By Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD: Imam-e-Kaaba Shaikh Abdur Rehman al-Sudais has ardently appealed to the Lal Masjid administration to give up the path it has adopted for the past few months or the enemy would benefit from anarchy and chaos.

"I deeply regret and am surprised over their undertaking," he said while talking to a group of senior journalists at the Punjab House on Saturday. Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri was also present on the occasion.

In his brief opening remarks, Asseri said the Muslim Ummah was faced with paramount challenges after 9/11, which should be tackled with wisdom and acumen. The Imam-e-Kaaba said he was disappointed to note that the Lal Masjid brigade had involved women and children who, he said "should not be used (in such activity)."

He said that seizing mosques was an act of enemies of Islam and Pakistan. "Being a well-wisher of Pakistan, I request these people to act while remaining within the clearly defined commandments of the religion. Any transgression will only accomplish the objectives of the enemy," he said.

He said Islam does not allow anybody to make mosques sanctuary this way. This is no wise method, he said, adding that mosques are Houses of Allah Almighty, not meant to show power by any person or group. "Anybody who likes to enforce Islamic Shariah can't force it on his own. It can't be enforced at the individual level. Ulema and those having knowledge of Islam should be approached for this purpose."

Al-Sudais expressed the hope that the issue would remain confined to the local level and would be resolved amicably. However, he said there are a lot of people in Pakistan who understand the religion and its spirit well, and a wrong course adopted by some would not make any difference.

"I counsel these people to compassionately resolve the issue according to the distinguished principles of Islam in consultation with the government, Ulema and officials," the Imam-e-Kaaba stressed. He said Islam does not allow violence, terrorism and use of force. The religion teaches mutual compassion and emphasises on love and affection.

Al-Sudais said that in an Islamic government, everybody cannot act on his own and has to follow the system and institutions of the state. Anarchy and chaos, he said, are worse than murder, and Muslims must have to act collectively. They are not allowed to adopt an independent path.

The Imam-e-Kaaba said Muslims are protectors of each other while limiting themselves to the confines of the law, and the rules prescribed by the state institutions. Islam prohibits taking any actions that divide Muslims.

Al-Sudais said nobody is infallible, and anybody can commit wrongs but there are clear ways provided in Islam to rectify them. Islam specifies resolution of problems through consultations, he said.

The Imam-e-Kaaba said Islam has cut off the roots of violence. The religion has laid immense emphasis on compassion, consideration and care for others. Wherever violence will creep in, there will be more trouble and problems, he said.

Quoting the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Al-Sudais said that the "air of heaven would not touch anybody who would kill a non-Muslim covered by an agreement." Islam teaches moderation and abhors extremism and violence, he said.

Answering a question, the Imam-e-Kaaba said sectarianism has no room in Islam. The religion, he said, lays down principles of brotherhood and harmony. Mosques, he said, should not be used to spread mayhem and disarray.

To a question, Al-Sudais said there are many misconceptions and misgivings prevailing about Jihad, which was the pinnacle of the religion. The first condition, he said, is that the Imam (leader) should lead and organize it according to the true Sharia commandments. "No individual can or has the right to declare and wage Jihad."

The second condition, he said, is that there must be sufficient preparation for launching Jihad. "Jihad is of different kinds relating to one's own soul, attainment of knowledge, of pen and wealth. It is also a Jihad to be guardian of a widow."

The Imam-e-Kaaba said Jihad should be taken in its comprehensive sense when sovereign states exist. "But starting Jihad without appropriate preparations is not Islam. When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not have power in Makkah, he acted differently and when he had power in Madina, he proceeded in a different fashion."

Today, Al-Sudais said, Muslims don't possess the requisite power to launch Jihad (war) against others. There are specific conditions that must be fulfilled before starting this kind of Jihad, he said. "There is no doubt that everyone amongst us cherishes martyrdom."

Replying to a question about inter-faith dialogue, the Imam-e-Kaaba said Islam teaches friendship and harmony with all to promote relations with others. Prophets engaged in dialogues with other nations and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) also talked to all schools of thought. Islam, he said, ordains the use of convincing and persuasive methods to persuade others and if they are not swayed, it lets them to continue their path.

Islam, the Imam-e-Kaaba said, is not the religion of rituals alone and it guides human beings in all spheres. That's why, he said, Islam is spreading fast. It favours a positive dialogue with others and calls for cooperation with humanity. The religion has always benefited from such interactions as it has been winning hearts and minds, he added. Al-Sudais said he considers Pakistan as his second home. He said he had found immense sentiments of love and affection during his present visit.

Replied by(Noman) Replied on (7/Jun/2007)

we want to hear from Imam-e-kaaba (express news 07-06-07)