Why no cleric issues fatwa against Shia killings: Kalbe Jawad

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 3 Years ago
Kalbe Jawad
Kalbe Jawad

 

 Shia Muslim cleric Kalbe Jawad is known for his vocal stand on contemporary issues. He strongly believes that if the people were to follow the teachings of Hazrat Ali Sherkhuda, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad, and one of the first followers of Islam, there will be no conflict in the world. Maulana Kalbe Jawad is concerned about the massacre of Shias in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He wonders why no Muslim cleric or other Islamic authority ever issues a fatwa on the killing of Shias or against terrorism. He also takes on Pakistan and Arab countries for spreading terrorism. Excerpts from a conversation Malick Asghar Hashmi, editor, Awaz-the Voice, Hindi, had with him on the occasion of Hazrat Ali’s birth anniversary:

 

On this day, 26th February is the birthday of Hazrat Ali Sherkhuda. How relevant is Hazrat Ali Sherkhuda's teachings in the current era?

 One can learn from every aspect of Hazrat Ali’s life. His character remains supreme and worth emulating till the end of the world. Be it his family life, political life or routine; his behavior in all these offers the best examples for humans. He is an excellent Ideal.

He wrote a letter to the Governor of his town. That letter has instruction for all: it tells how the rulers should behave with the public. In short, it has all the rules required for a regime. In fact, the United Nations took cognizance of the letter and asked all the Arab countries to follow the instructions laid down in it in matters of governance.  Imagine this letter was written 1350 years ago and remains relevant even today.

That letter had detailed instruction on how the ruler should deal with the poor and the rich. What kind of people should join the armed forces and who should opt for the job of a judge? It also deals with authorities’ relationship with the traders and businessmen. There is hardly an aspect of life that has remains untouched in the letter. It says that nobody should start a war. If this dictum is followed surely there will never be a war in this world. If everyone follows Maula Ali’s instructions, there will always be peace in the world. He set an example by making the wages of a labourer and a higher ups equal. His rule lasted four and a half years. During this time, he invited all Governors and asked them if they have found anyone in their jurisdiction living without a roof over his head, slept empty stomach doesn’t have enough to cover his body. This means during his rule of four-and-a-half years everyone’s basic needs were met.

Thereafter, he asked every Governor to testify that he possesses the same dress that he had before rising to this position; he has not taken money from the exchequer to buy his personal stuff. He made each one testify that they haven’t acquired a new horse or a house by using the money from the state exchequer. So, if the rulers follow these instructions there will be justice in the world and the poor will be taken care of. There will be no injustice.

The lives of the poor can improve by following the remarks of Moula Ali. This will eventually lead to a better world for all of us to live in.

Shias are being discriminated against in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Shouldn’t this issue be raised in international forums?

Till now, millions of Shias have been killed in Pakistan-Afghanistan. In fact, there are terrorist groups that specifically target Shias. This is even happening in the Arab countries, Pakistan etc. Shias have faced deaths; their children are killed in schools and all this is done in the name of Islam. Lakhs of Shias were killed in Iran; the Hazara clan was targeted in Afghanistan. Now, the population of Hazara has shrunk to a few thousand people. Similarly, in Pakistan, lakhs of Shias were killed. These were all targeted killings. Sadly the United Nations acted as a mute spectator to this systematic massacre of Shias.

If an American dies, there is a commotion all over the world. Lakhs of Shias have been killed and their extermination continues and yet no voice is raised against it in the world. Fatwas are issued when a Frenchman is murdered and everyone says his murder was a wrong act. However, on the death of a Shia no fatwa has ever been issued by any Muslim cleric; nobody dares to say that killing Shia in the name of Islam is unjust and illegal. In fact, in Pakistan, maulvis are also involved in this systematic killing of Shia people. And so are the rulers.

 What is your initiative in this direction?

Whenever I get a chance, I do raise this issue. We took out a big procession in Delhi; Imam of Jama Masjid and many Ulema from Pakistan had also joined in this to raise awareness about Shia killings. In that gathering, I told them though we all speak up against terrorism, we are not saying it with sincerity. I said this because no cleric has seen issuing a fatwa against blasts and pointed killing of Shias. Nobody has said such killings are haram, illegal and against Islam. They say that they are against terrorism, but no one says that killing Shias is also against Islam. Many clerics are even not ready to take a stand against terrorism. If all the clerics unite and issue a common fatwa it will help in ending terrorism. Arab countries and Pakistan are also involved in this hypocrisy on terrorism. No Moulvi in these countries has ever issued a fatwa against terrorism.

How do you view the Islamic countries coming closer to Israel?

Many countries are trying to forge a relationship with Israel. They seem to be overlooking the map of Israel. It also includes Mecca, Medina and Karbala. Their plan is to take possession of all these places that are holy to Muslims. Friendship with Israel means enmity with Islam. Because the map displayed in the parliament of Israel has two blue lines denoting two rivers - Dariya-e-Neel (Nile River) and Dariya-e-Tarja. It says that the land between Neel and Tarja belongs to the State of Israel. Most of the Arab countries fall in this range.

Will Joe Biden's arrival change America's attitude toward Iran?

 With the arrival of Joe Biden, we were expecting a change in America’s outlook. However, now it turns out that the CIA dominates the US foreign policy. Their policy is that Iran should not move forward, not make progress. The US restrictions remain mainly because Iran has so much potential that if it’s allowed to live normally, it will become the happiest country in the world. But these people do not want any country to challenge American hegemony. Iran is the only country that’s challenging the control of the US over the rest of the world. I believe that the US policy that was in the time of Donald Trump will continue.

(To be continued)