"Show me your friends and I'll show you your future."

News:

Islamabad, Pakistan – When the United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a United States-authored resolution that paves the way for a transitional administration and an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Pakistan– which was presiding over the council– had a seemingly contradictory response. Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, thanked the USA for tabling the resolution and voted in its favour. But he also said Pakistan was not entirely satisfied with the outcome, and warned that “some critical suggestions” from Pakistan were not included in the final text. (Al-Jazeera.com)

Comment:

To understand the reluctance of Pakistani officials to openly embrace the International Stabilisation Force, we need to understand that the purpose of this stabilization force is to demilitarize Gaza and disarm resistance groups. Being part of any such programme is not for peacekeeping but rather to act as an enforcement force, which can involve shooting at the groups which are considered to be a threat for the Palestinian borders of Israel. The role of Pakistani military officials will be of policing Hamas rather than of protecting the people of Palestine and for that they will have to work in close cooperation with ‘Israel’. This plan will further lead to acceptance of the Jewish entity. The plan which is led by President Trump is vague about key elements and thus is more of a Trump-‘Israel’ controlled plan than a UN peacekeeping mission.

The reluctance of the officials is out of the fear of the public reaction, for the public of Pakistan love the people of Palestine and understand their duty towards them more than the people of power. Sending our sons to Gaza for helping this Western agenda of control will cause a further divide and hurt within the Ummah. This is the reason that Trump and his allies have taken the corrupt Muslim leadership on board, to keep the sons of the military busy and involved in the role plays designed to keep them busy. Trump in his recent meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman said, “I hope your highness will be on the board,” and his highness smiled and agreed. All the Muslim rulers who have gathered under the Trump banner have agreed to join hands in disobedience to Allah (swt):

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ]

‎“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.” [TMQ Al-Maida:51].

This is the fear of the Muslims of the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that has held the corrupt leadership from galloping into action against the fighters of Gaza. The traitors are afraid of announcing their loyalties but this act of being a part of ISF will expose them. This is the time for the soldiers to speak up and refuse to do what is abhorred by the Almighty Allah. This is also the time for the civilians to raise their voices to express their dislike and disapproval of sending soldiers to help ‘Israel’. Helping or being a part of the transitional governing arrangement is like deciding the fate of the Palestinians along with the ones who butchered them.

Another important element that Pakistani forces should consider is the popularity that Hamas holds for Gazans. Hamas still controls Gaza up to the ‘yellow line’ held by Israel. Its popularity has risen since the ceasefire, according to the latest poll by the West Bank-based Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research. Hamas has rejected the UN resolution on a number of grounds. Once our uniformed soldiers enter that land and start disarming/killing Hamas, they will lose credibility in the eyes of the people of Gaza, and thus all Islam-loving people.

We should take lessons from the Ridda (Apostasy), when after the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), the Muslim Ummah as a community faced the first crisis, and certain tribes refused to pay zakat and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) dealt with the issue according to Ahkam Shariah.

Narrated by Abu Huraira: Abu Bakr (ra) said, وَاللَّهِ لَوْ مَنَعُونِي عَنَاقًا كَانُوا يُؤَدُّونَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَقَاتَلْتُهُمْ عَلَى مَنْعِهَا‏.‏ قَالَ عُمَرُ رضى الله عنه فَمَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ رَأَيْتُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَرَحَ صَدْرَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ رضى الله عنه بِالْقِتَالِ، فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ الْحَق "By Allah! If they (pay me the Zakat and) withhold even a young (female) goat which they used to pay during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (saw), I will fight with them for it." 'Umar said, "It was nothing but Allah Who opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision to fight, and I came to know that his decision was right."

The Muslim Ummah is in need of a leadership like Hazrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and only then the right decisions will be made according to the commands of Allah (swt). It was the military tactics of Khalid bin Walid under the command of Hazrat Abu Bakr that even today are taught in the military academies of the Pakistan army. The soldiers must remember what made this all great was the cause and courage in the way of Allah. People of Gaza need the help of a Muslim army that carries the courage to fight an army that outnumbers them and Allah’s help will bring glory to these soldiers and their names will be remembered like Khalid bin Walid.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Ikhlaq Jehan