Opinion | A Review of “What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind?

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, the Khusro Foundation released a unique book which unveils the dark secrets of propaganda that has been insidiously seeping into Indian society, “What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind?,  launched by eminent author and journalist, former minister of state for external affairs Mr. M. J. Akbar.
It is a book urgently needed for the signs of our times in the backdrop of the fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband which propagates the Ghazwa-e-Hind apocalyptic prophecy which brings forth the view that Islamic forces will invade and conquer India before they overtake the world.
This fake prophecy has set grounds for panic not only in India but around the world, doing irreparable damage to Islam as a religion, spurring reactions and reactionary measures from others.
“What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind?” is curated and edited by Dr. Hafeezur Rahman who is a seasoned Islamic scholar, convenor of the Khusro Foundation and eloquent public speaker.  The book features a series of eight meticulously researched essays by esteemed scholars challenging the fear-inducing narratives surrounding Ghazwa-e-Hind, shedding light on its complexities and dispelling misconceptions that have permeated society.
Written in three languages English, Hindi and Urdu, the book takes the reader through its eight essays that condemn any future prophecy of Ghazwa in Islamic eschatology, exposing its fallacies and hidden agendas, driven by ambitious Islamic politicians and radical scholars in Pakistan aiming to divide and weaken India specifically picking out ignorant Muslim youth as their vehicles to engineer their propaganda.
Renowned scholars such as Maulana Zakwan Nadwi and Mohammad Farooq Khan, A. Faizur Rahman, Dr. Waris Mazhari, Mufti Mohammad Athar Shamsi, Maulana Dr. Kalbe Rushaid Rizvi, Abdul Moid Azhari, Dr Hafeezur Rahman and Dr. Ruchika Arora all highlight how the Hadith’s teachings always pass through strict tests to pass their authenticity and spotlight how the early traces of the Ghazwa-e-Hind doctrine go back to only half a century ago with the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Shortly thereafter, the Pakistani leadership vigorously pursued the agenda of Ghazwa-e-Hind.
The final words of the Koran have been sealed with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and no new prophecies can be added to this.  In his essay “Debunking Ghazwa Hind Propaganda,” Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, an Islamic scholar, highlights a crucial point regarding Ghazwa. He notes that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) personally participated in wars termed Ghazwa during his lifetime, while those in which he did not participate are known as Shiraya wars. Therefore, the prediction of the Ghazwa wars in the future is deemed illogical since the Prophet is not present. Additionally, not every Ghazwa entails a war of swords as seen in the two wars during the Prophet’s life, Ghazwa Khandaq and Ghazwa Tabuk, both conducted without resorting to violence, killing, or the use of swords or other weapons.
Engineer A. Faizur Rahman, an independent researcher based in Chennai holding a Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies, delves into the contentious concept of Ghazwa-e-Hind, a term that has sparked debate among both Hindus and Muslims. Rahman identifies it as ‘the ideological goal of Al Qaeda,’ warning of the terrorist network’s increasing influence within India and its efforts to incite a final war across the country. The essay cautions that not only Kashmiri groups, but also Taliban and Al Qaeda factions, have vested interests in the broader scheme of Ghazwa-e-Hind, viewing India as the next battleground in an apocalyptic battle. This misguided ideology is likely to drive Taliban and Al Qaeda affiliates into Kashmir and the recent interpretations of Hadiths regarding Ghazwa-e-Hind have militant groups misinterpreting them to justify violence in Kashmir.
In the book, as the scholars importantly point out, some Hadiths undergo authentication tests and are classified as weak, especially when their narratives don’t conform to current geopolitical realities. It’s crucial to recognize that only a legitimate Islamic authority can declare Jihad, and initiating warfare against a state goes against Islamic principles. Additionally, various prophetic interpretations involving Gog and Magog, the Antichrist, and Abu Huraira’s wish to meet Jesus Christ in Syria seem unlikely for several reasons. With rapidly evolving geopolitical landscapes and changing nation names, such interpretations face challenges in their applicability.
Dr. Waris Mazhari calls it a deceitful instrument used by Pakistan to promote terrorism against India and also points out that the majority of Islamic scholars within Pakistan out-rightly denounce the Ghazwa-e-Hind philosophy as anti-Islamic that stands diagonally opposite to the fundamental Islamic beliefs/  In another part of the essay he writes, “The Holy Quran specifically mentions that Islamic dominance implies ideological and spiritual dominance and certainly not the political one.  (Chapter 61, Verse: 9)”.
Mufti MohammadAthar Shamsi writes that the authenticity of the Hadith shall be checked in the paradigm of the Holy Koran and according to the Koran, this Hadith does not coincide with the teachings of the Koran.
Abdul Moid Azhari is an Islamic scholar and Urdu and Hindi Columnist writes, “During my fairly long stay at the world-renowned Islamic seminary University of Azhar at Cairo in Egypt I have never come across, even for once, the tradition of Ghazwa-e-Hind. Neither my teachers, my class fellows nor any other Islamic scholar ever referred to this Hadith. This narrative is of recent origin with epicentre in the neighbouring country.”
Dr. Ruchika Arora, a PhD in Islamic Architecture from England writes in her essay that the Ghazwa-e-Hind doctrine is not endorsed by mainstream Islamic scholars and is considered anti-Islamic by many where the Arabic word “Ghazwa” is mistranslated and misconceived as eventual Muslim dominance of the Indian state.
“What is The Reality of Ghazwa-E-Hind? intellectually and eruditely uncovers the mischievous aim of the Ghazwa-e-Hind prophecy, precisely digging into the roots of its origins, traced to some factions in Pakistan to cause irreparable damage to the Indian Subcontinent with a mission not only to break the peace but also prosperity of India and the surrounding nations.
This book keeps you spellbound with its dynamic accurate information, pinpointing scenarios unheard of before, and will shatter misconceptions and play a significant role in guiding individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and professions—including youth, elders, and people from diverse communities and the media. It will also pour more light into those within the Muslim community, in forming accurate opinions while dispelling the myth of Ghazwa-e-Hind.
It is a book no one should miss reading and a must-have addition to your bookshelf!
Rita Farhat Mukand is an independent writer.