Kalma (File)
On November 22, what should have been a peaceful afternoon in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, quickly transformed into a scene of horror. Armed terrorists entered the popular tourist destination and began targeting visitors. Reports reveal they approached tourists, asked about their religion, and demanded they recite the Kalma—the Islamic declaration of faith. Those who hesitated or refused were mercilessly shot. By the time the violence ended, 28 innocent lives were lost.
It represents belief and submission to God, uttered from the heart and never meant to be forced. Islamic scholars emphasize that it’s a sacred vow between an individual and the Almighty—not a weapon to test others. Islam stands firmly against coercion in religion. The Quran explicitly states in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256): “There is no compulsion in religion.” Similarly, Surah Yunus emphasizes that even God did not compel belief. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invited people to Islam through wisdom and compassion, never through violence or fear.
Surah An-Nisa (4:93) says: “Whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell.” The religion that teaches mercy and forgiveness has been hijacked by extremists for their own agendas. This tragedy raises urgent questions: Can belief ever be genuine when forced? Does refusal to recite a religious phrase justify murder? Are we letting extremists redefine a faith followed peacefully by over a billion people? The terrorists behind this massacre did not defend Islam—they disgraced it. Their actions contradict everything the religion truly stands for.
The events in Pahalgam were not an act of religious righteousness but a cold-blooded massacre. Islam calls for peace, not pain. The Kalma is meant to be spoken with love, not fear. True faith doesn’t bloom under threat—it grows in the heart, nurtured by choice, not compulsion.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
