al Science tic & li P o u Asma and Muhammad, J Pol Sci Pub Aff 2017, 5:4 P b f l i o c Journal of Political Sciences & Public l DOI: 10.4172/2332-0761.1000291 A a f n f r a u i r o s J Affairs ISSN: 2332-0761 Research Article Open Access History of Sectarianism in Pakistan: Implications for Lasting Peace Asma Khan Mahsood* Department of Political Science, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan *Corresponding author: Asma Khan Mahsood, Department of Political Science, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan, Tel: +92 51 9247000; E-mail: [email protected] Received date: June 20, 2017; Accepted date: September 20, 2017; Published date: September 26, 2017 Copyright: © 2017 Asma Khan Mahsood, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract Sectarianism is an issue that is badly damaging the society. In history we will find many of its instances but since the last three decades the pattern of events highlights that the issue has becomes intricate. The society of Pakistan is by and large divided on ethnic basis and sectarian divide further added fuel to the fire. This issue is badly damaging the society on economic political as well as on societal basis. The implications of sectarian violence are posing great threats to the peace process in the country. This intricate issue demands clarity and comprehension. Keywords: Pakistan; Sectarian violence; Government; Religion; ALLAH and his Messenger Muhammad (SAW) [2]. The first political Peace disparity that broke out in the Muslim Ummah was about the office of the caliph soon after the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632, and the Introduction Arab tribes who were following him, split over that who should inherit the both political and religious office of the Muslim Ummah. A group The Holy Quran in Sura Al-Hujarat (The Inner Apartments) says of famous early followers of Muhammad (SAW) nominated Abu Bakr, that the believers are but a single brotherhood: so, make peace and to be the first caliph. This decision led to the dissatisfaction a group at reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that time who favors Hazrat Ali for the office of Caliph. The same that you may receive mercy [1]. controversy continued over the second caliph Hazrat Umar e Farooq Lack of tolerance and the sectarian divide are a misfortune for a and the third Hazrat Usman e Ghani as well. When the battles of Jamal society. It is against the teachings of our religion. Islam basically stands and Safeen were fought, these differences turned into religious. These for peace. It prohibits prejudice. It teaches tolerance. Pakistan got disputed led to the emergence of different sects in Muslim history. For independence in 1947 but the tragedy is that the citizens of Pakistan example, per some historians, Kharijites are considered to the first sect. have not yet become a nation. After Indonesia, Pakistan has the world's Kharijaites were the supporters of Hazrat Ali until the battle of Safeen. largest shares of Muslims. Extremism and sectarianism was not a But they withdrew their support to Hazrat Ali by saying that any major issue in Pakistan before 1980s. For the last three decades, human being has no right to become a judge in the matters of Din [3]. sectarianism is damaging the state as well as the society of Pakistan. It Another major group that emerged at that time was Shia. They becomes a threat to the stability of Pakistan. Its negative effects are remained loyal even to the offspring of Hazrat Ali [4]. damaging the society on many fronts i.e. psychologically, economically, politically and socially. There is a clear discrimination on the bases of religious thoughts between Shia and Sunni. The most unfortunate thing is that both the sects involved in violence, claims that they are serving the religion. They target the top 1. As per Shia School of thought; The Prophet Muhammad leadership of opposing sect, religious scholars and innocent (SAWW) in his last Khutba has nominated Hazrat Ali as khalifa worshippers and claim that they are serving the religion. It has because he was the relative of Hazrat Muhammad (Saw). So, Ali was negatively impacted the soft image of Islam. It is a religion of peace but the only person who has spiritual influence to succeed Muhammad. he growing attacks on sectarian lines have transformed this image into The Shia believed that Ehle-e-Bait i.e Hazrat Ali (A.S), Hazrat Fatimatu extremist religion. They considered their opponents as infidels. They Zahra (A.S), Hazrat Imam Hassan (A.S) and Hazrat Imam Husain want to deprive the opposite sect to the very basic right to live. (A.S) are most respected, most