Adnan Qamar

Ghazwa-e-Hind is a condemnable concept that has no sound foundation in the religion of Islam. It is time and again brought into the common narrative leading to a regressive mindset.

This propaganda is only disseminated in South Asian nations like India and Pakistan, where certain organizations refuse to write off such redundant concepts. They are still living in the past rather than charting the course for the future for the Muslims or preparing them to live amicably in the contemporary world.

The Ghazwa-e-hind controversy erupted again when the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) objected to its validation on the website of Darul Uloom Deoband in the form of a fatwa in reply to a query by a Shariah follower.

Ghazwa-e-Hind is a misleading concept that has been used to pollute the minds of the youth and therefore needs to be addressed. The biggest victims of such propaganda have been the Pasmandas, the Indian Muslims, who are most vulnerable due to their backwardness. The concept distracts them from their meaningful business and drags them into pointless separatist issues.

Reading the words of the Salaf us Saleheen (pious predecessors) and the Seerah of the Prophet reveals that a person's love for their country is intrinsic. Imam Ibn Tayhmiya even remarked that a person's heart beats for their nation. However, some organisations instead of guiding Muslim youths along these lines use discarded divisive slogans like Gazwa-e-Hind and refer to Zaeef Hadith (a weak and unverifiable Hadith).to validate their propaganda.

Numerous Fatwas have been issued by Muslim scholars stating that the communities of Deshaj Pasmandas are dishonored and that the communities of Syeds, Shaiks, Mughals, and Pathans are superior. They never gave Pasmandas the chance to advance and become educated.

Artistic representation of Islamic warriors

The Ashraaf Scholars objected to the world's focus on contemporary education and technology because they knew it would cause them to lose control over the masses. They misled Muslims into shunning worldly matters and spread antiquated customs and culture under the pretext of defending Islam. Books full of casteism and useless prehistoric customs were disseminated, while the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet were never given priority.

Such scholars organize gatherings of millions of Muslims throughout India and claim to speak for the whole Muslim community, but they never speak up for the Pasmanda Muslims. The egalitarian call made by Prophet Muhammad in his last sermon is often ignored by Maslaki doctrines. Their scholars who are associated with other influential organizations never raised the subject of Article 341's limitations on Dalit Muslims till today.

Such scholars continue to follow the same old practices which have become obsolete in modern times and are also seen as a gross violation of fundamental rights granted by the Indian Constitution.

This separatist mindset and obstinate attitude to reform and evolution has negatively affected the Indian Muslims. It was one of the most progressive religious communities when Islam was founded.

The worst victims of the obstinacy to reform have been Muslim women. Muslim women were removed from the ambit of secular law of maintenance, suffering because of Triple Talaq and Halala.

One of the primary reasons for such resistance to reform is the patriarchal attitude of certain religious scholars.

Since the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the one flawless revelation from Allah, does not contain the phrase "Ghazwa-e-Hind," its usage is especially egregious.

It is likewise unmentioned in Shia Hadeeth literature and not considered "Saheeh" (genuine) in any significant compilation of Sunni Hadeeth.

Islamic teachings emphasize peace and tranquility above everything else, and they strongly condemn aggressiveness, warfare, suicide bombing, and other destructive activities.

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The Ghazwa-e-Hind doctrine is a product of political vendetta and mala fide intentions of the Pakistani political establishment particularly aimed at exploiting Indian youths for ulterior motives. It will cause immense irreparable harm to the Indian Muslims. It’s high time that Indian Muslims stand up against the wanton manipulations and distortions done to their belief.

The author is President of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, Telangana