Fitnah is a Verb...

‘Fitnah’ in the grammatical sense is considered to be a Verb. It is an act to lure, seduce or tempt. A force that creates temptation towards creating controversy and unrest. In today’s world it holds manifold meanings. In spirit it holds immense power to divide, create chaos and often results in fragmentation of the Community. We as a human race have begun to label Fitnah more as a naming word or noun. Placing emphasis and labeling the person, institution or community.

‘Fitnah’ is an Arabic word and is primarily used in the Quran in relation to the trials and temptations that the Believers may encounter through their lifetime.

If I look at the word in a Global perspective, I would have to admit that the act of destabilizing peace for any community has a close relationship to “one’s freedom of expression.”

The ‘No Compromise’ attitude that comes from “You live but once,” often adds much fire to burning the sentiments of fellow human beings. There is a very fine line that defines the parameters of a free mind to that of a freak mind.

Freedom is a necessity that promises progress and growth of both the individual and society as a whole. The definition however, has transformed tremendously post 9/11.

Starting off with the individual to small groups, leading on to institutions and eventually communities, freedom has become a selfish trait that promises self-victory and self-satisfaction. It is more egocentric and self-serving.

The moral responsibility that is necessary to an enlightened society is fast being run over by the fear of losing power and voice. People create plans and schemes to pre-empted movements or actions that would destroy the peace of opposing forces or in other words hurt their sentiments at large. Only to secure their own sense of existence.

‘Fitnah’ can also be defined as a mind-set that propagates intolerance and rigid rampages through communities or within. The forces exhibit strong resistance towards a majority sentiment or faith, ignoring the factual presence and reality.

Whether it is through words or acts, the skill of creating divisions within a community is an example of Fitnah. The principle motive behind such an act of freedom is to simply belittle and degrade the structure that holds the sentiment together. It is a calculated movement to strengthen one’s power and rule. Strong reactions and more intolerance are the outcomes of this evil. Fitnah flourishes if not recognized or rooted out in time.

Therefore, whether it is Veena Malik playing puppet to media or Tweeters playing victim to the instigating Twitter Ramadan Trends, in both cases the Fitnah lies in the act and not the actor. It is important to recognize the forces that attack and play-up our sentiments to create divisions within ourselves in the name of "Freedom of Expression!"

And so, education, responsible communication and an obligated Freedom can help us understand each other’s sentiments better to be able to differentiate Fitnah as a verb than a noun!

How Democratic Are We Today?

I try to keep away from political arguments as they often leap from the present to the past, leading to historical facts and figures and always result in a surgical conclusion. Most statistics relate to some tragedy or failure on part of some political party or political manifesto. It begins as a civilized dialogue eventually resulting in “it’s either my way or NO WAY!”

The area that always intrigues me is our attitudes and emotional outbursts that drive our ability to make sense or put up an argument. We easily disperse off the issue to get engaged in personal leg-pulling and humiliation.

As a nation today, our sovereignty is being taken for granted, our morale is being targeted along with the repetitive failure on part of our leaders to uphold the national interest or expectations of its people.

Whether it is Drone tragedies, Target Killings, Minority Antagonism, Restoration of NATO Supply Lines or provision of the basic rights to the people, the governments over the passage of time have failed all their promises.

Yet we tend to believe that our system is functional and the solution will be derived through it. I fail to understand how? We are afraid to change the faces, powerless to make decisions, lazy to hold accountability, divided in our desires and most importantly fail to tolerate a difference of opinion.

There is a sense of pride that unites the people of a country. That dignity comes from at least two meals a day, four walls to safeguard one’s life and opportunities to progress in life.

In Pakistan today, we witness a divide that has become evidently focused over the last decade. It is this social divide that has played a pivotal role in estranging the aspirations of the people as a nation.

A large section of the society is still struggling to receive their rights and make ends meet. Therefore they find it hard to make logic with the other half cruising away in their fancy cars and vacationing abroad. This imbalance of provision and power has given birth to growing hatred between the two and this animosity is evident during civil unrest when they turn towards burning cars, smashing glass to showrooms and attacking the lives of those better off even though the issue is often political.

In a situation like this, one does wonder if a solution is even possible. Quite obviously, a fair distribution of wealth would probably lead to bridging some of the divide in wants and needs to bring some unanimity.

What then of playing puppets to our Political Idols? Who will uncover the chest of treasures that are pulled out of the graveyards that are crowded with bodies of sectarian killings and defenceless minorities? How will we learn to make reason instead of adopting blind drama? Who will educate us about the system and its intricacies?

The media could play a significant role in this area, but again, the programmes are more about blame games and deliver pre-determined messages. The trust factor has gone absolutely missing and people fed-up of being cheated, revert to more idealism in form of dramas and morning shows.

The reality has become far too detrimental and killing. Therefore it is a relief to close our eyes when faced with another challenge or simply abuse the people talking about it.

At present, if you provide the people with their meals, clothe them and give them the right to a decent life, I believe they will not care what system brings them that justice. The décor has lost its importance to them. 

We need to add some value to life if we are to unite as a Nation.

So, stop the endless arguments using statistics and find solutions to lessen the gap between the two classes of our society. Instead of asserting your viewpoint, try to reflect upon the diverse perspective.

Democracy is a responsibility which cannot be left to find its own course. It requires education, transparency, accountability, justice, tolerance and patience.

And so I ask, “How democratic are we today? Or is this system just a safeguard to our divided desires?