How Is India A Sacred Land For Muslims?
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
17 January
2023
Undoubtedly A
Man's Birthplace Is A Holy Land. India Is A Sacred Country Because It Is Where
We Are All Born. India's Status As A Democratic Country, Which Serves As A
Major Exemplar Of Ganga-Jamuni Culture, Is One Of Its Many Positive Attributes
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How Do
Ulama See India?
Main
Points:
1. Historical
accounts paint a picture of connections between the inhabitants of Arabia and
India long before the advent of Islam.
2. The titles
of Ramchandraji and Krishnaji should be treated with respect, according to
Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi.
3. Anwar Shah
Kashmiri: To the extent of his influence and capacity, every Muslim in India
and every other country with a non-Muslim majority is obligated to defend the
rights to peace and freedom that Islam has recognised for the common citizen.
------
There is
substantial debate regarding whether India was the first site on earth where
Hazrat Adam touched down. However, historical accounts paint a picture of
connections between the inhabitants of Arabia and India long before the advent
of Islam. Arab traders used to travel to the ports of Sindh and Malabar for
business. The people of India were mentioned by the Holy Prophet as well. When
members of a tribe once appeared, the Holy Prophet was there and he questioned,
"Who are these people who seem to be men from India?" (Sirat Ibn
Hisham, vol.2/p.593).
The king of
Malabar, an Indian coastal province, is said to have delegated his duties to
his son after witnessing the miracle of the crescent moon. He also appeared in
the presence of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), at whose blessed hands he
accepted Islam (peace be upon him).
Additionally,
Imam Hakim related a hadith in Mustadrik about an Indian king who
offered a gift to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). According to a
narration of Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (RA):
“the Indian king sent the Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) a vessel as a gift that contained ginger. It was chopped up and served
to his companions by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
and “he also gave me some of it”.
Hussain
Ahmad Madani (6 October 1879 – 5 December 1957), an Indian Islamic scholar
affiliated with Deobandi school of thought and served as the principal of Darul
Uloom Deoband said,
According to Islamic texts, Hazrat Adam (peace
be upon him) was brought down to India, where he stayed. His descendants
thereafter migrated to other parts of the world, giving rise to the term
"human," or "Aadmi." (Hamara Hindustan aur Uske Fazail,
"Our India and its qualities," citing Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 1/80)
Muhammad
Tayyib Qasmi (1892 or 1897-1983), an Indian Sunni Islamic scholar who served as
Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband for more than half a century, writes:
"The capital of prophethood is India.
First to arrive was Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him). The second messenger of
Allah to enter this country was Hazrat Sheeth (peace be upon him). It is
reported that his honourable grave is in Ayodhya."
The titles
of Ramchandraji and Krishnaji should be treated with respect, according to
Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi (1832–15 April 1880), an Indian Islamic scholar who
was one of the key founders of the Deobandi Movement, beginning with the Darul
Uloom Deoband. (National Alliance, Qaumi Ittehaad, p: 7)
The fifth
general secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and an Indian Islamic scholar,
intellectual, historian, and freedom fighter named Muhammad Miyan Deobandi (4
October 1903 – 24 October 1975) writes:
(1) India
is the capital of humanity.
(2) India
was once the East of Prophethood because the Caliph was the Prophet to whom
Hazrat Gabriel used to pay visits.
(3) Hazrat
Gabriel initially arrived on this continent.
(4)
According to a tradition related by Ibn Saad in Tabaqat, Allah Ta'ala created
Hazrat Adam's body from the dust from the region known as "Wajni."
All prophets and the spiritual and material roots of all people may be traced
to India since Hazrat Adam is the ancestor of all mankind and India has the
honour of being the source of the soil from which the first prophet was
produced. According to the reproduction principle, this pure soil can also be
considered the original source of all Prophets, Saints, Peacemakers, Scholars,
and Sheikhs.
According
to the tradition of Hazrat Ibn Abbas, the loyalty oath was made at Wajni in
India (may Allah be pleased with him).
All human spirits were taken from Hazrat Adam's back, and Allah said to
them, "Am I not your Lord?" "Surely You are our Lord,"
answered every soul in unison, acknowledging Allah as their Lord. (Our India's
qualities)
Anwar Shah
Kashmiri (16 November 1875–28 May 1933), a Kashmiri Muslim scholar, and the
fourth head of the Darul Uloom Deoband speak of the national obligations of
Muslims in India.
“To the
extent of his influence and capacity, every Muslim in India and every other
country with a non-Muslim majority is obligated to defend the rights to peace
and freedom that Islam has recognised for the common citizen. Every Muslim must participate as much as
possible in the political, economic, and civic life of the country in order to
achieve this aim. In doing so, he can use the political and economic power at
his or her disposal to use resources to protect the lives and property of
ordinary citizens and carry out duties to the best of his or her ability. How
can a Muslim fulfil his obligation to serve God's common servants if he chooses
to live as a spectator and avoid participating in the political and economic
problems of his nation? (Hindustan me Musalmaano Ke Mulki Faraiz ‘National
Duties of Muslims in India’)
Muslims
claim that the well-known scholars, Ulama and common Muslims have always made
substantial contributions to the advancement of tolerance, community harmony,
and societal and communal cohesion.
Hussain
Ahmad Madani says,
"Despite our variations in caste, looks,
colours, and stature, we Indians share a common humanity that persists under
all circumstances, regardless of the distinctions in religions and cultures. We
are all Indians by nationality; therefore our variations in religion and
culture do not undermine our sense of solidarity. Muslims must therefore work
for these objectives in order to fulfil their need to care about gaining
national advantage and eradicating evils. If the people do not put out the
fire, the entire village would be destroyed, and everyone's quality of life
would be drastically reduced. In a similar vein, it is the duty of all citizens
of a country, whether they be Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, or Parsis, to cooperate
in order to address any shared issues. Patriotic obligations are put on each
and every person. Religious differences do not present a barrier. By adhering
to their religion, everyone can carry out these obligations. Municipal boards,
councils, and assemblies exhibit the same collaboration whie performing the
obligations of the city or district, province or country and deem it necessary.
This is what it means to be a member of a single nationality here.”
[Derived from Khutbat-e-Fidae Millat: p. 16,
215]
Undoubtedly
a man's birthplace is a holy land. India is a sacred country because it is
where we are all born. India's status as a democratic country, which serves as
a major exemplar of Ganga-Jamuni culture, is one of its many positive
attributes. All nationalities, religions, and Dharmas are equally respected
here. Each and every Indian citizen feels secure and content to be an Indian.
With that it should also be remembered that every religion forbids its
followers from attacking an unarmed individual or abusing him in any way. Every
nation and religion teaches that you should live in peace and harmony with one
another. Those who are against it are no longer sincere believers in any faith.
They're just a knucklehead with a bad concept. Therefore, despite our
differences in religion, caste, colour, and culture, we Indians must coexist in
harmony.
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/india-sacred-land-muslims/d/128894
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