[Reproduced below is the English version of about 70-year old article of the writer, published in his Islamic monthly Tarjumanul Qur’ān in January, 1941, giving a clarion call to realise the need for a virtuous group. It first appeared in the 25-31 August 1991 issue of Radiance Viewsweekly. It was this call that gathered 75 prominent personalities on August 26, 1941 at Lahore to form Jamaat-e-Islami. – Editor]
The world is caught in a massive mess of chaos and disorder. “And we understand not whether ill is intended to those on earth, or whether their Lord (really) intends to guide them to right conduct.” (Al-Qur’ān – 27:10)
But, with apparent circumstances, we do feel that the lifespan of the civilization which has till now been leading mankind has completed its cycle. The period of trials for its advocates has come to a full circle. And according to the practice of Allah, the time has come for the powers-that-be and their uncouth civilization to be dethroned from the management of the world. They have fully availed themselves of the destined opportunity. They have demonstrated all their innate qualities and hidden characteristics. There is, perhaps, nothing left yet be expressed.
PREVAILING SITUATION
Thus, there is a probability of their being soon set afield. This massive chaos and disorder is prevailing on the screen of the world so that they should perform their last rites themselves. Then, it is also probable that a region of darkness may begin once again in the world, as it had been between the fall of last Islamic movement and the birth of this uncouth civilization. And it is also likely that the possibility of a new structure may come out of this very process of chaos and disorder.
There is no question of either selection or survival of the fittest among the forces of Capitalist Democracy, National Socialism and Communism, all clashing among themselves, because they are not separate civilizations.
In fact, these are the three branches of one and the single civilization. There is one concept of life, humanity and universe and one aspect of ethics on which is based the structure of these three. To consider man to be an animal, to imagine the world as Godless, to extract the code of human life from metaphysics and to base ethics on experience and expedience are their common fundamentals. The only difference among them lies in the fact that this uncouth civilization sowed the seeds of freedom of individuals and individuality of nations, out of which thrived Capitalist Democracy along with national republics, and kept on impairing humanity for a pretty long period. And when human problems touched the climax due to its tyrannies, this very civilization placed the Communist Revolution as a cure of the malady. But very soon this so-called ‘cure’ proved to be more devastating than the disease itself.
At last that very civilization put forward another proposal which is called Fascism or National Socialism. And a few years’ experience proved that this youngest child of the Mother of Depravity (Um-ul-Khabais) has outstripped both of its elder sisters in causing wickedness and turmoil
REMEDY
Now there is no time left to the world to put this civilization to further test – the civilization which starts its function considering man to be an animal and letting him go unbridled, and causes in him every ailment from gluttony to the worst form of rapacity, which is fatal to humanity.
In fact, the whole civilization along with all its offspring has completed its normal span of life and has finished the period of trials. Now, no remedy is left that it can prescribe as the solution of human problems. And even if it may concoct an ‘ism’ to extend if its lifespan, the Will of Allah does not seem to provide it with any further opportunity to fill His land with chaos and anarchy.
It is probable that anyone of its offspring may brave the present clash to continue its survival. But its survival shall be absolutely temporal. Very soon this branch will burst and strike fire to burn it to ashes.
Now the question is whether any other region of darkness is going to begin or any new structure of society is to be built. Its explanation depends on two points:
- Search for any other concept, which is better than the previous rake concepts, with which human reason may think of betterment, and on which a lively and powerful civilization may be founded.
- Emergence of a group, out of human beings, which has such abilities and potentialities of sacrifice and exertion as are needed for building the massive mansion of a new civilization, based on a new concept, and whose ethics and qualities are different from those of the people whose wickedness and malignity man has recently (and bitterly) experienced.
If such a concept comes forward and such a virtuous group emerges with this concept, man can be saved from another region of darkness; otherwise none can save him from falling into this dark valley.
The great tragedy that man faces these days is the worse-than-wolfish behaviour with which man treats his fellow beings, hard-heartedness that man had not shown even in the Dark Age, the cruelty and callousness with which even fierce animals do not treat each other, the results of knowledge and prudence which are seen in the form of world-hovering aircraft and man-levelling tanks, the fruits of organizational abilities that have turned into invading armies, the results of industrial development that are being seen in the fierce form of war weapons, the media of broadcast and communication (and telecast as well) that are being used to spread lies and hatred among peoples – all these are quite enough to hurt man’s feelings and to disappoint him from his abilities and potentialities.
