OUTLINE

1- Introduction
2- Literal and verbal meaning of extremism
3- Extremism prohibition in the Quran and Sunnah
4- Motives behind extremism in Pakistan
✓ Sectarianism
✓ Ethnocentrism
✓ Intolerance and lack of generosity
✓ Incomprehension toward teachings of the Quran and Sunnah
✓ Provocative sermons and orations
✓ Trending mob culture in Pakistan
✓ Socio-economic issues in Pakistan
5- Recipe under Islamic teaching to get rid of extremism
✓ Proper education of the Quran and Sunnah
✓ End of sectarianism
✓ Moderation: An important Islamic teaching
✓ Promotion of tolerance and generosity
✓ Rule of law and accountability
✓ Muslim unity: The dire need of the hour
✓ Negation of provocative and extremist remarks in curriculum and on social
media
6- Conclusion

 Introduction: The World is facing many problems and one of these problems is
extremism. Pakistan is no exception to this. Extremism is the quality of going to extremes.
However, Religion Islam has strictly prohibited extremism and given a lesson of moderation in all
aspects of life. Unfortunately, extremism in Pakistan has been rising with every passing day. There
are many motives behind rising extremism in Pakistan and these include sectarianism,
ethnocentrism, prejudices, intolerance, lack of generosity, incomplete knowledge of Islam and its
teachings, and socio-economic issues to only mention a few. Moreover, various incidents in
Pakistan have made it clear that extremism is injecting slow poison into the veins of societal peace
and it is mostly of religious extremism. As a result, this rising menace is posing grave
repercussions in Pakistan and posing its bad image across the globe. So, in Pakistan, efforts
should be made at individual, societal, and national levels to tackle this curse as soon as possible
according to the teachings of Islam.
 Verbal and Literal Meaning of “Extremism”:
 Verbal meaning: In the Arabic language, the word “Galu” is used for extremism.
Galu means excess and it is related to an extreme level of attitude toward anything. As
stated in the Qur’an: “Do not commit excess in your religion” (AL-QURAN)

 Literal meaning: The literal meaning of extremism is elaborated by different scholars

as:
  According to Imam Al-Farabi: “To cross limits in any matter falls in the category of
extremism”
 According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: “The quality or state of being
extreme; especially advocacy of extreme measure”
 Longman modern English dictionary defines it as: “The quality, state or habit of going
to extremes in views and actions”
 According to Imam Al- Razi: “Extremism is something in opposition to paucity;
Galu in Islam is to cross the limits; and the religion of Islam lies in between the
scarcity and extremism, it is something related to moderation” (AL-RAZI)
 Extremism in the Light of Qur’an and Sunna : The Qur’an has strictly prohibited
extremism. The verse of the Holy Qur’an in this regard is:“Say, “O People of the Scripture do not
exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth”(AL-QURAN) Any matter that will be dealt with
beyond the boundaries of Islamic Sharia will fall under the umbrella of extremism. Its prohibition is
also elaborated by the sayings of the Holy Prophet S.A.W:“Extremists will destroy”(AL-HADEES)
 Motives behind Extremism in Pakistan
 Sectarianism: The major cause behind the extremism menace in Pakistan is
sectarianism. Every sect wants to be superior to other sects and consider itself on the
right path. All other sects are wrong in front of him and spread Xenophobic content
about other sects. Clashes between Shia-Sunni sects in Pakistan, the Quetta bomb
blast in Shia mosque during Juma prayer in 2022 show examples of sectarian-based
attacks in Pakistan.

 Ethnocentrism: Ethnocentrism refers to an individual or a group considering itself

superior to others, and it will ultimately lead to extremism in Pakistan. In another sense,
a religion considers itself better than others, and it ultimately flames the extremist
sentiments in Pakistan.

