Towards Revival - Part 2

 

(3) Muslim peoples are educationally backwards. This means that:- (a) intellectually they are incapable of grasping and dealing with the development of modern ideas and knowledge; (b) emotionally they have failed to adjust to the new conditions of life brought about by the development of transport and communication - the shrinking world, the globalisation of commerce and cultures, the increasing inter-dependence of peoples, and the migration and mixing of people; (c) they have failed to develop the various physical skills required by the modern world.

(4) The above produce social problems which include cultural, political and economic ones. Muslims are technologically backwards which makes them economically and politically dependent on others. They are also organisationally backwards and have failed to create useful political structures. This leads either to constant conflict between groups or to the rule by dictators and tyrants, one leading to the other. The economic weakness leads to political conflicts, which leads to more economic weakness. Muslims have failed to create a culture in which science, technology and political tolerance can exist and be encouraged. Conversely the economic and political conditions encourage a culture where these are absent.

(5) The result of these human conditions reflects in their interaction with the environment. The population increase puts pressure on the resources and leads to over exploitation, wastage, pollution, and disruption of the ecological system. But though it is not the Muslims countries that are mainly responsible for environmental problems, they do live in a world, all parts of which are inter-dependent, and have responsibility towards it as vicegerents that they failed to discharge.

(6) However, it is also true that Muslim peoples are not free to determine their own affairs but are dominated and exploited by domestic and foreign political and economic power groups in the latters interests. The struggle against them is inevitable, though often the methods are stupid, naive, desperate, and ineffective which leads, also inevitably, to condemnation by the exploiters. The revival of Islam is also seen as a threat by power-seekers, materialists, sensualists and the depraved. Since it is they who have the power, they mount a propaganda, political and economic campaign against them, which makes recovery difficult because it encourages hysteria, militancy, retaliation and extremism.

While all these problems remain the Muslim countries will inevitably continue to degenerate. Others might continue to progress for some time but are likely to be destroyed by the psychological, social and environmental problems they are creating. They appear to be unwilling or unable to solve them and some of these they have failed even to recognise.

Firstly, there is no possibility of re-establishing an Islamic Civilisation without a spiritual change:-

"Allah changes not the condition of a folk until they first change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah wills misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender besides Him." 13:11

The method adopted by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) had the following stages:- (a) A period of teaching a reformulated version of the universal religion. (b) A period of organising a way of life where the teaching could be applied and practised. (c) A period of consolidation, defence and expansion. A similar pattern will be required to bring about the revival of Islam. It requires several aspects simultaneously and successively:- A period of re-thinking, a period of re-organisation, a period of application. The last will provide data which leads back to re-thinking and so on.

Secondly, the Quran tells us:-

"And every community (or nation) has its term, and when its term comes, they cannot put it off an hour nor yet advance it." 7:34

Nations like individuals are born and die and cannot be revived. It seems, therefore, that the revival of Islam entails the creation of new communities.

We are also told :-

"For every announcement there is a term, and ye will come to know." 6:67

Ideas, like people also have a life time. They are at first consciously held and applied and then gradually familiarity leads to habit and erosion. Religions have to be reformulated from time to time. Spiritual resurrection and Renewal takes place just as spring follows winter, or like in all organisms one generation replaces another. Or :-

"Allah sends down water from the sky and therewith revives the earth after her death. lo! Herein is indeed a portent for a folk who hear." 16:65

Owing to the changes and the complexity of life, it is no longer possible to keep to a simple and naive understanding and application of religion. The development of the sciences and a universal educational system has raised the ability to question and the demand for explanations. It has also caused bewilderment owing to the great profusion of different ideologies and points of view, which arise because all, owing to human limitations, possess only partial knowledge and different parts of the totality. Unfortunately, development in the study and understanding of religion has not kept pace with developments in the secular world. This contradiction between need and availability has led to renewed thinking on the subject.

The question is:- Is it really possible to bring about a spiritual regeneration without a Prophet? Where is the spiritual impulse and power to come from?

There is indeed a promise in the Quran that a Messenger will be sent at the end of times (3:81), but in the meantime as the verse 16:65 above indicates spiritual revival may come about more directly from time to time. See also 30:48

"Allah guides whom He will unto the Straight Path" 2:213, See also 2:247, 3:73, 6:88, 10:25, 24:21,35, 39:23, 57:21,29, 74:31

"He gives wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly has received abundant good. But none remembers except men of understanding." 2:269

"He sends down the angels with the spirit of His command unto whom He will of His servants, saying: Warn mankind that there is no god save Me, so keep your duty unto Me." 16:2 Also 40:15

In any case, we are also told that it is not really the Prophet who guides man, but Allah.

"Lo! Thou, O Muhammad guides not whom thou lovest, but Allah guides who He will." 28:56

"Say: Lo! The guidance of Allah, Himself, is Guidance." 2:120

Muhammad is the "Seal of the Prophets" (33:40), and the teachings of the Quran are complete (5:3) and will be preserved (15:9, 41:42), and it contains the teachings of previous Prophets (41:43). The Muslim is required to believe what all the Messengers teach (2:4,136,285, 4:150-151). It seems, therefore, that human beings are expected to have matured, no longer needing to be led like a child by a parent, but having their own discernment. The truth is still there, and can be recovered, and they ought to be able to see the unitary truth that lies behind the apparent diversity.

