The Turkish Peace — Page 49
49 of the sharia which relate to the community as a whole. But here there is no such hindrance in fulfilling any [Islamic] injunction pertaining to Muslims. Further, from a practical perspective, this suggestion is quite impossible to implement in India. How many people are willing to follow through with this? Thus not only does this proposal go against the sharia, it will result in a loss of respect and esteem in the sight of other people. It is noticeable that even those who have forwarded this proposal are yet to put it into practice. The second proposal calls for a jihad. [With regards to this], it is unlawful to wage a jihad while living in this country. Our choice of residency here means that we have accepted the authority of the British government and this is, by implication, a covenant we have undertaken with the administration. Therefore, to work against the interests of the state while continuing to live under its rule, would be tantamount to treason which is forbidden in Islam. Our faith should take precedence over everything else. If we were to compromise on it, even for the sake of gaining authority over the world, it would be an unprofitable exchange. Therefore, it is not proper for any Muslim who has reverence for their faith to try and bring harm to the British government or to