Silver Lining-Tayyaba Case

In the past few days, we witnessed a horrible crime against humanity being committed in a household that’s headed by a person responsible for being just. Irrespective of the fact that any and all details pertaining to what happens inside is personal and cannot be pried upon; it wouldn’t be wrong to say that such a house constitutes in its existence the very idea of dignity and decency. However, as the grave events suddenly appeared and unfolded many remained baffled, horrified and simply depressed. How could a lady inflict such harm to a minor? How could a mother even allow her child to work at someone house in such an age? How could a judge remain quiet after witnessing his life partner committing such horrors? The very nature of this society has become questionable. There are plenty of things that we are to answer for but this horror; regardless of any religion, social standard or law this is a direct violation of the most basic of human rights.

In light of the fact that all involved were Muslims, I’d like to point out the two things that Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) emphasized upon in his last moments: One was Salat and the second one was the instruction to always be just, kind and generous to your subordinates. I’m not going to focus my argument on faith alone but this goes without saying that in the eyes of Muslims and in accordance to Islam; this is a grim sin.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to pay homage to the Chief Justice who took suo moto notice on the situation and brought the case to the court. His first statement pertaining to the predicament was what strengthened my belief in humans and humanity. He ruled that this was a violation of basic human rights and thus a settlement would not hold any legal substance. Let’s keep in mind, that there was an attempt at solving the matter via finances. The parents of the victim already signed the settlement forgiving the wife of the judge for a feeble sum of 30,000 PKR.

As the case surfaced, the girl too was hidden from the courts. Thank fully however, she was recovered by the police and presented in the court. From the way things are going, despite the grim nature of this entire ordeal I cannot help but be hopeful. I hope that justice will prevail and those who were intoxicated by their power and authority learn how despicable their acts were. Maybe this case, will be the beginning of human rights being delivered to everyone regardless of their social or economic status. Maybe, this will be a start of a revolution where children will not be forced to work like this. 

A peaceful Ummah

This maybe a taboo topic for most Muslims, it is for me as well. Where we can present facts and logic about what our religion actually preaches; we’ve been portrayed in a matter that we have now become the oppressed. In light of the latest twitter trend #oppressedmuslimummah; I too shall speak out and reach out to the world in an attempt to rebel against the general stereotype that has been skillfully created over the years. Those who take our religion’s name and shout that they embody the teachings of our religion and then kill innocents; have done their part. What proof does the world have that these people were actually muslim? It’s easy to blame and it’s easy to refer to every violent act as a result of radical Islam than it is to actually find out the reason and perpetrators behind it.

What Islam teaches is respect, care and Islam strictly directs Muslims to ensure that the rights of others are exercised. Even in a country drowned in corruption, Pakistan is the embodiment of this very teaching. If we compare what is happening to Muslims around the world and then what is happening to non-muslims in Pakistan; it is evident that Muslims are the ones who are actually oppressed. Verily, there are incidents where non-muslims were targeted but those isolated incidents are negligible to what has been happening to muslims. Our children have been dying, our ladies and our seniors; no one is spared. Millions have died and who knows how many shall die but the media; the global media only pays attention to the non-muslims.

It is without a doubt, inhumane; the killing of anyone whether or not they’re Muslim. That is exactly what Islam teaches as well. Killing of innocents: that is not forgivable. Even at times of war, Muslims throughout history have spared women, children and the old. Despite the fact that our women and children were not spared. Look at Jerusalem, when Salahuddin finally became victorious he allowed the conquered to leave. He allowed the women and children to live whereas the defeated King himself said that If I were you, I would have killed every defeated soul.

What we ask of the world is not special treatment. What we ask for is the elimination of the discrimination? A muslim is taught not to discriminate. A muslim leader is equally answerable to the Muslims and Non-Muslims in his nation. Our concept of Jihad has become so infamous that it is now completely wrongly portrayed. There are plenty of forms of Jihad; one among them is self defense as well. If someone attempts to hurt you or your loved ones and you end up hurting them or even killing them; then that too is Jihad. How wrong is self defense? Even in our current judicial and legal systems, that is very well accepted. How would one wrongly portray such a form of Jihad? Leave that to our dear global media; they’ll find a way to do it as they have been doing it for ages.

With a new beginning of the new year, may be the world needs to understand what they have been doing to Muslims. And those, who claim to be Muslim but are responsible for the deaths of innocents; need to understand and know that in accordance to the teachings of Islam, they are in the wrong and what they’re doing is actually unforgivable.

Let 2017 be the beginning of where we stand together in the formation of a better world. Where we are not the oppressed nor the oppressors. Where we stand together and prove to the world that what they’ve been told is nothing but just a pointless propaganda.