Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is Islamic, but TTP, Al Qaeda and ISIS wish to enforce their concocted and distorted version of Islam, which is at variance with the great majority of Muslims. Even during the life time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), a section of Muslims insisted on their self-righteousness, and were abhorred. There are many ahadis but one narrated by Hazrat Ali (Allah be pleased with him) stated: “0′ people, I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW), there would arise from my Ummah a people who would recite the Qur’an, and your recital would seem insignificant as compared with their recital, your prayer insignificant as compared with their prayer, and your fast arid as compared with their fast. They would recite the Qur’an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is evidence against them. Their prayer does not get beyond their collarbone.”
The Kharijite ideology is based upon the evil tenets: Declaring Muslims to be unbelievers; rejecting lawful obedience to the rulers and justifying violence against Muslims and innocent people. Islamic scholar Abu Aaliyah, the founder of The Jawziyyah Institute, a leading institute for Islamic moderation and contemporary thought in the United Kingdom, said: “As ISIS continues its murder and violence across the areas it controls and seeks to control, and as it continues to plague the conscience of the great majority of Muslims around the world, what’s worth recalling is that we’ve seen this before in history with the sect called the Khawarij (anglicized to Kharijites). Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), considered the Kharijites to be the worst of Allah’s creation, and he said: “Indeed, they take verses that were revealed about unbelievers and use them against the believers.”
He said: “Indeed, they take verses that were revealed about unbelievers and use them against the believers.” According to another hadith, “in the last days, there will be young people with foolish dreams. They will say the best of words in creation but they will pass through Islam just as an arrow passes through its game. Their faith will not go beyond their throats.” (Sahih Bukhari). The purpose of a just war in Islam is to end religious persecution and to protect innocent people. But kharijites use such verses to further persecute Muslims and to justify their ambitions of political power. Ibn Abi Awfa reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say, “The rebels (khawarij) are the dogs of the Hellfire.” Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 173, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani.
Islam never preached killing of all unbelievers and idolaors. Had that been the case, it would not have commanded its people to make peace treaty as being mentioned in Holy Quran “if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it. Lo he is Hearer and Knower”. Al-Qur’an 8:61). Likewise, a religion that commands to kill all ‘idolaters’ does not show its concern for others by ordaining the believers that “do not allow your hatred for others make you swerve to wrongdoing and turn you away from justice.” Neither can such a religion honour the right to live for others by forbidding unjust killing and prescribing its gravity as discussed above. Moreover, had Islam supported the killing of ‘all idolaters’ the streets of Makkah would have filled with the pagans’ blood at the time of conquest of Makkah when Muslims had a golden chance of retaliation for all the atrocities the enemies committed against them.
History bears testimony to the fact that Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) had granted forgiveness to his enemies all and sundry and set an unprecedented example in the history of mankind. The above argument will suffice to comprehend that Islam allows Qitaal (war) in case of self-defence or against persecution and aggression. And in this situation, no distinction is made between Muslims and non-Muslims, as it is mentioned in the 9th verse of chapter 49 in which Allah commands the believers to fight the ‘believers’ if they resort to aggression. It is prescribed in Qur’an that “if two groups of the Believers fight together, put things right between them; then if one of the two aggresses against the other, fight the one that aggresses till it reverts to God’s command” (Al-Qur’an 49:09).
In other words, Islam opposes persecution, aggression and terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, and does not leave the weak folk at the mercy of the powerful. It actually requires of believers that innocent people should be protected against all kinds of persecution. It is inscribed in the Holy Qur’an, “And how is it with you that you do not fight in the way of God and for the abased men, women and children, who say, `our Lord, take us out of this town whose people are wrong-doers.” (4:75). The Holy Qur’an advocates free will in choosing one’s religion: “If it had been thy Lord’s will they would all have believed – All who are on earth. Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe”(10.99). Allah despises those who create groups to divide the people, and engender hatred, rifts and conflicts amongst human beings.
In order to avoid clashes and conflicts, Muslims have been advised not to indulge in disputes even with those who divide the religion, as God alone will take them to task. Indeed, Islam heralded the end of the ancient world of oppression, inequality and injustice, of pride and privileges based on distinctions of race, colour and creed. It gave the message of socio-economic justice, human dignity, reason and light. Islam is, indeed, a religion of peace and stands for progress and prosperity of mankind. Self-seeking elements and religious shysters, however, interpret Islam as a conservative religion upholding obscurantism; thus deviating from the simple, rational and humane spirit of Islam. However, it requires deep understanding and insight as well as intellectual reasoning. There is also need for a new orientation of religious outlook based on dynamism, humanism, tolerance and intellectual exhortations offered by Islamic philosophy.