Two Islamic countries, by proxy, are engaged in a bloody war, in a third Islamic country. Each believes, they are righteous and on the side of fairness. Political illusions are best deceptions for the rulers, who tame their masses, with incredible use of coercive might - physical might, only. Intellectually, such leaders are mostly suffering from absolute bankruptcy. Their pygmy mindset and status deceive them to believe, they are Goliaths. Timidity is their hidden characteristic, marked by falsehood of worldly glory. On occasion, where there is dispute between Believers, we are exhorted, "if two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them; but if any transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies in the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair; for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). (Al - Hujurat - 49:9)."

The fair, just and legitimate interest is the core principle in Islam for resolution between warring parties, within its folds. And the principle does so without dis-connecting spiritual from worldly matters. This core principle was lacking in the League of Nations and hence it failed; we are today witness to the decline and fall of the United Nations, for the same reason.... Will the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) too, fail is a question that nags a be-fogged and numbed mind of ordinary Muslims.

The inherent humanness in mankind is silenced by war. Only recently, I had the misfortune of watching a BBC documentary, on the prevailing crises in Yemen. A country that in the last two years has been ravaged by a war, that it does not want on its soil. The savagery applied in war, has not been absent at all. In fact, we witness through TV networks, globally, its ruthless application on innocent men, women and children. The Houti rebels, backed by an Islamic state and the Yemen's government (sacked) backed by another Islamic state, are rendering to shreds, the core Islamic principle of single brotherhood. In the mind and attitude of all the three stakeholders, politics and insatiable lust for power dominates their leadership's mind, leading to the undeclared renunciation of the concept of Muslim brotherhood.

Thanks to the BBC documentary that it brought to fore for global viewers the pain and misery of the Yemini nation. What the 'Civilized World' would do will only be seen in future actions, to stop this fruitless and crazy war.

The documentary was shocking and nauseating - pictures of jawless infant, limbless child, tubes of all sorts running through their entire bodies, their crying and wailing sounds of pain. The sight of malnutrition, under-fed infants, alongside helpless mothers, distraught fathers; the orphaned and the unnamed infant were sights that could (should) have rent asundered the human heart. Why did the heavens not fall? Why did the earth not crack up? Why the oceans did not swell to drown the entire humanity?; at this horridly tormenting sights and pictures; I wondered in pain, anguish and misery. Such savagery inflicted by one human soul upon the other!

These are reports suggesting that about 500,000 children will die in the next twelve months or so if not attended with proper medical care and attention. Which human with a beating heart would have these pictures for a breakfast meal! The nausea was justified. Old, senile and arrogant put their youths to death because of their quarrels. The war is not between youth - men, women or children. The most tender and beautiful flowers are being mauled and killed with brutality. Is this reflection of humanity?

The religion all the three countries in question profess, are bound by the Holy Quranic injunction, "The Believers are but a single brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah that ye may receive Mercy (Al-Hujurat: - 49:10). This greatest social ideal was emphasized most by our noble and beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his last sermon.

War is the consequence of the vulgarity of the human mind. Senseless politicians take their countries to military adventurism and gain nothing. Each victory is embedded in the corpses of the youth. And every defeat builds, new cemeteries. Hate, this victory; for it is in effect defeat of the human nobility.

King Baudouin - I of Belgium addressing US Congress in 1959 had said, "Youth (read men, women, and children instead) is the first victim of war; the first fruit of peace. It takes twenty years or more of peace to make a man; it takes only twenty second of war to destroy him". "To call war the soul of courage and virtue is like calling debauchery the soil of love'. Said FDR, "I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mother and wives. I hate war".

Recently, Yemen has been blockaded - all air and sea routes, blocked. This would lead to famine, outbreak of illness of all types. Why should the innocent suffer? Remove the blockade. Do people (leaders) not fear Divine Retribution, anymore? Nature will take its course of justice and fairness. Fear that day. How many more innocent infants, children and youth, will the Muslim Ummah, watch with sullen silence being put to death? Stop the war. Make peace.

(The author is a freelance contributor and banker)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017