***
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Hai orang-orang yang beriman, bertakwalah kepada Allah sebenar-benar takwa kepada-Nya, dan janganlah sekali-kali kamu mati melainkan dalam keadaan beragama Islam." (QS Ali Imran: 102)
***
KETIKA ke masjid di kampung saya untuk solat zuhur, saya ternampak sebuah keranda yang ditutupi kain di tepi dinding. Ya, ada orang kampung meninggal tetapi saya tidak tahu siapa.
Selepas solat zuhur, dilangsungkan solat jenazah; keranda pun dipikul orang ke kuburan. Sekalipun si mati tidak saya kenali, saya berusaha mengangkat keranda, sama-sama menyembahyangkannya dan kemudian ke kuburan.
Daripada apa yang saya dengar pada kelas pengajian, orang yang menyembahyang mayat mendapat ganjaran satu qirat dan jika dia turut hadir di pengkebumiannya, dia akan mendapat ganjaran dua qirat. Teringat kelebihan ini, saya pun bersama-sama ke kubur walaupun saya tidak tahu siapa si mati.
Apakah ganjaran qirat itu? Daripada Thauban r.a, bekas hamba Rasulullah s.a.w, beliau berkata: “Rasulullah s.a.w. telah bersabda: ‘Sesiapa yang mendirikan sembahyang jenazah, maka dia mendapatkan satu qirat (qirat adalah kinayah bagi ganjaran pahala yang sangat banyak). Jika dia menghadiri pengkebumiannya maka dia mendapat dua qirat. Satu qirat adalah sama dengan bukit Uhud’.” (Nombor Hadis Dalam Sahih Muslim : 1575)
Di kuburan, saya hanya jadi penyaksi kerana sanak saudara si mati begitu ramai. Saya lihat mereka perlahan-lahan menurunkan mayat, disambut tiga lelaki yang sudah ada dalam kubur. Mayat diletakkan dalam liang lahad. Apabila semuanya sudah beres, tanah pun dimasukkan perlahan-lahan, kemudian mereka mencangkul tanah dengan cepat bagi menimbus kuburan itu.
Ketika itu saya dapat saksikan, ada beberapa orang yang sedang bekerja itu bergurau dan ketawa-ketawa. Hairan, mereka masih boleh gelak-gelak ketika mengkebumikan saudara sendiri.
Apakah maksud semua ini? Ertinya orang yang hidup masih dengan ‘drama di pentas kehidupan’ masing-masing, orang yang mati, awak tanggunglah sendiri baik buruk apa yang kamu lakukan semasa hidup di atas muka bumi.
Itulah agaknya, kata-kata seperti ‘kenapa menyibuk hal aku, bukankah kubur kau, kubur kau; kubur aku, kubur aku!” Sekalipun ungkapan ini begitu negatif sekali, setiap orang wajar ingat bahawa dia perlu menyediakan bekalan semaksimum mungkin sebelum dia memasuki kuburnya kerana orang lain apa peduli kerana ‘ketika mengkebumikan kita pun mereka masih boleh ketawa-ketawa’.
Sebenarnya ketika hidup tidak ramai orang memikirkan rumah mereka dalam tanah itu. Hanya sedikit orang teringat akan rumah yang satu itu, apatah lagi membuat persediaan untuk memasukinya. Ramai tidak bersedia, tetapi mahu tak mahu, suatu hari kita tetap akan memasukinya.
Sufyan Ats-Tsauri berkata: “Barang siapa yang banyak mengingat kubur maka dia akan mendapatkan kubur itu sebagai salah satu taman daripada taman-taman syurga. Dan barangsiapa yang lalai kepada kubur maka dia akan mendapatkan kubur itu sebagai salah satu jurang daripada jurang-jurang neraka”.
