By Prof Nasim Akhtar

Only a few days ago, news flashed on social media that the RSS sanchalaks had held a secret meeting with a few Muslim intellectuals to tell them that they had better hand over the masjids at Mathura and Banaras to Hindus. When they asked whether they will stop at that, after the handing over of the two said masjids, they replied that they were not sure of that.

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The message is clear enough. It doesn’t need any explanation.

Let’s learn from the mistakes we did in the case of Babri Masjid. Dealing with such serious issues of mass concern in privacy is the crux of the problem. Throw it into the public domain, as this concerns the entire Muslim community. So, there is no reason why it should remain a concern of only a few. I do not doubt their sincerity, but the approach to address the issue is faulty. Handling of a handful of people is always easy. Throwing the issue into the public domain will make them face the music. Above all, since such issues concern the entire Muslim Ummah, there is no reason why we cannot take it to the community. After all, we are asking for just their opinion, which by no means can be unlawful.

But they won’t allow us to do that on the pretext of creating a public unrest in India, and internationalising a domestic issue.

Never ever any decision should any decision be taken ignoring general Muslims. Otherwise the whole community will hold you responsible. Think of ways to bring the issue to the knowledge of every individual of the Muslim community to seek their opinion. Make it an issue of the international Muslim community. If anyone questions about internationalising an internal issue of India. Tell them about the intervention of India when a mandir was vandalized in Australia. So, we must take it up this way. Holding closed door meetings on such issues gives them the leeway.

The individuals who were met by the RSS sevaks must come forward and give a written statement publicly to call for a general opinion of Muslims. This statement should be given a wide publicity through newspapers and social media. Email ID and whatsApp should be created especially for the purpose of collecting opinions of Muslims from India and abroad, as well. A committee should be formed for collecting and collating the received opinions, and preparing a database for a final decision. We must stand to protect the House of Allah. Come what may. If a decision is taken to that effect.

This may be a possible of addressing the issue for those who believe in standing against injustice and giving a fight to settle the score. A ‘do or die’, kind of thing.

Another possible way to address the issue may be through spiritual means. This is more difficult than the one discussed above, as it requires a very strong iman and a very strong and deep faith in Allah. In order to invoke that spiritual power and ignite that spiritual instinct in us let us think for a while the power of Allah; the domain He can exert His power; any domain where He is powerless; and answer for ourselves. Does He need our help in any sphere to supply Him strength in His governance? If yes, then ok, go ahead. Help Him. If you think you have the capacity. If not, and surely not. Then, stop. And think:

Who are we to hand over the masjid? In what capacity can we do that? Does it not sound like B wanting A’s legally owned property to be handed over to C? How can B do that? Can that transaction be vaild, acceptable to Allah? By doing are we not interfering into His sovereign domain? Will He like and approve this act of ours? By doing so are we not inviting His wrath?

Let’s understand our limits and stop at the point beyond which even the wings of angels burn.

Every masjid is built in the name of Allah. Allah is the sole owner of that property. How can I, we, you, anyone else, or the entire Muslim community, for that matter, take a decision to give it over to someone else? How can such a transfer be valid?

Right. But we are powerless. We can’t resist. In that case, tell them to capture it, usurp it.