Role of islam in Pakistan.

Islamin Pakistan

By: Dr. Ali Kashif2011.12.28

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Outline Overview Islam in Sub-Continent Islam in Movement of Pakistan Islam in Today’s Pakistan Religious Culture in Pakistan Islam in Pakistani Politics

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Islam in Pakistan an Overview

Religion of role in Pakistan Society is very important. Official name of Pakistan is Islamic Republic of Pakistan. About 96-97 percent population is Muslim. Pakistani is a country of different ethnicities and one thing that

unite them is religion. Religion played a vital role and was also a slogan of some people

in Pakistan movement. Pakistan have been a very important country in Muslim world due

to its population, army, and nuclear power.


Arrival of Islam

Islam arrived in sub-continent in 711 CE, when Umayyad dynastysend Muhammad Bin Qasim to Sindh.

Some historian says Islam arrived already in sub-continents muchearlier than Muhammad Bin Qasim by Arab merchants.


Expansion of Islam

Islam spread in Sub-continents by many ways. Many people converted by Muhammad Bin Qasim. Some people were converted by Arab traders. Many rulers from Afghanistan they attacked different areas of Pakistan and they

also brought islam in Sub-Continent But main expansion of Islam were made by Sufi Saints.

Sufis were people with morally and spiritually high values and theyliked to live away from public areas and pray to Allah.


Islam in Pakistani MovementHistory

M.A.Jinnah was a big supporter of Hindu-Muslim Unity. He was active and very influential member of Congress in United

who wanted to have freedom from British. Muslim league was another platform where people talk about rights of

Muslims. When Gandhi came into India, he ignored the efforts of all

Congress leaders. He had a completely different ideology, he traveled to whole India except Muslim majority provinces. He traveled to whole sub-continent especially in Hindu majority provinces. Hindu people appreciated his ideology and he emerged as biggest leader

of Hindus.


Islam in Pakistani MovementBirth of Muslim League

As Congress leaders were talking about United India. Gandhi movement change the atmosphere. M.A. Jinnah went back to UK to pursue his career as a lawyer.

Muslims League get more active, they start demanding a separate country. But they were deprived of big leadership. Later, Allama Iqbal convinced Mr. Jinnah to join Muslim League.

Jinnah joined Muslim League in 1913 and lead the ideology of “Two-Nation Theory”. Muslims demands were a free Muslim state.


Islam in Pakistani MovementDr Iqbal Vision

The Muslim poet-philosopher Sir Muhammad Iqbal first proposed the idea of a Muslim state in the subcontinent in 1930.

His proposal referred to the four provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the NorthWest Frontier .

Iqbal's idea gave concrete form to the "Two Nations Theory" of two distinct nations in the subcontinent based on religion (Islam and Hinduism) and with different historical backgrounds, social customs, cultures, and social mores.

Apart from this Iqbal had a vision of United but peaceful interaction among muslim countries in terms of education, economy, united army, etc. Many people in Pakistan still appreciate his vision.


Islam in Pakistani Movement M.A. Jinnah Ideology

Islam was the basis for the creation and the unification of a separate state, but it was not expected to serve as the model of government.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah made his commitment to secularism in Pakistan clear in his inaugural address when he said, "You will find that in the course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.“

Further he wanted very friendly relations with India like relations of Canada with US.


Muslim Sects in Pakistan

Currently, there are two ideologies exists in Pakistan: sunnis and Shias The two subsects of Sunnis in Pakistan, the Barelvis and Deobandis,

50% of Pakistanis Muslims are Barelvi, 20% Deobandi, 18% Shi'a,


Laws

Constitution of 1971 is according to Islam. There can be no law implemented in country which is against

Islamic rules.

There is no law in Pakistan enforcing hijab and wearing of Hijab by Pakistani women is fairly uncommon.

However, the practice of wearing Hijab among younger women in urban centers is common.


Judicial System

Pakistan's judicial system stems directly from the system that was used in British India. It has supreme court in Islamabad and High Courts in all over the

country. Head of supreme court is Chief Justice and Bench of Supreme court consist

of 17 Judges. Courts have been under political influence in history. However,

since last couple of years, courts are operating independently and free from any political pressure.

