Syed Riyaz Khawar
The Holy Qur’an, in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:32), declares with divine clarity: “Whoever kills an innocent soul—it is as if he has slain all humanity. And whoever saves one life—it is as if he has saved all mankind.” This verse is not a slogan; it is a solemn reminder that life is sacred, and that taking a single innocent life is a crime against all creation.
The recent blast in Delhi is a grim reminder of how far humanity has drifted from this truth. The attack has stolen innocent lives, left children orphaned, and women widowed. It is not merely an act of terror; it is a wound inflicted upon the conscience of the entire nation. No ideology, grievance, or distorted belief can justify such barbarity.
The Inherent Right to Live
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in December 1948, affirms that every human being is born with rights — not granted by rulers or regimes, but inherent by virtue of being human. Among these sacred rights is the right to live with dignity, equality, and without fear. The United Nations did not give us these rights; it merely recognized them, declaring that no authority on earth has the moral license to take them away.
Violence Is Never Justifiable
Whether committed by militants or by men in uniform, the extra-judicial killing of any human being is a heinous sin and a crime against humanity. It is unjustifiable — legally, morally, and spiritually. When killing becomes normalized under any pretext, the line between justice and revenge disappears. No cause is noble enough to demand the blood of innocents.
It is disturbing, therefore, to hear voices — often from the fringes of society and sections of the media — questioning why militants emerge from a particular community. Such remarks are not analysis; they are expressions of Islamophobia, prejudice, and intellectual bankruptcy. They ignore the truth that no religion teaches violence and no scripture sanctifies hate.
The Qur’an is categorical: “La ikraha fid-din” “There is no compulsion in religion.”
Faith is a matter of heart, not coercion. To weaponize religion for political or ideological purposes is to betray its very essence.
The Double Standards of Condemnation
It is easy to stigmatize one faith while conveniently forgetting history.
Who destroyed Baghdad and slaughtered its scholars and citizens? Halagu Khan — a non-Muslim.
Who unleashed the horrors of World War I and II, killing millions? Non-Muslims.
Who dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, erasing entire cities in seconds? Non-Muslims.
Who killed Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace? Who assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi?
Who was accused in the Sabarmati Express tragedy? None of them acted in the name of Islam.
Terrorism has no religion. Hatred has no divine endorsement. A gunman can belong to any creed, colour, or country. The moment we start associating crime with a community, we become part of the very cycle of hatred that fuels violence.
The Way Forward: Humanity First
It is time to reclaim our shared humanity — to see beyond names, languages, and faiths. The Indian Constitution, like international law, guarantees every citizen the right to practice and propagate his or her religion freely. These are not privileges; they are pillars of democracy.
If we are to honour the victims of Delhi — and every tragedy before it — we must reject hate in all its disguises: political, religious, or ideological. We must demand justice, not vengeance; peace, not polarization.
Hatred must stop somewhere. Let it stop here, with us.
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About the Author
Syed Riyaz Khawar is a Senior High Court lawyer, columnist, and social activist known for his sharp legal insight and commitment to justice and social reform.