valuable and most honorable than any Immediately, there is a dire need to adopt comprehensive ways for the others peoples even Sahaba at the time of Hazrat Muhammad development and welfare of the state. Pakistan has a long history of (SAWW) supremacy and thereafter till Qayamat. sectarian violence and this social evil is damaging the peace process in 2. As per Sunni School of thought this was the right of Muslim the country since the last three decades. This paper will explore the community to determine who would succeed the Prophet Muhammad, long-standing issue of sectarian violence and its implications for Sunni believed that the method of choosing leader clearly explained by lasting peace in the country. Quran is the consensus of Muslim Ummah. So Sunni are following the Khulafa e Rashidin “the rightfully guided Caliphs” i-e Hazrat Abu- Historical Background of Sectarianism in Islam Bakr (R.A) was first Khalifa, Hazrat Umar (R.A) 2nd, Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A) was 3rd and Hazrat Ali (A.S) fourth and this is the basic In the history of Muslims, different groups emerged because of the reason of conflict between Shias and Sunnis. explanation which was made to understand the ethos of the orders of J Pol Sci Pub Aff, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 4 • 1000291 ISSN: 2332-0761 Citation: Asma KM, Muhammad K (2017) History of Sectarianism in Pakistan: Implications for Lasting Peace. J Pol Sci Pub Aff 5: 291. doi: 10.4172/2332-0761.1000291 Page 2 of 7 This was the basic reason of conflict between Shia and Sunni that dynamics of sectarian conflicts along with external. For example, the who will lead the Islam. However, the Islam’s split was cemented after degrading value system i.e. lack of Islamic values in society, religious the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain (R.A) the Prophet segregation and intolerance towards the opposing sect, Mal Mohammed’s grandson in 680 in Karbala. This was the starting point governance and power politics both at local and national level plays an of violent trend between Shia and Sunni and the differences could not important role in sectarian divide. Therefore, it can be said that the bridge since then. nature of sectarianism in obsessed with multiple dynamics which is not simple to comprehend in one sentence [10]. After the death of Hazrat Ali, Umayyad dynasty started its rule in Damascus. After Umayyad, Abbasside established its rule at Baghdad. Hazrat Hussain rejected the rule of Caliph at that time. In 680, at The Birth of Pakistan and Sectarianism Karbala, Yazid the then ruler of Umayyad dynasty killed Hazrat Pakistan since it’s vary inception has been familiar to conflict, but Hussain along with 72 other family members. This incident becomes a since the last two decades Islamabad had to face the new waves of moral story for the Shias. "He becomes the crystallizing force around militancy i.e. terrorism and sectarianism. Sect means a group of which a faith takes form and takes inspiration" [5]. people, having multiple views within a same religion [11]. In Pakistan, Sunni believes that mostly Shias attribute divine qualities to their Sectarianism is the most damaging factor that cause religious, social, imams. They believe that this is a great sin. As per Sunni school of political and security order of the country. The history witnessed that thought it is against the core teachings of Islam [6]. "Twelver Shiism is Pakistan was the first country on the world’s map ever established in itself a kind of messianic faith". Their basic creed is that the meanings the name of religion. Pakistan emerged as a Muslim majority state and words of Quran as well as the messages and Hadis of Prophet having more than 90 percent of Muslim population. The main (SAW) will only be accepted as just and real, when the 12th Imam will objective behind its creation was to provide a productive environment return. Belief on Quran and Sunnah are necessary element of Islam but to the Muslim of sub-continent, to lead their lives per the teaching of Shia and Sunni differ on this point which further gave birth to Islam and practice Islamic values independently (Figure 1 and Table differences in religious and traditional differences [7]. 1.1-1.3) [12]. Presently, Shia-Sunni relations are manifested by clashes specifically The father of nation, Quid e Azam was informed that Pakistan has Saudi Arabia and Iran proxy war. Sectarianism is a major challenge diverse sects and multi ethnicities. So, he warned the nation at many from Pakistan to Yemen and is a major source of division between the occasions about the evils of this kind of behavior.