Iftikhar Hussain Jazib
Putting all the speculations and social media fabrications to rest, IG KP Salahuddin Mehsud has stated that concrete evidence could not be found against the deceased Mashal Khan regarding the allegations leveled against him. As a matter of fact, the lynching, murder and desecration of dead body of innocent Mashal Khan were against the teachings of Prophet (PBUH). Unfortunately, even many were against offering him burial rites and they discouraged participation in his funeral prayers. Whatsoever accusations were brought up against him, Mashal was denied fare trial and justice. So, our Ulema should come out in his support and the best way to demonstrate unity with his family is to offer Ghaibana namaz-e-janaza (funeral in absentia) of Mashal all over the country on coming Friday.
Mashal was a student at Abdul Wali Khan University (AWKU) in Mardan, KP and a student mob of the same university killed him for allegedly committing blasphemy. Many gruesome videos of the tragic incident have been uploaded on the social media, some showing his lynching and murder by a mob while some are displaying jubilations on his death. These scenes have brought only shame to our society and religion.
The nature of the issue of blasphemy is a very sensitive matter and unfortunately, it is also exploited by the terrorists to justify their attacks in Pakistan. In March 2016, the killing of at least 17 people in TTP’s Shabqadar attack to avenge the execution of Mumtaz Qadri illustrates how misguided extremists are as innocent Muslims were victims of this attack. Many Ulema believe that Qadri was rightfully punished for committing a murder therefore, TTP’s justification for this attack was wrong and deceitful. Moreover, a suicide bomber was used in this attack which was itself a haram act. In fact, the violent mob that killed Mashal was not different from these terrorists and every criminal involved in this sin must be punished.
With regard to Blasphemy Laws, it has been observed that many people misuse it for settling scores with their rivals by wrongfully accusing them. Therefore, general public should carefully follow Blasphemy cases and they always should be referred to a court of law. It is also a general observation that the incidents of blasphemy are always supported by mobs and judges gave decisions under the intense public pressure. Hence, in the most of the cases, people are denied fair trial and justice.
Pakistan is a Muslim majority country and its government has enacted laws to deal with the cases of blasphemy. Muslim judges, who equally love Prophet (PBUH), decide these cases according to the law. Therefore, ordinary Muslims like the mob that killed Mashal, cannot take law in its hands as whosoever has committed blasphemy deserves a fare judicial trial for establishing his offence. During Qadri’s trial, a judge rightfully observed that he was not an expert of Islamic law and his knowledge of Islam was very limited and he killed a man without legal authority. Moreover, most of the scholars believe that his act was even more heinous according to the teachings of Islam as he killed a man whose life security was entrusted to him under oath.
It is also pertinent to mention that Imam Abu Hanifa and all the Hanafi jurists have declared blasphemy a pardonable act and they suggest death penalty only for habitual blasphemer, who does not pay heed to the repeated warnings of a Muslim Qazi. As both Barelvi and Deobandi schools of thoughts and Nuqshbandi, Qadri and Chishti Sufi chains of subcontinent are essentially Hanafi, hence 96% Sunni Muslims of Pakistan are Hanafi and they must adopt tolerant attitude and behavior towards the issue of blasphemy. At least, we should not become part of any mob to punish a blasphemer. In this regard, the Imam of Shahi Mosque took the best course and people should follow his example in the cases of blasphemy. The Imam of Shahi Mosque in Chitral saved the life of an individual who uttered blasphemous remarks during the Friday Prayers. The Imam handed him over to police, despite the resistance of enraged mob. His role was exemplary and we must appreciate him and follow the example set by him.
The writer tweets @radiant_J_007
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of Dispatch News Desk.