Sayidina Ali karromallahu wajhahu di dalam khutbahnya mengatakan: “Wahai hamba Allah ingatlah mati, ingatlah mati kerana kamu tidak dapat menghindar daripadanya. Apabila kamu diam, maka ia akan datang menghampirimu; dan apabila kamu lari, ia akan mengejarmu. Ia terikat pada ubun-ubunmu. Carilah keselamatan, carilah keselamatan. Di belakangmu ada kubur yang selalu mengejar kamu. Ingatlah bahawa kubur itu merupakan salah satu taman daripada taman-taman syurga, dan boleh pula merupakan salah satu jurang daripada jurang-jurang neraka. Ingatlah bahawa sesungguhnya kubur itu setiap hari berbicara tiga kali dengan perkataan; “aku adalah rumah gelap, aku adalah rumah dukacita, dan aku adalah rumah ulat.”.
Jika rumah abadi dalam tanah itu tidak ramai yang peduli, hampir semua orang bermati-matian dan bergolok gadai akan hal rumah sementara mereka di dunia ini. Mereka berlumba-lumba membina kediaman paling hebat dan segak. Manusia yang sering lalai lupa rumah di dunia ini adalah sementara saja, mereka menyangka kehidupan di dunia adalah abadi untuk mereka nikmati sampai bila-bila.
Disebakan hal ini sebahagian besar daripada manusia bermati-matian mengumpul wang ringgit, kemudian berbelanja habis-habisan untuk membina rumah kediaman bagai mahligai dengan bahan binaan yang mahal termasuklah batu marmar yang diimport. Hiasan dalaman juga begitu hebat, kebanyakan perabotnya juga didatangkan dari luar negara.
Dari segi ukuran akhirat, rumah adalah pelaburan paling merugikan kerana tidak banyak kebaktian dapat dibuat dengannya, apatah lagi apabila seseorang itu bertindak memasang pagar dan tembok tinggi di sekeliling kediamannya menyebabkan orang fakir, miskin serta yang memerlukan bantuan tidak dapat ditolong.
Daripada Anas r.a. bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. telah bersabda bermaksud: “Setiap harta yang dinafkahkan itu kesemuanya dikira fisabilillah kecuali harta yang dibelanjakan untuk membina rumah, tiada kebajikan padanya.”
LanH14: PENULIS 'DILEMA SEORANG WARTAWAN ISLAM'
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tegakkan hukum Allah walau pada akhir usia
***
DENGAN Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Kamu sekali-kali tidak sampai kepada kebajikan (yang sempurna), sebelum kamu menafkahkan sebahagian harta yang kamu cintai. Dan apa saja yang kamu nafkahkan, maka sesungguhnya Allah mengetahuinya." (Maksud Surah Ali Imran: 92)
***
Dalam Surah Al-Israk Ayat 1, Allah SWT berfirman yang maksudnya: "Maha suci Tuhan yang telah menjalankan hamba-Nya pada waktu malam dari Masjidilharam (di Makkah) ke Masjidil Aqsa (di Baitulmaqdis) yang Kami telah berkati di sekelilingnya supaya Kami tunjukkan kepadanya ayat-ayat Kami (tanda-tanda kebesaran dan ketuhanan Kami), sesungguhnya Dialah Tuhan yang Maha Mendengar lagi Maha Melihat." (Surah Al-Israk: 1)
Saban tahun umat Islam di Malaysia menyambut Israk dan Mikraj pada penghujung Rejab (ulama berselisih pendapat mengenai bulannya) dengan di kebanyakan masjid dan pejabat diadakan ceramah mengenainya. Ini bermakna sekali gus umur kita semakin berkurangan tahun demi tahun sehinggalah kita dipanggil untuk menghadapi Illahi. Nabi s.a.w. yang kita kasihi meninggal dunia dalam usia 63 tahun, demikian juga sahabat dan pengganti baginda Sayidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq dan Umar Al-Khattab, mereka meninggal dalam usia yang hampir sama dengan baginda Rasul.
Jika diandaikan umur kita sama juga dengan umur Nabi s.a.w. dan sahabatnya, bayangkanlah berapa baki umur kita di alam fana ini. Jika kita sudah berusia 60 tahun, baki umur kita hanya tiga tahun; jika umur kita 50 tahun, bakinya 13 tahun lagi. Itu mengikut perkiraan tahun Masihi, jika berdasarkan kiraan tahun Hijrah, mereka yang berusia 60 tahun sebenarnya sudah berusia kira-kira 63 tahun (tahun Hijrah kurang 11 hari berbanding tahun Masihi), jadi hidupnya adalah berdasarkan 'umur subsidi' seperti diungkapkan kebanyakan orang sekarang.
