Edited by Friends of Deoband
"When Sultan Mahmud al-Ghaznawi conquered India, he set about to demolish the Hindu temple in Somnath. All the idols in the temple were smashed. When the biggest idol was about to be smashed, the idol-worshippers passionately pleaded for their idol to be spared. They promised to give in exchange the weight of the idol in gold if it was not smashed.
That afternoon during his nap, he dreamt that he was on the plains of Qiyamah. An Angel leading him [the Sultan] to Jahannam (hell-fire) was saying: ‘He is an idol-seller’. Another Angel responded: ‘No, he is an idol-breaker. Take him to Jannah (paradise).’ Suddenly the Sultan’s eyes opened. Immediately he issued the command for the big idol to be smashed. When the idol was smashed, its inside was found to be filled with precious stones the value of which exceeded the value of the gold which the idolaters had offered.
A disease which has beset the 'ulama of the age is compromise with baatil (falsehood). A variety of baatil excuses is proffered for justifying this compromise. The following episode narrated by Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali al-Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) should be sufficient lesson for the compromisers.
"When Sultan Mahmud al-Ghaznawi conquered India, he set about to demolish the Hindu temple in Somnath. All the idols in the temple were smashed. When the biggest idol was about to be smashed, the idol-worshippers passionately pleaded for their idol to be spared. They promised to give in exchange the weight of the idol in gold if it was not smashed.
Sultan Mahmud consulted with his advisers. All of them were of the opinion that since the country was conquered and the idols smashed, it would not really matter if the one idol is spared. The huge amount of gold could be put to constructive use. Sayyid Shaykh Salar Mas’ud Ghazi (Allah have mercy on him) who was also present said: ‘This is tantamount to selling idols. Hitherto Muslim kings were idol-breakers, now they will be labelled idol-sellers. Although this comment appealed to the Sultan, he still entertained a degree of doubt.
That afternoon during his nap, he dreamt that he was on the plains of Qiyamah. An Angel leading him [the Sultan] to Jahannam (hell-fire) was saying: ‘He is an idol-seller’. Another Angel responded: ‘No, he is an idol-breaker. Take him to Jannah (paradise).’ Suddenly the Sultan’s eyes opened. Immediately he issued the command for the big idol to be smashed. When the idol was smashed, its inside was found to be filled with precious stones the value of which exceeded the value of the gold which the idolaters had offered.
Sultan Mahmud profusely expressed his shukr (gratitude) to Allah Who had guided him to smash the idol and at the same time bestowed such a huge treasure to him.”
Compromise with baatil is not permissible. The duty of the 'ulama is to proclaim the haqq (truth) and not to adulterate it with baatil. The argument of hikmah (wisdom) to justify compromise with baatil is a despicable canard.
The Majlis, Vol. 21 No. 4
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