Mr Luqman Majoka speaking on State and Sharia
Very Lively Audience
By : Zubair Khan
The question mentioned in the title of the news as well few other interesting questions were aired after Mr Luqman Majoka, who studied Oriental and Islamic studies, belonging to Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Germany, delivered his speech in Bashier Mosque Bensheim. On the eve of inter-religious dialogue series organised by AMJ Germany he was speaking to very lively German audience who gathered to have the Ahmadiyya view point on State and Sharia.
In his lecture he very amicably introduced the term Sharia. Also elaborated the Misaqa Medina. On very tough questions about the “HAD Punishments” introduced and executed by few so called Islamic countries he explained in detail the concept and Islamic perspective of of these punishments. One learned lady commented that in her very long life span, first time she has known the real meanings of Sharia.
On explanation if circumstances become unfavourable to practice according to ones religious belief, the Islam teaches migration to other place where one can enjoy religious freedom. At this point however one question remained unanswered. A German guest while quoting the atrocities committed to Jews asked, “When because of religious belief state orders to kill you and you have no chance to migrate what says the Ahmadiyya Islam?”
Note by the Editor: Since its on going process of learning from each other as such Mr Zia Shah who is very strong advocate of separation of state and religion as well other leaned MT readers are requested to give their view point on the question raised by the German guest.
Small girls presenting German Poem to Audience
A religious teacher expressing his opinion about the program
Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Europe, Europe and Australia, Germany
Reply to question anxiously awaited?
When the state orders to kill anybody/group because of his/her religious belief, then that person/group has to perform the lesser Jihad in the form of self defence.
May I mention that Mr. Majoka may refer to the Pakistan Constitution for his learned German audience as a fitting example. Even though the Pakistani State does not explicitly mention about killing of the Ahmadi Muslims, but it does facilitate persecution via murder when it makes it a criminal offence for an Ahmadi Muslim to behave “like a Muslim”.
Eventhough the Europeans will eventually do nothing about the Pakistan’s Government selective ban on Freedom of conscience, still they should be made aware of the type of legislation that is mainly geared to trap non-deobandis.
@Dr Boodhun/Canada
Self defence as expressed by you also not understood.
The German guest was very clear while quoting the mass persecution of jews in ex Nazi Germany. When you are tightly fastened with ropes, gauarded with loaded weapns and are taken to a death chamber. In such scenario what self defence comes to your mind. If confronted with such a scenario, the guest asked the teachings of Islam. Of course the persecution is purely because of religious belief.
As we all know & believe that the final decision is by Allah, a believer has to submit to His will.
In a situation, where the end is death, a person should be ready to do the final sacrifice , that of the sacred life & leave the rest to Him. I know this is easily said than done, but thousands of believers have been through it since the time of the Holy Prophet SAW.
Reply by Najma is proved in the case of a very senior Ahmadi in Afghanistan, i.e. Hazrat Abdul Latif Rz.a. (Shaheed).
He was tied and bound and told to recant his belief in the Promised Messiah a.s. He was offered all liberty and good ranks and happy worldly life.
He was told that he had to face death by stoning if he did not recant. This happened in 1901(?) in Kabul.
He refused to deny his faith. He refused to go back on his beliefs. He was dragged in bad manner and finally stoned to death in an open area.
That is the answer to such questions. At least one answer or one example.
This applies to some one who is given a chance to consider his beliefs. But the original question does not say that. The question is: What is the answer if a government orders to kill you. What you will do, as per laws of Shariah? It is about a government bent upon killing you. Or it is a case of the Jews in Nazi Germany. The government is bent upon killing the person.
In that case, the best thing is the answer from Doctor Boodhun/ Canada.
That is proved by the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. and Hussain a.s. You may leave the place if you can. And go to some other place where there are no bad laws.
People think that Hussain a.s. was going to wage a war against Yazeed from Kufah. I do not believe that. I believe that he did not have any army with him. I believe that he was getting out of the jurisdiction of Yazeed, and heading towards eastern country.
It (migration) was practiced by many Jews i.e. Albert Einstein and others.
The other example is that of Socrates. The state ordered his death and his friends advised him to run away. He did not like to run away. He happily took a dose of Conium (poison) which was offered to him as a means of his death. I believe that he was a prophet and he did well. Allah knows best.
My dear bothers and sisters in Islam, AOA, WR, WB, Let us first understand the question which reads, “When, because of religious belief,the state orders to kill you and you have no chance to migrate, what says the Ahmadiyya Islam?” Although the German guest did not say so but Brother Z. Khalil has inferred that you are in a situation like Jews, “being taken to death chambers tightly fastened with ropes under strict guards with loaded weapons.
In my humble opinion, in such situation Ahmadiyya Islam will follow the example of the companions of over beloved prophet Muhammad (SA)who were left in burning sands of arabien deserts and at times were forced to lie flat on burning coals. One of them was put to heinous death by tying his legs with two camels who were made to run in opposite direction. And also the example of extreme sacrifice of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif Sahib shaheed as mentioned by sister Najma and brother Ghulam Sarwar Sahib.
The example of Socrates does not fit here. He had the opportunity to save his life but he did not.
As far as the Jews are concerned our situation is entirely different from them. They were not persecuted because of their religious differences,but because of their complete hold over the german economy. The Jews were rich and prosperous in the ailing economy of germany, whereas,for the poor germans, it was extremely difficult to meet the both ends meet. Hitler was not a religious fanatic; neither he wanted to make Germany a citadel of christianity, whereas in Pakistan even the ex-Army chief, while addressing the passing out parade of the cadets in PMA, proclaimed that Pakistan is the “citadel” of Islam. Which Islam! that they do not know even today. Taliban and Alqaida do not recognize Pakistan as an islamic state. The Sunni Mullahs are planning to clear the followers of all other sects under the umbrella of Parliament, judiciary and adminstration. The Salafis are fighting Sunnis and Shias and vice versa, and all three of these sects are united against the helpless and peace loving Ahmadis. Under these circumstances we, Ahmadis, are following the Sunna of our holy prpphet, Muhammad(SA), of courses, under the guidance of our beloved Khalifa and that is:
1) Obey the state laws which do not directly affect your religious duties.
2) Do not provocate or unnecessarily react to the provocation by the mischief makers.that is why Ahmadis do not react evev to the extremely vulgar and provocative activities of Majlis-e-Tahaffize Khatam-e-Nabawwat
3) Take all possible security measures to protect your life and property.
4) Do not indulge in revenge taking. It will lead nowhere.
5) Submit to your God and besiege His help. He is the ultimate Helper.
I dont understand why u have made this question so complicated the simple answer is God has not made only the law of sharia but he has also made the other law and that is the “law of nature” the law of sharia will only be applicable when you have choice if you dont have choice the law of nature will overcome.
The two things mentioned in earlier comments are also about choice if you have chance to migrate you can , if you are strong enough to defend yourself you should, but if you are weak then sharia can only say that give your life with dignity and remain steadfast on your belief.
It reminded me of a joke..
once a man was asked “what will you do if you come across with a lion in a dense jungle?”
He replied ” what could i do than the lion will do whatever he will”
“taqdeer ke qazi ka yeh fatwa hai azal se
hai jurm e zaefi ki saza marg e mafajat”