DR. MUHAMMAD MUMTAZ ALI analyses how ignorant the world is of Islam as the Way of Life.
Islam is misunderstood in many ways. Even scholars and authors of books on Islam do not know exactly what Islam is. Some consider it a religion and present it as one of the world’s youngest religions. It is included in the study of comparative religions and taught in modern universities as religion. Some others consider it a political ideology. They popularise it as Islamism.
Several books have been written in English and other languages on Islam. Look at some of the titles: Militant Islam; Radical Islam; Progressive Islam; Liberal Islam; Modern Islam; Traditional Islam; Moderate Islam, etc. Islamophobia has become one of the dominant themes of modern journalism. The so-called and unpleasant waves of terrorism and wars in the name of Islam have contributed to more and more misunderstandings about Islam. If we check online about Islam, we find several statements about it. Most of them are not true, authentic and realistic. For example, it is said in one of the websites that Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur’ān. And the Qur’ān is considered a religious text, another biggest misunderstanding about it. In other places it is said that Islam is a major world religion which had been promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century Christian Era. It is a total distortion of Islam. Everywhere and by everybody Islam is presented, introduced, argued and debated as religion which is not true.
IS ISLAM MERE A RELIGION
We need to know correctly, authentically and realistically what exactly Islam is. Is Islam the product of human intellectual efforts? Is it really the youngest religion of the world? Why do we need to know what Islam is. Are we under obligation to know about it? If we don’t care to know about it, then, what will happen to us? Many people do not have clear ideas about all these questions. We feel we are fine and living a good life. Is it really true that we are fine and living a good life? These are some of the questions which should attract our attention as we are thinking creatures.
Critical and scientific thinking demands that we must think and evaluate our ideas about these types of questions. But, unfortunately, we don’t care for this kind of questions. We falsely understand that we do not have to do anything with Islam as it is merely a religion – religion of some other people. We are living in an age of modernity, science and technology. If there is any need to know anything, it is science, technology, skills, techniques, corporate sectors, market trends, financial conditions, economic growth, development and developmental strategies. So we do not need to know about Islam. How far we are true, authentic and realistic in our understanding? Our understanding seems to be problematic.
Fortunately or unfortunately I found a different data in the Qur’ān and realised that most of our views do not reflect truth and reality. They are not the embodiment of truth and reality as claimed by the Qur’ān. Then I thought why we should take the claims of the Qur’ān seriously. In fact, I found in the Qur’ān that it is challenging us about the truthfulness and authenticity of our understanding. It makes claims that in reality, our way of thinking and living for material satisfaction and gains is untrue and unauthentic. It demonstrates that we are living a life of myth and illusion. The Qur’ān reminds to us: “the life of this world is merely an illusory enjoyment” [3: 185]. It is our illusion and myth that we think we do not have to do anything with other things especially with Islam.
The Qur’ān presents a different picture of our life and the world. It says every one of us needs to know about Islam. It presents before us a powerful ethical [rational] discourse along with historical and empirical evidences, to deny the illusion and myth of the idea of material life, on one side, and establishes the truth and reality in favour of the existence of a kind of spiritual [purposeful] and moral life – a right way of life.
PATHS LEADING TO SAFETY
In this regard one fundamental point is clarified in the Qur’ān. We generally understand that we opened our eyes in this world in a primitive stage of life in which we lived in darkness. It is also wrongly told to us that the earth is a place of punishment for us. According to the Qur’ān, all this is also an illusion. It is said in the Qur’ān that Allah the Creator and Lord of the universe did not leave us in darkness. From the very first day we were given knowledge, consciousness and the light. The Qur’ān made it clear. “There has now come to you a Light from Allah, and a Clear Book [the Qur’ān] through which Allah shows to all who seek to please Him the paths leading to safety. He brings them out, by His leave, from darkness to Light and directs them onto the Straight Way.” [5: 15-16]
We are told in the Qur’ān that we are not ordinary people like animals rather we are vicegerents [representative] of Allah on earth. We have to serve Him by way of obeying Him. We are also informed that here we are in a test. To succeed in our test Allah equipped us fully with all those things which are necessary. The Qur’ān proclaims that we began our life in full light of the truth and reality of life and the world. Allah revealed the Truth and Reality to us from inception of our life till date. He taught us and informed us about the right way of life and freedom of choice. We are free to choose the right way of life or go against it. “Let there be no compulsion in [choosing] right way of life [religion]; Truth stands out clear from Error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things” [2: 256].
