Religious Extremists and Blasphemy

Today, I would like to discuss a critical issue and share my thoughts with you about it

There are people with little knowledge, education, and understanding of religion who blame others for blasphemy, which is a serious offense. Accusing someone of blasphemy without any evidence or proof is disturbing and unacceptable. We must stop this behaviour that has been happening in the past and still exists today. Every individual has the right to live freely, and freedom is not something that they have to ask for. In a democratic society, everyone who pays taxes is a free person, regardless of their religion or beliefs.

An incident occurred in Lahore where a woman and her husband were dining at a restaurant. She wore a dress adorned with calligraphy, a design recognized worldwide, created by a Dubai brand specifically for their female clientele. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Dubai, where Arabic is prevalent, a significant portion of the population — approximately 60 to 70% — understands the language. However, the situation in Pakistan is markedly different. The majority of Pakistanis have little to no understanding of Arabic, largely due to the influence of religious extremists. By “religious extremists,” I refer to those who claim to uphold Islam yet possess minimal genuine knowledge of it. They often regard themselves as guardians of the faith, akin to clerics, but their understanding of Arabic is superficial, limited to rote recitation without comprehension of the meanings behind the words.

I have observed instances where verses from the Quran are recited — verses where Allah speaks of punishing the sinful — yet the response from the congregation is to proclaim “Alhamdulillah” and “Allahu Akbar,” celebrating God’s greatness. This response is incongruent with the message, akin to answering a question with an unrelated statement. It highlights a fundamental disconnect: the recitation of Arabic without understanding its content or context.

I wanted to address the issue of educating oneself in different languages. If that’s not possible, there are many translation applications available, such as Google Translate, which can translate any language for you. I’ve had to use these applications many times, particularly to understand Japanese. I have a heater with Japanese instructions that I can’t read, but I translate it using an app. Nowadays, Apple has built-in camera translation features that can translate any language you want.

However, the point I want to make concerns a recent troubling incident involving a woman who faced considerable distress, concern, and trauma. I hope her family is understanding and open-minded. The mob’s attempt to harm her and coerce her into removing her dress in public is particularly disturbing. Though I’ve shared articles on the subject, that’s not my main focus. The critical question is: what does the future hold if we fail to educate ourselves about religion?

Many people have never tried to read Arabic in Urdu or translate Arabic into Urdu. But what is the point of reading the Quran if you don’t understand it? For instance, if I asked you to explain God (Allah) in Arabic, how would you do it? Those who have read and understood the Quran in their language, such as Urdu or English, would be able to tell me what God is, but what about those who have only been taught Arabic in a madrassa, where they are made to feel that it is a sin to translate Arabic into Urdu or English? What does the future hold for them? I cannot comprehend what is going on with these people. If they don’t understand what they are reading in the book, then what is the point of reading it?

Understanding religion, I’ve come to realize that Allah has emphasized making faith accessible to us. However, without translating Arabic into our languages, how can we grasp the ease Allah speaks of? This brings us to the issue of religious extremism in Pakistan. Such extremists shouldn’t be in positions to educate others or give Islamic lectures because, far from benefiting Islam or the Pakistani people, they inflict harm. They misguide individuals with baseless ideologies.

I hope that those reading this will take it upon themselves to educate their friends and family, highlighting the importance of understanding religious texts in one’s language. Relying solely on Arabic without making efforts to translate or understand the Quran in one’s native language is a missed opportunity for true comprehension. Yes, reading the Quran is crucial, but a clear understanding of its teachings is even more critical.

I wish the woman had never experienced what she did, whether it was last night or yesterday. It’s a painful thought, and I felt compelled to voice my concern for others to be aware. It’s crucial to understand that appearances can be deceiving, and not everything that glitters is gold. Things aren’t always as they seem, and what appears to be one way might, in reality, be quite different. Consider when you’re travelling on a long, straight road and think you see gas or flames in the distance. However, as you approach, you realize it’s just an illusion caused by the heat — it’s only the road, with no fire or hazards.

This analogy applies to the belief held by some that reading in Arabic without seeking translations for a better understanding is somehow more righteous. This mindset needs to be challenged. Such individuals may need to reconsider their perspectives, as clinging to this belief without understanding the content can lead to misconceptions about the religion itself. Encouraging a broader understanding and openness to translation can enrich one’s faith, ensuring it is based on comprehension rather than mere recitation.

Thank you for reading !!!