When I first came to know of Hefazat-e-Islam and their 13-point demand – perhaps conservative stance on Islam bordering on ultra-conservatism might be more appropriate here – I immediately thought not only of the Taliban, but the Afghani film Osama.
The protagonist, called Osama, is a 12-year old girl on the cusp of womanhood, raised by a single mother, who is a nurse, and her grandmother. Both Osama’s father and brother have passed away in previous Afghani wars. Once the Taliban take over and cut off funding to the hospital where Osama and her mother worked, the latter loses her job, and cannot get another.
Bear in mind that, under Taliban rule, women were not allowed to go outside the house, unless accompanied by a male relative, impossible in this family’s case. With their sole income source cut off, the women resort to desperate means to ensure they can keep putting food on the table, but even then, fate is not on their side.
I will refrain from giving away the rest of the plot, but it is an excellent portrayal of what happens to a single family when ultra-conservative ideas of Islam are applied. Watch the film and ask yourself: Is this what Hefazat wants to reduce us to? With the siege of Dhaka looming, I feel it is my duty to speak up, as a believer if you will, and a Muslim.
Bear in mind, I’m no PhD-holding scholar of Islam, but I have been raised in a religious, conservative and educated family from a very young age. Moreover, I too have studied Islam and Islamic history over the span of many years, both in the Middle East, as well as at university in the United States.
Now, I understand that many conservative Muslim families in our country are alarmed by the cultural changes they have seen, and feel that the traditional religious ways are being pushed aside.
Hence, their overwhelming support for Hefazat, at least in rural areas. These families have a right to feel that concern, but here’s what they fail to see, and even disregard, about Islam.
At its heart, Islam is a religion of peace, compassion, and privately held beliefs, where one leads by example. Islam is defined as submission to God, not to man, and a Muslim is, by definition, one who submits to God.
The first, and most basic, tenet is about believing in God and God’s messenger, the Prophet (SM). There is, of course, also the extended one that includes belief in the angels, the books, the other prophets that came before Muhammad (SM), making him the last one. This is a privately held belief meant to establish a direct connection between the believer and God.
One person or group forcing another to announce to the world that one is a Muslim does not make one a Muslim. Now, consider the second tenet, prayer. Whether people pray in a group, or individually, that prayer is done privately and directly to God, even if a religious leader is leading the prayer.
The other three tenets follow the same example. The visit to Mecca is a private duty for each individual to fulfill. Except in dire circumstances, no one is exempt from this obligation. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, even if done with family and in a community, is, basically an individual act and promise, as is the giving of zakat. Therefore, Islam is a private, individual-based religion, in that sense.
Also consider the word “jihad.” Many Western media have used this word to signify “Holy War,” when, by definition, jihad primarily means an internal spiritual struggle in the way of Allah, referring to the internal struggle that is one’s duty, as one decides between what is right and moral, and what is wrong. That is a private war as well.
Many conservative Muslims and Hefazat as well – so it seems from their 13-point demand – are under the impression that Islam is universal, and they can compel others to believe in it as well, disregarding individual choice and consequences, disregarding the Sufi influence and the vast pre-Islamic history that has shaped this nation.
Have they forgotten the history of Islam itself? Have they forgotten by what example the Prophet (SM) and the caliphs led their followers? The respect they held for both men and women as equals, as brothers and sisters? That seems to be the case.
And, as for preventing a woman from working outside the home, not only is it impractical, but also it gives her no option to support her family, as the need arises, and dooms that family to hunger and poverty.
Ask yourself if this is Islamic and something the Prophet (SM) and his followers would do. The Taliban didn’t understand this much, and, based on what Hefazat leaders have said so far, and their demands, they don’t understand this either.
We have moved far away from the true essence of Islam, from the basic concepts of respect for all humanity, decency, courtesy, understanding, compassion, honesty and kindness. Some of these qualities I still find among many Muslims in our nation. Others, however, are severely lacking.
All things considered, conservative Muslims should understand that no one is taking away their religion. They have a right to their beliefs.
What they don’t have is the right to force those beliefs onto anyone who disagrees with them. In such a case, they would be taking away the religion of others, in a manner of speaking.
In my case, during my study, I went back to the fundamentals and developed a deep and profound belief in God. Question me if you will, but I know that God exists. It is my privately held belief and I have enough respect for others to not impose it on them. It is their prerogative to believe as they will, and I expect the same courtesy in return.
Sayeeda T. Ahmad is a Senior Staff Sub-Editor, Dhaka Tribune.