{EOP}Enforcement of Sharia'ah in Pakistan

With the birth of a separate homeland in the Sub-continent, Muslims of India achieved half of their goal, ALLAH fulfilled HIS promise and this was the time when it was the turn of the liberated Muslim Nation of Pakistan to fulfill their part of the promise.

As Quaid e Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah dies in 1948, the leadership of the newly born Nation goes on the shoulders of Liaqat Ali Khan who tried his best to fulfill the promise of his nation to ALLAH almighty.

Liaqat Ali Khan proposed the Objectives Resolution and it was adopted on 12 March 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. 

Objectives Resolution consists of 8 points :

1. Sovereignty belongs to Allah alone but He has delegated it to the State of Pakistan through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him as a sacred trust.
2. The State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people.
3. The principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed.
4. Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings of Islam as set out in theQur'an and Sunnah.
5. Adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures.
6. Pakistan shall be a federation.
7. Fundamental rights shall be guaranteed.
8. The judiciary shall be independent.

In the very next year, that is in 1950, thirty one (31) leading and eminent Ulema and scholars of various sects and schools of Islamic jurisprudence AGREED on 22 basic points for the country’s constitution.

Even today these 22 points can be used as a basis for establishing Shariah in the country. There are various proposals among these 22 points which can produce a just and pious society.

Twenty-Two Agreed Points for Islamic Constitution

(1) ALLAH (SWT) is the REAL Sovereign and Lord of this universe.

(2) The Law of the country shall be based on Quran and Sunnah and neither any law shall be enacted nor any Administrative injunction shall be laid down that is repugnant to Quran and Sunnah.

(3) This country shall not be based on any geographical, racial, linguistic or any other concepts but on those principles and aims which are based on the code of life laid down by Islam.

(4) It shall be the obligation of Islamic state to establish the goods defined by Quran and Sunnah, suppress the wrongs and arrange for the revival and supremacy of Islamic beliefs and for the necessary education of established Islamic sects according to their understandings of religion.

(5) It shall be the obligation of Islamic state to strengthen the unity and brotherhood among all the Muslims of the world. It shall get rid of all the means that may give rise to differences among the Muslim citizens of the state due to ignorant prejudices of racism, linguistics, regionalism or any other sort of discrimination and ensure the stability of unity among the Islamic community.

(6) State shall sponsor, without any religious, race or other discrimination, the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, health and education for all such people who cannot earn their livelihood or cannot do so temporarily due to unemployment, illness or other reasons.

(7) Citizens of the country shall enjoy all the rights laid down for them in Islamic Sharia. It means protection of life, property and dignity within the Law, freedom of religion and sect, freedom to worship, freedom of caste, freedom of expression, freedom to move, freedom to gather, freedom to earn livelihood, equal opportunity to progress and right to get benefits from social organizations.

(8) None of the above-mentioned rights of any citizen shall be suppressed at any time without any legitimate reason according to Islamic Law and none shall be punished for any accusation of crime without provision of an opportunity to defend and without a judicial decision.

(9) The established Islamic sects shall enjoy complete religious freedom within the prescribed boundaries and Law. They shall have the right to educate their followers on their religion. The decisions related to their personal affairs shall be made according to their religious jurisprudence and it shall be suitable to make an arrangement that their own judges make such decisions.

(10) The non-Muslim citizens of the state shall enjoy complete freedom, within the prescribed boundaries and Law, to practice their religion, worship, culture, religious education and they will have the right to get decisions on their personal affairs according to their religious law or traditions.

(11) It shall be mandatory to abide by the agreements made, with non-Muslim citizens of the state, within the boundaries of Sharia. Both the Muslim and non-Muslim citizens shall have equal civic rights as mentioned above in clause no. 7.

(12) It shall be mandatory for the President of the country to be a male Muslim whose trustworthiness, capability and decision-making enjoys the confidence of people or their elected representatives.

(13) The president of the state shall be actually responsible for administering the state. However he can delegate any part of his authority to a person or an organization.

(14) The government of the President shall not be autocratic but consultative.  It implies that he shall execute his duties after consultation with the members of government and the elected representatives of the people.

(15) The President shall have no right to govern without the help of consultation after suspending the constitution partially or completely.

(16) The organization that shall elect the President shall also have the right to remove him with majority votes.

(17) The President of the state shall have the same civil rights as general Muslims and shall not be immune to impeachment.

(18) Same law shall be applied to the members and workers of the government and the citizens and the general courts shall implement it.

(19) The judiciary shall be separate and independent from the administration so that the judiciary does not get influenced by the administration in performing its duties.

(20) It shall be prohibited to preach or promote any of such  thoughts and ideologies, which may be destructive to the basic principles of the Islamic state.

