Why should I join Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, or for that matter any other Islamic organisation? Is it not enough that I am leading a life on my own as I will?
These questions haunt the agitating mind today – the mind that has been influenced by the lopsided growth of materialism. Let’s see these questions in the light of Islamic Shari’ah as well as with the eye of reason. A study of the Holy Qur’ān and Traditions of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) reveals that the very edifice of Deen is built on the concept of social life or what we call democracy – as-shoora bainahum (seek consultation among yourselves). There is thus no room for a lonely life in matters Islamic.
Keeping in view this fundamental concept of social, congregational nature of Islam, the Blessed Prophet has enjoined the believers to name one among you as team leader even if you are only three, and even if you are passing through a forest (where social structure is almost impossible). In an oft-quoted address to Muslim Ummah, Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once said there is no Islam without Jamaat; no Jamaat without Ameer; and no Ameer without a following. If we brood over these assertions by the finest human souls humanity has witnessed and whom the Ummah holds in the highest possible esteem, it is palpably clear and vivid that if you want to lead the life of a true believer, there is no escape from leading an Islamically congregational life. There are only two ways left open for him/her. One, that you join an organisation you deem fit and properly functioning. Else, you should form your own team, launch your own organisation, and invite people to join you and your organisation. There is no third way! In the two options left for us, the latter requires a lot of guts, organisational skill, oratory and power of writing and some other qualities of head and heart a leader must have. This is of course not easy for everyone. So for the large segments of masses, the only option left open, we can say, is that they join a running organisation.
This is also important because our life is an amanah (trust) of Allah the Exalted with us. We cannot lead our life the way we like. In our earning and spending, eating and drinking, dealing with family members or neighbours or passersby, or whatever else we do, we have to keep into consideration the will and pleasure of Allah the Exalted. This becomes comparatively easy when we lead a life with a Jamaat.
But, as Satan or enemies of Islam would have it, a number of Muslims, who fall prey to scepticism, and go on thinking and thinking – sometimes it becomes their fate for the whole life – feel that they should join the Jamaat only when they would be able to overcome all their shortcomings. And this level of piety never comes, and they never join an organisation! Let’s resolve this problem now