Jika selama 60 tahun, kita hidup 'tanpa apa-apa' (maksudnya terlalu mengikut nafsu dunia) bayangkan apa yang kita dapat lakukan dalam masa baki usia kita. Bayangkan juga kita cuma berpeluang menyambut hari raya sebanyak tiga kali saja lagi (kiasan ini kerap digunakan di kampung-kampung). Persoalannya apa yang dapat kita lakukan dalam masa tiga tahun itu?
Namun ada satu pesanan ulama yang dapat menguatkan azam kita untuk menempuh secara bermanfaat baki umur kita yang sangat singkat itu. Ulama berpesan masa itu sebenarnya ada tiga saja iaitu semalam, hari ini dan esok. Semalam sudah menjadi sejarah; esok belum pasti. Yang kita ada hanya hari ini; jadi maksimumkan masa yang ada sekarang ini untuk menjadi insan terbaik dan insya-Allah, di akhirat nanti kita akan golongankan bersama para salihin, syuhada dan anbia.
Tahun demi tahun kita mendengar kisah Israk dan Mikraj. Namun adakah kita melakukan perubahan drastik, menjadi insan tawaduk dengan berusaha mematuhi semua perintah Allah SWT dalam semua bidang kehidupan? Jika selama 60 tahun kita hidup, kita gagal melihat hukum-hukum Allah terlaksana di bumi-Nya, masanya semakin singkat untuk kita menyaksikan saat paling bermakna itu. Kita tetap tertanya-tanya bila dan bila tetapi masa yang kita ada semakin lama semakin habis.
Kita cukup mengerti, saban tahun selepas majlis Israk dan Mikraj, kita akan memasuki Syaaban dan kemudian Ramadan di mana hampir semua umat Islam akan berpuasa sejajar dengan ayat 183 Surah al-Baqarah yang bermaksud: “Hai orang-orang beriman, diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu agar kamu bertakwa.”
Tetapi bagaimana pula penerimaan kita apabila membaca ayat 178 Surah al-Baqarah yang bermaksud: “Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, diwajibkan kamu menjalankan hukum qisas (balasan yang seimbang) dalam perkara orang-orang yang mati dibunuh iaitu: orang merdeka dengan orang merdeka, dan hamba dengan hamba, dan perempuan dengan perempuan.”
Persoalannya di sini, adalah selama 60 tahun kita hidup itu, kita telah menggunakan segala kesempatan diberikan Allah SWT itu untuk berusaha menegakkan hukum-hakam-Nya termasuk perintah dalam ayat 178 Surah al-Baqarah itu.
Jika ya, alhamdulillah; tetapi jika tidak, marilah kita bermuhasabah diri, memanfaat baki masa yang sungguh singkat itu untuk menegakkan segala perintah Allah SWT dengan harapan menggunung agar Dia menerima segala amalan walaupun ia dilakukan pada sisa akhir umur kita.
DENGAN Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Kamu sekali-kali tidak sampai kepada kebajikan (yang sempurna), sebelum kamu menafkahkan sebahagian harta yang kamu cintai. Dan apa saja yang kamu nafkahkan, maka sesungguhnya Allah mengetahuinya." (Maksud Surah Ali Imran: 92)
***
Dalam Surah Al-Israk Ayat 1, Allah SWT berfirman yang maksudnya: "Maha suci Tuhan yang telah menjalankan hamba-Nya pada waktu malam dari Masjidilharam (di Makkah) ke Masjidil Aqsa (di Baitulmaqdis) yang Kami telah berkati di sekelilingnya supaya Kami tunjukkan kepadanya ayat-ayat Kami (tanda-tanda kebesaran dan ketuhanan Kami), sesungguhnya Dialah Tuhan yang Maha Mendengar lagi Maha Melihat." (Surah Al-Israk: 1)
Saban tahun umat Islam di Malaysia menyambut Israk dan Mikraj pada penghujung Rejab (ulama berselisih pendapat mengenai bulannya) dengan di kebanyakan masjid dan pejabat diadakan ceramah mengenainya. Ini bermakna sekali gus umur kita semakin berkurangan tahun demi tahun sehinggalah kita dipanggil untuk menghadapi Illahi. Nabi s.a.w. yang kita kasihi meninggal dunia dalam usia 63 tahun, demikian juga sahabat dan pengganti baginda Sayidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq dan Umar Al-Khattab, mereka meninggal dalam usia yang hampir sama dengan baginda Rasul.
