Fatwa, perceived as a religious decree, is based on an individual’s understanding of Islamic injunctions. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with Islamic injunctions. This was said by Al Basirah Islamabad Chairman Saqib Akbar at a conference on Wednesday.
Religious scholars and journalists had gathered in Islamabad to discuss the “socio-political and ideological ambiguities”, according to the organisers.
Journalist Saleem Safi elaborated on the confusion prevalent among religious and political leadership.
“At one time religious leaders like Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Samiul Haq alleged that the Taliban were created by United States and its intelligence agencies. Now they can be seen endorsing the Taliban’s campaigns and their ideologies,” said Safi.
Similarly, Pakistani politicians say Jihad was justified in Afghanistan but it was illegal when it was declared against the state in Pakistan, he stated. The renowned journalist said the reason for the confusion was the use of religion as a tool by the establishment to justify a security state.
“The concept of ‘inevitability’ or ‘irrevocability’ in religion is also part of the problem. The Taliban, the TTP and Al-Qaeda are the staunchest followers of this concept,” added Safi. Anchorperson Khursheed Nadeem said when jihad was privatised, it gave birth to individuals and groups that divided society along sectarian, ethnic and ideological lines.
Maulana Ammar Yasir from Sharia Academy Gujranwala, however, said all those who created the problems Khursheed talked about should also be made part of the solution. “If they are not included in the process, it means they are still adhering to their points of view.”
Dr Hammad Lakhvi, an academic, suggested that the state should come forward to devise a consensus definition of an alim (scholar), following which whosoever fulfils the criteria should be accepted as such, while all others should be rejected. The event was organised by the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.
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