ISLAM, MUSLIMS AND 21st CENTURY By Javed Chaudry

Dear Friends of the Heart, 

From the article, one is able to decipher that the views of Brother Javed Sahib have the essence of a strong believer and a dedicated Muslim.  By referencing verses from the Holy Book of Islam, he has left me with the impression that his article was written for Muslim believers like him.  At this point, I would like to stress that I am not against Islam or any particular religion; but I am certainly against all organized religions.  Allow me to explain why I take this stand.  Firstly, I believe that followers of religion do not practice what they preach.  Secondly, I believe that God is simply an idea.       

In elaboration of my second reason, I feel that the idea of God can inspire you to make changes in your life, but it will be disheartening and sad to believe that such an idea can speak for itself, or come down to Earth to make changes on your behalf.  Surprisingly, by quoting the notable verse from the Holy Koran, “if you do not change yourself, God cannot help you…” Brother Javed Sahib has actually found God and me on a parallel line of thought… the only difference being, I believe that “what you reap is what you sow” (please note the absence of a reference to God’s help in the latter half).

Talking about change, well, there is no change.  Despite the reference of this verse, what is happening is that Muslims are relying and depending on God to miraculously change their circumstances through submission, which is leading them to a point of self-destruction.  What Muslims need to understand is that man’s destiny is solely in his hands, and no Idea will ever descend to Earth to rescue him.  Only as individuals can we bring about change, starting from ourselves, and only then shall we bear the fruits of our efforts.

Reverting to another part of the article, Brother Javed Sahib has provided some insight into the historical evolution of Islam, and has also graciously offered some religious / political solutions and remedies for the benefit of the Muslim World.  Most of the material in this regard is deeply valued and appreciated because this is what is lacking in the Muslim World today.  However, before attempting to find a solution, we must first analyze the root of the problem.  What led to the tragic downfall of such a thriving and prosperous Muslim population?  Two main reasons come to mind. Firstly, Muslim rulers barred the humble pursuit of knowledge.  Their narrow argument being that God has provided you with a Holy Book covering every aspect of your existence, and thus, no other book or learning endeavor will ever match its power and content.  After all, how can you compare man’s knowledge to the knowledge of God?  Unbelievable!!  Knowledge is a beacon of light and can never be confined to thirty chapters.  Even the concept of God would have to agree.  How could His followers limit the scope of His Supremacy to a single book?!?!  Muslim rulers made a grave mistake by preventing the rays of knowledge from nourishing the depths of our soul.

Secondly, Islam and democracy have rarely succeeded in a relationship (usually ending in a bitter divorce with a custody battle over the population).  Consequently, it can be argued that Islam does not, in the first place, believe in democratic rights.  For example, in the early days, an Islamic leader or Caliph used to be called Khalifatur-Rasul, and when the same portfolio was converted into inheritance, it used to be called Khalifatullah, which, after losing more ground, settled at Khalifatul-Muslemeen, and is presently known as Khadmain Al-Hermain Sharif.  A Caliph style of government is identical to a dictatorship i.e. one person, one party, or one group ruling a people, resting all powers to himself… eerily similar to the All-Powerfulness of God.  Let us further explore this fact.

Historically, every Prophet challenged the authority of his time and after the establishment of their respective religion, most Prophets and their followers had one objective in mind:  power, plus power over believers.  In order to maintain their control over the masses, the clergy meddled in the affairs of the ruling administration resulting in a deadly combination of forces.  Ruling juntas discovered two advantages stemming from the marriage of State and religion:  protection of the government i.e. protection of power; and the elimination of opponents through fatwa and decrees.  In their perverse passion for power, many philosophers and scholars were mistreated, humiliated, and at times brutally murdered for daring to share their creative knowledge on ethical governing, religion, and life.  Such narrow-mindedness and disregard for prosperity made the systematic deterioration of Islam inevitable.    

Hence, by naming a State after their religion or by declaring Islam as its official faith, Muslims immediately erected a massive roadblock in their path towards civilization.  Without the separation of State and religion, Muslim’s around the World have unanimously decided to say no to changes and reforms, no to freedom and democracy, no to justice and ethical governing, no to equality and social order, and therefore, in a united voice, they have said NO to prosperity.

