PROF. JAMIL FAROOQUI delves deep into the challenges the modern man has been facing and how Muslims, especially Daees, can help resolve them.
It is generally observed that the present time is exceptionally challenging for Muslims. Various problems of complex nature have emerged and require valid and adequate solutions. Muslims have not adopted any effective strategy to present the solutions of these problems; instead, they are repeating the old stand that these problems are due to not following their past, which is the best solution of the present crises. The modern world is not impressed by this attitude and thus not attracted towards Muslims and keeps them at a distance. This situation is itself challenging, and Muslim intellectuals and thinkers should seriously think about that.
IS PRESENT TIME IMMENSELY CHALLENGING?
Modern Muslim intellectuals consider the present time exceptionally more challenging than that in the past, perhaps because of two reasons. First, the situation of the world has changed from that in the time of the Prophet and his companions. It may be due to the development of knowledge, particularly of the material world, technology, especially information technology, means of communication, new and effective economic and political strategies adopted by dominant nations.
Secondly, Muslims no longer remain an attraction for humanity because they do not involve in nor express concern for the problems of humanity; instead, they talk of moral and ethical principles related to religious rites which humans have to follow. If we glance at the history of human civilization, we find that every time is challenging for a person or group that embraces righteousness, virtues and the right ideology, leads life accordingly and invites people towards that.
All prophets of God faced similar challenges. People of the time were against them, created hindrance in their way, considered them different men not interested in the immediate benefits and welfare of the people. The last prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) also faced tremendous opposition. People wanted even to kill him, forcing him to migrate from Makkah to Medina. But he did not yield to the existing traditions, thinking and personal benefits of the people and continued to invite people towards the right path, the path the Lord of the world had revealed to him.
In the modern age, philosophers, thinkers and reformers also faced challenges albeit not to that extent. Abu Ala Maudoodi faced opposition from religious scholars as well as from society and death punishment was imposed on him though for a short duration. The reason was that he presented his own views about Islam and interpreted the revelation according to his method and initiated a reformative movement to implement the Islamic system in human life.
MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE MUSLIM MIND
Muslim intellectuals influenced by the socio-economic and scientific developments of the modern world think that Muslims cannot meet the challenges of the contemporary world by reviving their glorious past. According to them, there is growing suspicion about Islam and Muslims in the modern world, especially in the West, that they are not relevant to the problems of modern man. This is the reason that the modern world, particularly the West, avoids them and keeps them at a distance.
There is another problem linked to this issue. Many Muslim intellectuals and thinkers who live in the West think that while undertaking Islamic Dawah Muslims talk about Islamic teachings and the Revelation, which does not create good impact on non-Muslims of the West. Instead, they think, they should talk of humanity, human problems, human rights, human freedom and women’s empowerment, which are the burning and attractive issues in the West. They also refer to the same Ayah of the Qur’ān (16:125) wherein it is said that we should invite people to the right path with wisdom and beauty. However, the question is whether or not we should talk of our glorious past.
When we talk of our glorious past, we refer to the society at the times of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. The reasons are that Islam was implemented in its true sense and spirit in all spheres of life, including economy, politics and society. People, including non-Muslims, were happy, felt contented and lived in peace, harmony and tranquillity with others. Justice and equality were maintained. Welfare and prosperity of people were given due preference. Persons of good character and high moral standard were given administrative posts. The head of the state was concerned about the people’s needs and problems and tried his level best to get them resolved. Everybody could question the validity and policy of the state even in public. In a nutshell, that was the best system of governance and best society in human history as no system and no society how much developed and technologically advanced, can be at par with them.
Secondly, it is generally said that Islamic ideology is not practical; it is very difficult to implement and follow. We want to show that it is practical and can be implemented in every walk of life. History bears witness that our leaders committed to the ideology implemented it and delivered maximum goodness to humanity.