Furthermore, it is also reminded through the Qur’ān to us that Allah is the Protector of all of us who understand this truth and reality and live with this right way of life. He will take us from the depths of darkness of this world and will lead us into light. As for those who reject right way of life and follow whatever they like, their patrons are the Evil Ones and take them into darkness: “From light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness”. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (forever) [2: 257].
The right way of life named by Allah is Islam. The literal meanings of Islam are obedience, submission and peace. In the Qur’ān, for Islam, the word dīn is used. As a Qur’ānic term technically Dīn refers to the worldview, the way of life, the system of conduct and the code on which we need to base our entire mode of thought and action. Islam as dīn means living in total submission to Allah [2: 132]. Unfortunately, this right way of life – Islam has been reduced to the level of a religion and considered one of them.
Only one [Dīn] or Way of Life, which is right in the eyes of Allah, is Islam.
Look at the following claim-statements of the Qur’ān:
“In the beginning mankind followed one single right way of life [Islam]. [Later on this state ended and differences arose.] Then Allah sent forth Prophets as heralds of good tidings for the righteous and as warners against the consequences of evil-doing. He sent down with them the Book embodying the Truth so that it might judge among people in their disputes. And those who innovated divergent ways rather than follow the Truth were none other than those who had received the knowledge of the Truth and clear guidance and they did so to commit excesses against each other. So by His leave Allah directed the believers to the Right Way of life [Islam] in matters on which they disagreed. Allah guides whomsoever He wills onto a Straight Way of life – Islam [2: 213]”.
“For it is We Who chose Abraham for Our mission in this world, and surely in the World to come he shall be reckoned among the righteous.” [2:130] “Such was Abraham that when his Lord said to him: “Submit,” [follow Islam] he said: “I have submitted to the Lord of the Universe.” [2:131] And Abraham enjoined the same upon his children, and so did Jacob: “My children! Behold, Allah has chosen this Din [Islam] for you. Remain till death in submission [to Allah].” [2:132]. Why, were you witnesses when death came to Jacob? He asked his children: “Whom will you serve after me?” They said: “We shall serve Your God, the God of your forefathers, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, the One God, and unto Him do we submit.” [2:133]”
“They say: “Be Jews,” or “Be Christians.” “Then you will be rightly guided,” Say to them: “No, follow exclusively the way of Abraham who was not one of those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity.” [2:135] Say: “We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the descendants [of Jacob] and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and in what the other Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are those who submit to Allah.” [2:136]
“And then if they come to Believe as you believe, they are on right guidance; and if they turn away, then quite obviously they have merely fallen into opposition to the Truth. Allah will suffice you for protection against them. He is All-Hearing, All-Knowledge.” [2:137]
“Say [O Prophet]: “Will you then dispute with us concerning Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? Our deeds are for ours and your deeds are for you. And it is Him that we serve exclusively.” [2: 140] Or do you claim that Abraham and Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob and the descendants [of Jacob] were “Jews” or “Christians?” Say: “Who has greater knowledge, you or Allah?” Who does greater wrong than he who conceals a testimony he has received from Allah? Allah is not heedless of the things you do.” [2: 139-140]
“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; he was a Muslim, wholly devoted to Allah. And he certainly was not amongst those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity. [3: 67] Surely the people who have the best claim to affiliation with Abraham are those who followed him [in the past], and presently this Prophet and those who believe in him.” [3:68].
