Islam, respect for Humanity, Equality and Oppressed Dalit Communities

Urdu Section

07 Jul 2009, NewAgeIslam.Com

Islam, respect for Humanity, Equality and Oppressed Dalit Communities

Dalits should convert to Islam if they want real equality By Maulana Nadeemul Wajidi Translated from Urdu by Syed Raihan Ahmad Nezami       -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The author of this article, Maulana Nadeemul Wajidi (Urdu Text below) believes that Hinduism, as a religion is responsible for the degradation of Dalit (lower, oppressed) castes. He says that Dalits have no option but to convert to Islam, if they want real equality. New Age Islam considers this gratuitous advice with incendiary potential and truly uncalled for. Dalits are a very perceptive and alert community, quite capable of making their own choices. They are better off than Muslims in many respects.  They have successfully acquired real power in several states and have powerful representatives in the council of ministers at the centre.  Many higher caste Hindus believe they are more equal than others among Hindu castes and spend money buying fake Dalit caste certificates in order to partake of the privileges granted to them in the Indian constitutional system.  If Dalits feel they are not getting enough respect or equality –– they would know how to fight for their rights in the legal, religious, social and legislative spheres. And if some of them feel they have no option but to leave the Hindu fold, they have a wide open field, full of choices. People belonging to all religions seem to be operating at more or less the same spiritual level. All religions and philosophies have almost equally failed in creating an equal society, a better human race. To single out Islam as the best, as the one that provides the most equality is a travesty. It is contrary to the facts of life in the world today. If anything non-Islamic societies are somewhat better off in this respect. India, for instance, gives religious rights to its minorities –like allowing them to organise their p[personal lives  in accordance with their own religious personal laws - that no other democratic society does. Muslim societies come off as the worst in granting human rights to religious minorities. If at all we find some Muslim societies aspiring to become democratic, they are the ones neighbouring India and envy for India's successful democracy is certainly part of the motivation. But even in these countries, granting equal rights to religious minorities or other weaker sections a la India is not part of their agenda. They are merely aspiring to become electoral democracies. Muslims would do better to introspect, try to organise their own lives more in conformity with Islam's universal humanitarian precepts, before criticising other religions and giving unwarranted advice to other communities. Let us set our own house in order first. Sultan Shahin, Editor, New Age Islam  URL of this page: http://www.newageislam.org/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1531 -----------------------------  Islam, respect for Humanity, Equality and Oppressed Dalit Communities Dalits should convert to Islam if they want real equality  By Maulana Nadeemul Wajidi Translated from Urdu by Syed Raihan Ahmad Nezami The Indian scheduled castes have always been marginalized in terms of education, politics, financial matters and social standards. But now they are enjoying the privilege of reservation in the constitutional institutions and government jobs. Obviously, such reservations have brought about some awareness in these castes. Due to these efforts some positive changes in their attitude are taking place. But, they still have not being given the honour and dignity that they deserve as humans. The root cause of this tragedy has been the teachings of Hindu religion which have been the guide of this concept. They have been regarded as dishonoured and undignified since ancient times. They can be highly qualified, hold key posts, become honourable politicians or renowned bureaucrats, but the high caste people would still prefer to maintain a distance from them. The thought that the higher castes are born dignified and bound to be honoured, while the scheduled castes are born to live a miserable life with humility that has been destined to them by God, always stays at the back of their minds. This is an undeniable fact. Brahmins are considered more dignified in comparison to people of the Kshatriya, Vashya, Shoodra, and Chandal castes. Besides, they also enjoy more rights and privileges. The religious concept has been the main reason why they can't get a life of self-respect and have always been ill-treated. Some burning facts are as follows. They can't get water from the wells of the higher castes, worship in the same temple, sharing food with higher castes is beyond their imagination. Their rivers and canals are separate; their routes are different and so on. They can't practice the same social or cultural traditions as the people of higher castes follow. All the rules and IPC Acts don't work before these religious teachings. The saddest part is that it's happening even in a state where a Dalit woman is the chief minister who supposedly works on the Dalit agenda only for their betterment and uplift. Certain laws are also in practice there