As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change.
ON SPETEMBER 19, 2009 in these columns of “merinews” this humble scribe had written an article : “Khuda Hafiz” against “Allah Hafiz.” Several comments in response were symptomatic of the roots of fundamentalism, obscurantism and fanaticism that has been the hallmark of Talebani Islam. I will give some excerpts of that article to relate it to the latest development taking place in enlightened circles of Muslim Society.
Let me remind the readers that the term Allah Hafiz or Khuda Hafiz are never used in Arab peninsula. It is a pure Moghul – Indian creation. Most of the readers would recollect the famous old song – “Guzra Hua Zamana aata naheen dubarah…Hafiz Khuda tumhara.” These were the most emotional parting words that were common since time immemorial in Urdu-Hindi speaking regions.
The first time Allah Hafiz was used in public was in 1985 by a famous TV host on PTV during the Zia era.
The Wahabbi schools took up the cudgels for the concept as Khuda is more a Persian word and could have some affinity to Iran. Allah Hafiz words have its roots in Pakistan as General Zia-ul Haq, a Wahabbi dictator, with the help of Gulf and American money started setting up mosque-schools in an attempt to pick the kids and softer brains and brain wash them with the heinous Takfiri ideology which approves the killing of innocents in the name of Jihad. This ideology, though originated in Saudi Arabia got easy disciple in poor Islamic countries.
This strain of faith, in a subtler form, is now becoming popular in Indian Muslims; and ‘Tableeghee Jamaat’ has emerged as an equal and opposite reaction to the ideologies propagated by RSS and other similar fanatical outfits. This Jamaat has played the leading in giving currency to this new Pakistan originated “Allah Hafiz” address.
They believed that once they had convinced Muslims to follow the faith by adorning a long beard and hijab, the words Khuda Hafiz would not seem appropriate coming out from the mouths of such Islamic-looking folks. They believed that Khuda can mean any God, whereas the Muslims’ God was Allah.
Some observers suggest that since many non-Muslims also use Khuda Hafiz so it is a cultural pollution. Much water has flown under the bridges of Chenab, Jhelum and Euphrates since then.
As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change. Fanaticism is known for its shrewd clandestine strategies and these appear in the subtlest forms.
