ISLAMABAD: A famous book of a noted 12th century Muslim scholar, Abdul Qadir Gilani, has joined the league of banned publications in Pakistan.
In a recent crackdown against hate literature across the country, Pakistani authorities have asked publishers not to print, distribute or sell Gilani’s book, Ghuniya-tut-Talibeen.
Investigations by Daily Capital revealed that officials in Punjab and the federal capital have already arrested a few publishers and booksellers for keeping controversial books.
This is probably the first time a book by one of the most influential Muslim scholars has been banned in the country.
Maulana Amir, a Lal Masjid cleric, told Daily Capital that the police raided his publishing house, Maktaba-e-Islam, recently and searched it for hate literature.
He said the police and intelligence personnel asked him to remove a number of books, saying they contained hate literature.
“I was asked not to keep Ghuniya-tut-Talibeen. They did not give us the details why we should not keep these books. However, they simply claimed that they spread hatred among sects and religions,” he said.
The decision to take stern action against the disseminators of hate literature was taken after the Peshawar school massacre. The National Action Plan (NAP), approved by all political parties and the military establishment, specifically called for measures to curb all sorts of hate literature.
However, students in Pakistan have been taught about the life and teachings of the 12th century Muslim scholar for many years in public and private schools. So, what exactly is wrong with his book?
Allama Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, explained that the book contained several controversial passages about the Shia sect.
“This book (Ghuniya-tut-Talibeen) is not an easy read. It is primarily written for scholars, researchers and for those who want to study Islam in depth. An ordinary reader may not comprehend what is written in the book,” he elaborated.
He added that since Abdul Qadir Gillani was a jurist belonging to the Hanbali school of thought, he sometimes criticised the Shia history and jurisprudence.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yusuf had no idea whether and why the book was being banned. He said the Punjab Ulema Board had the mandate to review all controversial books and recommend what should be done with them.
Several other books, allegedly containing hate literature, have also been banned. For instance, a work of historic fiction,Shamsheer-e-Bayneyam (Unsheathed Sword), has also been added to the list of proscribed literature. Written by Inayatullah, the novel is based on the epic stories of Khalid bin Walid, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
A widely circulated booklet, Shirq-o-Bidat, by an Indian scholar, Riffat Kafeel, is also among the list of banned books. The booklet deals with sensitive topic of different practices of various Muslim sects.
Similarly, a research publication by Mufti Taqi Usmani has also been banned. The book called Hazrat Ameer Muawiyah Aur Tarikhi Haqaiq (Hazrat Ameer Muawiyah and Historical Facts) describes the life and times of the fifth caliph of Islam.
Recently, the police also arrested a publisher in Rawalpindi for selling a book, Millad Ki Sharai Hesiyat.
Daily Capital has got a list containing names of hundreds of books, lectures, journals and newspapers which have been banned over the last three years by the Punjab Ulema Board. However, the authorities are adding more books to the list without telling the publishers or booksellers in advance.
“This is total harassment. They should tell us first which books are now banned and then give us some time to get rid of them,” Arshad Malik, a publisher in Rawalpindi, told Daily Capital.
He said it was very unfortunate that the police had started a crackdown on Islamic publications without taking their publishers into confidence. He said that Islamic books are sold more than other publications, adding that established publishers were always very careful and refrained from publishing controversial material.
“The problem is with the publishing houses affiliated with different sects-based seminaries,” he explained. “They publish controversial books that can easily fall under the category of hate literature.”
Other known books which have been banned include: Deeni Madaris: Kher Kay Marakiz Ya Dehshatgardi Kay Aday by Anwar Ghazi; Dajjal by Abu Lababa; Gustakh Kaun: Ikhtilaf-e-Ummat Aur Sirat-e-Mustaqeem by Maulana Yusuf Ludhyanvi; and Kia Pakistan Toot Jaye Ga? by Haq Nawaz Jilani.
Sources told Daily Capital that Ahle-Sunnat Wal Jamat, formerly Sipah Sahaba Pakistan, has also approached the Ulema Board with a list of about 60 books which, according to them, were spreading hatred and twisting historical facts.
The following slider contains the list of banned books, literature, journals, newspapers and sermons:
courtesy: http://dailycapital.pk/
courtesy: http://dailycapital.pk/
