A conspiracy to put the PM in controversy?

• Nexus book in the hands of Hafizs

Maulana Ruhul Amin Khan

The Hafizs who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Holy Quran Competition held in Saudi Arabia last August were accorded a reception on Thursday, September 17, in the Cabinet Division’s meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat. At the event, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman delivered a highly important and valuable speech to the prize-winning Hafizs and presented them with books as gifts. This was praised by people from all walks of life.

However, among the books presented as gifts was a book written by a homosexual author. The author is Yuval Harari, and the name of his book is Nexus. The issue has already sparked discussion and criticism. The book contains various historical and social examples related to LGBTQ issues and homosexuality. It is essential to ascertain who selected the books, which authority was responsible for the selection, and who arranged for the books to be handed over to the world champion Hafizs by the honourable Prime Minister himself.

This is because homosexuality is considered an extremely abhorrent, morally reprehensible and grave sin from the Islamic perspective. Very severe punishment is prescribed for it. The crime, known as the practice of the people of Sodom, was openly committed by sinners during the time of Prophet Lut (AS). Even after Prophet Lut made every possible effort, he failed to reform them; rather, the sinners continued to mock and ridicule him.

Then, according to the Islamic account, Allah became angry and, in the last part of one night, raised the area of Sodom high into the air, overturned it and cast it down, destroying it, while stones rained down upon it from all directions. The place is associated with what exists today as the Dead Sea. The water of this “sea of the dead” is so salty that no fish or even insects can survive there; it is even said that iron placed in it floats. The story is described in the Holy Quran. It is also mentioned in the Bible.

We are presenting some passages from the Holy Quran and history:

Prophet Lut (AS) was the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). He was raised under the care of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). After receiving prophethood, he devoted himself to guiding the people of Sodom. Sodom was a settlement located in the region of Jordan and Israel. It was destroyed by Allah’s punishment and became a lake, known as the Dead Sea. In Arabic, it is called “Bahr Lut”.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And We gave Lut wisdom and knowledge, and We delivered him from the city whose people were committing immoral deeds. Indeed, they were an evil and disobedient people.” (21:74)

“And We sent Lut as well. He said to his people: ‘Do you commit an obscenity such as no one in the world has committed before you? You lustfully approach men instead of women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.’” (7:80-81)

The people of Prophet Lut (AS), according to the article, engaged in sexual acts with young and handsome boys instead of women to satisfy their lustful desires.

Allah says that when their brother Lut said to them: “Will you not fear Allah? Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you. So fear Allah and obey me.

“Of all creation, you approach only men and abandon the wives whom your Lord has created for you. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.”

They replied: “O Lut, if you do not desist, you will surely be expelled.”

Lut said: “I detest what you do. O my Lord, save me and my family from what they do.” (26:161-169)

The time for Allah Almighty’s punishment drew near. Prophet Lut left the city at Allah’s command. His wife turned back on the way.

In the final part of the night, a terrifying sound was heard, which raised the settlement of Sodom and overturned it. Thus, Sodom and its people were wiped out forever. An uninterrupted rain of stones and pebbles then fell from the sky. (11:82-83, 15:65-76, 29:31-35)

Allah Almighty saved his family members, except his wife, and the believers from this terrible punishment. His wife was among the disbelievers, and therefore she too was destroyed.

As we mentioned earlier, who was involved in the process of presenting the book Nexus to the Hafiz students? Was this a carefully planned conspiracy to put the Prime Minister in controversy?