It is often believed that religion (Islam) has been an essential part of a Pashtun’s life. Some scholars think that Islam and Pashtunwali cannot be separated in the sense that for a man to be a pathan, he must be a Muslim. Every sphere of life and code of Pashtunwali (a combination of codes, cultural values, and customs under which Pashtuns live) are somehow guided by Islam in one way or another. Islamic teachings and practices are duly and visibly practiced in the Pashtun belt. Nawid, a historian, aptly analyzed that “the Pashtun code of ethics (pashtunwali) held sway side by side with the shari‘a. In this context, the Pashtuns identified Islam with Pashtunism.”

However, interestingly, there are certain points where there exists friction between the two. Many of the Pashtuns may compromise Islamic values, but they will never compromise Pashtunwali. There is a famous saying that “Pashtuns accept half of the Quran.” Multiple elements of Pashtunwali conflict with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. They included demand of money........

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