention to this problem?

Have our past or present rulers ever suggested a long-lasting, permanent solution? Have you ever heard of a commission or task force especially for this purpose, to ascertain the causes of sectarian conflicts and killings and to suggest steps for its prevention and elimination? The answer will be an emphatic “No.” I discussed this matter in one of my earlier columns.

This country was established in the name of Islam and on the basis of Muslim nationhood, and for the protection of the interests of all Muslims. The Objectives Resolution was passed by the elected First Constituent Assembly on March 12, 1949, which accepted the sovereignty of Almighty Allah. It contained the vow that Pakistanis would obey the edicts of the Quran and lead our lives accordingly.

Then tell me, please: what has been done to implement these promises, those responsibilities and duties? I put this question to you, to myself, to our national leaders, to our religious scholars, to the rich and the poor, to educationists, private and public officials and planners and to everyone who has anything to say on this matter.

Have we, individually or as a nation, honestly, devotedly and zealously fulfilled our duties for the safety, sovereignty, unity, progress, prosperity, cultural development and preservation, awareness of the sanctity of Islamic values, education and provision of basic amenities to the poor to be able to project ourselves as a peaceful, developing nation? The answer, again, is a bitter “No.”

One cannot help but revert back to the targeted killings in Karachi. I was a resident of Karachi in years long gone by; I received my bachelor’s education there and worked there for about three years before going to Berlin for engineering education.

Even now I go to Karachi regularly to attend university meetings and convocations. My two sisters and one brother live there with their families, and the families of two of my deceased older brothers live there. Karachi back then was a peaceful, friendly, neat and clean city. I can never forget the jolly, humorous, welcoming Makranis with whom I had regular contact.

This sectarian conflict was started by half-baked religious fanatics who tried to create an Islam (and Pakistan) of their own particular brand. Power tussles led to violent clashes and attempts to dominate.

They do not hesitate to spread hatred and poison against their adversaries and use young impressionable minds to do so. Slowly but surely this violent dragon swallowed all harmless creatures.

Successive governments have totally failed to control or eradicate this menace. Karachi is dominated by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has its people everywhere and which could easily control it.

However, the government has mischievously kept the home ministry under its own control. The chief minister is incompetent and has no interest in maintaining law and order.

I have, in the past, many times suggested that Abdul Rauf Siddiqui be made home minister of the province as he is hardworking and competent. I feel that he could easily bring the situation in Karachi under control.

The Pakistan People’s Party seems least bothered about the safety of the citizens of Karachi and of having peace in the city. On the contrary, there is a general impression that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is behind all the trouble and is extorting money from people.

This whole sectarian conflict is devil’s work. It has nothing to do with Islam or Islamic values and there is no justification for any group or sect to resort to sectarian killings, which is a heinous crime.

They are definitely digging their own graves. There actions will lead them into hell where they will feel the curse and chastisement of Allah. And there will be no respite!

Email: dr.a.quadeer.khan@gmail.com