In tribal areas, Jirga System also exists which is not necessarily based on Islamic teachings but more on cultural values and norms.


Islamic education

The Islamiat (study of Islam) as a subject is compulsory for all Muslim students up to Matriculation (O'levels, Tenth grade) in all schools in Pakistan.

Islam is essential part of education system. No contents that are against religion can be taught.

Islamic education to the masses is also propagated mainly by Islamic schools and literature.

Islamic schools (or Madrassas) mostly cater to the youth from impoverished social backgrounds and those learning to be Islamic clerics. Some madrassas were hijacked by extremists and they used the

students for militancy. Korea Southern Power Co. Ltd.

Islam in Daily Life

Pakistan is a Muslim society and impact of religion can be seen. There are many mosques in all over the country. Islamic ideology in Pakistan based on two things: follow islamic

teachings and respect towards teachings. Many do not follow, but respect a lot and are strong believers. Islamic events are celebrated with enthusiasm.


Islam in Family life

Islamic have a deeper impact on life of Pakistani people. Parents give teaching to their kids from very young age.

Teach them how to pray, how to read Quran or tell stories of Prophets and Messengers.

Parents used to take them with themselves to Masjid or other religious gatherings.


Marriage

Usually the core concept of every marriage is accept each other with core of heart and asking the blessing of God.

However, this ceremony which is called Nikkah usually start with reciting Quran and its verses and followed by real Nikkah statements.


Religious Celebrations

Ramadan Chand Raat

Night before Eid. Eid celebrations Milaad un Nabi

Birth day of Prophet Muharram (Ashura)

Mainly celebrated by Shias.


Religious Culture

Sufiana Qalam: Poetry of those Sufis

Qawali: Spiritual poetry addressing the Ishq towards God or Prophet or Sufis.

Naat: Set of verses praising the Prophet.

Hamd: Parasail towards God.

Mehfil: Muslim gatherings where they recite Quran, Naat, Hamd, etc.


Religious CultureLiterature

Islamic literature is literature written with an Islamic perspective, in many languages.

There are many literary books written by Sufi poets and Philosophers.

In modern Islamic ideology, the biggest name in history of Pakistan is Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Islamic books about Prophet, his companions, and famous rulers of muslim world can easily be found in Pakistan.

Further, material of many religious groups and ideology easily available everywhere.


Islam and Politics in PakistanEarly Stages

Islam has been the one easy thread creating a national identity in a state that has several ethnicities, cultural, religions, class, and languages.

Civilian and military leaders have used Islam to gain legitimacy for their rule and as tools of state policy, strengthening the role of religious parties in politics and society.

In 1950, 31 Ulema passed a demand draft, to change in law according to Shariah.

In 1977, the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto outlawed alcohol and drugs and changed the weekend from Sunday to Friday.


Islam and Politics in PakistanZia Period

But substantive Islamic reform program was implemented by General Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization .

He established the Federal Shariat Court to hear appeals arising from the new code.

The Federal Shariat Court also has extensive other powers. Some considerably greater implications for women than for men. A welfare and taxation system based on Zakat and a profit-and-loss

banking system were also established in accordance with Islamic prohibitions against usury but were inadequate.


Islam and Politics in PakistanZia Period…

In 1980s, against the USSR war in Afghanistan, America backed up Zia and the common people were provided with weapons and trained to fight with USSR soldiers. USSR defeated. But gun culture got promoted. Taliban came into existence.

To fight in War, children of Madrassas in Aghanistan are also been trained and given weapons to fight. This also affects people in Pakistan especially along the border of Afghanistan.

Ullema (religious leaders) who have access to common people and their opinion brings a big change, most of them are studied also in Madrassas. Religiously they already had importance, but after Zia actions, their importance in

politics also increased.


Islam and Politics in PakistanMusharraf Period Till Today

These Ullema brought into politics directly by Zia and indirectly by US are still a major thought in country.

Later Musharraf, another army dictator came and, supported US policies to fight against those Militants who were trained in USSR war. This was a completely U-turn to Zia policies. They killed many militants and militants reaction bring violence in

Afghanistan and in some Pakistani areas. Some ullema came into politics and hold a strong position in

political scenario in country and also have influence in religious circles.


Role of islam in Pakistan.

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