Moving on… another aspect of the article I am not comfortable with is the mythical argument that Islam is perfect; and Muslims are the ones who tarnish its name.  It seems as though Brother Javed Sahib is telling us that the message of Islam is framed on the wall; believe and abide to the message, seek its path, but follow not the footsteps of a fellow Muslim.  Friends, forget separating State from religion; this is an example of separating man from religion!!  With all due respect, if an outsider wishes to learn about Islam, he or she will seek guidance from a Muslim… because Muslims are the ones who exemplify the message of Islam.  Furthermore, before converting to a particular religion, people first fall in love with the qualities of the Prophet:  the integrity of his character, the purity of his nature, the charm of his personality, and the overall example that he sets for others to follow; this is what convinces and allures people to a religion, not a study of the Holy Scriptures.  People believe in the man carrying the message… and thus, as carriers of this message, Muslims must model their lives accordingly.    

On a different note, Islam does have shades of beauty and a few streaks of logic.  But at the same time, like many other religions, it is also tainted with the marks of ugliness, and stained with illogical practices and irrational rituals.  Muslims are not willing to accept the violating force of this argument.  As a result, a religion, which should have evolved with the conquest of time, is actually crumbling beneath its feet.

From the beginning of their existence, Muslims are aggressively told to prepare for the afterlife.  Why we are not told to do things, which could bring happiness to mankind right here in this World and in this life?   Tolstoy, the Great Russian writer and philosopher, once told a church priest who was explaining to him the need to secure life after death, “Please do not show me future bliss,” said Tolstoy, “Show me bliss in this life” (emphasis added).  The priest could not respond to Tolstoy’s request because he had never pursued bliss in this life.  I would hate to imagine the depth of his deprivation.

Contrary to popular belief, religion alone did not bring civilization.  Rather, religion and civilization grew together.  We may be religious but at the same time, we have to maintain civility.  The main job of religion is to improve morality, but unfortunately, this could not be achieved because of our own conflicts on meaningless issues raised in our day-to-day lives.  We can see the result of these conflicts all around us globally.

In closing, I would like to talk about two personalities from the history of Mankind who had no prophetic claims, did not initiate any religious platform, yet they were able to deliver to their societies and this World, a sense of humbleness and humility, a desire for harmonious living, and a passionate attitude for learning.  Their philosophy on humanism was remarkable and understood by students and followers equally.  The one most impressive personality was Confucius, born 600 years BC, and the other I would like to mention is Pythagoras, born 582 years BC.  In regards to people who worshipped water and fire in those days, Confucius once said that I have seen people dying from water and fire but I have never seen people dying from following the principles and values of love and humanity.  His condensed teachings were called JEN and he used the same word in the foregoing sentence.  Confucius laid a greater emphasis on humans rather than religious philosophy.  His students not only spread his philosophical ideas, they even added more wonderful thoughts to his teachings.  One of his students Han Tao (206 years BC) speaking about traditions believed that there was no reality in traditional followings.  Han Tao felt that man is born with wishes, and if he cannot fulfill his wishes or does not have the means to apply, he may go beyond the limits of humanity.  In doing so, man invites conflict and conflict leads to hooliganism, which ultimately leads to destruction in society.  Likewise, in regards to war, Pythagoras once remarked, if war has to prevail then “it is only necessary to make war with five things:  with the maladies of the body, the ignorance of the mind, with the passions of the body, with the sedition of the city, and the discords of families.”  In my opinion, this is a beautiful thought overflowing with wisdom, which needs to be learned by all Muslim factions.

The aforementioned personalities were not prophets nor did they claim to have a status, yet people respected and admired them from day one.  Let us be honest and ask ourselves whether or not these sayings and teachings are of a lesser weight and value in any manner than the words of God or Divine revelation brought to us by Prophets.  I think not.  So then why does one have to be a follower of religion?  Why not spread this knowledge and bring value and service to all of mankind?

To end this review, I will repeat my earlier submission that there will be no peace or progress in Islam or the Muslim World in the 21^st century unless religion is given a second priority and separated from the State.    

If we are dreaming otherwise, then let me say, we are denying reality.

Ladies and gentleman, thank you for your patience.

Nasir A. Shah