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What I Think of Murdering Salman Taseer?

Let me candidly say that the whole of media is out of step with the
majority population sentiments on the status of Prophet of Islam. While
most agree that there must be some amendment done to prevent misuse of
the blasphemy law, almost there is a consensus that the blasphemer must
be dealt according to divine injunction. Expect for the secular extremists
and intellectual terrorists, all are almost united on the issue. The media
unfortunately, which is the custodian of secular extremism, intellectual
terrorism and obscenity is dumb founded to really grasp as to what has
happened? Their years of efforts to mesmerize masses with the seductive
allure of western secularism and obscene nudity seem to be going down the
drain. The masses fortunately still hold Prophet dearer to their lives and
property.

It must be understood that Islam is a religion of peace and

tranquillity but only for those who wish to live according to its principles. It
must not be forgotten that for those who aim at destroying the peace of
society by either secular terrorism or physical terrorism, there are very
strict punishments chopping of hands or neck, stoning to death and
stripping etc are just a few to mention. There are some rules and
regulations for freedom of expression and thought in Islam. Actually Islam
means to submit to the will of God and accept his commandments as
ordained way of life rather than just putting on a label of Muslim name.
Islam does not offer absolute concept of “Freedom of Expression” with no
hold barred. There are issues which are beyond human interference, we
can’t debate on certain issues like if God is one or more or either Quran is
the word of God or was written down by Prophet and his companions etc.
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The punishment of blasphemer also falls under the same very category. If
this divine order is required to be undone by anyone then he/she or they
must first dispel Islam and declare themselves as a non-follower of divine
injunction and Prophetic instructions. One can’t put on a Muslim label yet
desecrating the divine revelations either given in shape of Quran or
Prophetic traditions. A Muslim has to live by a set of rules and principles to
remain with the ambit of an Islamic community.

The secular or intellectual terrorism and physical terrorism go

parallel and side by side, at times meeting at various cross-sections. Over
these cross-sections, physical terrorism would usually prevail over
intellectual terrorism and secular extremism. If the intellectual or secular
terrorism is the freedom of thought then either, we must accept physical
terrorism as freedom of action or dispel both forms of terrorism. We can’t
be selective on the issue; it is not a just attitude. Unfortunately there is no
possibility of debate between the secular extremists and religious
extremists as one faction considers the divine decree as universal and
unalterable while the other regards it as obsolete and incompatible with
the modern human rights established by the western civilization. Both
these positions are diametrically opposed and thus irreconcilable with no
common grounds whatsoever. Misuse of blasphemy law is just a pretext for
pursuing their iniquitous agenda as they have shown no concern for other
laws being misused in Pakistan. I must however say that Asia Masih may
have been a victim of personal vendetta or some other form of dispute
twisted in the wrong direction and we must do everything to adopt
measures which would reduce the chances of blasphemy law being misused
by thugs and scoundrels. However, changing the punishment or
eliminating the law altogether is neither acceptable nor tolerable, and that
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was what Mr. Salaman Taseer and his like minded secular extremists and
intellectual terrorists were aiming to do and not just amending the law.

Having said that taking law into one own hand is condemnable, I
would also like to say that Mr. Salaman Taseer was an iconic figure for
promoting vulgarity and secularism through his personal as well as official
influence. These efforts had already made him an evil figure amongst
religious and sane factions of Pakistani society. Thus it was not fair for him
to use the official capacity for promoting his personal agenda. He must have
first resigned from the post of governor to pursue his aim of turning
Pakistan into a secular and atheist state. It is surprising that the secular
society is asking us to learn our religion from TV anchors, film actors,
singers or from those politicians who have absolutely no knowledge of
either Quran or Prophetic traditions and who just interpret Islam in exact
conformity to the western values. It is our collective responsibility to know
what the Islam says about various issues in Quran and Sunnah. If we just
leave Islam to the religious theocracy for understanding and interpretation
then no one would be able to prevent a bloody clash between Taseers and
Qadris in this country.

Regards Shams-uz-zaman

Islamabad (smszmn72@yahoo.com)