Presidential address by Marghub ur-Rahman, Rector of
Dar ul-Ulum, Deoband.
Delivered at the "All-India Anti-Terrorism
Convention", Organised by the Rabita-e Madaris-e
Islamia Arabia at Deoband on 25 February, 2008.
Translated [from Urdu], edited and abridged by
Yoginder Sikand
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds. May Peace be
on the Prophet Muhammad and His progeny.
Terrorism and the conditions created by it are a
matter of grave concern for every peace-loving person.
On the one hand are the destructive actions of
terrorists, which disrupt peace and cause the loss of
life of innocent people. On the other hand is the
irresponsible role of those who are meant to preserve
the law, who, in the wake of every terrorist act,
unthinkingly point their fingers at Muslims [as
supposed culprits]. Instead of seriously searching for
the real culprits, they blame innocent people and
thereby conceal their own ineptitude. These conditions
have made those in charge of the madrasas to stand up
because even today the Muslims look at the ulema of
the madrasas as their true leaders, and their stand is
considered as representative of the Muslim community,
especially in countries like India. Hence, in this
regard, madrasas must today play the role expected of
them. They must announce and explain their balanced
position on terrorism so as to shut the mouths of the
enemies of the faith. At the same time, they must plan
a strategy to counter policies and activities directed
against Muslims and those associated with madrasas.
In this context, it is appropriate to announce the
clear and unanimous stance of the madrasas on the
issue of terrorism. We have no relation whatsoever
with terrorism. We condemn all forms of terrorism, and
in this regard do not make any distinction at all.
Terrorism is a wholly wrong and condemnable activity,
no matter what the religion, community or social class
of those engaged in it. Terrorism is also a total
antithesis of Islamic teachings. Islam is a religion
of mercy and peace. Hence, any terrorist activity that
targets innocent people contradicts Islam's conception
of peace.
In this regard Islam's teachings are so explicit and
clear that it can be said, without fear of being
contradicted, that today the only comprehensive
concept of peace and harmony in the world lies with
Islam. Islam regards the killing of a single innocent
person as equal to the killing of the whole of
humankind, as the Holy Quran says. Islam clearly
instructs Muslims that if they face no threat to their
lives, property and security from others, they must
behave with them in a friendly manner. Islam also
insists on the need to respect treaties and agreements
with others. It also prefers peace. It announces the
equality of all human beings. The Holy Quran says that
God has created everyone from the same set of primal
parents, and that He has made them into different
tribes and groups so that they may recognise one
another. In his farewell address during his last Hajj
pilgrimage, the Prophet (may peace be upon him)
declared that Arabs and non-Arabs and whites and
blacks have no superiority over each other. They are
all children of Adam and Adam was made of mud. The
most noble in the eyes of Allah is he who is the most
pious. In taking revenge, Islam insists on reciprocity
and does not permit excess. In matters both of
friendship and of enmity it appeals for the
maintenance of justice, even if that might appear to
go against oneself, one's parents or other relatives.
The Holy Quran lays down that the enmity of any
community should not cause Muslims stray from the path
of justice. Islam has advised mercy for all. The
Prophet (may peace be upon him) said that God is
merciful to those who show mercy. Islam regards all
creatures as members of God's family.
In short, Islam calls for peace and justice and mercy.
Under no conditions does it legitimize strife. This is
why terrorism can have no link whatsoever with Islam.
Hence, madrasas, which are the true torchbearers of
Islamic teachings, clearly announce that they have
nothing to do with terrorism at all.
In our country today, Muslims are increasingly being
targeted, especially religious Muslims, the ulema and
graduates of the madrasas and those associated with
them. They are easily branded, or at least suspected,
as culprits in any terrorist activity without any
investigation or proof. In order to blame them it is
considered enough that they are associated with a
madrasa or an Islamic organization. The situation has
become so serious now that communal forces associate
all terrorist activities with the madrasas. In fact,
some bigoted people have even branded [Islamic]
religious education as the pillar of terrorism. All
this is happening despite the fact that the [Indian]
Muslims have continued to uphold peace and
non-violence and have displayed complete loyalty to
their country. They, especially the ulema, have made
immense sacrifices for the freedom of India. Can any
person claim that without the struggles of the ulema,
the country would have ever achieved freedom from the
clutches of British imperialism? These pious elders of
ours shed not sweat but their blood and sacrificed
their lives for the glory of the country without any
thought of recompense. This history is worth writing
in words of gold. After [India gained] independence,
these ulema of the madrasas, who were in the forefront
of the anti-imperialist struggle, spurned all reward
and focused, instead, on the task of
character-building and promoting humanitarianism.
This work is the main focus of the madrasas, which,
unfortunately, are today being branded as centres of
terrorism and anti-national activities. The truth,
however, is that madrasas work for the welfare of the
country, the community and the entire humanity. They
train peace-loving, honest and responsible citizens of
the country. They teach concern for human beings and
peace. Here love, not hatred, simplicity, austerity,
patriotism and respect for humankind are taught. It is
thus no exaggeration to claim that madrasas are a
major block that stand firm against terrorism. One
proof of this is the historical fact that these
madrasas have been in existence for centuries without
their character ever being questioned. Instead, they
have trained freedom-loving ulema who love their
country and stand for peace and loyalty to the country
and community. This tradition of theirs made the
[Indian] Prime Minister proudly declare at the United
Nations that Indian Muslims are not engaged in
terrorism. The truth is that the role of the madrasas
is as clean as a mirror. Nothing about the madrasas is
kept secret. Everything is kept open. And so when
wrong allegations are made about them it gravely pains
the heart and mind.
