Great ideas will not emerge when an individual or the society continues to struggle round the corner to fulfil basic needs. When people are self reliant, great thoughts will evolve. Muslims cannot carry out its mission unless it is self-sufficient and wield reasonable power and leadership to achieve the desired goals, said Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while summing up a symposium on “The Self-sufficient Muslim Society: Why & How?”. The symposium was part of a daylong conference on “The Muslim Ummah: Mission and Requirements” organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi & Haryana on 7 December in the national capital.
In his keynote speech, Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, a renowned Muslim leader and Member Central Advisory Council Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (CAC JIH), said that the law of the Almighty must be practised by individuals and the community collectively. Ilyas further said God has created man only to worship Him and for this purpose He sent Prophets to guide man onto the divine path. Prophet Muhammad was the Last Prophet, and now it is his followers, the Muslims, who have to shoulder the great responsibility of disseminating the message of Islam to all human beings.
He drew the attention of the audience towards the large segments of masses in India who are wandering hither and thither in search of the Truth, and it is the duty of the Muslims to guide them to the Truth.
Dwelling deep upon the various issues confronting the country, the learned speaker mentioned female foeticide, rape and other evils. He added that today women and girls are unsafe, and it is only the Islamic system that can protect them.
The daylong programme was attended by more than 5000 people and what was notable is that women outnumbered males in audience throughout the day.
The programme commenced with Darse-e-Qur’ān (Qur’ān Class) delivered by Maulana Dr. Inayatullah Subhani, former Head Kulyatul Qur’ān, Jamia Islamiya, Shantapuram, Kerala. In the light of some verses from Surah Baqara of the Qur’ān, Maulana Subhani threw light on the history of Islam. He said the history of Ka’bah and that of the Muslim Ummah are the same. He called upon the Muslims to get acquainted with the history of Islam, strengthen their faith in Islam and acquaint the fellow countrymen with the message of Islam.
Mr. Abdul Waheed, president JIH Delhi & Haryana, informed the audience with the Dawah and other services JIH Delhi & Haryana is rendering in the two states. He said Jamaat since its inception is doing everything in its capacity to propagate the message of Qur’ān, guidance of Allah and Sunnah among fellow citizens through Dawah programmes. He also outlined the activities where he mentioned that the website designed to spread the message of Deen has been viewed by more than 14 lakh people. Other activities include Dawah Van, workshop and training, Deeni Talimi camps, summer camps, Darul Ifta, social welfare programmes and Dawah message through booklets, pamphlets, handbills, books and by various other means. Waheed also called upon the Muslims to come forward and help the JIH in this noble endeavour.
A symposium on “Self-sufficient Muslim Society: Why & How?” was a major part of this daylong conference. Mr. Muhammad Ahmad, Secretary JIH, presided over the symposium sub-divided in three parts: Protection of Ummah, Construction of Ummah and Organisation of Ummah.
Participating in the symposium, Mr. Parwaz Rehmani, Member CAC JIH, spoke on Protection of Ummah and emphasised that there can be a self-sufficient Muslim society only when it is well protected. He also underlined the need for striving for establishment of Islamic society within the limits of Constitution of India.
Dr. Waquar Anwar, Financial Advisor JIH, while expressing his views on Construction of Ummah, opined that the construction of Ummah can be effected only on its basic foundations. He emphasised that while constructing the Ummah a fine balance has to be struck between earning worldly means and striving for the Deen. Dr Anwar also stressed on the role played by Prophet Muhammad on enthusing brotherhood and relation among people to form a single unit. Economic condition and educational standard as per the guidance and family and market system are paramount in building the foundation of great Ummah.
Maulana Dr. Raziul Islam Nadvi, Secretary Tasneefi Academy, while speaking on Organisation of Ummah said as a result of maintaining difference with Islamic teachings, there is indifference, disunity and conflict in society. He laid emphasis on three institutions namely mosque, zakat system and darul qaza. To overcome the situation, the Muslims have to strengthen these institutions. Nadvi also said that mosque is powerhouse of the Ummah and it should not only be used to hold prayers but rather it should be effectively used to discuss important issues pertaining to the Muslim community. He also asked the community to deliver Friday sermons in regional languages in order to make them more effective.
Speaking on the Role of Youth in the Construction of Society, Mr. Zahid Husain, president Students Islamic Organisation of India, Delhi Zone, said a good society can be constructed only on Islamic footing and the youth who are driving force can play instrumental role towards building a better Ummah.
On “The Challenges before Muslim Ummah”, Dr. Muhammad Rafat, Secretary JIH, said the western media is tarnishing the image of Muslims and it is the duty of the Muslims to clarify. Muslims have to tell the world that they are Muslims. Rafat further said that challenges before the Muslim community are abundant and most important thing is that the community must self-realise where they are, what the challenges are and how to deal with such a situation. Apart from our identity as Muslims, stereotyping of Muslims by international community in a planned manner is a matter of concern. Above all dealing effectively with differences born out of emergence of various sects and making them wholesome component will go a long way in serving the purpose.
On the charge of Muslims’ alleged involvement in terror acts, Dr. Rafat said that a Muslim can never kill a person; Islamic Shari’ah does not allow it. He also mentioned many other challenges like Muslims’ self-image, lack of unity in their ranks, etc.
A parallel session exclusively for women was also part of the conference. In this session Mrs. Nuzhat Yasmin, one of the assistant organisers of Ladies Wing JIH Delhi & Haryana, while speaking on “The Purpose of Muslim Ummah’s Existence and the Role of Women,” said that the mission of Muslim Ummah is to establish the Deen of Allah on the face of the earth. The Ummah is also responsible to ensure justice and equality among all for which unity and organisational approach are required.
Mrs. Shayista Rafat, organiser Ladies Wing JIH Delhi & Haryana, pointed out some social evils and their causes and suggested some solutions in the light of Islamic teachings. She said we cannot wipe out evils and wrongdoings unless we strive collectively to reform and do welfare for the people as it is the sign of being good and practising Muslims.
The conference came to a conclusion with the public address of Maulana Waliullah Sayeedi Falahi, Zonal President JIH Uttar Pradesh (East). In his typically impressive style loaded with Qur’ānic and Prophetic teachings, he urged the Muslims to realise their mission and strive to achieve it. Maulana Falahi said that it is very painful to hear from non-Muslim brethren when they say that if Islam is the best Dee why there are so many differences among Muslims, why there are so many sects and why Muslims are not united. It is therefore essential that Muslims should reach out to all peoples to make them aware of the message of the Almighty and guidance through Dawah.
The learned speaker also questioned that when the Quran is one, the Prophet is one, the Deen is one, why the Muslims are divided in many sects and urged the community to remain united in order to make their voice heard loudly and effectively. He also said that pains and sufferings of Muslims at one place must be felt by the Muslims in other regions much like the pains in any part of the body is felt by the whole body, then only the goals of the Ummah will be realised.