Komashisha
Rights and duties are the two sides of a coin and these (both) go together. For every right, there is a corresponding duty. When we fulfil our duties to others, we care for our share in upholding their rights. We have some duties to our country as well. Most of us are aware of our fundamental rights; we have something to do for this country as responsible citizens. According to Islam, every citizen should love and protect his/her homeland.
Bangladesh is our beloved country. We should love this country from the core of our hearts. Our beloved Prophet (Pbuh) loved the city of Makkah, his birth place and taught us how to love the country. At the time of emigration to Medina he said to the city of Makkah: “What a nice town you are! How dear to me! Were it not that my people expelled me from you, I would not live anywhere besides you.” (Jame Tirmidhi).
However, it is noticeable that some divergent people went to the path of terrorism and they attacked innocent people recently in the country. Although suicide bombing, and other acts of violence have no place in Islam, they want to ‘establish Islam’ though this unlawful way. It is a wrong and dangerous way of establishing Islam. Our great Prophet (Pbuh) and his companions never accepted this way. They conquered the hearts of people though love. Killing is not the action of a Muslim but it is an act of the Kafir (disbelievers). Narrated by Abdullah (Ra.) that the Prophet said, “Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief).” (Sahih Bukhari). Another narration refers that a Muslim cannot attack another. Rather, the patriotic Muslims have a duty to keep their neighbours safe. Jaber (Ra.) narrated that the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe.” (Sahih Muslim).
Islam, a religion of peace and brotherhood, never supports killing of innocent people. The Prophet (Pbuh) listed killing as the second of the major sins. Anas Ibn Malik (Ra.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) was asked about the greatest sins. He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah; to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill.” (Sahih Bukhari). Those who kill innocent people will be punished first on the Day of Judgment. Holy Prophet (Pbuh) warned that, “The first cases to be adjudicated on the Day of Judgment are those of bloodshed and Muslims are encouraged to be kind to even animals and are forbidden to hurt them.” (Sahih Bukhari). In fact, the killer won’t be able to escape from the recompense of the Day of Judgment. Whoever kills innocent people even in the name of ‘establishing Islam’ will never enter paradise. Hell is his permanent address. The Holy Qur’an says: “A man who killed a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell forever. And the wrath and curse of Allah are upon him and terrible penalty is prepared for him.” (Surah An-Nisa: Ayat 93).
One of the fundamental duties of Muslim citizens is to ensure the protection of their country. So, as citizens we have a duty to awaken the moral and ethical conscience of the people against terrorism and thus we can guard the freedom of our country. Terrorism is a big threat to the existence of the country as a civilised peaceful nation. If a Muslim guards his/her country from the attack of terrorism, he will get great rewards from Allah. Ibn Abbas (Ra.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “There are two eyes that shall not be touched by the Fire: An eye that wept from the fear of Allah, and an eye that spent the night standing on guard in the cause of Allah.” (Jame Tirmiji). We should increase social awareness and guide people onto the straight path of Islam and warn them about those who are involved in creating anarchy in society.
It is also our duty to promote social unity against terrorism. We are recommended to put wrong things right with our hands, and if we cannot do that, we must speak out against what goes wrong, and if we are even too weak to do so, we must at the very least, hate the wrong ideology of terrorists in our hearts. Narrated by Abu Sayeed Khudry (Ra.) that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.” (Sahih Muslim).
Jubayer Ahmad
The writer is an Islamic thinker and Khatib, Baitush Shafique Mosque, Board Bazar, Gazipur.
