Opinion: A Muslim's thoughts on the Hadiya case

Hadiya has spent almost 11 months in unwanted and hostile custody, being persecuted for her faith.

The story of Hadiya and the bizarre events that transpired in the Supreme Court today left me teary eyed and ashamed of myself. For the unaware, Hadiya is a 24-year-old woman and a graduate in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery. She converted to Islam four years ago and then married one Mr. Shafin Jahan on 19th December, 2016. Her parents oppose the conversion (and the marriage) saying that she has been a victim of indoctrination and allurement by religious fundamentalists and have gone to the extent of calling her mentally unstable. The case has received extensive national media coverage being mischievously dubbed as the ‘Love-Jihad case’ and the BJP Government has also joined the bandwagon with its dirty communal politics.

One can only imagine the plight of Hadiya as she lives under constant pressure from the media, her parents and the investigating agencies (Including one of the most equipped agency of India (Nikah Investigation agency)). Despite being under so much pressure, Hadiya bravely made this statement to the media before reaching Kochi Airport – “I am a Muslim. I have embraced Islam of my own free will. Nobody has compelled me to become a Muslim. I want justice. I want to live with my husband.”

She also stood her ground in a public hearing and firmly responded to all questions put to her by the Supreme Court.

Her ordeal reminded me of the story of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) whose mother threatened to kill herself when he embraced Islam. Sa’d’s (RA) reply was spine-chilling and gives us an idea of the greatness of the Imaan of the Sahabas. He (RA) said, “O my mother! In spite of my strong love for you, my love for Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW) is indeed stronger. By Allah, if you had a thousand souls and one soul after another were to depart, I would not abandon my religion for anything.” (This was referenced in the Quranic verse 31:14–15)

Hadiya’s story is a reflection of the trying times that are looming over us in the coming future. It reminds us of the enormous difficulties the Prophet(SAW) and Sahabas (RA) endured in the Meccan era to protect and lay the foundations of Islam. It is extremely necessary for us to protect and strengthen our Imaan a great deal if we are to endure the horrifying times that are to come.

To me, Hadiya’s story is also a realization of how dismissive I have been of Allah’s (SWT) mercy on me. After reading about today, I thanked Allah (SWT) for making me a Muslim and giving me birth in a Muslim family. I am guilty of shutting my eyes to having been spoon-fed this beautiful gift of Islam and the privilege of not having to fight against the world for it. The resoluteness of Hadiya’s Imaan despite having converted just 4 years ago and under so much pressure made me ashamed of the despicable state of my Imaan and how complacent and thankless I have been all my life. I pray that Allah (SWT) ease the situation for Hadiya and grant her success in this life and the Hereafter.

“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Quran 46:15)