(21) The various provinces and parts of the country shall be considered the Administrative Units of one state. Their status shall not be racial, linguistic or tribal entities but shall be of administrative territories, which may be delegated administrative authorities under the central dominion keeping in view the administrative convenience but they shall not have right to disintegrate from the centre.

(22) Any interpretation of the Constitution that is against Quran and Sunnah shall not be valid.

Following is the list of Ulema who documented the 22 points dossier:

(1)    Allama Sayyid Suleiman Nadwi (President, Majlis-e-Haza)

(2)    Maulana Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi (Ameer, Jamate-e-Islami Pakistan)

(3)    Maulana Shams-ul-Haq Afghani (Minister for Education, State of Qalat)

(4)    Maulana Badar Alam (Ustaaz-ul-Hadees, Tando Allah Yar, Sindh)

(5)    Maulana Ihtisham-ul-Haq Thanwi (Administrator, Dar-ul-Uloom Al Islamia, Ashraf-Abad, Sindh)

(6)    Maulana Muhammad Abdul Hamid Qadri, Badyouni (President, Jamiat-Ulema Pakistan)

(7)    Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Member Board of Islamic Education, Constituent Assembly Pakistan)

(8)    Maulana Muhammad Idris Kandhalwi  (Sheikh-ul-Jamia, Jamia Abbasiya, Bahalwpur)\

(9)    Maulana Khair Muhammad (Administrator, Madrasa Khair-ul-Madaris, Multan city)

(10)  Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan (Administrator, Madrasa Ashrafiya, Neela Gunbad, Lahore)

(11)  Peer Sahab Muhammad Ameen-ul-Hasanaat (Manki shareef, Sarhad)

(12)  Maulana Yusuf Binori (Shiekh-ul-Tafseer, Ashraf Abad, Sindh)

(13)  Haji Khadim-ul-Islam Muhammad Ameen (Al Mujahid-Abad, Peshawar) Khalifa Haji Tarang Zai

(14)  Qazi Abdul Samad Sarbaazi (Qazi Qalaat, Balochistan)

(15)  Maulana Athar Ali (President Jamiat-Ulema Islam, East Pakistan)

(16)  Maulana Abu ja’far Muhammad Saleh (Ameer Hizbullah, East Pakistan)

(17)  Maulana Raghib Hassan (Vice President Jamiat-Ulema Islam, East Pakistan)

(18)  Maulana Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman (Sarseena Shareef, East Pakistan)

(19)  Maulana Muhammad Ali Jalandhri (Majlis Ihrar-e-Islam, Pakistan)

(20)  Maulana Dawud Ghaznavi (President Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees, West Pakistan)

(21)  Mufti Jafar Hussein Mujtahid (Member Board of Islamic Education)

(22)  Mufti Hafiz Kifayat Hussein Mujtahid (Supreme Organization for Protection of Rights of Shia-e-Pakistan, Lahore)

(23)  Maulana Muhammad Ismail (Nazim Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees, Gujranwala, Pakistan)

(24)  Maulana Habibullah (Jamia Deeniya Dar-ul-Huda, Therhy, Khairpur Mir)

(25)  Maulana Ahmad Ali (Ameer Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Deen Sheranwala Darwaza, Lahore)

(26)  Maulana Muhammad Sadiq (Administrator, Madrasa Mazhar-ul-Uloom, Khadda, Karachi)

(27)  Professor Abdul Khaliq (Member Board of Islamic Education)

(28)  Maulana Shams-ul-Haq Fareed Puri (Main Administrator, Madrasa Ashraf-ul-Uloom, Dhaka)

(29)  Maulana Mufti Sahab Dad (Madrasat-ul-Islam, Karachi, Sindh)

(30)  Maulana Muhammad Zafar Ahmad Ansari (Sec. Board of Islamic Education, Constituent Assembly, Pakistan)

(31)  Peer Sahab Muhammad Hashim Mujaddadi (Tando Sayeen Daad, Sindh)

February 9th 1951

Unfortunately after some years, people of Pakistan and their rulers forgot to fulfill the promise which they did to ALLAH Almighty.

After some decades, it looked like the promise is about to be fulfilled, some steps were taken by the Government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and later on by Gen. Zia ul Haq, latter tried his best, at least what seemed like, with the assassination of Gen. Zia ul Haq, the journey stopped on the half way.

Then again in the the early 90s, a major step was taken which could've been the last in fulfilling the promise BUT unfortunately it wasn't.

ENFORCEMENT OF SHARI’AH ACT. 1991

ACT X OF 1991

An Act for the enforcement of Shari’ah

[Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary, Part 1, 18th June, 1991]

The following Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) received the assent of the President on the 5th June, 1991. and is hereby published for general information:-

Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan through there chosen representatives  with the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.

