Karachi, May 7 : An Islamic cleric in Pakistan has demanded that the ‘fatwa’ issued by the mufti of the Darul Uloom Deoband (in India’s Uttar Pradesh), which cautioned Indian Muslims to be wary of Hindus’ feelings while slaughtering cows, be withdrawn immediately.

He said that eating cow meat was legal according to the Shariat, and that such fatwas by Muslim clerics in India would “encourage Hindu beliefs”, and the next generations of the Muslims in India will be involved in Hindu beliefs.

A few days ago, the mufti of the Darul Uloom Deoband (DUD), Mufti Habibur Rehman, had said that Indian Muslims should take care when slaughtering the cow, which is considered sacred by Hindus. He also pointed out that the slaughter of the cow was prohibited under Indian law, and hence it was not correct to eat cow meat secretly.

In response, the head of Darul Ifta wa Al-Qazzath of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JD) Pakistan, Mufti Abdul Rehman Al Rehmani, said that the “fatwa” should be withdrawn immediately and justified. “The fatwa encourages Hindu beliefs,” the Daily Times quoted Al Rehmani as saying.

Al Rehmani claimed that Rehman’s “fatwa” was wrong because according to Islamic education the cow was a major cause of idolism and polytheism. “And if Mufti Habibur Rehman tells Indian Muslims to comply with Indian law, then the coming generations of Muslims in India will be involved in Hindu beliefs,” said Rehmani.

Al Rehmani argues that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) preached Islamic teachings secretly and was not deterred that the Quraish of Makkah did not want the religion to spread. Describing India as the largest democratic and secular country of the world, he said, “if the democratic state’s minorities fear following their religion, then the peace of the whole world will be in great danger.”

He also argued that the “fatwa” is against the Shariyat as the meat of cow is Halal and it cannot be declared Haram. (ANI)