The Lesson of
the Babri Masjid
A mosque was built in Ayodhya (India) in 1528-29 by the Mughal King Babur’s governor Mir Baqi. That is why it was named the Babri Masjid. The Hindus complaint that this mosque had been built on the ground of Ram chabutara. That is why, this was a controversial mosque from day one. The Hindus were unhappy about this mosque even after independence. Then in 1947 during a movement launched by the BJP, this mosque was demolished. This incident took place on December 6, 1992 and a makeshift temple was constructed at the place where the mosque had stood.
After this event, the Indian Muslims launched a tumultuous movement. All the Muslim leaders unanimously demanded that the Babri Masjid should be rebuilt on the same spot. The writer felt that fulfilling such a demand was impossible. Now the Muslims should demand something which is practicable in the present circumstances. That is why, the author offered the suggestion that the Muslims should show willingness to relocate the Babri Masjid. The Hindu side immediately accepted this proposal but the Muslim leadership, both religious and secular, rejected this proposal. They insisted that the Babri Masjid should be built at exactly the same place where it had stood before the demolition. This demand was totally impracticable in view of the present circumstances. That is why, despite continuous efforts on behalf of the Muslims, this issue remained unresolved for decades.
Had the Muslim leaders known the importance of
re-planning, they would have immediately accepted the proposal of relocation and by now in its neighborhood an Islamic center would have been built in the name of the Babri Masjid.
The way of relocation of the mosque has generally been adopted in the Arab world, then why was it not acceptable to the Indian Muslim leaders? The reason is that in the Arab world no other option existed because of the restriction on Muslims’ freedom: whereas in India, because of the prevailing freedom there was no compulsion, and the Muslim leaders were unaware that re-planning was also an accepted principle of Islam.
There is a guiding example in this matter. In the pre-prophethood era, once ancient Makkah received heavy rain. This damaged the building of the Kabah. At that time, the idolatrous chieftains of ancient Makkah had to rebuild the building of the Kabah. But for certain reasons, they left one third of the area of the Kabah uncovered without any roof over it. This uncovered area still exists in its previous condition. In this respect, the present building of the Kabah in itself is an example of relocation. The ancient building of the Kabah which Prophet Abraham had built was rectangular in shape, whereas the present building is in the shape of a square. This is an example of the relocation of the building of the Kabah. History tells us that the Prophet of Islam practically accepted this relocation. He did not demand that the Kabah must be rebuilt on the ancient foundations in the same form.
In the initial phase of Islam, people had built mosques all around. In the 20th century when the Arabs discovered their oil wealth, they started developing their dwellings in the style of planned cities. In this plan of construction, everywhere these mosques came in the way.
Then it was decided that the mosques should be relocated in order to pave the way for city planning. This plan was in line with the fatwa of religious
scholars. Therefore, mosques were relocated in great numbers in Arab countries and everywhere the religious scholars (Ulama) accepted this.
This precedent set by the Arab world should have been sufficient for Indian Muslims to follow suit; but the Indian Ulama differed, and due to their disagreements, this could not become an acceptable solution.