We wish to tell the Government and its agencies and
departments that for establishing peace and doing away
with strife they must remember the need for justice
and equality. If they are serious about combating the
curse of terrorism they must firmly abide by justice
and not make any distinction on the basis of
persuasion or religion of people. They must search for
the real culprits [in terrorist violence] and desist
from harassing innocents so that the country's unity
and integrity is preserved and that it can progress.
To understand the reality of terrorism and its context
it must be kept in mind that it is not basically a
problem of our country. Rather, it is a curse created
by those global powers whose ideology is based on
Zionism. Their sole agenda is to pursue the criminal
designs of Zionism. They are in the forefront of
spreading strife and conflict throughout the world.
Otherwise, how is it that, despite spending billions
of dollars and committing several thousand soldiers
ostensibly to combat terrorism, the problem still
remains? In fact, their failure is obvious from the
fact that they have failed even to come up with an
agreed definition of terrorism. From their actions it
is evident that they readily brand any individual who
is or can be a barrier in the path of their mindless
pursuit of their criminal expansionist designs as a
terrorist. The world very well knows that the curse of
terrorism remains alive only because of the backing it
receives from the Zionist forces. That is why those
commentators who keep a close watch on their methods
of working argue that terrorist attacks that occur in
India must be examined in detail because there seems
to be a common pattern in the methods used in several
of these attacks. It should not be that because of
incomplete investigation or because the investigation
is diverted in a different direction the real culprits
are ignored and, instead, innocent people are branded
as criminals.
For the Government to take on the menace of terrorism
it must keep in mind the historical fact that in the
past it has happened that on numerous occasions those
who are branded as criminals by the state have been
claimed as heroes by the people, especially those who
have been driven to extremism because of injustice and
oppression on the part of the state. Keeping in mind
this historical reality, the state should desist from
any action which might lead to the emergence of
extremism as a reaction.
No community must be blamed for the actions of a
single individual or group of people who belong to
that community. Otherwise, all the major religions and
communities in the world would then be branded as
terrorists, which, of course, would be grossly
erroneous. This logic also applies to Muslims. Muslims
are an inseparable part of this country's history and
civilization. To render them insecure is in no way in
the interests of the country at large.
How is it possible for [Indian] Muslims to turn into
terrorists, when, from Independence onwards, they have
been forced to suffer all manner of problems and
difficulties and various forms of discrimination but
yet have remained faithful to their country, have
always used democratic and Constitutional means to
seek to secure their rights, and have abstained from
any form of extremism and anti-national activity?
After all, how can they damage their own country for
whose freedom they have made immense sacrifices? Given
the fact that Muslims would bear the brunt of [the
aftermath of] any terrorist attack before any other
people, every rational person can understand that for
[Indian] Muslims to become terrorists is unrealistic.
I wish to tell our fellow [non-Muslim] countrymen that
we [Muslims] are their brothers. We have been living
together in this country for centuries as good
neighbours. Our joint sacrifices gave birth to what is
referred to as the 'Ganga-Jamuna civilisation'. We
have fought shoulder-to-shoulder in all struggles for
the country. If our non-Muslim fellow Indians fall
prey to the false propaganda of communal forces and
ignore the glorious history of the Muslims it would be
a great misfortune not only for us but also for them
and for the country as a whole. That is why they
should come closer to us, try and understand us, and
struggle together for the peace, unity and prosperity
of our country.
A key issue is that of the madrasas, which have been
given to us as a precious trust by our predecessors
and by the whole Muslim community. We must fully
protect them. This is our principal duty. For this we
must always keep in mind the basic purpose of the
madrasas. Our pious predecessors established them in
order to preserve the tradition of learning of the
Islamic shariah in an appropriate way. They wanted
them to train experts in the Islamic sciences and men
of Islamic morals who, through their intellectual
expertise and sterling character, would serve as
righteous leaders of the Muslim community.
In order to train such people it is necessary that we
should seek to protect our [madrasa] students from
every negative external influence, including from the
mounting wave of materialism and the curse of Western
culture. We must focus on their intellectual
development in such a way that they do not come under
the influence of any anti-Islamic movement or engage
in any illegal activities [ostensibly] in the name of
Islam.
Another crucial issue is that madrasas must seek to
let people living in their surroundings know about
their conditions, their peaceful role and their
educational activities. Many misunderstandings are
caused by ignorance. If madrasas have strong links
with their surrounding societies and if the Government
and its representatives are constantly made aware of
their activities, it would serve as a powerful
rebuttal to the propaganda of the communalist forces.
We do not need to unnecessarily make or consider
others as our enemies. Rather, what we need to do is
to spread our message of love.
In conclusion, I earnestly appeal to the leaders of
the different Muslim sects to realize that, given
today's delicate conditions, the need for Muslim unity
has never been greater before. Is it not possible for
us to set aside our minor differences and come
together to counter those opposed to us? Furthermore,
I must also mention that madrasas need to improve
their system of functioning. Their financial affairs
should be as clear as a polished mirror. Likewise, the
environment in the madrasas must be a model Islamic
one, based on good morals, trustworthiness, honesty,
respect for the rights of others, obedience to the
path of the Prophet and fear of God. If we succeed in
moulding our society on these lines, then, God
willing, all the dark clouds will vanish and the
conspiracies against the madrasas will die a natural
death.
May God make this conference a source of blessing for
all the madrasas and for the entire Muslim community.
Amen.
And, ultimately, praise be to God, the Lord of the
Worlds
Sukhia Sab Sansar Khaye Aur Soye
Dukhia Das Kabir Jagey Aur Roye
The world is 'happy', eating and sleeping
The forlorn Kabir Das is awake and weeping
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