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The current scenario of Pakistan, which has been triggered by a Christian woman acquitted off false blasphemy charges, showcases how intolerant the believers have become. Today, the whole country burns, with protests lodged in almost every city.
In 2008, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman from Pakistan was charged with blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Since then, she waited with a Damocles’ Sword hanging over her head, waiting for her death. However, the tables turned and when the case was taken up by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a three-member bench acquitted her of all charges, setting her free to go.
The retaliation of the decision showcases how the general public and rogue religious clerics have exploited minorities in the country. Mumtaz Qadri, who became a hero after slaying the Punjab Governor, had similar reasons. To compare the Pakistan of 2018 and Arabia of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s rule, the differences are astonishing.
The ‘Aashiqan-e-Rasool’ suppress minorities and state that they are doing this to uphold the Prophet (PBUH)’s dignity, but they have no idea how the Prophet (PBUH) treated these minorities and what he promised to them. Here’s an authentic account of what the Holy Prophet (SAW) promised the Christians of St. Catherine, the world’s oldest monastery in 628 AD.
«This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).» – Research of Dr. Muqtedar Khan, Director of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware and a fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (Islamicity.org).
This promise made by the Prophet (PBUH) proves that it was to last till the end of times and anywhere in the world, eternal and universal, as stated. The Prophet (PBUH) decided to build a bridge of friendship and understanding between the Christians and the Muslims. He talked about protecting, supporting and accepting them, something the modern day Pakistan has completely forgotten.
As we speak, hundreds of thousands of Christians in our country are afraid of speaking their hearts, talking on complex issues and giving their opinions, because whenever a rogue fanatic thinks fine, he charges them with blasphemy. Pakistan is not upholding the Holy Prophet (SAW’s) promise to the Christians.