within the constitutional provisions, the offenders are arrested and put behind bars in accordance with the IPC laws but this is not of much use. The lava of hatred and contempt gets boiling in the hearts of the higher castes and bursts like a volcano at a certain point of time. According to a survey conducted by a news agency, the hellish plight of the Dalits in U.P is inexplicable. The report of the Asian council for human rights explains the rapid increase of torture and atrocity on the Dalits year by year. The number of cases reported by government agencies were 6628 in 2007 which grew to 6942 in 2008 - a rise of 4.5%. This is the situation when a so-called messiah of the Dalits is ruling over the state. Where all the bureaucrats are ever -ready to help the Dalits. The report also exposes the grave nature of the atrocities afflicted by the higher-caste Hindus on their fellow human beings, and most importantly belonging to their own religion. They don't hesitate even in raping or murdering. It is very shameful to even talk about any Dalit girl student being forced to sweep the school campus, furthermore she is not even allowed to sit along with the students of the higher-castes – this incident took place in a school in Firozabad district in Nov.2008. A 14 year old Dalit girl student was raped by a school teacher in Bandra district, who then he poured the hair dyer liquid into her mouth to save his skin. Later on, the girl succumbed to these injuries in the hospital. A Dalit woman was beaten to death in Lachhu village of Auraiyah district, simply because she had dared to use the hand pump of the higher-castes Hindus. Such incidents are very common and continue to haunt the humanity. Even the strict laws are unable to suppress these sadistic instincts, the continuous chain of atrocities on the Dalits can't be stopped until the hatred and contempt in the hearts of the higher-castes Hindus is dealt with. This sadistic temperament has been built by the senseless teachings of religion, so it can be erased only by the means of religion itself. In this regard, the services of Islam are the only viable solution. Islam is the only religion which has demolished the sectional differences and the hatred between the higher and lower castes. This teaching of fellow-feeling is not limited to the conceptual stage only; rather it has been enforced into action and practice. Today there are more than a billion Muslims spread throughout world leading the exceptional Islamic life with love, cooperation and equality. Muslims belonging to any walk of life are welcome in any mosque.  Regardless of the size and significance of the mosque, the worshippers may belong to any country, caste, colour or creed, may speak any language, and there may be a great difference among their financial, educational, political or social status or rank. Everyone has got the absolute right to enter into any mosque throughout the world and pray to the almighty Allah Kareem. This unique example of unparalleled brotherhood and unimaginable equality can be witnessed from dawn to dusk at the Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah Mokarramah and Masjid-e-Nabwee in Madina-e-Manawwrah especially during the pilgrimage of Hajj when the Muslims congregate in Makkah Mokarramah from every nook and corner of the world to perform the fifth duty of Islam. Significantly enough, this large congregation has fully erased the feelings of greater or better from the hearts of the Muslims so they never hesitate to sit beside any Muslim or human beings and in sharing food with them. Some decisive steps are required against the tormenting and the troublesome communal forces with the help of the effective Islamic teachings to safeguard the natural human rights which have been absolutely abandoned by the majority community. Though the fanatic Hindu organizations and its communal leaders falsely claim unity among the majority community; but the reality is contrary to it. If the Hindu society is free from social hatred, why is there a need for the legislation under the provisions of the constitution? It is only Islam which has inculcated the atmosphere of cultural unity and equality, cooperation and justice within the community. The same terrible situation of torment prevailed throughout the world before the advent of Islam. Certain tribes of Arabs were considered to be more dignified as compared to others. Even before it, Bani Ladi enjoyed more rights than others in Israel. Bani Yahooda, from amongst the sons of Hazrat Yaqoob too, was designated to succeed to the higher posts of the government. After the appearance of Islam, however such discriminations were abolished. And the communities that had been suppressed for ages became free from the fetters of slavery and indignity, to lead a life of respect and honour. Islam fixed "At-Taqwa" (piety) as the standard for dignity and excellence. According to the Quran-e-Kareem, "Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah-e-Kareem is that (believer) who has Taqwa (i.e. he is one of the Al-Muttaqun (the pious)" (Surah Al-Hujurat, V-13) The languages, caste and creed have been considered as the yardsticks for the basis of the communities, but the Quran-e-Kareem has demolished the idol of tribal supremacy in this way; "O' mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwa' (Eve)), and