abdulhakeem
26-04-04, 10:29 AM
By Muhammad Abbas
Apr 25, 2004, 13:23
WE Muslims believe in Islam, being a revealed "Deen", a straight path and complete code of life for all times to come and for the entire mankind. We further believe that Islam has a message and mission for the whole world.
The message is that of peace, harmony and tranquillity in society so that life for human beings becomes a blessing; a happy one and peaceful. The mission is to establish a society based on social justice, equality and brotherhood and respect for human rights as enshrined in the Holy Qur'an.
Five pillars of Islam are to support the edifice of Islam. In the Holy Qur'an it has been emphasised time and again that all men are family of God.
Thus Islam's message is universal and it is of peace, love and tolerance.
There is no compulsion in Islam and the mission is to improve the quality of life in all respects.
In today's world, Muslims are the targets of aggression and misrepresentation. Their religion and culture are under fierce media and intellectual attack. Whether it's Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan or Palestine, it is the Muslims who are the worst sufferers at the hands of ruling and controlling foreign forces. The reasons could be as many as one could imagine. Muslim world today is also characterised by internal fissions, socio-economic backwardness, intellectual stagnation, lack of direction and failures in national and international policies. The Muslims have lost their dynamism by ignoring the true message and mission of Islam and have failed to demonstrate to the world the progressive, rational and forward looking Islamic way of life. They are blaming the West for what is happening to them.
It is seldom thought and attempted to analyse as to why Muslims are the target of various kinds of pressures and threats. Our perception of what is happening to us is based on distorted view of the treatment we are receiving at the hands of the West. It is high time for cool-minded, objective and dispassionate introspection. There is a great need to search our minds, hearts and souls. Blaming others for our troubles and problems will lead us nowhere. A house in disorder and divided against itself cannot expect smooth sailing. All Muslim countries are pulling in different directions and the slogans of revival of Islam are empty and without spirit. We forget that nothing can harm or trouble us except ourselves. Although self-condemnation is sign of despondency, yet to behave like a proverbial pigeon is also unwise. The self-deception will only bring harm and failures.
What is needed, is that Muslims study the Holy Qur'an and the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) not only for "Sawab" but to find out the true message of Islam and apply it in their lives so that the mission of Islam is accomplished. The mission is to establish a just society wherein there is equality, individual and collective accountability, peace, harmony and tolerance and is to make life a blessing of God. There is no place for oppression and compulsions in Islam. All human rights are to be protected.
Everybody must feel safe and secure. There should be no social disruptions and moral values must be respected. For guidance in all matters the Holy Qur'an should be the guiding light as the entire spectrum of life has been covered by the last revealed Book of Allah.
The question haunting many of us is whether we Muslims have really "studied" Qur'an and have learnt from the life, mission and message of the last Prophet of Allah (PBUH). The message is embodied in the Holy Qur'an and mission is fully explained and reflected in the life of our Prophet (PBUH).
In my view there are three main thrusts of the message of Islam - first and foremost is acquision of knowledge, continuous and hard thinking and vision, second is welfare of mankind and basic practices of Salat, Zakat, Fasting and Hajj. Deen-e-Islam is the name of welfare of others. Whenever there is question of well-being of mankind nothing but the footprints of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) are to be followed and only then desired results will come forth. Humanity can find peace and tranquillity only if the message of Islam is followed. All modern, social, sciences and philosophies have failed to rescue mankind from war, oppression, poverty and other problems. All offer only partial, temporary, ad hoc and limited solutions to the human sufferings. It is only Islam's comprehensive message that can salvage man from the atrocities of modern age and catastrophies.
At present mankind has only one choice and that is to follow Islam's eternal message which is of peace, social justice, tranquility, higher human values including respect for man as man mutual tolerance and service to mankind.
Human society can be balanced and peaceful only if Islam's tenets as enshrined in the Holy Quran are followed. In Islam both individual and collective behaviour are regulated with humanitarian and humane approach.
Beliefs and prayers and other rituals are there but the true message of Islam is service to humanity, respect for the rights of everybody and every community, sanctity of family life, sacrifices for fellow beings and State's responsibility towards all its citizens without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion, colour and race.
