The British Government and Jihad — Page 23
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND JIHAD 23 astute government; nevertheless, it is incumbent upon us to present any suggestions that may prove useful for the govern- ment and the public. I believe with absolute conviction that the barbaric practices of the Frontier Afghans, which result in the almost daily killing of innocent persons, have two causes: 1) First, those maulavīs for whom it is an article of faith that killing people of other religions-especially Christians- is an act of great virtue and that such murder opens doors of heavenly reward that cannot be achieved through obligatory şalāt [Prayers], hajj [Pilgrimage], zakāt [obliga- tory charity], or any other good deed. I am well aware of the fact that these maulavīs secretly preach this to the peo- ple. When ordinary people hear such sermons day and night, their hearts which differ little from those of ani- mals become deeply affected. They become like beasts of prey, with no shred of mercy remaining within them and commit horrendous acts that make one shudder. Although Afghanistan and the Frontier Region are full of many maulavīs who regularly preach in this way, it is my opinion that Punjab and India are not entirely free of such maulavīs either. Our noble government should reconsider if it has come to believe that this country's maulavīs are innocent and do not think along these lines. I am of the opinion that the majority of the ignorant and short-tem- pered mullāhs of the mosques are not free of these evil thoughts. I would have considered them blameless if their opinions were in accordance with God's Holy Book because, in a way, one is indeed helpless in matters of