I S L A M I S A T I O N


Introduction


The basic reason of the emergence of Pakistan was the Indian Muslims’ desire to
preserve and foster Islamic values. It is maintained the implicit in the demand for the
Pakistan the demand of an Islamic state. Pakistan ideology is based on the ideals of
Islam which means that Pakistan would be an Islamic state drawing its inspiration from
the principles of Holy Quran and the Sunnah. The people of Pakistan would have an
opportunity to live their lives according to their faith and creed based on Islamic
principle. They would have all resources at their disposal to enhance Islamic culture
and civilization because it was the sole purpose of demanding a separate homeland
for the Muslims of Indo-Pak.
 QUAID’S VIEWS

In his speech as governor-general, Quaid said, “It is my belief that our salvation
lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by our own great lawgiver,
the Prophet (PBUH). Let us lay the foundation of our democracy on the basis of
truly Islamic ideals and principles.”
Quaid-i-Azam’s views on future constitution of Pakistan are clearly given in the
following speech when he said, “Islam and its idealism has taught the Muslims
democracy. It has taught the equality of man; justice, fair play to everybody.
Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state. I am sure that the future constitution
of Pakistan would be democratic embodying the essential principles of Islam.”
 E F F O RT S TO I S L A M I Z E
PA K I S TA N

From the very beginning, our founding fathers tried their best to give an
Islamic constitution to the country. The first great step towards such
constitution was ‘Objective Resolution’. It was moved by the then PM,
Liaquat Ali Khan in the constituent assembly on 12th March 1949 and was
passed without any opposition. In this resolution God’s sovereignty was
recognized over whole universe. Principle of Islamic democracy, social
justice and rights of minorities were recognized as the guiding principles on
which the future constitution was to be based.
 ISLAMIC PROVISIONS OF 1956, 1962 AND 1973
CONSTITUTIONS

Seven years after the adoption of the Objective Resolution, Pakistan

was given its first constitution on 23 rd March 1956. The importance of
this constitution was that Objective Resolution was included in it as
preamble which gave an Islamic touch to the constitution. Besides,
Islamic provisions were continued in the directive principles of state
policy. Same was the case with two other constitutions adopted in 1962
and 1973. There were many Islamic provisions in all these constitutions
which designated the country as an Islamic state.

These provisions were: no law shall be passed in Pakistan which would be
repugnant to the teachings of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and the
Sunnah; existing laws shall be brought into conformity with such injunctions; an
advisory council of Islamic ideology should be established which would suggest
steps and means to the government to enable the Muslims of Pakistan to order
their lives in accordance with Holy Quran and Sunnah; President and PM
should be Muslim. In 1973 constitution, Islam was proclaimed state religion;
sovereignty of God was declared principle of Islamic democracy.
 W H Y T H E S E C O N S T I T U T I O N S FA I L E D T O
I S L A M I Z E PA K I S TA N ?

Though there were many Islamic provisions in these constitutions

but they were more in nature of an ideology, and there was no real
substance to make the political order a real Islamic one. For
example, Objective Resolution was in the preamble but the
preamble was never made a part of any constitution.
Political parties and their leaders were never serious towards the
process of Islamization, so they did not take any measures to make
the country a purely Islamic state.
 Due to conspiracies and imposition of various Martial Laws, the
constitutions and the institutions were never allowed to work freely
towards Islamization process.
Due to widespread illiteracy in the country most of the
population was not clear in their minds towards true Islamic
concepts and beliefs. It resulted in the lack of interest on the
part of the people towards Islamization.
R O L E O F U L E M A A N D R E L I G I O U S PA R T I E S

Though most of the Ulema opposed the creation of Pakistan but

after its independence they reconciled with the newly created state
and started their struggle to Islamize it. Their early efforts succeeded
when Objective Resolution (1949) included most of their demands. In
the meanwhile they presented their 22 points and pressurized
government to include them into upcoming constitution (1956). Many
of Islamic provisions were incorporated in the constitution but soon
Ayub Khan came into power and treated most of the religious parties
as anti-Pakistan.
He was more inclined towards west and wanted to westernize the
people. At first he didn’t include Islamic provisions in the draft constitution
but finally he had to surrender before the pressure of the religious parties
and incorporated their demands in 1962 constitution. In the following years,
Ulema’s rile was seized but they reasserted themselves when contested
1970 elections and entered the parliament for the first time. They formed
strong opposition against Bhutto’s government in National Assembly.
 B H U T T O WA S C O M P E L L E D T O A D O P T E D
FOLLOWING MEASURES:

