Scholarships lies in evaluating an issue and then guiding ordinary
people. But the scholars of Darul Ifta, fatwa department of Islamic
seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband, seems have acted in a narrow sense of
scholarship while issuing a fatwa against ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
Mata
in Indian collective conscience is mother. Of course, she is god to most
of us if we can generate that kind of respect and feeling for her.
“India is without doubt our country. We and our ancestors were born here. We love our country, but we do not think it is our God,” Darul Ifta said in its statement.
Darul Ifta has issued a fatwa against chanting
‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ in response to queries of people sent to the
seminary. The fatwa was issued on 19 March but became viral on social
media on Thursday
evening. It says that Islam does not allow Idol worship therefore
Muslims should restrain themselves from chanting ‘ Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
Ashraf
Usmani, spokesperson of the seminary, said that that idol worship is
not permissible in Islam hence in light of the teachings of holy Quran
and Hadees followers of Islam can’t say Bharat Mata Ki Jai, which has
been portrayed as a Goddess carrying a trident in one hand and clad in
saffron clothes.
Islam, unlike Hinduism, is a monotheistic religion,
i.e. it believes in the idea of one God whose idol or picture cannot be
made. “Bharat Mata, according to a section of Hindus, is a goddess and
they worship her. For Muslims, participating in the worshiping of that
goddess would be apostasy and against Islam,” Darul Ifta said.
The
scholars should understand difference between reverence and worship. A
nation, which provides us with respectability and identity, deserves
reverence. One need not have to worship it.
The Deoband fatwa is further justified under the Indian constitutional guarantees of right to
freedom of religion to all its citizens. “No government or organisation
can force such unlawful activities on other people if it contradicts
their faith,” it said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had stated that youngsters in India should be taught to chant the slogan. He
had recently modified his remarks. Every country needs a national ethos
and Bhagwat may have intended to develop an ethos with Bharat
Mata Ki Jai’ slogan.
India needs an unifying cry. If someone gives it, take it or else find an alternative.
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