Jika diandaikan umur kita sama juga dengan umur Nabi s.a.w. dan sahabatnya, bayangkanlah berapa baki umur kita di alam fana ini. Jika kita sudah berusia 60 tahun, baki umur kita hanya tiga tahun; jika umur kita 50 tahun, bakinya 13 tahun lagi. Itu mengikut perkiraan tahun Masihi, jika berdasarkan kiraan tahun Hijrah, mereka yang berusia 60 tahun sebenarnya sudah berusia kira-kira 63 tahun (tahun Hijrah kurang 11 hari berbanding tahun Masihi), jadi hidupnya adalah berdasarkan 'umur subsidi' seperti diungkapkan kebanyakan orang sekarang.
Jika selama 60 tahun, kita hidup 'tanpa apa-apa' (maksudnya terlalu mengikut nafsu dunia) bayangkan apa yang kita dapat lakukan dalam masa baki usia kita. Bayangkan juga kita cuma berpeluang menyambut hari raya sebanyak tiga kali saja lagi (kiasan ini kerap digunakan di kampung-kampung). Persoalannya apa yang dapat kita lakukan dalam masa tiga tahun itu?
Namun ada satu pesanan ulama yang dapat menguatkan azam kita untuk menempuh secara bermanfaat baki umur kita yang sangat singkat itu. Ulama berpesan masa itu sebenarnya ada tiga saja iaitu semalam, hari ini dan esok. Semalam sudah menjadi sejarah; esok belum pasti. Yang kita ada hanya hari ini; jadi maksimumkan masa yang ada sekarang ini untuk menjadi insan terbaik dan insya-Allah, di akhirat nanti kita akan golongankan bersama para salihin, syuhada dan anbia.
Tahun demi tahun kita mendengar kisah Israk dan Mikraj. Namun adakah kita melakukan perubahan drastik, menjadi insan tawaduk dengan berusaha mematuhi semua perintah Allah SWT dalam semua bidang kehidupan? Jika selama 60 tahun kita hidup, kita gagal melihat hukum-hukum Allah terlaksana di bumi-Nya, masanya semakin singkat untuk kita menyaksikan saat paling bermakna itu. Kita tetap tertanya-tanya bila dan bila tetapi masa yang kita ada semakin lama semakin habis.
Kita cukup mengerti, saban tahun selepas majlis Israk dan Mikraj, kita akan memasuki Syaaban dan kemudian Ramadan di mana hampir semua umat Islam akan berpuasa sejajar dengan ayat 183 Surah al-Baqarah yang bermaksud: “Hai orang-orang beriman, diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu agar kamu bertakwa.”
Tetapi bagaimana pula penerimaan kita apabila membaca ayat 178 Surah al-Baqarah yang bermaksud: “Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, diwajibkan kamu menjalankan hukum qisas (balasan yang seimbang) dalam perkara orang-orang yang mati dibunuh iaitu: orang merdeka dengan orang merdeka, dan hamba dengan hamba, dan perempuan dengan perempuan.”
Persoalannya di sini, adalah selama 60 tahun kita hidup itu, kita telah menggunakan segala kesempatan diberikan Allah SWT itu untuk berusaha menegakkan hukum-hakam-Nya termasuk perintah dalam ayat 178 Surah al-Baqarah itu.
Jika ya, alhamdulillah; tetapi jika tidak, marilah kita bermuhasabah diri, memanfaat baki masa yang sungguh singkat itu untuk menegakkan segala perintah Allah SWT dengan harapan menggunung agar Dia menerima segala amalan walaupun ia dilakukan pada sisa akhir umur kita.
