There has been a lot of debate both on electronic and print media after American drones killed Hakeemullah Mehsud on 1 Nov, 2013, as to whether he was a martyr or not. The Webster dictionary defines martyr as one who chooses to die rather than renounce religious principles or one who makes great sacrifices to advance a belief, cause or principle. So the term is basically religion based. As far as the Arabic word “shaheed” is concerned, it is normally used only by the Muslims who fight and get killed while defending his/her faith (Islam) or a Muslim state. Now coming back to the death of Hakeemullah Mehsud. His TTP has no state to defend. As far as his faith Islam is concerned, he was committing a major sin of killing innocent Muslims and in doing so he was not defending his faith. So as per definition, he is not a shaheed. If his companions call him shaheed, it should not bother us. If anyone from Pakistan calls him shaheed, the government should take a serious notice of that and take him/her to task as he or she would virtually constitute to be Hakeemullah’s companion.
AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore
In conclusion you have summed it up correctly that anyone who calls him shaheed inside Pakistan is also his companion , and should be taken to task by the Government. it does not matter that he is a religious party's leader.
let us make it clear to all these Maulvis that they are committing a great Sin under the tenets ad principles of Islam by calling this butcher of Muslims as shaheed. We must work for the glory of God snd no one else. Speak the truth. Truth will be victorious in the end.
Javaid Bashir
Bedford,NH,USA
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