from them both He created many men and women". (Surah An-Nisa, V-1) According to another reference from the Quran-e-Kareem, "Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge)". (Surah As-Sajdah, V-7, 8) The implication of equality in the process of creation and the material of creation – is that all human beings should be equal and no discrimination should be made on the ground of tribe, origin or group; the human beings have been created with the excellent process. With reference to the Quran-e-Kareem, "Verily, We created him in the best stature (mould)". (Surah At-Tin, V-4) In this way, no man has got any distinction over others. Caste, colour or language can't be the criteria for status, distinction or rank as it is not acquired by anyone with one's own effort. It is a system of the almighty Allah Kareem for recognition and introduction, so no one should boast of it. According to a reference from the Quran-e-Kareem, "And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge". (Surah A-Rum, V-22) The prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) strongly asserted this at the time of Hajj Al-Wada in his last sermon which declares the end of the tribal distinction or dignity. O' Believers, your God is One, your father is One, you all are the sons of Hazrat Adam, He is created with soil, he is the most distinctive and dignified before the almighty Allah Kareem, who is the most pious and innocent, no Arab has got any distinction over any Ajami except on the ground of Taqwa (piety). (Musannad, Ahmad binHambal: 73/5) It is crystal clear by this description that Islam does not recognise any distinction on grounds of family, nor of colour and language. Instead, Islam s a religion of oneness, and is based on the agreement of the almighty Allah Kareem. The people who will practice Taqwa (piety), avoidance of sins, who practice love and brotherhood, will win the race and will be rewarded in the worlds of before-and-after-death irrespective of any distinct certificate of any dignified family. The practical steps taken by Islam to abolish the racial differences are called "the absolute equality". The declaration of the Quran-e-Kareem that "You are from one another" (Surah An-Nisa, V-22) confirms the concept of human equality and individuality. There comes a distinctive time in Islamic history when drawing a line amongst the Muslims becomes difficult. Equality means that everybody should enjoy the same rights and privileges. There seems to be no exaggeration in this statement – equality in this perfect shape is possible only in Islam. The European countries boast of racial equality, but it doesn't show in the reality. No person of Irish origin can succeed to the post of the prime minister in England. There are two groups in the Christianity – Protestants and the Catholics –but no one from the latter community has ever reached premiership; separate churches and the graveyards are found in all the countries of Europe for the natives and the European Christians. The blacks are still considered despicable and detestable in these countries. The Pope is selected only from the European priests. But, there is no such discrimination in Islam. People from different countries and castes have been appointed at the summit and topmost posts of the governments as well as of the religion. Even the natives of Ajam have ruled over the Arabs, the slaves also came to power; no discrimination is practiced in the mosques or graveyards.  That's why even a ruler and a beggar is considered to be equal; there is no Mahmood, and no Ayaz. Some examples of practical nature of equality are found in the history of Islam. Such incidents prove that Islam doesn't only propagate human equality; rather it has put this concept into practice. The litmus test is conducted at the time of Nikah Al-Sunnah as some mean-minded people still give importance to the racial distinction; while to be Muslim is enough for the marriage consideration. Kifa'at is a point to be considered at the time of Nikah Al-Sunnah as a social necessity which has nothing to do with race of caste. In the initial years of Islam, various girls of renowned families were married to the men of low rank and race. For example, the real cousin sisters of the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) was married to Hazrat Zaid bin Harith even though he was a slave who was bought by Hakeem bin Hazzam, the Khahaarzadey of Hazrat Khadeeja at Akkaz market, Hazrat Osama  the son of the same Hazrat Zaid bin Harith was married to Zaibnab bint Hanzalah . It is enough to say about the family of Hazrat Hanzala that Prince Ameer Al-Qais has praised him in his Qaseedah. Hazrat Abu Haneefa didn't hesitate in marrying his niece Hazrat Fatima with Waleed , his own slave. Hazrat Bilal does not need any introduction in the history of Islam. He was a Black from a lowly tribe, and a slave. Once in a mosque, after introducing himself he asked the devotees if any of them would marry his daughter with him. Even before he had finished, many people from renowned tribes and clans agreed and considered it as a matter of honour and obligation. Actually the notable point is that the only thing that is important in Islam is Islam itself. The tribes, titles and surnames are of no importance. Once someone has entered into Islam, he