Its ultimate result is that man being half-hearted and disappointed would fall into deep slumber and unconsciousness for centuries.
VIRTUOUS GROUP
As already mentioned, the only thing that can save humanity from this pitiable end is a virtuous concept as well as the emergence of a virtuous group.
But what can be that concept which can pave the way to success? Now there is no possibility of the survival of polytheistic concept on which were based several ancient civilizations. The very basis of polytheism has collapsed. The illiterate may yet remain under its spell. But now the literate and the wise cannot be charmed by the illusion that the universe is governed by a number of gods, and that man’s felicity and salvation is related to these gods and spirits.
Besides, it is a fact that complexities of human life cannot be solved with the polytheistic concept, rather it increases those complexities a bit more.
The greatest problem that the world has to face nowadays is the need for unity. Polytheism cannot solve this problem; instead of creating unity, it provides bases for further splits and divisions. Thus there is no possibility for a polytheistic concept to rule over the world.
MONASTICISM
Monasticism had never been, nor can it be, a dominating force in the world. The concepts of karma and metempsychosis, non-violence and pantheism – which can cool the spirit, discourage enterprise and intoxicate the power of reasoning like opium – have not so much power and strength that a civilization worth managing the affairs of the earth can emerge from anyone of them, and that it can be placed to the high pedestal of the leadership of the world.
However hard one may strive to enliven the hollow structure of these concepts, they cannot transcend themselves from the content of knowledge (gyan), self-abnegation (teyag) and solitary worship (tapasya). Thus it is quite impossible for them to create a virtuous culture, establish a just and rightful State and build a splendid civilization. Therefore, the dead and decaying peoples may remain under the spell of these concepts, but they cannot draw the attention of a lively and emerging people.
So far as the case of the purely uncouth civilization is concerned, now the world has gained so much of its experience and that of its offspring that it is to be disappointed very soon.
Man’s considering himself to be an animal, his attempt to extract the laws of struggle for existence, metaphysics and survival of the fittest from the life of animals; materialistic gains and pleasures being his sole aim of life; his considering experience and expedience to be the source of ethics; and his not accepting the Almighty – all these factors have produced results with all their bitterness and severity.
Whatever man has gathered from these concepts are national and racial feelings, claims of the superiority of caste and creed, economic and political rivalries among national republics, temptations of sovereignty, colonisation and fiscal plunder, freedom from every moral binding to be found in from individuals to great peoples and States in all their dealings. And the worst of all is man’s functioning in a wholly animal-like manner and his behaving with other human beings in the manner of animals, rather in the manner of lifeless machines.
The democratic set-up advanced by these concepts is one in which man experiences the freedom of tyranny, unlawful earning, obscenity and immodesty. And the Communist or Socialist set-up founded by them is one in which the citizens are handed over wholly to the care of a dictator or a small party so that they may be moulded in the manner of the flocks of sheep and goats.
The results gathered from these theories are not accidental, rather it is the very nature of this Tree of Depravity (Shajar-e-Khabees) to yield such harvest. Therefore, as man has not been able to get any salvation from it as yet, similarly in the future also the emergence of any organisational set-up worth providing salvation for man cannot be expected from this animal conception of man and the materialistic approach towards the universe as well as from the experimental and expediential basis of ethics.
SALVATION
After the total collapse of all these concepts, the only concept with which the world can nurture expectation of salvation is the concept:
Which considers man to be human beings rather than animals;
Which wins goodwill from and confidence of human beings about its own existence, whose approach towards man is higher than the “animal approach” of western science and Christian idea of “Born Sinful” and “Helpless Metempsychosis” of Hinduism;
Which does not consider man to be self-servient and incorrigible, rather makes him submissive to the Supreme Government of the Master of Universe, and makes man responsible and accountable to Him;
Which binds down man to such practicable ethical codes that do not grant him right to modify these codes according to their whims and wishes;
Which provides, instead of splitting humanity on materialistic grounds, provides such ethical and spiritual grounds on which human beings may unite; which provides human beings for their collective life with such principles on which sound and balanced justice among individuals, groups and peoples may be established;
Which gives man aims higher than selfish ends and a criterion of honour and worth better than the materialistic ones. And, along with all these features, there is yet one which not only helps but also ushers in educational and intellectual as well as cultural development, and which leads him to each of the two aspects – materialistic and ethical.