Note also

" Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdains all save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse." 9:32

"He it is Who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it conqueror of all religion, however much idolaters may be averse." 61:9

But revival of Islam requires that there be a sufficient and increasing leadership of high quality. It is also necessary that they should make several different kinds of organised and concerted efforts. In order to do this a new Central Islamic Organisation (CIO) will have to be set up with the following tasks:-

(1) It is necessary to counteract the bad image Islam has been given ever since the crusades were mounted against it by Christians. It seems, however, that Islam keeps expanding despite this as, indeed the Quran predicted (9:32) It is also necessary to counteract the activities of ignorant Muslims who bring disrepute on Islam. However, people with false values, prejudices and antipathies towards Islam based on self-interest will criticise Islam what ever Muslims might do. It is not only necessary to explain Islam to non-Muslims and to obtain new converts, but it is necessary to explain Islam to, and reconvert, most Muslims themselves, and that in the light of modern knowledge, conditions of life and experience. It is only converts who can behave consciously and there is little virtue in automatisms.

(2) There are numerous Islamic organisations in many countries. Most of them are working independently. It is necessary that the C.I.O should encourage the federation of all these. They can all belong as parts of the C.I.O, which can co-ordinate and aid their activities.

(3) It is impossible that the Islamic world can survive without better technology, education and organisation. But this means that either they have to adopt those already developed in the West, and this may destroy Islam. It could also destroy eventually the whole Civilisation and world structure owing to the accumulation of the psychological, social and environmental problems. Or they must develop their own and superior ways. But this requires a new interpretation, understanding and application of Islam. It requires starting from first principles. The advanced world, however, has its economic, political and cultural grip on all parts of the world and manipulates all things and peoples to its own advantage. If the Muslim nations were to combine together they could have produced a most powerful and influential block in the middle of the world stretching from the Far East through Central Asia, the Middle East and Northern Africa. They could even have had a common language, Arabic (besides their own regional languages), and a common military force to defend themselves, supported by appropriate sciences and technologies collectively financed. But they appear to be too stupid to do this owing to ambition for personal power. This stupidity is not unconnected with the failure to achieve psychological development by the correct understanding and application of their religion. It is necessary that the C.I.O. should encourage the federation of Islamic states, and co-operation in the research and the development of new and appropriate technologies.

(4) The main problems confronting the revival of Islam must be identified and counteracted.

Sectarianism is only one of the problems though it is connected with others, the inability to organise and the lack of a sense of values and purpose.

Certain fundamental Islamic ideas must be inculcated in the general public, particularly parents, and into children from the earliest years, through books, magazines, radio, television, films, video tapes and specially arranged public lectures in mosques and else where.

The main ideas to be emphasised are the following:-

(a) Firstly, it is necessary to inculcate the idea that Islam is "Surrender to Allah" and no one else. All other loyalties or attachments are forms of idolatry which is the greatest sin in Islam. Clearly, Sectarianism is based on attachment to some person or group and is Shirk. All other loyalties should be sub-ordinate to loyalty to Allah. The loyalty to Allah should also produce loyalty to the community of Muslims.

(b) It has to be emphasised that Allah is Unity and Truth. Therefore, submission to truth, even against one's own subjectively perceived interest is necessary. Ultimately it is the seeking of, and the adherence to, truth that will be beneficial to a person. We are required to "Surrender" our subjectivity to Objective truth.

(c) Surrender implies humility, the control over the ego. The egocentric value system based on selfishness, greed, lust, ambition, boasting, rivalry self-seeking for wealth, power and prestige of all kinds, must be discouraged. Remember, however, that the economic and political success of the West depends on the fact that they have cultivated and harnessed these impulses. Communism failed because it flouted or ignored them while people, specially their leaders, were spiritually primitive. Since these also cause all the psychological, social and environmental problems, it is necessary to control and channel them. This possibility arises from the fact that the above-mentioned worldly impulses are themselves a product of the channelling of natural needs for self-preservation, reproduction, social interaction and self-enhancement. It is necessary to inculcate a spiritual value system. The attributes of Allah provide these values. The idea that a Muslim should be a Vicegerent needs to be deeply established. A good self-image is essential.

(d) It is necessary to distinguish between the Quran and the interpretations and opinions about it. This is part of humility. The difference between reality and one's opinion about it can be demonstrated in numerous ways. It is a great sin to attribute to Allah that which might be false or inadequate. The truth is usually much more comprehensive than a report about it even if correct. It has many aspects and can be seen from many angles and reported in many different ways. These different reports are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

(e) The acquisition of Knowledge is a progressive thing. We cannot with justice claim that we have the whole truth at any given time. The aim should be to increase knowledge. This involves the readiness to discard old habits of thought, and to learn from others.

(f) The word "knowledge" should not be understood in the narrow sense of mere impersonal factual information, but as something organic which modifies the individual and causes his psychological or spiritual growth. It manifests in motives and action as well as thought. Unintelligent mob demonstrations and hysterics must be discouraged.

(g) It is necessary through suitable exercises to inculcate the habit and skills of self-examination, particularly of one's opinions, motives and actions. Self-consciousness and self-control is what ought to distinguish human beings from animals.

(h) An Islamic institution or organisation is one in which Allah is the Supreme Authority. Since Truth and Goodness - Knowledge, Awareness, Justice, Beneficence, Mercy etc. are attributes of Allah, then these are supreme. This also means that those human beings who have these qualities to a greater extent must be regarded as nearer to Allah and, therefore, accepted as guides. It is the duty of those who have been such bounties to share it with others and guide them. There should, therefore, be a mutual advantage which causes those above on the ladder to lift up those below, and this enables the former to climb even higher.

(i) But there is no compulsion in religion. People obey only for their own good. A Muslim is one who has chosen to Surrender to Allah. This makes Islam into a Theocracy. But subject only to the above considerations, Islam is a democracy - that is, everything has to be done by mutual consultation. The Vicegerency has been placed in all human beings. The flouting of this principle can be regarded as oppression or persecution. The Muslim is required to fight oppressors until persecution is no more. But he is not allowed to be an aggressor. (2:190-191).

Continued in Part 3

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Islamic Revival - Part 3..........Content