How is it possible to eliminate the religious and political extremism in Pakistan in the light of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ)? Explain.

Introduction

Pakistan faces two related forms of extremism. Religious extremism shows itself through sectarian killing, terrorism and mob violence. Political extremism appears in hate-filled speech, the refusal to accept the other side's legitimacy, attacks on state property, and in the treatment of opponents as traitors. Both share an inability to accept difference. The Holy Prophet ﷺ dealt with bitter religious and political opposition, and his example provides practical guidance on both.

Religious and political extremism in Pakistan

Religious extremism

Examples include the Army Public School attack (2014), the Jaranwala church attacks (2023), and attacks on Shia processions and Sufi shrines.

Political extremism

Examples include violent protest and sit-ins, attacks on public buildings, and the May 2023 attacks on state and military sites. Parties often treat one another as enemies rather than rivals, while cases, arrests, and online abuse have become normal tools. Religion is also used for political purposes through accusations of blasphemy or disbelief.

Prophetic teachings on extremism

Warning against excess

"Beware of excess in religion, for those before you were destroyed by excess in religion" (An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah). "Those who go to extremes are ruined," he said three times (Muslim).

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَٰكُمْ أُمَّةًۭ وَسَطًۭا …

"And thus We have made you a balanced community…" (Al-Baqarah 2:143)

Making things easy

"Make things easy and do not make them difficult" (Bukhari, Muslim). "This religion is easy, and no one makes it too hard on himself without being overcome by it" (Bukhari).

Gentleness

"Allah is gentle, and He loves gentleness in all matters" (Bukhari, Muslim).

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ …

"So by mercy from Allah, you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you." (Aal-e-Imran 3:159)

Eliminating religious extremism

1. Reject takfir

The Prophet ﷺ strongly rebuked Usamah (RA) for killing a man who had declared his faith, asking: "Did you open his heart?" (Bukhari, Muslim). He warned that calling a Muslim an unbeliever comes back on the accuser (Bukhari, Muslim).

2. Treat differences with respect

When the companions disagreed about the instruction on praying Asr at Banu Qurayza, he condemned neither group (Bukhari). Sunni, Shia and other Muslim schools in Pakistan should learn to differ without hatred. The law should act against hate speech, and sectarian organisations should not be given political space.

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌۭ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ …

"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers." (Al-Hujurat 49:10)

3. Sanctity of life and state authority

He forbade the killing of civilians and warned about the killing of those under treaty (Bukhari). Private groups cannot declare Jihad, as Paigham-e-Pakistan states. The National Action Plan should be fully implemented.

4. End mob violence

The Prophet ﷺ himself was mocked and insulted, but he did not incite mobs against those who did it. He showed patience towards a Bedouin who pulled on his cloak, and towards one who urinated in the mosque (Bukhari, Muslim). Allegations must be investigated by state authorities, false accusers should be punished, and those who attack others should face swift trial.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٍۢ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَٰدِمِينَ

"O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful." (Al-Hujurat 49:6)

5. Protect minorities

The Charter of Madinah and the covenant of Najran offer models. He warned that he would stand against anyone who wronged a protected non-Muslim (Abu Dawud).

لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ

"Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes, from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)

6. Reform religious education and preaching

Madrassah curricula should include Sirah as a model of tolerance, along with modern subjects. Preaching must follow the Quranic method of wisdom.

ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ …

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best." (An-Nahl 16:125)

Eliminating political extremism

1. Accept political opponents

The Prophet ﷺ negotiated with his bitterest opponents. At Hudaybiyyah, he allowed the wording "Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah" to be changed in order to secure peace with Suhayl ibn Amr, who would not accept the title (Bukhari, Muslim). Pakistan's political leaders must learn to talk with one another, and they must accept that power may pass peacefully to a rival.

2. Compromise for the national interest

Hudaybiyyah shows that compromise is not weakness. The Charter of Democracy (2006) was a positive step that lost its force. A new agreement among parties, including codes of conduct and acceptance of election results, is needed.

وَإِن جَنَحُوا۟ لِلسَّلْمِ فَٱجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it also and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing." (Al-Anfal 8:61)

3. Disciplined speech

The Quran forbids mockery and insulting nicknames, both of which are now common in Pakistan's politics. The Prophet ﷺ said that "abusing a Muslim is sinful" (Bukhari, Muslim), and that a believer does not taunt, curse or use foul language (Tirmidhi). Party workers and social media teams should be held to this standard.

… وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَٰبِ …

"…And do not insult one another and do not call each other by offensive nicknames." (Al-Hujurat 49:11)

4. Tolerating criticism

Hazrat Umar (RA), following the Prophetic model, answered public questions and accepted correction. Governments should allow peaceful protest and free media. At the same time, protest must not turn violent, and it must not damage public property.

5. Forgiveness over revenge

Pakistani politics is often driven by vendetta, with each government pursuing the last. At Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ gave up his right to retaliate, and thereby turned enemies into allies.

قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ

"He said: No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful." (Yusuf 12:92)

6. Consultation and institutions

He consulted his companions, even when his own view differed, as at Uhud. A strong parliament, committee system and internal party democracy can provide channels for disagreement, so that it does not spill into the streets.

… وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ …

"…And whose affair is determined by consultation among themselves…" (Ash-Shura 42:38)

7. Keeping religion out of political attacks

Using religious accusations against opponents is deadly in Pakistan, as seen in the murder of Salman Taseer in 2011 and in attacks on other political figures. Parties should agree that they will not use such charges against each other.

8. Respect for the Constitution

All institutions, civilian and military, must stay within their constitutional limits. Agreements must be honoured.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعُقُودِ …

"O you who have believed, fulfil all contracts." (Al-Ma'idah 5:1)

Shared remedies

Justice

Slow courts and unequal treatment drive people to extreme measures. The Prophet ﷺ upheld equality in law for everyone. Justice must be timely and fair.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ …

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah…" (An-Nisa 4:135)

Education and civic values

Students should learn to think critically and listen to opposing views.

Economic opportunity

Youth unemployment fuels all kinds of extremism. Madinah's brotherhood, Zakat and support for the poor show how the community can provide for those in need.

Regulation of media and social media

Responsible media conduct, fact-checking, and enforcement against incitement are needed, while freedom of speech is protected. The Prophet ﷺ said: "It is enough of a lie for a person to repeat everything he hears" (Muslim).

Personal example

Religious and political leaders should behave as they ask others to. The Prophet ﷺ was the first to apply his rules to himself and to his own family.

Conclusion

Religious and political extremism in Pakistan both come from intolerance, misuse of power and a lack of justice. The Holy Prophet ﷺ teaches moderation, ease, gentleness, respect for differences, sanctity of life, verification, dialogue, compromise, disciplined speech and forgiveness. The way forward is to apply these lessons through law, education, political agreement and personal conduct. In doing so, Pakistan can move from hatred and revenge towards a society where people disagree in peace.

The writer can be reached at ma6749429@gmail.com