'If you recite Kalma, we will let you go…' These were the orders of the terrorists who had allegedly given the tourists visiting Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir by acting as contractors of Islam.
The terrorists first asked the tourists about their religion and then ordered them to recite the holy Kalma. When they did not recite Kalma, the savage terrorists shot them. If these terrorists had understood the real meaning of 'Kalma', they would not have committed such an evil act. By carrying out such an incident, the terrorists have tried to defame Islam as well as the holy Kalma.
After this terrorist incident, many questions are raised about the holy Kalma, such as 'What is Kalma and what is its importance in Islam?', 'Can someone be forced to recite Kalma?', 'If someone does not recite Kalma, should he be killed?' Let us know the answers to these questions according to Quran, Hadith and Islamic beliefs.
How important is Kalma in Islam?
Islamic scholar Ghulam Rashid Dehlvi said that Islam was founded by Prophet Mohammad and its five pillars are Kalma, Namaz, Roza, Zakat and Hajj, of which Kalma is the first principle of Islam. The Islamic meaning of Kalma is 'Shahadat' i.e. 'testimony' or 'oath'. He says that just as a police officer, judge or minister takes an oath to perform his duties, similarly a person joining Islam will have to firmly believe in Kalma, the foundation of Islam.
He said that six Kalmas describe the entire concept of Islam. These include Kalma Tayyib, Kalma Shahadat, Kalma Tamjid, Kalma Tauhid, Kalma Istighfar and Kalma Radde. These touch important points like life and death, heaven and hell, devotion to Allah, end of prophethood, etc.
What is the meaning of Kalma?
Kalma has an important place in Islam. To enter Islam, it is necessary to recite the first Kalma Tayyab, which is recited in two parts, La ilaha illallahu Muhammadurrasulallahi, its translation is "There is no one worthy of worship except Allah, and Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam is the messenger of Allah." Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi said that Allah is the God whom Muslims worship and bow before.
He is the only creator of the universe. He is the nurturer and protector. In Islam, worship of no one other than him is compulsory, even Prophet Hazrat Mohammad. He said that Prophet Mohammad is the last Rasool (messenger) of Allah. After him, no prophet will come in this world. This has been mentioned in the second part of the first Kalma 'Muhammadurrasulallahi'.
Forcing someone to recite Kalma is a crime
In Pahalgam, terrorists forcibly asked tourists to recite Kalma. When they did not do so, the terrorists shot them. The question is, can someone be converted to Islam by forcing him to recite Kalma? In answer to this, Islamic religious leaders, citing verses from the Holy Quran, not only deny it outright but also call it a sin. They say that there is no strictness or compulsion of any kind in Islam. Quoting Sura Baqarah, verse 256 of the Holy Quran, they said that it is clearly stated in this verse that there is no compulsion of any kind in the religion (Islam).
That is, there is no scope for compulsion in religion and it is completely prohibited in Islam. Even in the verse 'Lau Shaa Rabbuka La…' present in Surah Yunus of the Holy Quran, it is said that 'If God wanted, all those present on earth would have been Muslims. When God did not force them to become Muslims, will you force them?' These verses prove that no person can be forced, deceived or coaxed to accept Islam. It is even mentioned in the Hadith that Prophet Mohammad himself never forced anyone to enter Islam.
Killing someone intentionally is a heinous sin
Now the question is, 'If someone does not recite Kalma, should he be killed?' The direct answer to this in the Quran is that killing someone intentionally is a great sin. The way terrorists intentionally killed innocent people is completely against Islam. Islamic religious leaders say that Allah has said in verse 93 of Suratunnisa of the Quran Sharif that whoever kills someone intentionally, his punishment is hell. In a Hadith, Prophet Mohammad Saheb has said that 'Man is in detail in the matter of his religion, until he sheds any illegal, forbidden, blood.
Terrorists killed 28 innocent people in Pahalgam
Pahalgam, a beautiful hill station in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir… On Wednesday afternoon, 22 November, hundreds of tourists were enjoying the views of the beautiful valleys here, when suddenly this peaceful valley full of nature echoed with the sound of bullets. Some terrorists with weapons in their hands started targeting the tourists present there. The terrorists caught hold of men and asked them their names, asked them to recite Kalma. If they did not do so, they were shot. 28 innocent people were killed in this cowardly attack.