Rahmatei’n Hai’n Teri Aghyar Kay Kashano’n Per / Berq Girti Hai Toh Becharey Musalmano’n Per. [(O God!) Your benevolence is showered upon the strangers’ houses / (on the contrary) Thunder-bolt falls (but) on the hapless Muslims)]. Philosopher poet Iqbal in his masterpiece Shikwah opens his heart by making this complaint to God in a subtle tone.
In general, when we Muslims ask a religious leader the reason for our backwardness in comparison to other communities, he will at once reply that for Muslims the reward (Jaza) is reserved in the Paradise, whereas people belonging to other communities would remain empty-handed there. It is because they (non-Muslims) would have enjoyed a luxurious life on earth. Beyond this Maulvi Saheb would tell nothing. Their argument would revolve round only few fundamentals such as Namaz, Roza, Zakat (charity), Haj, etc., which Muslims must adhere to.
Besides performing ‘Haququl-lah’ (duties towards Allah), we are further required to go for ‘Haququl Ebad’ (philanthropic deeds for the benefit of human beings). It is but an irony that Muslims, even rich and wealthy, have been giving least importance to do for the good of the general human beings.
Allah does not demand of us to perform certain rituals alone, but also to do deeds for the good of the needy and destitute. The poet of the east, Iqbal clarifies this: “Dard-e Dil Kay Wastey Paida Kiya Insan Ko / Warna Ta’at Kay Liye Kuchch Kam Na Thhay Kar-ro Baya’n. (Man is born to show compassion / Otherwise angels were enough for (bowing head in) submission). People belonging to communities other than Muslims have reached the zenith of prosperity, success and development despite certain shortcomings in their lives. God has bestowed and has been bestowing upon them His benevolence because of their deeds for the good of the general human beings, whereas greater segments of the Muslim community keep themselves confined to performing certain fundamentals only. In other words, Muslims in general have lost the spirit of social service which formed rather a glittering integral part of our ancestors’ life.
Syed Zafar Hashmi, Managing Editor of “Gulbun”, published from Lucknow, has drawn our attention to this fact in his masterpiece editorial titled “Yeh Duniya Toh Hath Sey Gayi” (this world gone out of our hand) in the January-April, 2019 issue. He has focused upon the causes of our backwardness despite our following certain fundamentals strictly. He has also pointed out the background causing the tremendous successes achieved by members belonging to communities other than Muslims despite ignoring certain fundamentals. He has justified his argument by citing the example of Firaun (Pharaoh) who was not punished by God for a pretty long time despite his blatantly rejecting the idea of existing any god other than he himself and besides his cruel treatments meted out to Israelites, the followers of Moses.
Almighty Allah had ordained the Prophet Moses to go to Firaun with the two mighty miracles bestowed by Allah to bring him to the right path. Here it must be noted that Firaun used to feed and serve the Egyptians with delicious food at that time. And, for the purpose, four thousand lambs and goats, four hundred cows, two hundred camels and other delicious items of food were used to get slaughtered and cooked. Such food was served to all the Egyptians, including the whole members of the Firaun’s army. This system remained in continuity for four hundred years, the period during which Pharaoh remained firm in proclaiming himself God. All this description is given in the said editorial.
Prophet Moses prayed to Allah for the punishment of Firaun. Allah the Exalted accepted his prayer and further said that the kingdom, the grandeur, prosperity, boons and gifts given to Firaun would be given to Bani Israel (to which Prophet Moses belonged). This promise made by Allah remained unfulfilled for a long time. Firaun’s kingdom with all its glory and splendour remained intact. Prophet Moses wanted Firaun’s destruction without further delay. He became impatient and restless. With this state of mind, he observed fasting for forty days and reached the Mount Sinai (Koh-e-Tur) and, with utmost reverence, suited to a prophet, asked the Almighty Allah the reason behind not destroying Firaun though he did neither abandon the ways of infidelity nor did he relinquish his claim from being called himself ‘god’.
The Voice of Allah reached Moses whether he wanted Firaun’s annihilation immediately; but the problem was that the thousands of Egyptians, who have been getting bread from Firaun and living life with ease, would be deprived of the same. The reply came from Allah that Firaun would not meet his disaster as long as he would continue feeding the Egyptians generously. Prophet Moses again asked Allah when His Promise would be fulfilled. Allah replied that His Promise would be kept when there would be deficiency in Firaun’s generosity. (Editor ‘Gulbun’ mentions the source: Siyasat Nama (Political narrative) –Author: Khawaja Nizamul-Mulk Toosi: Translation by: Shah Hassan Ata)
The Editor further states that Allah’s Promise was to be kept. After some time, the condition in Egypt took such a turn that Firaun considered his generosity in feeding the Egyptians extravagant and wasteful expenditure. He stopped spending money on feeding the people and instead started to deposit money in his treasury. Greed and lust overshadowed his generous habit. At last, the doom struck his door. On the day when only two sheep were slaughtered to feed, Firaun was drowned into the river Nile.
In the concluding paragraph of the editorial, Zafar Hashmi states that ‘Service to Humanity’ occupies a very high position and that the scope of services to be rendered is limitless. Despite the fact that ‘service to humanity’ forms an essential part of worship, people in general neglect this and keep their deeds confined to few fundamentals relating to ‘faith’.
We have to change this mindset and keep before our eyes what the poet Altaf Husain Hali says (which is in fact versified translation of an ayah in the holy Quran): “Khuda Ney Aajtak Uus Qaum Ki Halat Nahi Badli / Na-ho Jisko Kheyal Khud Apni Halat Kay Badalney Ka”. (God has not as yet changed the condition of the people who do not think of changing their condition themselves.)
Let’s conclude with two more verses: Ki Muhammad Sey Wafa Tuney Toh Hum Terey Hai’n / Yeh Jaha’n Cheez Hai Keya Loh-ho Qalam Terey Hai’n. (I (God) am with thou provided thou art faithful to Muhammad / This world is nothing, (for) the pen and the writing board are thine). Khud-Kushi Shewa Tumhara, Woh Ghayur-o Khuddar / Tum Ho Millat Sey Gureza’n, Woh Millat Pey Nisar. (You are habitual of committing suicide (strangulating conscience) whereas, your ancestors gave uppermost importance to self-respect and dignity / You avoid association with the community, whereas they had sacrificing spirit for the community).