INTERSECTON
OF POLITICS, CULTURE AND RELIGION
History
narrates that culture and religion has quite dominated the politics
every time, ultimately resulting in tyrannical kings and rulers
forcing the public to accept the system and religion of the
ruling elite. Excesses of the Pharaohs on Bani-Israel in ancient
Egypt is the example provided in all the three revelations like
The Torah, The Gospel and The Qur’an. The Qur’an
provides us the scene of such atmospheres in chapter 26 verse
29:
“The
Pharaoh said to Moses: ‘If you choose to worship any deity
other than me, I shall most certainly throw you into prison.”
(From
Holy Qur'an 26/29)
It
was preached by every Prophet to shun religious persecution
and allow the individual, the choice of religion and its practice.
Alas, it could be established only in the times of Prophet Mohammed,
but once again alas! Very soon Muslim politicians changed the
scene. There is a fundamental injunction in chapter 42 verse
15 of the Holy Qur’an in such conditions.
“….Proclaim
O Mohammed, ‘…. and I am commanded to be just and
unbiased with you. ALLAH is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer.
To us shall be accounted our deeds, and to you, your deeds.
Let there be no dispute between us and you: ALLAH will bring
us all together- and to HIM is our journey’s end.”
(From
Holy Qur'an 42/15)
So
the politics should not be related to religion. The nations
where 90 percent of the population follow the same religion,
there are many faiths often seen fighting with each other. Example
of Prophet Joseph is quite sufficient that though he ruled over
Egypt, however he didn’t imposed his religion of Abraham
on the Egyptians.
After
INQUISITION and two world wars, majority of the nations are
having democratic structure. It is another question that they
break it often for their own benefit. Secondly, liberty also
has its own limits. To draw those limits, our Creator revealed
the outlines every time.
Now there
is the word ‘culture’. Languages, dressings, customs
and cultures also should not have the interference of religion.
We may observe today that there are many Christian or Muslim
countries that are different with each other in all these
aspects. It is not the call of the Qur’an to be in one
culture, language or even one nation. It states in chapter
11 verse 118:
“And
had your Sustainer so willed, HE could surely have made all
mankind one single community: but (HE willed it otherwise, and
so) they will not cease to differ.”
(From
Holy Qur'an 11/118)
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The
Heavenly Revelation emphasizes human values and dignity. It
emphasizes to use human intellect and reasoning with logics.
Anything counter to human values and reasoning with intellect
is forbidden. It draws the lines to be cared for. Its law-enacting
verses show the maxim of the capital punishments on various
crimes. It emphasizes the rights of weaker section of the
human society.
Heavenly
Revelation does not teach politics. Yes, it is honesty, the
only criteria which really counts for the kings and commons
as well. And this quality of his enhances his political, social,
economical and family life.
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