Dar al-Aman and Kaffirs..
Honestly speaking,I am hearing this word Dar al Aman for the first time.Lately,there have been news on Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issuing fatwas that India is a Dar al-Aman and that there shouldn’t be any jihad in India and that Hindus should not be reffered to as Kaffirs..
Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on Sunday said it regarded India as Dar al-Aman or a “Muslim-friendly country”. It ceased to be Dar al-Harb or hostile for Muslims with the end of British rule. “How can a country where you choose your own government be Dar al-Harb?” the seminary’s vice-rector Abdul Khaleque Madrasi said, adding: “If VHP has doubts, a fatwa can be issued, provided the organisation follows the prescribed procedure for obtaining a religious edict.”
In Islamic theology, geographical territories are often described as Dar al-Harb, Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Aman. The distinctions have been crucial in Muslim thought and action, said Qari Mohammed Usman, one of Darul’s senior-most teachers.
Dar al-Harb literally means “abode of war” or territory that is not under Islamic law and, if threatening to Islam, can be brought into Islam’s fold by jihad.In contrast, Dar al-Islam denotes territory under Islamic law, he said. Dar al-Aman or “abode of peace” is used to describe territory that is not under Islamic law but where Muslims can live in peace and harmony without interference in their practice of Islam.One example was India, Usman said.[source]
A major Muslim body has opposed Hindus being dubbed as `kafirs’ and pointed out that though the term does not have any derogatory connotations, it should be avoided to promote understanding between the two communities. “Strictly speaking, the word `kafir’ only means someone not belonging to Islam; but if its use hurts anyone the term should be avoided. Naumani said the idea of India as a hostile country had been part of the anti-British struggle during the Raj. “That concept is no longer relevant, it is now Dar-ul-Aman,” he said.
Explaining the change in the assessment of India by the Islamic school, Naumani said, “If Muslims get elected through a democratic process and can hold important positions, how can India become a hostile land.” He said Deoband had not yet received Singhal’s letter. “We will reply to it as and when it reaches us,” he said.
While reading this,Kislay Chandra came to my mind,he is the one I have seen who is very irritated with the word ‘Kaffir’. 🙂 .It is just an Arabic word that means non muslim.But that said,I know that some people (muslims) use this word every now and then and maybe thatz why others feel offended.And in that case,muslims should refrain from using such words that may hinder inter-faith relationships.My advice to muslims-don’t use this word unnecessarily and out of context..My advice to non muslims don’t take offence over a single word.Life is more beautiful than to be spoiled over a petty word.You don’t belive in Allah,do you? When you don’t believe in my God,aren’t you a disbeliever to me?Am I not a disbeliver to you? How complicated is that to understand and assimilate? I don’t know,some people take life and small stuff like this way too serious..Stretch your minds and hearts a little more-stop calling others kaffirs, and stop getting offended at a word..
AL-KAFIROON (THE DISBELIEVERS, ATHEISTS)
Total Verses: 6
Revealed At: MAKKA
109.001
YUSUFALI: Say : O ye that reject Faith!
PICKTHAL: Say: O disbelievers!
SHAKIR: Say: O unbelievers!
109.002
YUSUFALI: I worship not that which ye worship,
PICKTHAL: I worship not that which ye worship;
SHAKIR: I do not serve that which you serve,
109.003
YUSUFALI: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
PICKTHAL: Nor worship ye that which I worship.
SHAKIR: Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve:
109.004
YUSUFALI: And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
PICKTHAL: And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
SHAKIR: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve,
109.005
YUSUFALI: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
PICKTHAL: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
SHAKIR: Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve:
109.006
YUSUFALI: To you be your Way, and to me mine.
PICKTHAL: Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
SHAKIR: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.