Which, in the world, is such a theory other than Islam? Thus it is quite apt to say that the future of humanity now depends on Islam.
All the ideologies hatched by man himself have proved a total failure. None of these has any chance of achieving success. And now man has no such courage as to concoct another ideology and put his fate on the anvil of its trial. Under such circumstances only Islam is such an ideology or school of thought with which man can expect salvation and success in the life Hereafter, and by following which man’s perdition can be evaded.
NEED OF THE HOUR
But this does not mean that the world is awaiting to be conquered. To put in other words, it is not case that the moment one preaches a sermon on the features of Islam and gives a clarions call to believe it, all the regions of Asia, Europe, Africa, America, etc. will be subdued. The capitulation of a civilization does not take place so suddenly as if it existed yesterday and vanished today. And the establishment of another civilization too does not take place as if it is today a desolate land and tomorrow a massive mansion would be standing there.
The thoughts, principles and methods of the falling civilization continue to operate its effect on the heart and mind, knowledge and literature, culture and society for a pretty long time. The removal of this effect does not take place by itself; it requires efforts.
Similarly, the advocates of the falling civilization in spite of their decaying position, continue to possess the earth for years to come. They do not themselves give up the claim; they need to be ousted.
And so on it is not a child’s play to build a mansion on a new civilization that you remain lying easefully and it builds itself. For such and achievement, what is needed is a powerful, critical and constructive movement which should, on the one hand, root out the old decaying civilization with the power of knowledge and thought, on the other, mould knowledge, arts and literature into its particular ideological fundamentals, as well as strive to the extent of overspreading in the world in such a manner as people begin to think and feel at its mould. It should, on the one hand, pull down the old structures on which humanity was moulded and on the other, create new structures on which people of new character and ethics begin to be moulded. It should, on the one hand forcefully eradicate the old cultural and political set-up, and on the other, practically establish a complete one on its own principles.
Hence, it is not enough that an ideal concept is available for saving the world from falling into another Age of Darkness and for benefiting the world with the boon of Islam. An ideal group is as much needed as an ideal concept.
The achievement needs such people who have firm belief in this theory. They will have first of all to prove their belief, and that can be done only when they become submissive to the Authority which they accept, bound themselves down to the codes which they prescribe, become practical followers of the ethics which they consider virtuous, take upon themselves what they call their bounden duties, and give up what they declare to be unlawful without such restrainments their virtue itself would be dubious enough for one who wishes to surrender.
Then they will have to practically revolt against this rake civilization, cultural set-up and politics, and will have to shake themselves off its grip and that of its followers, and also to give all such benefits, pleasures, comforts and expectations which are related to that set-up. And gradually they will have to bear the losses, trials and tribulations which are the ultimate result of raising a revolution against the existing set-up.
Then they will have to do all that is necessary for eradicating the governance of the rake set0-up as well as for establishing a new ideal set-up. In the way of struggle for this revolution they will have to sacrifice their wealth, spare their precious time, apply all the powers of heart and soul, bear the dangers of confinement, exile, confiscation of wealth and loss of loving members of the family, and when the time comes they will have to sacrifice themselves.
No revolution of the world has come into existence. Nor can now it be, without going through these paths. Mere theory, however exalted it may be, cannot take roots and flourish on earth unless a group of such true believers functions under the impact of an ideology. On the contrary, it will only remain inscribed on the pages of books.
For the success of an ideology, the believers’ power of action, character, submission and sacrifice are as much necessary as the power of its principles. The perfection of agricultural method, the germination of seeds, monsoon-favour – each one has its importance. But the ground is so much realistic that it is not willing to yield a rich harvest unless the farmer proves his due right on it with his patience and perseverance, labour and sweat.
IDEOLOGY’S DEMANDS
Although, sincerity of belief as well as sacrifice and devotion is indispensable for an ideology, whether it be true or false, the true ideology demands much more sincerity and sacrifice than what is needed for the establishment of a false one.
