Time to Consolidate National Unity in India
Strength of India Lies in Its Unity as a Nation
Highlights
1. There are
numerous religions in the world, and none of them encourages man to hate
anyone.
2. Power comes
from togetherness, and that no one can weaken India if its children are united.
3. Human
kindness, justice, and ethics are the foundations of Islam.
4. If we are
truly religious, we must fight for the peace and goodness of mankind and
refrain from displaying our power of oppression over the vulnerable.
...
By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
6 January 2021
There are
numerous religions in the world, and none of them encourages man to hate
anyone. Humanity, fraternity, and love are taught in every religion. Every
religion instructs us to live in love with servants of God. Please do not
interpret events of fighting, etc., in any religion to suggest that these
incidents teach you to fight; rather, the truth is that we understand from
these events that they were linked to ending the religious oppression. These
occurrences had to do with the eradication of oppression. Not only Islam, but
all world faiths have identified incidences and rulings of war and conflict,
but a careful examination reveals that these incidents were meant to prevent oppression.
Any decent
individual will adore the place where he was born. It is natural for him to
adore the fields, streets, and neighbourhoods where he grew up. When a
country's citizens live in peace and tolerance, the country prospers. No one
from outside the country has the courage to look up to the people of that
country.
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Also
Read: India - A Beautiful Land of Spiritual, Pluralistic Ethos Now Entangled
in Religious Hatred
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We Indians
must see that if we live in peace and nonviolence, our country will prosper,
and many of our common issues will be resolved. The country will be on the path
of progress, but if mutual animosity continues to grow, not only will our
country's development be halted, but it will also become exceedingly weak.
You've
probably heard the story about the stick bundle. A certain Father had a family
of sons who often argued with one another. He couldn't say anything that would
put an end to their fight. When the squabbling became much more heated than
usual and each of them was moping in a horrible manner, he told one of his sons
to bring him a bundle of sticks. After that, he gave each of his sons the
bundle and told them to try to break it. Despite their greatest efforts, none
of them was successful. The father then untied the bundle and gave his sons one
by one the sticks to break. This was a simple task for them. “My Sons,” the father
said, “do you not see how definite it is that if you agree with one another and
help one another, your enemies will be unable to harm you?” But if you're split
apart, you'll be no more powerful than a single stick in that bundle.” This
narrative teaches us that power comes from togetherness and that no one can
weaken India if its children are united.
Now it's
time to talk about Islam. Some people call Islam an extreme religion to hide
their own extremism, but an examination of Islam reveals that it has made human
rights and justice a vital feature in global growth. In Islam, human rights
begin with God's promise and message to all humanity,
“O mankind! Truly We created you from a male
and a female, and We made you nations and tribes that you may come to know one
another. Verily the most honourable of you before Allah is the most righteous
of you. Truly Allah is Knowing, Aware”. (49:13)
This one
Qur’an verse stands alone as proof of Islamic commitment to diversity and
pluralism. It's worth noting that in the above-mentioned verse, God is speaking
to all of humanity, not just one sort; he declares that all of humanity is one,
created by the One.
The words
“…from a male and a female” refer to Adam and Eve (peace be upon them). The
fact that people are separated into nations and tribes implies that variations
in ethnicity, nationality, tribe, race, and religion can be sources for human
beings to gain a deeper understanding of the reality of their situation. In
this sense, it is essential to consider that human beings' external diversity
is only a test that they must pass in this worldly life, as God Almighty
states.
“And had God willed, He would have made you one
community, but (He willed otherwise), that He might test you in that which He
has given you. So, compete with one another in good deeds. To Allah is your
return all together and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which
you used to differ”
(5:48)
Human
kindness, justice, and ethics are the foundations of Islam; which can’t be
damaged by a few wrong interpreters. The Quran advises all people, both
believers, and non-believers, to treat one other with kindness and justice.
“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and
kindly with those who fought not against you because of your religion nor drove
you out of our homes. Verily Allah loves those who deal justly” (60:8).
By
encouraging the lesson of human honour and dignity in societies towards one
another, the Quran clearly says,
“And We have certainly honoured the children of
Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good
things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite]
preference”.
(17:70)
“By the
soul and Him who perfected its proportions; then He showed him what is wrong
for him and what is right. Indeed, he who purifies himself succeeds. And
indeed, he who corrupts himself fails” (17:7-10)
He Almighty
also says,
“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is
Most Merciful to you”
(4:29).
According
to Islamic teachings, persons in positions of leadership must be so concerned
for the wellbeing of citizens that they are never to be condemned. The ruler is
held responsible and accountable to God Almighty for the suffering of those who
live under their dominion, according to Islam. In one of the sayings of the
Prophet (peace be upon him), we read, “Each one of you is like a shepherd to
whom the sheep belong. He is entrusted with the responsibility of tending the
sheep. You will be held responsible”. (Bukhari)
Humanity is
also taught in the Vedas, as it is in all religions. So, if we are truly
religious, we must fight for the peace and goodness of mankind and refrain from
displaying our power and oppression over the vulnerable.
According
to the Sufis, those who truly love God are absolutely kind to His creations.
Their hearts soften as a result of their love for God, and they begin to
console God's creatures through words and deeds. It's time to reflect on and
evaluate this spiritual experience.