The Afghan government’s recent decision to mandate 20 rakats for Taraweeh prayer has sparked debate across sects. This article examines the impact of such a directive on unity, religious diversity, and mosque autonomy.
The Afghan interim government’s recent order, mandating a fixed number of 20 rakats for Taraweeh prayers, has sparked concern among different Islamic sects, particularly targeting Salafis and those who follow other schools of thought. While the specific number of rakats for Taraweeh prayer—whether 20, 8, or even 12—varies across different Islamic jurisprudential schools, this decision appears to lack sensitivity towards the diversity of practice within the Muslim ummah.
Jurisprudential Differences and Respect for Diversity
In Islamic jurisprudence, the number of rakats performed during Taraweeh is a subject of scholarly interpretation. The differences in practices among various sects, such as the Salafi, Deobandi, Hanafi, Maliki, and others, have existed for centuries. These differences are based on the opinions of respected scholars and the traditions they follow. Some communities follow 20 rakats, while others perform 8 or 12, and all of these opinions are valid within their respective legal schools.
The Salaf al-Salih (the early generations of Muslims) did not impose a rigid, uniform number for Taraweeh, understanding that the essence of prayer and worship lies in the devotion to Allah, not in the exact number of rakats. Their approach was to respect the diversity of practices among different communities and schools of thought, always prioritizing unity over division.
Impact of the Order on the Afghan Muslim Community
Imposing a fixed number of rakats through government mandate risks deepening sectarian divides. It not only targets Salafis but also disregards the practices of their own sect-Deobandi sect, which view the 20 rakats as mandatory, but not allow to make it a compulsion. This decision could undermine the spirit of unity in Afghanistan, where different sects have coexisted peacefully for centuries.
A similar situation is seen in other countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where respect for different sects is maintained in mosque practices. In Saudi Arabia, for example, while 20 rakats are performed in the Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) recognizing that different groups follow different traditions, other mosques across the country perform 8 rakats. Similarly, in Indonesia and Malaysia, Taraweeh practices may not vary, but the mosques respect these differences although it imposes a singular, government-mandated practice.
The Role of Mosque Administration: Auqaf vs. Private Mosques
One of the key differences between countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India on the one hand, and countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia on the other, is the structure of mosque administration. In many countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and others, mosques and madrasas are under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (Auqaf), which provides a centralized and unified system of management. This allows for a coordinated approach to religious practices, including Taraweeh.
In contrast, in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, mosques are often privately run, with only a nominal registration under government auspices. In such cases, religious institutions are free to set their own policies, which can lead to differing practices across mosques. The Afghan government, by imposing such a decision without a uniform religious infrastructure like Auqaf, risks infringing on the autonomy of local mosques and the religious freedom of individuals.
Also See: Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Divergent Approaches to Hudood Laws
The Way Forward: Respect for Sectarian Diversity
For Afghanistan to foster a truly inclusive and respectful environment for all Muslims, the government must take a more nuanced approach. Rather than imposing uniformity, the government should ensure that religious freedom is respected and that differences in worship practices are accommodated. This could be achieved by:
- Encouraging Dialogue: Creating platforms for scholars from different schools of thought to engage in respectful dialogue about differences in practices, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
- Centralized Religious Oversight: Establishing a system similar to the Auqaf in other countries, where mosques and madrasas are under a unified management system that can promote coordination without compromising the diversity of religious practices.
- Protecting Religious Freedom: Ensuring that individual mosques have the autonomy to decide on their practices, in line with the traditions of their community, while maintaining respect for the wider Islamic ethos.
- Non-Interference in Worship Practices: Recognizing that Taraweeh prayer, like other acts of worship, is a matter of personal devotion, and should not be subject to government regulation unless there are clear concerns of public safety or communal harmony.
The Afghan government’s recent order on Taraweeh rakats is a step that seems to go against the tradition of respecting diversity within the Muslim ummah. Instead of enforcing rigid practices, it would be far more beneficial for the Afghan government to follow the example of other Muslim-majority countries that respect different sects while fostering unity. Only through understanding, tolerance, and respect for the diverse ways in which Muslims worship can Afghanistan move forward in a way that truly embodies the spirit of the Salaf al-Salih: unity amidst diversity.