And whereas the Objectives Resolution has been incorporated in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a substantive part thereof ;

And whereas Islam has been declared to be the State religion of Pakistan and it is obligatory for all Muslims to follow the Injunctions of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah to regulate and order there lives in complete submission to the Divine law;

And whereas it is one of the fundamental obligations of the Islamic State to protect the honour, life, liberty and the fundamental right a of the citizens as guaranteed under the constitution and to ensure peace and provide inexpensive and speedy justice to people through an independent Islamic system of justice without any discrimination.

And whereas Islam enjoins establishment of social order based on the Islamic values of bidding what is right and forbidding what is wrong (amr bil Ma’ roof wa nahi anil Munkar);

And whereas in order to achieve the aforesaid objectives and goals, it. is necessary to give to these measures constitutional and legal backing,

It is hereby enacted as follows :

1.

Short title, extent and commencement

(1)

This Act may be called the Enforcement of Shari’ah Act, 1991.

(2)

It extends to the whole of Pakistan.

(3)

It shall come into force at once.

(4)

Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the personal laws, religious freedom traditions, customs and way of life of the non Muslims.

2.

Definition. 

In this Act "Shari’ah" means the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

Explanation:-- While interpreting and explaining the Shari’ah the recognized principles of interpretation and explanation of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah shall be followed and the expositions and opinions of recognized jurists of Islam belonging to prevalent Islamic schools of jurisprudence may be taken into consideration.

3.

Supremacy of Shari’ah.

(l)

The Shari’ah that is to say the Injunctions of Islam as laid in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, shall be the supreme law of Pakistan.

(2)

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the judgment of any Court or any other law for the time being in force, the present political system, including the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and Provincial Assemblies and the existing system of  Government, shall not be challenged in any Court, including Supreme Court, the Federal Shariat Court or any authority or tribunal:

Provided that nothing contained herein shall effect the right of the non-Muslims guaranteed by or under the Constitution.

4.

Laws to be interpreted in the light of Shari’ah. 

For the purpose of this Act—

(a)

while interpreting the statute-law, if more than one interpretation is possible, the one consistent with the Islamic principles and jurisprudence shall be adopted by the Court ; and

(b)

where two or more interpretations are equally possible the interpretation which advances the Principles of Policy and Islamic provisions in the Constitution shall be adopted by the Court.

5.

Observance of Shari’ah by Muslim citizens. 

All Muslim citizens of Pakistan shall observe Shari’ah and act accordingly and in this regard the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall formulate code of conduct for Government functionaries.

6.

Teaching of, and training in, Shari’ah etc. 

The State shall make effective arrangements,--

(a)

for the teaching of, and training in the Shari’ah, Islamic jurisprudence and all other branches of Islamic law at appropriate levels of education and professional training.

(b)

to include courses on the Shari’ah in the syllabi of the law colleges ;

(c)

for the teaching of the Arabic language; and

(d)

to avail the services of persons duly qualified in Shari’ah, Islamic jurisprudence and Ifta in judicial system.

7.

Islamization of education.

(l)

The State shall take necessary steps to ensure that the educational system of Pakistan is based on Islamic values of learning, teaching and character building.

(2)

The Federal Government shall within thirty days from the commencement of this Act appoint a Commission consisting of educationists, jurists, experts, ulema and elected representatives as it may deem fit and appoint one of them to be its Chairman.

(3)

The functions of the Commission shall be to examine the educational system of Pakistan to achieve the objectives referred to in subsection (1) and make recommendations in this behalf.

(4)

A report containing the recommendations of the Commission shall be submitted to the Federal Government which shall cause it to be placed before both the Houses of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

(5)

The Commission shall have the power to conduct its proceedings and regulate its procedure in all respects as it may deem fit.

(6)

All executive authorities, institutions and local authorities shall act in aid of the Commission.

(7)

The Ministry of Education in the Government of Pakistan shall be responsible for the administrative matters relating to the Commission.

8.

Islamization of economy.

(l)

The State shall take steps to ensure that the economic system of Pakistan is constructed on the basis of Islamic economic objectives, principles, and priorities.

(2)

The Federal Government shall, within thirty days from the commencement of this Act, appoint a Commission consisting of economists, bankers, jurists, ulema, elected representatives and such other persons as it may deem fit and appoint one of them to be its Chairman.

(3)

The functions of the commission shall be--

(a)

to recommend measures and steps, including suitable alternatives, by which the economic system enunciated by Islam could be established ;

(b)

to recommend the ways, means and strategy for such changes in the economic system of Pakistan so as to achieve the social and economic well being of the people as envisaged by Article 38 of the Constitution;

(c)

to undertake the examination of any fiscal law or any law relating to the levy and collection of taxes and fees or banking or insurance law or practice and procedure to determine whether or not these are repugnant to the Shari’ah and to make recommendations to bring such laws, practices and procedure in conformity with the Shari’ah and

(d)

to monitor progress in respect of the Islamization of economy, identifying lapses and bottlenecks, if any, and suggest alternatives to remove any difficulty.

