An Urdu-language pamphlet distributed January 7, 2012 in several areas of North Waziristan, a terrorist safe haven in the Pakistani border region, by a suspected militant group has warned the local people against selling and viewing films about the lives of the companions of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
The pamphlet, printed on plain paper, carries no emblem or name of a militant group. The residents, however, believe that the pamphlet has been issued by one of the militant groups in the tribal region.
It urges the people to stop the sale, purchase, and viewing of the movies on the lives of Sahaba Karam (the Prophet's Companions) because the actors playing these Islamic figures are "infidels" and therefore these films are forbidden in Islam.
"Islam Directs a Woman to Cover Her Body [With a Veil]; Could It Be That a Woman Who Wages Jihad and Sacrifices Her Life to Seek the Pleasure of Allah Would Not Be Veiled?"
The pamphlet also urges people not to carry a photo of a girl that is being sold in the Pakistani tribal region in the popular belief that she was a suicide bomber and therefore is a heroine of the Muslim Ummah. It warns that the photo is a fake: "Islam directs a woman to cover her body [with a veil]. Could it be that a woman who wages jihad and sacrifices her life to seek the pleasure of Allah would not be veiled?"
The photo is selling like hotcakes in major Pakistani towns. Rickshaw and cab drivers, and shop owners, display it as a symbol of courage. The people believe that the girl was a fidai (suicide bomber) and carried out a suicide attack on NATO forces in Afghanistan; however, no one knows who she really is.
Following is the translation of the pamphlet:
"Films on the Lives of Sahaba Karam (Companions of the Prophet Muhammad)
"Allah Almighty has chosen the personalities like the Sahaba [companions] as companions of Nabi [Prophet Muhammad], peace be upon him, and expressed his trust on them. Ahle Sunnat believed that after the prophets, the Sahaba are the most pious individuals, and nobody can match even the dust of their feet.
"It came to notice that for some time films on the lives of the Sahaba (May Allah bless them) are being sold, and are also being screened by various juice stalls and hotels. Filthy infidels play the roles of Syed Shuhada Hazrat Hamza, Hazrat Bilal and other Sahaba in these films.
"Muslims must be aware that all such types of films are either made by Iranian or American Shi'ites or by American and European Christians and Jews – with their objective being to create doubts against Islam, to blaspheme the Sahaba Karam, and to dispel their honor from the hearts of Muslims.
"The Ulema Karam [Islamic religious scholars] have already issued fatwas [religious decrees] stating that viewing such films is Haram [forbidden by Islam]. Therefore, all Muslims must ban the sale and purchase of such CDs, and destroy them.
"Allah says in the Holy Koran: 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against unbelievers (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and His good pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. The same characteristics are [mentioned] in the Torah; and the same characteristics are [mentioned] in the Gospel, as if they are like a field which first grew seed from the soil, then made it strong, and then it stood n its own stem, (Chapter Al-Hijrat, Verse No. 29)[1]
"The Prophet Muhammad said: Do not speak ill of my companions because any one amongst you who spent gold worth a mountain in the way of Allah will not match even one kilogram, or even half-kilogram, of gold so spent by a Sahabi in the way of Allah. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
"As such, be careful about the pictures being sold in the name of a woman fidai [suicide bomber] in bazaars, and which transporters have placed on their vehicles, because there is no such girl who has carried out a martyrdom attack [on NATO forces or elsewhere]. This is a [fake] picture of an Arab actress, and not of a Fidai.
"Islam directs a woman to cover her body [with a veil]. Could it be that a woman who wages jihad and sacrifices her life to seek the pleasure of Allah will not be veiled? This is Satan, who spreads vulgarity and obscenity.
"So stop the sellers and those who display such pictures. Islam has forbidden [drawings and] pictures as Haram, and if it is also of a vulgar woman, then it is more sinful.
"We pray to Allah Almighty to protect us from all mischief and help us in defeating the infidel forces in war against Islam. (Amen)"
Endnote:
[1] Although the pamphlet cites the source for this verse as Chapter Al-Hijrat, Verse No. 29, the actual source for this verse is Chapter Al-Fatah, Verse No. 29, with a slight variation of the words.
