For those who feel humiliated by the board, they would do well to remember that we take all decisions in compliance with the Quran, the Hadith (holy book containing sayings of Prophet Mohammed) and other Islamic laws. No one who calls himself a Muslim can go against the directives of the Almighty and no one can say that the board has ever gone against the commands of Allah. There are many misconceptions about the role of the AIMPLB. Its main aim is to protect the Shariat in India. We keep a vigil and ensure that whatever regulations and rules the government makes for Muslims is in accordance with Islamic laws. We also guide Indian Muslims according to the Quran and Hadith.
Our other objective is to unite the entire Muslim community. The board continuously makes efforts at bringing together the Sunnis, Shias, Deobandis, Barelvis and Agakhanis, among others. The main ulema from these different sects have been brought under this singular banner since the ’70s. This is the organisation in which all the Indian Muslims have unflinching faith. All decisions are taken only after reaching a consensus.
The board is aware of criticism from various quarters but its members stand by all the decisions taken so far. In the Shah Bano case, the judgements given by the high court were against Islamic law, as a result of which the sentiments of crores of Muslims were badly hurt. The board had only taken the initiative to persuade the Indian government at that time to pass a law in Parliament against the decision taken by the court.
As for those who believe that the Babri Masjid issue is beyond the board’s jurisdiction, I can only say that they remember that mosques and maulanas constitute a potent part of Islam. And anything which is a part of Islam automatically comes under the jurisdiction of the board. Ever since the board has taken up the Babri Masjid issue, confusion has lessened and no board member has ever given any provocative speeches on this religious issue. Regarding the recent furore over the issue of family planning, the board has made it clear that family planning is not permitted in Islam. The Shariat has been interpreted by the most well-read and authentic imams and ulema and we cannot go against their conclusions.
(The author is AIMPLB member and deputy imam, Idgah, Lucknow.)
