If The Taliban Would Listen

By Adejare Ibrahim

The victory of Taliban is Afghanistan came with mixed feelings. Nevertheless, the Taliban should come to terms with the practicalities of Islam, as preached by Prophet Muhammad.

Islam starts and ends with knowledge. It is a religion that greatly emphasises the indispensability of practical knowledge in the life of man. There is no Islam without knowledge and understanding.

The first verse that was revealed to the Prophet, while in seclusion in the Cave of Hiraa, by Angel Gabriel dwells abundantly on knowledge. "Iqra' bismi Robbik (read, in the Name of your Lord)", Jibril commanded him. It is a stern warning against practising religion in abject ignorance.

This knowledge is all-encompassing and all-inclusive. The knowledge which Islam reiterates has no limits or boundary: it is both temporal and spiritual; it is also terrestrial and celestial. Sayyid Qutb says, "read, as much as you can comprehend".

Dear readers, the Islam, which the Prophet bequeathed to us, is in consonance with the fundamental tenets of science and technology. Islam strikes a communion and balance between pristine values and innovative contemporariness. Thus, we await the golden period the Afghan government will launch its own satellite into the space.

Islam accords great respect to the female folks. It gives them freedom of choice without coercion. Islam elevates women from a mere object of amusement or sexual pleasure to an enviable status of active participants or collaborators in social reforms and edification.

Hijab (purdah) is an integral part of women dress in Islam. Though its usage is not the sublime goal of Islam. Hijab is just a means to an end, which bestows on them honour and dignity. Afghan women, in their hijab, need to go to school and become medical doctors, engineer, lawyers, scientists, teachers, journalists, broadcasters and other professional engagements.

There is no compulsion in religion. The new leadership of Afghanistan should accord religious freedom and respect to people of other religions. Christians and Jews should be tolerated, as practised by the Prophet of Islam. The Prophet lived peacefully with Christians and Jews in the City of Madinah.

The Afghan government should take proactive and decisive steps in 'deradicalising' the youths of Afghanistan. Gun-running and proliferation of weapons and drugs should be curbed. Afghanistan is a major supplier of opium. Therefore, opium cultivation and exportation should be strictly banned. Regardless of its economic implications, opium should be outlawed.

Our deen emphasises leniency in all human endeavours. The Taliban should ensure subtleness in her dealings with her citizens and other foreign nationals. Afghanistan should foster multilateral relations with member-state in the United Nations General Assembly. In the same vein, Afghanistan should align herself with her neighbours, especially those in the Northwest Asia. They should not live or operate in isolation.

The Taliban should learn from their past mistakes and chat a new course of development for the entire citizenry of Afghanistan. These will make them acceptable to the world and accord them the needed global legitimacy.