 Intolerance and lack of generosity: Intolerance is one of the major motives

behind extremism. This lack of generosity is expressed in Pakistan among Muslims and
Muslims towards minorities. The studies show that Over 2,000 people have been killed
and 3,500 injured in sectarian attacks in the past five years. (ISSI JOURNAL)

 Incomprehension of teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah: Qur’an and sunnah are
the major sources that can tell us accurately about right and wrong, vice and virtue.
Unfortunately, people in Pakistan are not well aware of the teachings of Islam. They
have bound Islam to prayers. Mashaal Khan’s murder episode in Pakistan is an
example in this regard.
 Provocative sermons and oration: Another cause behind rising extremism in
Pakistan is provocative sermons and ideas by pseudo-scholars. They preach their
insufficient knowledge in the wrong way to the generation and it ultimately leads to
extremism. “When the generation read the curriculum of hatred, then they can’t write a
book on love” (Dr. Hamid-u-din)
 Trending mob culture in Pakistan: Mob culture has become very prominent in
Pakistan. People consider them superior to the law and try to solve issues brutally
without involving the law. This has given rise to extremism in Pakistan—a Sri Lankan
Priyantha Kumara murder episode in Sialkot in 2021, as reported by Al-Jazeera.

 Socio-economic issues in Pakistan. Social issues like poverty, unemployment,

health, illiteracy, and corruption are also some of the motives behind this rising dilemma
 of extremism in Pakistan. Due to these social problems, people have become intolerant,
and they try to go to extreme levels and try to get justice on their own without involving
the law. There has been a 20% rise in Suicidal attempts in Pakistan (IPRI)
 Way Forward under Islamic Teachings to Get Rid of Extremism:
 Proper education of Qur’an and Sunnah: The solution to every problem lies in
the teachings of Islam. So, proper education of the Qur’an and sunnah are the crunch
needs of the hour to get rid of extremism. By getting a deep knowledge of Islamic
teachings, we can end extremism in our society. As it is stated in Qur’an:
“Do not be extreme” (AL-QURAN)

 End of sectarianism: Sectarianism is the root cause of extremism in Pakistan which

has given rise to sentiments of hatred in Pakistan. Extremism can be eradicated in
Pakistan by ending sectarianism according to the teachings of Islam. As stated in
Qur’an by Allah Almighty: “Let’s tightly hold the rope of Allah Almighty” (AL-
QURAN)
“And do not be divided” (AL-QURAN)

 Moderation: an excellent solution to extremism. Islam has always negated

extremism by giving lessons of moderation in all aspects of life. The life of Holy Prophet
(PBUH) led a moderate life and always give a lesson on the right path and moderation
in his teachings and actions. He said: “The best work is of moderation”(AL-HADEES)
“Oh Muslims, don’t be Leftists” (Mawlana Shiekh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani)

 Promotion of tolerance and generosity: There is a core lesson of tolerance and

generosity in Islam for its followers. Muslims should be tolerant towards all other
Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan to eliminate extremism in Pakistan. As mentioned
in the Quran as “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (AL-QURAN) Another verse of
Holy Quran is: “You have your way, and I have my Way” (AL-QURAN) Similarly, the
teaching of Islam is: “And let him who will reject” (AL-QURAN)

 Muslim unity: A dire need of the hour. Islam has emphasized deeply on unity and
brotherhood among Muslims. A simple example of it is a brotherhood among Muslims at
the time of migration in Holy Prophet (SAWW) times. The order of Allah Almighty in this
regard is: “Surely the believers are none but brothers unto one another” (AL-QURAN)
“So, set things right between your brothers” (AL-QURAN)

 Negation of extremist content in curriculum and on social media: It is high time to

take steps at the local and national levels to end up extremism by erasing provocative
content from curriculum and social media and banning debaters to make such types of
speeches. As also described by Hafeez Taib: “Hum ko jadal ki raah dikhaty hn q
khateebDeen-e-Nabi to kehty hain deen Ashti ka hai” [Why debaters show us the path
of war and fighting, the religion of prophet (PBUH) is the religion of peace]

 Equality of all and justice: The basic teachings of Islam include justice and equality
of all irrespective of color, caste, creed, wealth, and any relation. This sense of equality
will help to root out extremist sentiments and frustration in the people of Pakistan.

 Rule of law and accountability. Rule of law and accountability are the major tools
to operate out inequality and injustice in Pakistan, which will control the rising extremism
in our state. Allah Almighty has warned about the rule of law and maintenance in Islamic
society:“And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation”(AL-QURAN)