Question:
Patriots view the country they live in as both a mother and a deity. But is it the Islamic path to look at Bharat Mata in a naked form?
Answer:
First of all, regarding patriotism, we have no disagreement about loving the country. What is the measure of patriotism? If someone comes to destroy this country — suppose Pakistan attacks — we will stand in the very first line to oppose that attack. Understand this clearly. We will not look at whether someone is Muslim or not. This is our country. If anyone invades our country or tries to occupy it, we are ready to protect this nation even by sacrificing our lives.
That is what real patriotism means — protecting the nation. Similarly, we must do everything that brings benefit to the country. We must never betray the nation or leak its secrets. If betrayal of the nation is the measure, then in the list of people who betrayed the nation you will not find Muslims historically.
In fact, there have been cases where non-Muslims were bribed by Pakistan and used to pass national secrets. Such acts are truly anti-national. When the British ruled this country and enslaved it, who contributed the most to the struggle to drive them out? Even historians acknowledge that Muslims contributed more than their proportion to the freedom struggle. The writer Khushwant Singh once wrote in Illustrated Weekly that Muslims contributed more than their population share during British rule. Why did Muslims sacrifice so much? Because this was our country and we would not surrender it to outsiders. That is patriotism.
But what some people now demand is something different. They say the nation itself must be worshipped as a deity. That is not part of our belief. Why should we consider the nation as a deity? What exactly is the nation? Is it merely soil? The nation is not just soil. The nation is the political system and constitution that we have collectively created.
The Constitution of India is the document agreed upon by Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and people of all communities. Respecting that Constitution and obeying its laws is what true patriotism means. If you say the soil itself must be worshipped as a deity that does not make sense. If the soil is a deity, can we step on it? Can we walk on it? Can we perform ordinary activities on it? Obviously, people do all those things. So, saying the soil itself is divine is only symbolic talk; nobody literally treats it as a deity.
A nation is not soil; a nation is its constitution, its principles, and its laws. If someone threatens the nation or tries to seize it, we will defend it just as we defend our own homes. If someone tries to seize your house, you will resist because it belongs to you. The nation is the same — we will defend it.
Then they show a picture called “Bharat Mata.” This is a completely imaginary figure. Does a real woman named Bharat Mata exist? Someone drew a picture of a woman and said, “This represents the mother of the nation.” But the actual nation is the geographical map of India, not that imaginary figure. Because people might say, “You are stepping on the map,” someone created this symbolic woman figure instead. But how can we accept an imaginary drawing made by someone as a deity to be worshipped?
We worship none but Allahﷻ. Even our own mother, whom we respect deeply, we do not worship as a deity. A deity is the Creator who made us and who possesses ultimate power. We worship only Him. So asking why Muslims do not worship Bharat Mata is itself a misunderstanding. There is no historical person called Bharat Mata. In which year did she live? Where did she live? None of that exists.
It is simply a symbolic idea people created. Even the borders of the nation have changed throughout history. During British rule, Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of India. After independence they separated. Tomorrow, if territories merge or separate again, the borders may change. But the constitution and the laws are what define the nation.
Therefore, respecting those laws and protecting the nation from enemies is the real measure of patriotism. Muslims follow the same laws as everyone else. Hindus and Muslims are both citizens under the same legal system. The problem is that some people violate the law and still claim to be patriotic simply by shouting slogans.
Then they ask another question: why do Muslims refuse to look at Bharat Mata when she is depicted in a naked form? In reality, Muslims are not looking at such things at all. They are simply refusing to accept an imaginary symbol as an object of worship. If someone asks us to worship a figure they invented, naturally we will refuse. That refusal does not mean we hate the nation. It simply means we reject an invented religious symbol.
They also say we should chant “Vande Mataram.” What does that phrase mean? It literally means “I bow down to the motherland.” Can we worship the soil? If we treat the soil as divine, it must possess divine power. But the soil does not respond when people step on it, urinate on it, or treat it in ordinary ways. Worship should be directed only to something with divine authority.
Some poets interpret the phrase “Vande Mataram” as “I worship Mother India.” But Islam teaches us to worship only the one Almighty God. If others wish to treat the soil symbolically as sacred, that is their choice according to their religious beliefs. But Muslims cannot worship anything other than God.
If Muslims start worshipping soil or idols along with God, then they would no longer remain Muslims. The Indian Constitution itself says people of all religions have the freedom to follow their beliefs. So, forcing Muslims to worship something against their belief would contradict that principle. Our refusal does not mean we oppose the nation. Have we ever betrayed the country? Have we acted against its welfare? No. That should be understood clearly.