Qadyanis were declared non-Muslims

Islam became state religion

Drinking was prohibited

Friday was declared as weekly holiday

 I S L A M I Z AT I O N U N D E R Z I A

The previous governments did not take any concrete steps to implement
Islam in the country. However, with the military rule of Zia, the process of
Nifaz-i-Nizam-i-Islam was started. He, on the recommendations of the Council
of Islamic Ideology, promulgated 5 ordinances on February 10, 1979 instituting
Islamic penalties (Hudood) theft, zina, false accusation of zina, robbery and
drinking. In this way, he tried to change the social and moral order of the
society, so as to bring it in the more conformity with the Holy Quran and
Sunnah.
Hudood laws were followed by Islamic Shariah Benches in every
High Court and Shariah Bench in the Supreme Court. These benches
were empowered to dispose of the cases under Hudood laws.
Besides, they could declare any law repugnant to the injunctions of
Islam. Later on the Federal Shariat Court was established as an
independent court on 26th May 1980. The jurisdiction of previous
Shariat Benches was conferred upon the new court. 5 judges and 3
Ulema became the members of the Federal Shariat Court.
In June 1980, the president issued another ordinance which imposed Zakat on
savings and Ushar on agricultural products. These Islamic taxes were imposed
to secure economic well-being of the poor and to help them become self-reliant.
In banking sector, interest had been eliminated from domestic transactions in
1981. However, in 1984-85, proft and loss sharing was introduced instead of
Riba.
 

To assist the process of Islamization, the government established a Law Commission
headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Council of Islamic Ideology to make
recommendations for bringing the laws into conformity with injunctions of Islam. On the
recommendations of these commissions, Zia issued Nizam-i-Risalat and Namus-i-
Sihaba ordinance, and made Islamic studies a compulsory subject up to graduation. He
also gave instructions to make arrangements for performing Salat in all offices.

Finally, Zia proclaimed ordinance of June 15, 1988 which declared Sharia as the
supreme law of the country with immediate effect.
 C R I T I C I S M O F Z I A’ S I S L A M I Z AT I O N

As Zia came into power through non-constitutional way so he was in need of support of
religious parties. He, therefore, used the name of Islam to prolong his rule. His Islamic
punishments were not practically implemented which resulted in lawlessness and many
other social evils.
His Islamization policy resulted in the divergence of Pakistani society on sectarian basis.
Since the influence of Ulema increased in government they misused it against the teachings
of other sects. As a result, Shia-Sunni riots took place in many cities of Sindh and Punjab.
His policies could not Islamize Pakistani society in true spirit. Hudood laws were greatly
resented by the women.
 I S L A M I Z AT I O N B Y N AWA Z S H A R I F
Holy Quran and Sunnah shall be the supreme law of the state.
The Federal Government shall be under obligation to take steps to enforce the
Shariah, establish Salat, administer Zakat, promote Amar Bil-Mahroof Wa Nahi
Anil-Munkar, eradicate corruption and provide justice according to Islamic
principles.
Nothing contained in this article shall affect personal laws, religious freedom,
traditions and customs of non-Muslims and their status of the citizens.
The provisions of this article shall have effect any law or judgment of any court.
 C R I T I C A L A N A LY S I S

For the first time Holy Quran and Sunnah shall be supreme law
of the land. In previous constitutions only provisions were given but
now the complete framework to Islamize the society was given.
This act accommodated different Muslim sects and non-Muslim
minorities by giving them full freedom in personal and religious
matters. In this way Pakistan shall not be a theocratic state but it
shall be raises above all racial, national and sectarian prejudices.
However, after implementing this act there will be still a need for greater care, as even
minor differences on religious issues can easily flaw up into major conflicts. 
Clause 2 of the article says that the government shall be under obligation to take steps to
enforce the Shariah. It is not certain whether this provision is mandatory or directory. In
other words, this provision neither gives any time frame within which the government must
fulfill these constitutional obligations nor are the consequences of its failure to do so spelled
out.
Article 3 assures that the act would not affect the interests of non-Muslims. At best, it is an
assurance of statuesque whole the government has not undertaken any obligation to do
anything positive for them.