Truth is such a sagacious jeweller who is willing to accept nothing but gold. It does not take the responsibility of marketing it unless all the alloy is purged into the furnace of trials and tribulations and its purity shines forth, because it is Truth, and not falsity which manages to sell adulterated coins and alloyed ornaments.
This is why the Qur’ān reiterates: “Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which we are now, until He separates what is evil from what is good.” (3:179)
“Alif Lam Mim. Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “we believe.” And that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.” (29:1-3)
Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as come to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: when (will come) the help of Allah?” (2:214).
“Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned, as though Allah did not know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for friends and protectors except Allah, His Messenger, and the (community of) Believers?” (9:16)
“Then there are among men such as say: “We believe in Allah” but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men’s oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah! And if help comes (to thee) from thy Lord, they are sure to say, “We have (always) been with you!” Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all creation? And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are hypocrites” (29:10-11).
“Bu sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently preserve. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.” They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their lord, And Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (2: 55:157).
With this reiteration, the Qur’ān warns: “If it had been Allah’s will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (himself): but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others.” (47:7)
Do not think that Allah is not able to crush the rebellion on His own accord and as such seeks help from you human beings. No, He is so much powerful that He can, if He wills, ruin them at one bidding and establish His way of life (Deen) Himself. But He has burdened you with the responsibility of struggle and sacrifice to put you human beings to test against one another.
True believers cannot be distinguished from evil-doers unless you encounter a clash against the latter and the severity of trials and tribulations does not appear. The group worth taking the responsibility of being the vicegerent of Allah on earth cannot be formed unless worthy persons are sifted from the worthless.
FUTURE OF WORLD
Therefore the future of the world today does not depend on the fact whether man finds out a true ideology or not, because the ideology has already been revealed. Rather, it depends on the fact whether or not emerges a group out of human beings comprising of persons having true belief, stability in dedication and a sense of sacrifice of what is near and dear to him in the way of Allah.
I have been often told: “where can such persons be found? Such ones were born in an ominous period and then the Creator abolished the model for ever.” But this is mere illusion and it appears only in the minds of those who are disappointed from themselves.
Men of every ability and potentiality have been available in every age. Where persons having hypocritical traits, frail intention and easy-going tendency have always been found and are seen even in the present society, it is also true that those who can sacrifice their all for the establishment of the ideology they believe in, have been available in every period of human history and are present in our society as well.
Today you see with your own naked eyes that thousands of human beings – not one or two have declared their belief in Hitler and Germany and just for the sake of this belief they jump out of aeroplanes into the country of their fierce foes – a country where, they know well, innumerable hunters are keen on ambushing them.
In the Russian Revolution not more than twenty or twenty-five years ago, thousands of men having revolutionary ideology had been sacrificing their all regularly, for half a century they were exiled in Siberia, sentenced to death, kept wandering during their exile, repressed all their wishes and cravings, and bore the loss of home and belongings. And they did all such sacrifices when the dethroning of Tsar could hardly be imagined.
Take the case of India. The youth, who fell victim to the illusion that they would be able to liberate their country by violent means, did not hesitate in encountering hazards at the cost of their lives just to achieve their goal. What possible trials didn’t they bear? They endured the severest torments in cells, underwent life-long imprisonment and even sustained capital punishment.
Let us not reckon whether their methods were proper or improper. But they do prove that, after embracing an ideology, man’s inherent quality to sacrifice his cravings, wealth and life as well as to suffer torments has not cooled down even today.
THE ONLY HOPE
The civil disobedience of Gandhiji is a recent event. Did some of the citizens of India not face lathi-charges? Were they not sent to jail and did they not bear financial losses? Did the farmers of Bardauli not bear patiently the confiscation and auction of their lands, animals and households? Then how can it be said that the quality of sacrifice is dead in the modern men, which was to be found in the ancient ones.
If man can do all these for the sake of his belief in Hitler, Marx or Gandhi, is it not possible for him to do the same when he believes in Islam? If one’s motherland has so much attraction that one bears the sacrifice of life and lot, does the will of and proximity to Allah not have even such an attraction?
Thus, those who are themselves spiritless and fragile have no right to claim that the aspiring and ambitious persons needed to perform such a great task can nowhere be found. Though, to the extent of their own selves, they are free to say (as did the Israelis say to Moses): “Go thou, and thy lord, and fight ye two, while we sit here (and watch)” (Al-Qur’ān 5:27).