Let us analyse the influence of the
Mosques on our society. In this regard, the Sunnah set by the Prophet
(sws) is that the Friday address should be delivered by the head of state
and his administrators and only they should lead the Friday prayers. However,
in case of any legitimate plea on their part, some other person can address
and lead the Friday prayers as their authorised representative.
The implications of this Sunnah
are very clear: In Islam, mosques are meant to be the fountainhead
of authority. Also, there is a complete negation of theocracy. A person
whom the Muslims choose as their leader shall also lead them in worship,
eliminating once and for all the division between state and religion.
After the Prophet (sws), his Companions
solemnly adhered to this Sunnah in the Caliphate they established.
However, in later times, when due to their own ill-ways the Muslim rulers
could not stand face to face with the public, they themselves handed over
the mosques to the ulema. This was the most tragic incident in our
history. The result was that religion lost its grace and the state its
grandeur. A further consequence of this was that the most ill-suited and
corrupt lot of people has assumed the country’s helm of affairs. The whole
set-up does not leave the slightest of chance for the able and morally
sound to rule and govern the country.
The menace of sectarianism has turned
the mosques into citadels which are in a perpetual state of war with one
another. This has further led to the creation of professional Maulvis
who are an utter disgrace to knowledge and learning. Differences of
opinion are very ‘graciously greeted’ by them with fire and fury. They
shower ‘special courtesy’ on those who propagate Islamic teachings by slinging
cartloads of insults on them. Intellectual endeavours and advancements
are the cherished targets of their ‘highly encouraging’ jeers. Every mosque
is a stronghold of sectarianism which is taught, encouraged and patronised
in place of the Qur’an and
Sunnah. It is impossible for any scholar to use a mosque to spread
and communicate the message of Islam---an obligation the Almighty has imposed
on him according to his abilities.
These evils which emanate from our
mosques are apparent to every keen person. They can only be eliminated
if the above stated Sunnah of the Prophet (sws) in this regard is revived.
In our consideration, this can be done through the following measures:
1. The centre of every administrative
unit of the state should be a Jami‘Masjid,
and the division of these units should be such that one Jami‘Masjid should suffice for one unit.
2. Within each unit, all the administrative
offices and courts should be instituted adjacent to this Jami‘Masjid.
3. The state capital together with
the provincial capitals should have a central Jami‘Masjid.
4. The address of the Friday prayers
should be delivered only by the head of state and only he should lead these
prayers in the central Jami‘Masjid of the capital. The provincial governors should be entrusted with this
job in the central Jami‘Masjids of the provinces, while the representatives of the government should
perform this duty in the Jami‘Masjids of the various administrative units.
5. The Friday prayers should be prohibited
in all mosques except the above ones.
6. Mosques should be supervised by
the government itself.
7. Every religious scholar should
be allowed to deliver a lecture or teach, educate and instruct his students
according to his own views in any of these mosques.
(Translated from Ghamidi's "Burhan"
by Shehzad Saleem)
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