Friday, July 1, 2011
I cry for you Kashmiris
***
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"Do not spy on one another,
nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49:12)
***
KASHMIR is said to be the 'Paradise on Earth'. During my visit to India recently, I had a golden opportunity to 'taste' life in this 'paradise'. Of course mesmerizing fresh air, towering mountains, lush green meadows, mystical blue-green lakes, exquisite food and handicrafts, countless flora and fauna and Kashmir's enchanting four seasons offer true colours of Earth, but somehow the presence of Indian soldiers and police (one Kashmiri told me their total exceeding one million) almost everywhere, spoilt the holidaying spirit in me.
Before I proceed with reports on my experience in the Indian controlled Kashmir, let us have a brief look about the history of the Kashmiris including the most controversial political acts of the twentieth century when this wealthy and priced land was handed over to India in 1947.
Kalhana’s ‘Rajtarangini’ written in the 11th century is the earliest record available on the history of Kashmir. According to Kalhana, Gonanda came to the throne of Kashmir about 2448 BC. His descendants ruled for many centuries. King Ashoka conquered Kashmir in 250 BC and made Srinagar the capital of his empire.
The first century AD saw the arrival of Kushan dynasty. Emperor Kanishka organised the 3rd council of Buddhists at Harwan. From the Karakota dynasty, the great ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida is mentioned as ruler in the 8th century.
The 9th century witnessed the rule of Utpal dynasty that produced the great ruler Avanti Verman during whose reign Avantipur was the capital. In the 10th century, the Lohara dynasty ruled in Kashmir. The 11th century saw the rule King Harsha, a poet and lover of art and music. The 12th century witnessed the rule of King Jaisimha. In the 13th century, Kashmir witnessed upheavals, mutual quarrels and civil wars that weakened the Hindu rule.
Though Islam was earlier spread by the famous ‘wali’ (saint) Bulbul Shah, it was in mid-14th century that Muslim rule started with Shah Mir’s arrival from Central Asia. The arrival of great Islamic preacher Syed Ali Hamdani (Shah Hamdan) from Persia during the rule of Sultan Qutab-ud-din (AD 1395) witnessed wide- spread development of Islam in the Valley of Kashmir.
The Sultan was succeeded by his son Sultan Sikandar. He was followed by son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (AD 1421-1474), an exceptionally peaceful ruler. He was reputed for being enlightened and restructuring Kashmir and was deservedly surnamed as ‘Budshah’ (The Great King).
In 16th century, ‘Chaks’ gained power. Yousuf Khan, commonly known as ‘Yousuf Shahi Chak’, ruled in 1580. He fell in love and married a peasant woman, Haba Khaton, the famous poetess of Kashmir. His son Yakub Khan took over the reins in AD 1582.
After consolidating the Mughal Empire in northern India, Emperor Akbar’s forces conquered Kashmir in AD 1586. The Mughal rule lasted for 166 years. The Afghans ruled Kashmir from 1756 to 1818. In the 19th century Sikh ruled Kashmir, who further installed Dogras as the rulers. On16th March 1846, Raja Ghulab Singh secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar.
In 1947 when India became independent, Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir annexed Kashmir into the Indian Dominion. – From various sources.
Now let us look the modern day conflict in Kashmir. A newly created state derived from the independence of India, Pakistan protested the annexation of Kashmir and calls for a referendum that would allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether they would rather accede to India or the new state. The conflict in Kashmir is one of the bitterest legacies of the partition of India.
Over half a century later, there is no sign of an end to this dense and complicated dispute. A series of wars (India and Pakistan were at war three times, two of them on Kashmir) and ongoing guerrilla operations have ensured that Jammu and Kashmir has remained one of the most volatile and bloody regions of the world. Further demands and new conflicts have added twisted complications to an argument that has not been resolved.
Pakistan has frequently sought outside intervention to resolve issues pertaining to Kashmir, but India vehemently opposes such involvement. The people of Kashmir were for a referendum, preferably run by United Nations but India opposed it while the whole world including the umbrella for Muslims, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) remains silent.
Last October, Indian soldiers stormed the village of Maloora near Srinagar, killed several people they claimed were militants and then used force to crush the people’s uprising. More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Kashmir since fighting began in earnest in 1989.
Why the world is silent on the suffering of the people of Indian Kashmir (total population about 8 million) who is 95 percent Muslim? Was it because they were Muslims; if they were not, those in power including the UN would rush to help?
