“There is no place for violence”

Muslim cleric Hyder Aga keeps working towards peace and communal harmony

“If you are in the midst of namaz and come to know of a non- believer drowning you can leave the prayer and save him,” these are the words that Dr Syed Nisar Hussain also famously known as Hyder Aga while speaking to a group who had come to see him at the Imambada (a place where namaz and Majlis is held) in Noor Khan Bazaar.

Hyder Aga, 40, is the ninth generation descendant and is carrying forward the legacy of his forefathers who came to Hyderabad from Astarabad in Iran about 400 years ago. Propagating the tenets of Islam and giving advice to the community on various aspects such as marriage, divorce, good manners and leading a pious life is what is his mission in life.

A PhD in Islamic Economics from Allahabad University, he also studied in Iran for five years and was conferred the title ‘Hujjat al Islam- meaning ‘authority on Islam’. When asked how his stay in Iran helped, he says, “It was an enriching experience as we had to learn, unlearn and relearn many things. We were exposed to Ethics, Philosophy and Islam.” He had to write 64 exams before receiving the title.

A firm believer of positive change in behaviour, he makes sure to lace his sermons with love and harmony. Recalling an incident that took place two years ago during the annual Bibi-ka-Alam procession when timely intervention helped in stopping a rift, he says, “We just asked one question. What would you fetch by fighting? Why are we here for? Changing the mindset of people and reasoning is needed.” In the same breath he added, “South Indians are emotional.”

On the stereotyping of Muslims he says it is the handiwork of the West. The Quran says: If you kill one innocent human being it is equal to killing humanity. There is no place for violence. Islam did not emerge to be spread by the sword. It came for change in human behaviour.” The word ‘Akhlaq’ meaning-morals, nature and ethics keeps occurring time and again in his discourse, whether addressing a small group of people or a huge congregation of thousands. In a world that is torn by strife, people like Hyder Aga and his father Syed Gulam Hussain Raza Aga do their bit by propagating peace.

-T P V