Thirdly, we want to impress upon human beings that the Prophet’s acts in peace as well as at times of war and his entire life are the best examples and illustrations of righteous, virtuous, altruistic, systematic, methodical way of doing and living in the world and in the best interest of humanity. They are in fact epitome of good life. The Qur’ān categorically affirms it:
“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day. And who engages much in the praise of Allah.” (33:21)
The growing suspicion about Muslims in the modern world and keeping them at a distance is not due to the fact that Muslims talk about basic tenets of Islam and the glorious past but due to the fact that there is vast difference between the sayings and the doings of Muslims. There are over 55 countries where Muslims are in power but none of them implements the Islamic system in its true sense. Heads of these states adopt modern system of governance and that too is twisted for their own benefit. They are only interested in remaining firm in the saddle, whatever the price socially and ideologically they have to pay. They are least concerned about people’s needs and welfare. No justice, no equality, no social security, no medical facility, no unemployment allowance are given to people. Instead, they promote local and national feelings based on race and region among the masses and divide them accordingly. High positions are given not on the basis of merit and good character but on closeness to the power. Administrators consider themselves masters, not servants of the people. No one criticises the government; if one dares, he/she has to face the wrath of the government. Intellectuals are mostly yes-men of the authorities. People’s standard of living is poor. A section of Muslim intellectuals thinks that it can prosper if it adopts the Western pattern of life but unfortunately it adopts the negative traits that further create contradictions and problems. People who talk of Islam do not manifest exemplary Islamic behaviour within the family with their offspring and wives as well as outside the family with members of society. Neither are they more materially developed nor implement the Divine values and systems for which they are characterised. In these conditions, who will pay attention to Muslims?
NATURE OF CHALLENGES
People generally identify three areas of concern which, according to them, are major challenges of the modern world. They are faced by all human beings; thus universal and not localised. There may be many other challenges of this nature, but these are important. They are “climate change and ecological imbalance, finance and monetary management and family and social relations”. Daees should be concerned about them and present their Islamic solutions. The fact is that these challenges are not independent.
In technical term, we say that they are not independent variables but depend upon another variable that is called human beings. Islam addresses human beings who are the cause of these problems. It refines human mind and heart and creates potential persons who can carry Islamic norms and values to every nook and cranny and maintain the beauty, charm and treasures of the earth. The beauty of Islam is that it creates a different personality concerned about the will and pleasure of the Creator and not the pleasure of one’s ego and fulfilment of one’s aspirations. Islam creates such persons who have God consciousness, and as such they use His bounties in a reasonable way and according to His commandments. They cannot destroy them because it is not permissible and thus invites the wrath of God.
One of the basic tenets of Islam is that human relation with objects tangible and intangible is guided and determined by the relation of a human with his Creator. Islam always conveys this principle to human beings, and if they follow it in their thoughts and actions, many problems will not be raised and if raised, will automatically be solved.
Climate change and ecological imbalance emerge due to the atomic explosion and excessive use of technology. It is humans who have made and are still making weapons of mass destruction to kill their fellow beings and destroy the infrastructure of human settlement. The question is for what reason; to extend their domination over others; to take advantage of the property and natural resources of others; to make others subordinates and to spread their culture and ideology among others?
Can ideologies of the modern and developed world, technological devices, machines and tools check people’s wild ambitions and aspirations? Who bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki and killed millions of innocent persons like insects? This can be repeated if humans do not restrain themselves, rein their wild desire of having more and more, dominate others and feel a sense of superiority in making others subordinates. Only Islam can restrain humans from going beyond their limit by acquainting them with the suzerainty of the Lord and surrendering to His will. Otherwise, people also have to face their ‘Waterloo’.
We present our glorious past record and cite the example of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) who also fought wars for the safety of people, won wars but never killed innocent persons and never destroyed public property. There were clear instructions to Muslims not to kill innocent persons and those who surrender and not to destroy public property. Our Rightly-Guided Caliphs also followed this precedent.