Just, look at a recent history. East Timor (now known as Timor Leste) got liberated and so did Southern Sudan. There are other examples too; civilised world has no problem using its powers and influences to give them independence but not in the cases of Kashmir, Southern Thailand, Southern Philippines, Xinjiang, Chechnya and of course Palestine!
Since I fear for the safety of those who I had interviewed during my stay in Kashmir, I would not be mentioning their names, jobs and places they stayed or work. I rather quote what they had said and wished for.
* ‘A’ who looked too old for his age of 45 said: “Please, the people of Kashmir want the UN to run a referendum; I am very sure almost 100 percent of the people want an independence state of Kashmir. We do not want to be in Pakistan or in India.”
* ‘B’ who looked too matured for his age of 26, said: “We are jailed in our own country. There are over a million of Indian soldiers here. I believe there are too many spies and traitors around. Please, don’t speak too loud.”
* ‘C’ claimed that Kashmiri women were suppressed. They were not free to move around with the heavy presence of the Indian army and police personnel. Many were restricted to their homes.
* ‘D’ said that the presence of a large number of dogs in his area (and throughout Kashmir) made in difficult for them to go to masjids for prayers and for shopkeepers to open their shops. He claimed it was against government laws to shove away dogs what’s more to kill them. So scenes of fat and lazy dogs sleeping on road pavements and in front of shop lots are common in Srinagar.
* ‘E’ claimed that the number of Kashmiri pilgrims to Makkah was restricted to a few thousands only from an overall application of more than 30,000 yearly.
Almost all of those interviewed hoped the writer would tell and spread their plight to Muslims brothers worldwide to create awareness and at the same time pray for their struggle and future. Many Kashmiris look too old for their age; perhaps their sufferings and hard way of living has taken its toil; I cry for you, the people of Kashmir.
And for Muslims remember this: “All Muslims are as one body. If a man complains of pain in his head, his whole body feels the pain, and if his eye pains his whole body feels the pain.”
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"Do not spy on one another,
nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49:12)
***
KASHMIR is said to be the 'Paradise on Earth'. During my visit to India recently, I had a golden opportunity to 'taste' life in this 'paradise'. Of course mesmerizing fresh air, towering mountains, lush green meadows, mystical blue-green lakes, exquisite food and handicrafts, countless flora and fauna and Kashmir's enchanting four seasons offer true colours of Earth, but somehow the presence of Indian soldiers and police (one Kashmiri told me their total exceeding one million) almost everywhere, spoilt the holidaying spirit in me.
Before I proceed with reports on my experience in the Indian controlled Kashmir, let us have a brief look about the history of the Kashmiris including the most controversial political acts of the twentieth century when this wealthy and priced land was handed over to India in 1947.
Kalhana’s ‘Rajtarangini’ written in the 11th century is the earliest record available on the history of Kashmir. According to Kalhana, Gonanda came to the throne of Kashmir about 2448 BC. His descendants ruled for many centuries. King Ashoka conquered Kashmir in 250 BC and made Srinagar the capital of his empire.
The first century AD saw the arrival of Kushan dynasty. Emperor Kanishka organised the 3rd council of Buddhists at Harwan. From the Karakota dynasty, the great ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida is mentioned as ruler in the 8th century.
The 9th century witnessed the rule of Utpal dynasty that produced the great ruler Avanti Verman during whose reign Avantipur was the capital. In the 10th century, the Lohara dynasty ruled in Kashmir. The 11th century saw the rule King Harsha, a poet and lover of art and music. The 12th century witnessed the rule of King Jaisimha. In the 13th century, Kashmir witnessed upheavals, mutual quarrels and civil wars that weakened the Hindu rule.
Though Islam was earlier spread by the famous ‘wali’ (saint) Bulbul Shah, it was in mid-14th century that Muslim rule started with Shah Mir’s arrival from Central Asia. The arrival of great Islamic preacher Syed Ali Hamdani (Shah Hamdan) from Persia during the rule of Sultan Qutab-ud-din (AD 1395) witnessed wide- spread development of Islam in the Valley of Kashmir.
