KARACHI:
There are numerous ahadith which signify the sanctity of an oath. Quoting Abu Huraira (RA), “Whosoever swears an oath of obedience to God should remain obedient to Him, and whoever swears an oath of disobedience to God should not disobey him.” An oath can only be publicly renounced under rare circumstances such as if there is danger to life. The Quaid-e-Azam, in his 14th June 1948 address in Quetta, emphasised upon the significance of the oath, its legal implications, and the responsibilities it places on the individual who pledges it. The recitation of the kalema is basically an oath which enables an individual to publicly enter the fold of Islam. By reciting the kalema an individual pledges belief in one God as the supreme master of the universe, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) as His last messenger. Any doubts automatically expel the individual from Islam in the eyes of God.
The state has no role to perform except to cater to the welfare of all citizens equally. It is obligatory on the state to provide justice and equal opportunities to all law-abiding citizens, irrespective of caste, creed, sex or ethnicity. Unfortunately, the ease and frequency with which the oath that protects the Constitution and the rule of law has been violated is shocking for a country with a Muslim majority population. The Quaid-e-Azam envisioned Pakistan to be a modern democratic welfare state, with justice and equality being its foundational characteristics. Unfortunately, those who took the helm after the Quaid’s sad demise have betrayed the country. We are now helplessly spiraling down a severe debt and inequality crisis, which only a true, patriotic and sincere leader can pull us out of.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2021.
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