“Do they now seek a religion other than that prescribed by Allah and this despite all that is in the heavens and the earth is in submission [Islam] to Him-willingly or unwillingly- and to Him all shall return?” [3:84]
“Say: “We believe in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and to Isaac and Jacob and his descendants, and the teachings which Allah gave to Mosses and Jesus and to other Prophets. We make no distinction between any of them; and to Him do we submit [through Islam.” [3: 83-84]
See the previous statement:
“Recall when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets: “This is the Book and the Wisdom which I have granted you. But should a Prophet come to you confirming what you already possess, you shall believe in him and shall help him.” [3: 81]
This means that all Prophets had been asked to pledge – and the pledge of a Prophet is automatically binding upon his followers – that they would support every Prophet that Allah sent to preach and explain the truth and reality of His Din- Islam. It is useful to point out that the Prophets before Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) had to take this pledge, and this is why every Prophet announced to his followers the coming of other Prophets in the future and directed them to support those Prophets whenever they appeared. It seems significant that there is no mention, either in the Qur’ān or in the Hadith, that the Prophet Muhammad [peace be on him] was asked to take such a pledge. Moreover, the Prophet [peace be on him] neither informed his followers of the advent of any future Prophet nor did he direct them to believe in the prophethood of any such Prophet after him. On the contrary, he has been pronounced khatam al-nabiyin [the seal of the Prophets], meaning the last of them by the Qur’ān. Several traditions from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) confirm that he categorically declared that no Prophet would come after him.
“So saying, Allah asked: “Do you agree and accept to take up the burden of the covenant?” They answered: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness; and I will be with you among the witnesses. [3: 81] Then whosoever shall turn away from this covenant, they are the transgressors.” [3: 82]
“This day I have perfected for you your Dīn-Islam, and have bestowed upon you My Bounty in full measure, and have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your Dīn.” [5:3]
The “perfection of Dīn” mentioned in this statement refers to making it a self-sufficient system of life and conduct, and an order of social life providing its own answers to the questions with which we are confronted so that in no circumstance would any one of us need to look for guidance to any extraneous source. The bounty referred to in the statement: “I have bestowed upon you My Bounty in full measure.” Is the bounty of true guidance the code of conduct? The statement: “I have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your Dīn” means that since some of us at the time of revelation of the Qur’ān had proved by our conduct and our struggle that we were honest and sincere about the commitment we had made to Allah in embracing Islam – the commitment to serve and obey Him – He had accepted our sincerity and created the conditions in which we were no longer yoked in bondage to anyone but Him. Thus the ones who were no longer prevented from living in submission [Islam] to Allah because of extraneous constraints just as some of us were no constraints preventing some other from subscribing to true system of life and belief system.
WHAT IS GOOD FOR US
As a reminder to us it is said, again and again, in the Qur’ān what is good for us.
“…it may well be that you dislike a thing even though it is good for you, and it may well be that you like a thing even though it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” [2:216]
“[So remember well] that whoever from amongst you turns away from His way of life and dies in the state of following another way of life their work will go to waste in this world and in the Next. They are destined for the Fire and it is there that they will abide.” [2:217]
“Allah calls you, by His leave, towards Paradise and forgiveness; and He makes His injunctions clear to people s that they may take heed.” [2:221]
“Thus Allah makes His injunctions clear to you that you may understand.” [2:242]
“Thus does Allah make His teachings clear to you that you may reflect?” [2:266]
Unfortunately, we think the other way. We think either Islam is a religion or it is the religion of others. We do not read the Qur’ān so there is no question of reflection up on the claims of the Qur’ān. We do think constantly for our earnings and savings. We think and plan for our high income and savings for our future. We think for our children’s education, for their future as well. Hardly have we thought for our and our children’s right way of living following a right way of life. For we consider the Qur’ān a religious book and Islam merely a religion.
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