Calling Court Verdicts 'Words of Kufr,' comparing the Constitution with Sharia are highly irresponsible: Why Perverse Religious Statements by Shamail Nadwi Harm Islamic Values and India

By New Age Islam Staff Writer

31 December 2025

Mufti Shamail Nadwi’s recent statements, claiming that Muslims should give priority to Sharia over the Constitution of India and describing certain court judgments as “words of Kufr”, are deeply harmful both to Islamic values and to India’s social fabric. These remarks falsely project Islam as being in opposition to constitutional law and democratic order, despite Islam’s strong emphasis on justice, social stability, and respect for lawful authority. By framing religious commitment as incompatible with constitutional loyalty and by using religious language to delegitimize judicial institutions, such statements fuel fear, communal mistrust, and unnecessary polarization, ultimately harming both the moral image of Islam and the plural unity of India.

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Recently, a video of a speech by Mufti Shamail Nadwi has gone viral on social media and has also been picked up by sections of the mainstream media. In this video, he sparked serious controversy by suggesting that Muslims should prioritize Sharia over the Constitution of India and by describing certain court judgments as “words of Kufr.” These remarks have generated widespread anger, fear, and confusion, not only among non-Muslims, but also among a large number of Muslims who firmly believe in peaceful coexistence, constitutional values, and the authentic ethical spirit of Islam.

This issue needs a calm and honest discussion, not emotional slogans. The question is not whether Muslims love their religion; they certainly do. The real question is how religion should be understood and practiced in a diverse, democratic country like India, and whether such public statements truly reflect Islamic teachings or harm them.

Religion Is Personal, the Constitution Is Collective

India is a country of many religions, languages, and cultures. The Indian Constitution gives every citizen full freedom to follow, practice, and propagate their religion. Muslims pray, fast, give charity, perform Hajj, follow Islamic family laws, and manage their religious institutions freely. This freedom itself exists because of the Constitution.

Religion guides a believer’s personal faith and moral life, while the Constitution governs public life, law, and administration for everyone, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, atheists, and others alike. Mixing these two spheres carelessly creates unnecessary conflict.

When a religious scholar publicly suggests that religious law should override constitutional law, it sounds as if Muslims are being told to reject the very system that guarantees protection of their religious freedom. This creates fear among other communities and suspicion toward Muslims, even though the vast majority of Muslims are loyal citizens who respect the Constitution.

Islam Never Teaches Rebellion or Lawlessness

Islam strongly emphasizes order, justice, and social stability. The Qur’an repeatedly warns against chaos (Fitna) and disorder (Fasad). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lived as a minority leader in Makkah for many years and later ruled Madinah through agreements, treaties, and laws accepted by the society.

Islamic scholars throughout history have clearly stated that Muslims living in non-Muslim lands must obey the laws of that land, as long as they are not forced to abandon their faith. India does not force Muslims to give up Islam. On the contrary, it guarantees to protect their religious rights.

Calling court verdicts “words of Kufr” is extremely irresponsible. Courts do not issue religious statements; they interpret secular law. Disagreeing with a judgment is allowed in any democracy, but provoking against it by calling it ‘words of Kufr’ crosses a serious line and misuses religious language for political or emotional effect.

Sharia Is Not a Political Weapon

Sharia is often misunderstood. It is not merely a set of punishments or political commands. Sharia is a moral and ethical framework that includes prayer, honesty, compassion, justice, family responsibility, and social welfare.

Most of Sharia is personal: how a Muslim prays, eats, behaves, marries, and treats others. None of this is threatened by the Indian Constitution. To present Sharia as if it is in constant conflict with constitutional law is misleading and harmful.

Islam never orders Muslims to impose their religious law on others or to challenge the legal system of a country where they live peacefully. The Qur’an says clearly:

“There is no compulsion in religion.”

Dangerous Impact of Such Statements

Statements like those made by Mufti Shamail Nadwi do not strengthen Islam. Instead, they:

•        Give ammunition to Islamophobes, who portray Muslims as anti-national.

•        Create fear among minorities, increasing social tension.

•        Mislead young Muslims, pushing them toward unnecessary confrontation.

•        Damage India’s plural fabric, which Muslims have been part of for centuries.

Indian Muslims are not outsiders. They are not guests. They are equal citizens, and their religious life has flourished here precisely because of constitutional protections.

Islam and the Indian Constitution Are Not Enemies

Many values of the Indian Constitution, justice, equality, human dignity, protection of minorities, are fully compatible with Islamic ethics. There is no religious requirement for Muslims to verbally or emotionally oppose the Constitution.

In fact, showing respect for the law of the land is closer to Islamic teaching than reckless speeches that create unrest. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught wisdom, patience, and responsibility in public speech. He never encouraged statements that could endanger his followers.

Scholars Must Speak with Wisdom

Religious scholars have influence. Their words matter. When they speak carelessly, ordinary Muslims suffer the consequences, social backlash, suspicion, and sometimes even violence.

Islamic scholarship demands hikmah (wisdom). The Qur’an says:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel.”

Labelling legal judgments as disbelief and suggesting a clash between Sharia and the Constitution lacks wisdom and good counsel.

Loyalty to the Constitution Is Not Disbelief

Being loyal to the Constitution does not make a Muslim less religious. Following traffic laws, paying taxes, respecting courts, and accepting democratic processes are civic duties, not acts of faith or disbelief.

Faith lives in the heart and practice. Citizenship lives in society. Confusing the two weakens both religion and the nation.

Conclusion

Mufti Shamail Nadwi should not have framed the issue in such a dangerous and divisive way. Islam does not require Muslims in India to reject constitutional law, nor does the Constitution prevent Muslims from practicing Islam fully.

Religion is personal. Law is collective. Wisdom lies in respecting both.

Indian Muslims have lived with dignity in this land for centuries. Their future lies not in confrontation but in faith, citizenship, patience, and constitutional confidence. Islam needs no loud slogans; rather, it needs responsible voices.

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/shamail-nadwi-harm-islamic-values/d/138251

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