Excessive use of technology is prevalent to provide utmost ease and comfort for human beings. Humans have become so habitual of physical comfort that it is difficult for them to avoid excessive use of technology in the broadest interests of society. Islam creates such human beings as are concerned about the entire humanity and other creatures of God. These human beings consider the physical world the unique creation of God for the benefit of humanity. As such, it is their duty to protect the sanctity of the physical world and not to do anything that disturbs the ecological imbalance. Shah Waliullah views it from the Islamic perspective; man is placed at the centre of the Divine scheme of creation as the chief executor. Thus his main duty is to maintain the Divine creation, not to destroy it. The fact is that a good Muslim protects the ecological balance rather than go the other way.
Finance management in modern economic system is based on the acquisition of maximum profit. There are certain restraints but people seldom care to follow as the importance of money and material life increases to a great extent. The acquisition of wealth is not only prestigious but also a significant source of dominating other aspects of society. Consequently, the people concerned manoeuvre the situation in such a way that they control the production, market situation and get maximum benefit even at the cost of public interest and societal needs.
In this context, they initiate certain processes and develop new terms to rationalise their acts and role. Islam produces such human beings who are not self-centred, interested only in their own benefit but more concerned about fellow beings and society as a whole. It instructs human beings time and again to take care of the needs of their neighbours. The exemplary behaviour is that one should first feed his neighbour then feed himself. Islam always preaches to create a balance between human aspirations and societal needs. Economic activities and earning subsistence cannot be carried out at the cost of public welfare. True followers of Islam never take advantage of the weakness and fragility of others but take due care of the welfare of the people because they are conscious of the accountability before the Lord for all acts. They are confident that if they take care of others, they will win the favour of God.
Family and social relations are given utmost importance in the Islamic way of life. Islam is the only system that maintains the sanctity of family and marriage. The modern world, particularly the West has destroyed the very fabric of family, marriage and social relations. According to a survey conducted by social scientists, most of the people in the West live as husband and wife without marriage. They do not want to follow the obligations created by marital bond. They want freedom; as long as they want they live as husband and wife, and when they no longer want it they say good-bye to each other. Some of them follow this tactic to keep from paying income tax.
All these show that material interests and momentary pleasure are more important for modern man; the product of the so-called developed society based on industrial development. Similarly, the case of social relation based on personal interest and the principle of ‘give and take’ was not of much concern for others even with their close relatives. Personal interest and comfort are more important rather than help, sympathy and respect for others.
In contrast to that, Islam prescribes rights and duties which individuals have to perform in interaction with others. Islam instructs its followers to pay respect to elders and be sympathetic to youngsters. It is a virtuous act in Islam to extend all possible help and cooperation to others, particularly the needy. Islam prefers that close relatives live together in cooperation and perform their religious obligations together. They should help and take care of the needs of each other, particularly of the old, helpless and disabled members. These are the foremost duties of believers and good acts in the sight of God who rewards those who perform these acts.
The basis of social relation in Islam is not to please one’s ego, to please others and to get the benefit from others but only to please the Lord of the world and seek His pleasure. Here we refer to our past and cite the precedent of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah to him) as well as his companions who manifested high moral, ethical, humanitarian and virtuous standards in establishing relations with all human beings, irrespective of their familial and social backgrounds as well as of their affiliation to any group or faith. We refer to them because we do not find such an example in the annals of history. We are confident without any doubt that if humanity follows their precedent, peace, tranquillity and contentment will prevail on earth.
The bitter fact is that man is the most important factor in maintaining the sanctity of the earth and making this world worth living. If he pays heed to the Divine guidance, follows righteousness, virtues and the right path, he lives in peace and harmony with love and affection with his fellow beings and preserves the glamour, charm and attraction of the universe. In case he only confines himself to satisfying his ego, gratifying his desires and fulfilling his ambitions, he sheds blood of others and invites destruction and ruination. Islam lays stress on producing humans who follow righteousness and virtues, live in decorum and dignity, comply with the commandments of the Lord, love His creations and facilitate their survival with all charm and beauty.
Muslims who are influenced by the development of affluent societies, their effective way of governance and live there, want to be accepted by those societies. As a matter of fact, they prefer to adopt the priorities and preferences of those societies and want Daees to adopt their thinking and ethos. Dawah does not mean to adopt the priorities of those whom we invite to the right path but to project our ethos and preferences in an impressive and gentle way.