The Sultan was succeeded by his son Sultan Sikandar. He was followed by son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (AD 1421-1474), an exceptionally peaceful ruler. He was reputed for being enlightened and restructuring Kashmir and was deservedly surnamed as ‘Budshah’ (The Great King).
In 16th century, ‘Chaks’ gained power. Yousuf Khan, commonly known as ‘Yousuf Shahi Chak’, ruled in 1580. He fell in love and married a peasant woman, Haba Khaton, the famous poetess of Kashmir. His son Yakub Khan took over the reins in AD 1582.
After consolidating the Mughal Empire in northern India, Emperor Akbar’s forces conquered Kashmir in AD 1586. The Mughal rule lasted for 166 years. The Afghans ruled Kashmir from 1756 to 1818. In the 19th century Sikh ruled Kashmir, who further installed Dogras as the rulers. On16th March 1846, Raja Ghulab Singh secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar.
In 1947 when India became independent, Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir annexed Kashmir into the Indian Dominion. – From various sources.
Now let us look the modern day conflict in Kashmir. A newly created state derived from the independence of India, Pakistan protested the annexation of Kashmir and calls for a referendum that would allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether they would rather accede to India or the new state. The conflict in Kashmir is one of the bitterest legacies of the partition of India.
Over half a century later, there is no sign of an end to this dense and complicated dispute. A series of wars (India and Pakistan were at war three times, two of them on Kashmir) and ongoing guerrilla operations have ensured that Jammu and Kashmir has remained one of the most volatile and bloody regions of the world. Further demands and new conflicts have added twisted complications to an argument that has not been resolved.
Pakistan has frequently sought outside intervention to resolve issues pertaining to Kashmir, but India vehemently opposes such involvement. The people of Kashmir were for a referendum, preferably run by United Nations but India opposed it while the whole world including the umbrella for Muslims, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) remains silent.
Last October, Indian soldiers stormed the village of Maloora near Srinagar, killed several people they claimed were militants and then used force to crush the people’s uprising. More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Kashmir since fighting began in earnest in 1989.
Why the world is silent on the suffering of the people of Indian Kashmir (total population about 8 million) who is 95 percent Muslim? Was it because they were Muslims; if they were not, those in power including the UN would rush to help?
Just, look at a recent history. East Timor (now known as Timor Leste) got liberated and so did Southern Sudan. There are other examples too; civilised world has no problem using its powers and influences to give them independence but not in the cases of Kashmir, Southern Thailand, Southern Philippines, Xinjiang, Chechnya and of course Palestine!
Since I fear for the safety of those who I had interviewed during my stay in Kashmir, I would not be mentioning their names, jobs and places they stayed or work. I rather quote what they had said and wished for.
* ‘A’ who looked too old for his age of 45 said: “Please, the people of Kashmir want the UN to run a referendum; I am very sure almost 100 percent of the people want an independence state of Kashmir. We do not want to be in Pakistan or in India.”
* ‘B’ who looked too matured for his age of 26, said: “We are jailed in our own country. There are over a million of Indian soldiers here. I believe there are too many spies and traitors around. Please, don’t speak too loud.”
* ‘C’ claimed that Kashmiri women were suppressed. They were not free to move around with the heavy presence of the Indian army and police personnel. Many were restricted to their homes.
* ‘D’ said that the presence of a large number of dogs in his area (and throughout Kashmir) made in difficult for them to go to masjids for prayers and for shopkeepers to open their shops. He claimed it was against government laws to shove away dogs what’s more to kill them. So scenes of fat and lazy dogs sleeping on road pavements and in front of shop lots are common in Srinagar.
* ‘E’ claimed that the number of Kashmiri pilgrims to Makkah was restricted to a few thousands only from an overall application of more than 30,000 yearly.
Almost all of those interviewed hoped the writer would tell and spread their plight to Muslims brothers worldwide to create awareness and at the same time pray for their struggle and future. Many Kashmiris look too old for their age; perhaps their sufferings and hard way of living has taken its toil; I cry for you, the people of Kashmir.
And for Muslims remember this: “All Muslims are as one body. If a man complains of pain in his head, his whole body feels the pain, and if his eye pains his whole body feels the pain.”
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