will be treated equally. Jubla bin Aiham, on being  exasperated  with Christianity, had converted to Islam in the reign of Hazrat U'mar Farooque . He respected him a lot. Once he was circumnutating (performing Tawaf) around the Haram Shareef. During the process, a lowly person (Bedouin)   spoiled the lower portion of his royal dress. He slapped this person considering it to be disrespectful. The Bedouin   complained about it to Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque . When Jublah was summoned in the court, he accepted his crime but, at the same time, asserted that he was the king, and if he had slapped a Bedouin, there was nothing wrong in it. The Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque replied that all were equal in Islam and he would have to accept the reprisal and pay the penalty unless the concerning person would willingly forgive him. Jublah asked for a day's time, and escaped in the darkness of the night and became a rebel (Murtid). Islam didn't suffer from his rebellion, but the historic decision of Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque became a glowing example and treasure of the concept of equality in Islam that "all are equal". Another  incident is also related to Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque . While he was travelling to Syria during his reign. he  had a camel to ride which he  had been sharing with his slave. So they both rode over the camel in turns throughout the journey. When the journey ended and they reached the camp of the Islamic forces, it was the turn of the slave to ride the camel. The Islamic army welcomed Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque  in such a unique situation that his slave was riding the camel and the commander of the Islamic army was holding the camel's rein. This was nothing new for the Muslims, but it was a strange sight for those who didn't know Islam and its followers. So one of them asked if the one riding over the camel was their commander, Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque . They cleared his confusion and said that he was his slave and Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque was the one holding the rein of the camel.  He had learnt this lesson from the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the battle of Badr when the  riders were more than the camels. So one camel was allotted to three persons and it was decided that two persons would ride over the camel and one would walk on foot. Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Abu Al-Darda were among the riders with him (peace be upon him) in this sacred journey. The prophet Hazrat Muhammad also walked on foot along with others at his turn. This was the exemplary character which had absolutely erased any shadow of ignorance from the minds of the Sahaba-e-Karam so that they couldn't even imagine feeling superior to others in any way. Another unique incident took place during the reign of Ameerul Momeneen Hazrat U'mar Farooque The Jews had blamed Hazrat Ali  for stealing his armour, it was ordered by the court of Khaleefa, "O' Abul Hassan, (the Kunniat of Hazrat U'mar Farooque) stand beside the plaintiff and explain your points of defence". Hazrat Ali stood beside him with a frowning face. Hazrat U'mar Farooque thought that it was due to the order for standing beside a Jew. Anyway the matter was resolved and the plaintiff was found a liar. So he accepted his crime later on. Hazrat U'mar Farooque asked Hazrat Ali If he had felt bad to be asked to stand beside a Jew. Hazrat Ali replied, " I didn't feel ill standing beside a Jews rather I didn't like to be addressed with the family title (Kunniat) "Abul Hassan" at that occasion also as it is considered a sign of respect and honour; I thought you were making me dignified in his comparison. Once Hazrat Abu Zar called a slave "O' child of a Black". At this, the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) pointed out that – no child of a White mother is superior to the child of a Black mother. Superiority comes from character and practice. Once the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) saw that Hazrat Abu Zar was beating his slave. He said:  "O' Abu Zar, Allah Kareem has got more authority and command over you than you have over this slave". Hearing this, Hazrat Abu Zar fell down at the feet of the slave and asked him to rub the sole of his shoes on his face so that he would forget the superiority and would be brain-washed. There are numerous examples of such unique equality in Islam – that's why even enemies of the religion have to accept that equality like in Islam is found nowhere.  These teachings of equality in Islam are a great motivator in cases of conversion to Islam. If they desire to acquire a life full of self-respect and dignity in the society, there is no other means available in the world for the Dalit communities except conversion to Islam. They can obtain justice, honour and equal rights based on the absolute equality given only in Islam. Will the tortured and tormented Dalit brothers pay heed to this spiritual voice of Islam? Source: Hindustan Express 8 June 2009 Translated from Urdu by Syed Raihan Ahmad Nezami, Najran, Saudi Arabia URL of this page: http://www.newageislam.org/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1531