Inequality and tradition of surnames in Pashtun society: An exploratory review in the context of Islamic teachings

Abstract

According to Islamic teachings, human beings are the offspring of Adam and Eve (Peace be Upon Them) and all are equal in the sight of Allah and they don’t have any superiority over each other based on colour, race, language or worldly resources. When Muslims came to the subcontinent in the eighth century AD, they also brought with them the same concept of human equality in Islam. Hinduism was the predominant religion in the subcontinent at that time and the caste system was fully prevalent among them. Indian society was divided into four classes and these four classes came into being due to the performance of various worldly affairs.

Unfortunately, due to association with and a life spent with Hindus, sectarianism gradually spread among Muslims as well and later on people belonging to different trades and professions were looked down upon and the teachings of human equality given by Islam were forgotten. Pashtun society could not safeguard themselves from class differences because in Pashtun society people were already divided into different classes because of their professions.

This research article focuses on the same inequality that has arisen in Pashtun society and the tradition of nicknames in the context of Islamic teachings and what the distorted stories and perceptions about people belonging to different trades and professions in Pashtun society. And what are the teachings of Islam about this?