Dr. Uzma Khatoon

Hazratbal Dargah, a revered shrine in Srinagar, has long served as a profound source of faith and solace for Kashmiri Muslims. For generations, it has been the most sacred site in the Valley. Many who cannot afford the Hajj pilgrimage consider a visit to Hazratbal an equally meaningful act of spiritual closeness to God and the Prophet.

A recent and significant controversy arose when the government-run Waqf Board, during renovations, placed a plaque with India’s national emblem, the four-lion Ashoka Pillar, inside the main building (not in the prayer hall).

This happened on the eve of Eid Milad un Nabi, when thousands would gather to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Initially, the public reaction to the renovation's new Moroccan-style design was positive, but some people felt enraged and defaced the national symbol.

The national emblem, the four-lion Ashoka Pillar, represents the country’s unity, dignity, and constitutional values. It is not only a government symbol but also a sign of the nation’s heritage and moral authority. This was the spirit behind the Waqf Board placing a plaque with the national emblem inside the premises. The goal was to beautify the shrine and reflect India’s shared heritage, not to hurt anyone’s feelings.

However, these people seemed to have misunderstood the placement of the emblem as a political act. A small mob was seen breaking the national symbol on the Waqf Board plaque. Police have detained 25 people involved in the act. In a democracy, peaceful protest is a right, but damaging public property or national symbols is against the law. Protecting the emblem is part of protecting the dignity of the nation.

The new-look Hazratbal shrine

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Waqf Board’s decision, saying the national emblem has no place in a religious institution. His remarks were answered by leaders like BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi, who defended the emblem as a symbol of Indian identity and greatness. The purpose of the emblem at Hazratbal was not to insult the faith but to strengthen unity and integration.

Hazratbal Dargah has been the epicentre of politics many a time. In 1963, a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad, housed inside it, was reported missing, causing massive protests and riots across Kashmir.

In 1993, security forces laid siege to the shrine after militants took shelter inside it. This ended peacefully through negotiations after about one month.

These events show how the Hazratbal shrine was repeatedly pulled into power struggles, elections, militancy, and state control. Many Kashmiris see the current plaque issue as part of this long history.

The controversy raises a question about Islam’s stance on images, especially the four-lion emblem. Some Muslims believe that Islam completely forbids all pictures and images of living beings. However, the Qur’an itself never declares a total ban on images. In fact, it praises Prophet Solomon for building palaces, statues, and artistic structures: “They made for him whatever he wished – palaces, statues, large basins like reservoirs, and heavy cooking pots. Work, O family of David, in gratitude! But few of My servants are truly grateful.” (Qur’an 34:13).

Damagaed plaque of the refurbished shrine's inauguration

This verse shows that art and images were not condemned in principle. The restrictions in Islam mainly come from certain Hadiths. When these Hadiths are studied carefully, it becomes clear they were addressing a specific problem in pre-Islamic Arabia: people worshipping images and idols.

Arab believed these figures had the power to grant wishes. The Kaaba itself once contained pictures and statues of revered figures, including Ibrahim, Isa, and Maryam, which people treated as holy.

The Prophet Muhammad focused on strict monotheism, or tawhid, and removing shirk (polytheism) from society. Therefore, he ordered the destruction of those images and statues which had become objects of worship. When Hadiths speak of punishment for “makers of images,” they refer to this context—images treated as living beings or divine helpers.

For example, a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari warns that on the Day of Judgment, such image-makers will be told, “Put life into what you created,” showing that the problem was people treating these images as living or sacred.  The true aim of Islam’s teachings is to protect the principle of strict monotheism. Therefore, images or art that are not used for worship or idolization are not forbidden.

This is why modern necessities like passport photos, educational illustrations, and family pictures are not seen as a violation of Islamic law.

The purpose behind an image is what determines its permissibility. An image made for personal or social reasons is fundamentally different from one that is treated as a divine entity. Thus, the four-lion emblem, which represents a national symbol and not a religious figure, does not inherently violate Islamic principles on images. While placing it inside a mosque might be seen as politically insensitive or a misuse of a religious space, a fatwa or religious edict based on the image itself is not valid.

 The emblem represents a political state and its power, not a sacred truth. It was not installed for spiritual reasons but as part of a government-led renovation. Maybe some worshippers saw it as an attempt to mix politics and religion, which goes against Islam’s insistence on the purity of worship.

Another dimension of this controversy is that Kashmir has a history of political sensitivity. The region has witnessed decades of conflict, terrorism, curfews, and the heavy presence of security forces. In such an environment, even small moves are seen as signals of control or domination. When a state-run body like the Waqf Board inserts a national emblem into the holiest Kashmiri shrine, it feels like an assertion of political supremacy over religion. This does not mean the national emblem is bad in itself.

The lesson from this incident is that religious places can remain spiritual while also respecting the symbols of the country. When authorities communicate openly and people understand the purpose, the country becomes stronger and more united. Islam teaches respect, justice, and worship of God alone, but it also asks Muslims to follow the law of the land and respect its institutions.

The national emblem at Hazratbal is not a violation of faith but a reflection of India’s unity in diversity. By respecting both faith and law, society becomes peaceful. Violence or insult to national symbols cannot be justified, but peaceful discussion can always solve problems.

As an Indian, I feel that by respecting both faith and law, society becomes peaceful. I do not support any kind of violence or insult to national symbols.  So, peaceful discussions and clear communication are important for solving such problems. Hazratbal’s story reminds us how faith and politics can mix, not always in helpful ways. From the old missing relic case to the present plaque dispute, this shrine shows how quickly prayer can turn into protest.

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This cycle helps politicians but creates pain for worshippers and common Indians. We should try to separate faith from political issues and build understanding between people. It is important to know that Islamic teachings about pictures are to stop idol-worship, not to reject beauty or art itself. If people understand this—and if leaders talk openly with communities—there will be less anger or fear when changes happen. Open dialogue keeps society healthy.

Dr.Uzma Khatoon has taught in the Department of Islamic Studies at Aligarh Muslim University.