(4)

The Commission shall oversee the process of elimination of Riba form every sphere of economic activity in the shortest possible time and also recommend such measures to the Government as would ensure the total elimination of Riba from the economy.

(5)

The Commission shall submit its reports on a regular basis and at suitable intervals to the Federal Government which shall place the same before both the Houses of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and shall also respond to any queries sent to it by the Federal Government in respect of establishment of the Islamic economic order.

(6)

The Commission shall have the power to conduct its proceedings and regulate its procedure in all respects as it may deem fit.

(7)

All executive authorities, institutions and local authorities shall act in aid of the Commission.

(8)

The Ministry of Finance in the Government of Pakistan shall be responsible for the administrative matter relating to the Commission.

9.

Mass media to promote Islamic values.

(l)

The State shall take steps to promote Islamic values through the mass media.

(2)

The publication and promotion of programs against or in derogation to the Shari’ah, including obscene material shall be forbidden.

10.

Protection of life, liberty, property, etc. 

In order to protect the life, honour, liberty, property and the rights of the citizens, the State shall take legislative and administrative measures to—

(a)

introduce administrative and police reforms;

(b)

prevent acts of terrorism and sabotage and disruptive activities; and

(c)

prevent the possession and display of illicit arms.

11.

Elimination of bribery and corruption. 

The State shall take legislative and administrative measures, to eliminate bribery, corruption and malpractices and provide for exemplary punishment for such offences.

12.

Eradication of obscenity, vulgarity, etc.—Effective legal and administrative measures shall be taken by the State to eradicate obscenity, vulgarity and other moral vices.

13.

Eradication of social evils. 

The State shall take effective measures for enactment of law eradicating social evils and promoting Islamic virtues on the principles of amr bil ma’roof wa nahi’ anil Munkar as laid down in the Holy Qur’an.

14.

Nizami-i-adl. 

The State shall take adequate measures for the Islamization of the judicial system by eliminating laws delays, multiplicity of proceedings in different Courts, litigation expenses and ensuring the quest for truth by the Court.

15.

Bait-ul-Mal (Welfare Fund). 

The State shall take steps to set up a Bait-ul-Mal for providing assistance to the poor, needy, helpless, handicapped, invalids, widows, orphans and the destitute.

16.

Protection of the ideology of Pakistan, etc. 

The State shall enact laws to protect the ideology, solidarity and integrity of Pakistan as an Islamic State.

17.

Safeguard against false imputations, etc. 

The State shall take legislative and administrative measures to protect the honour and reputation of the citizens against false imputations, character assassination and violation of privacy.

18.

International financial obligations, etc. 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this act or any decision of any Court, till an alternative economic system is introduced, financial obligations incurred and contracts made between a National Institution and a Foreign Agency shall continue to remain and be valid, binding and operative.

Explanation:— In this section, the expression "National Institution" shall include the Federal Government or a Provincial Government, a statutory corporation, company, institution, body, enterprise or any person in Pakistan and the expression "Foreign Agency" shall include a foreign government, a foreign financial institution, foreign capital market, including a bank and any foreign lending agency, including an individual and a supplier of goods, and services.

19.

Fulfillment of existing obligations. 

Nothing contained in this Act or any decision made thereunder shall affect the validity of any financial obligations incurred, including under any instruments, whether contractual or otherwise, promises to pay or any other financial commitments made by or on behalf of the Federal Government or a Provincial Government or a financial or statutory corporation or other institution to make payments envisaged therein, and all such obligations, promises and commitments shall be valid, binding and operative till an alternative economic system is evolved.

20.

Rights of women not to be affected. 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the rights of women as guaranteed by the Constitution shall not be affected.

21.

Laws to be enacted by Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and Provincial Assembly only. 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the judgment or any Court, including the Supreme Court, all laws shall be enacted exclusively by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and the Provincial Assembly, as the case may be, and no law shall be made or be deemed to have been made unless it is made in the manner laid down in the Constitution.

22.

Rules. 

The Federal Government may, by notification in the official gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Even after this act was passed and it became a part of the constitution, sadly it WASN'T enforced.

The Journey doesn't ends there, no matter what happens, the promise have to fulfilled,

TAKMEEL-E-PAKISTAN have to be achieved.

My hope is not dead and will never be, I pray to ALLAH swt that HE gives us the honour to be the part of the mission which will enforce HIS will.

Ameen!