By: DR. FAIYAZ AHMAD FAYZIE

In a decisive move, a communal and radical outfit, Popular Front of India (PFI), has been banned for five years by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for its alleged links to terror funding. In addition to this, PFI's associate organizations -- Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala -- are also banned leading to debate in the media about this.

A leading organization of Pasmanda Muslims named All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz has welcomed this move stating that the Pasmanda Mahaz is against Muslim communalism and believes that such organizations are also against the basic spirit of Islam.

So extremist and radical organizations must be proscribed to maintain peace and harmony in the country, especially those organizations which have been instituted in the name of Islam but fail to follow Islamic principles and teachings. Islam propagates love and compassion for building an idealistic society devoid of fundamentalist organizations and proprietors who incite evil and violent activities.

There is a famous 'hadees', which states: "Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith."

This hadees motivates all Muslims to prevent wrong-doer whether it includes big sins like killing, lynching, mass violence, or small sins such as abuse, and backbiting.

A true Muslim must stop wicked people and organizations.

Such organizations must be banned which encourages a sense of enmity rather than love and compassion; provoking innocent Muslims into violent protests rather than focusing on a peaceful, prosperous community. The Prophet Muhammad never allowed his companions to create instability and dissonance.

"Whoever wrongs one with whom a covenant has been made, burdens him with more than he can bear or forcibly takes something from him, I will be his adversary on the Day of Judgment," (Al-Baihaqi).

The Indian Muslim community has been enjoying the liberty of religion, equality, earning a livelihood, fraternity for a prosperous society, and enjoying a peaceful lifestyle.

Islam is as old in India as it is in Mecca.

The great examples of the Barwada Mosque in Ghogha, Gujarat built before 623 CE, Cheraman Juma Mosque (629 CE) in Methala, Kerala, and Palaiya Jumma Palli (or The Old Jumma Masjid - 628 - 630 CE) in Kilakarai testifies to the statement.

All these mosques could not have survived if there was hatred and communal tensions between the communities in the past.

This shows that Muslims have always enjoyed peaceful and friendly relations with their other Indian counterparts who have different faiths.

Consequently, if a handful of deviated Muslims form such organizations or institutions that stand against love, peace, brotherhood, and Indian Constitution, they must be banned and boycotted immediately.

"None of you (truly) believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." (Hadees)

The reliable and applicable Hadees shows the importance of goodwill for our neighbors and near ones.

Contrasting this Hadees, proprietors, and partners of radical organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) have been trying to snare innocent unemployed Muslims in the organization and groom them to develop radical violent approaches and harass innocent people not conforming to their ideology.

These organizations are working against humanity.

The nationwide ban is expected to force them to quit their unethical work and repent of their flaws; adopt a straightforward path that will lead them to build a prosperous culture and tradition as the following Quranic verse pleads unambiguously.

"Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 25:70)" (KB/IANS)

(Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie, the writer is an author, translator, media panelist, columnist, socio-pasmanda activist, and Medical Doctor by profession)