Islam was and is a "deen" aiming at universal brotherhood. It transcends all borders of geography and ethnicity. Before Islam, masses were treated by the kings and feudals like animals. The entire humanity was shrieking under the heels of oppressive systems. There was none and nothing to provide relief.
Islam's message and mission is to create love and peace in the world. Itis our belief that if the world turns to Islam and follows its message, there will be peace and harmony in the universe. Addressing the Holy Prophet Allah, the Almighty has ordained: "ALR. A Book which we have revealed Unto thee, in order that Thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness Into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the way of (Him) Exalted in Power, worthy of all praise!" 14/1
Thus the real message of Islam is essentially to bring light to the mankind oppressed by darkness - darkness caused by oppression, injustices and crudities. Islam calls upon its followers to understand their responsibility towards mankind. It is not enough to call oneself Muslim. It is not enough to offer prayers regularly, to have belief in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, in the angels and prophets. There is much more in being a Muslim.
It is the duty of Muslims to establish social order, enforce social justice serve the whole mankind and establish and promote peace through the use of pen and world of month.
All legitimate means should be used to convey the true message of Islam and accomplish its mission. Muslims must practically demonstrate as to what a society would be like if Islam is practised in letter and in spirit. They must show to the world as to how Islam creates a just and peaceful society on the basis of equality and how healthy culture flourishes and what dazzling progress can be made in various spheres of life by following the message of Islam.
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_8604.shtml
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_8605.shtml
Apr 25, 2004, 13:23
WE Muslims believe in Islam, being a revealed "Deen", a straight path and complete code of life for all times to come and for the entire mankind. We further believe that Islam has a message and mission for the whole world.
The message is that of peace, harmony and tranquillity in society so that life for human beings becomes a blessing; a happy one and peaceful. The mission is to establish a society based on social justice, equality and brotherhood and respect for human rights as enshrined in the Holy Qur'an.
Five pillars of Islam are to support the edifice of Islam. In the Holy Qur'an it has been emphasised time and again that all men are family of God.
Thus Islam's message is universal and it is of peace, love and tolerance.
There is no compulsion in Islam and the mission is to improve the quality of life in all respects.
In today's world, Muslims are the targets of aggression and misrepresentation. Their religion and culture are under fierce media and intellectual attack. Whether it's Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan or Palestine, it is the Muslims who are the worst sufferers at the hands of ruling and controlling foreign forces. The reasons could be as many as one could imagine. Muslim world today is also characterised by internal fissions, socio-economic backwardness, intellectual stagnation, lack of direction and failures in national and international policies. The Muslims have lost their dynamism by ignoring the true message and mission of Islam and have failed to demonstrate to the world the progressive, rational and forward looking Islamic way of life. They are blaming the West for what is happening to them.
It is seldom thought and attempted to analyse as to why Muslims are the target of various kinds of pressures and threats. Our perception of what is happening to us is based on distorted view of the treatment we are receiving at the hands of the West. It is high time for cool-minded, objective and dispassionate introspection. There is a great need to search our minds, hearts and souls. Blaming others for our troubles and problems will lead us nowhere. A house in disorder and divided against itself cannot expect smooth sailing. All Muslim countries are pulling in different directions and the slogans of revival of Islam are empty and without spirit. We forget that nothing can harm or trouble us except ourselves. Although self-condemnation is sign of despondency, yet to behave like a proverbial pigeon is also unwise. The self-deception will only bring harm and failures.
What is needed, is that Muslims study the Holy Qur'an and the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) not only for "Sawab" but to find out the true message of Islam and apply it in their lives so that the mission of Islam is accomplished. The mission is to establish a just society wherein there is equality, individual and collective accountability, peace, harmony and tolerance and is to make life a blessing of God. There is no place for oppression and compulsions in Islam. All human rights are to be protected.
Everybody must feel safe and secure. There should be no social disruptions and moral values must be respected. For guidance in all matters the Holy Qur'an should be the guiding light as the entire spectrum of life has been covered by the last revealed Book of Allah.
The question haunting many of us is whether we Muslims have really "studied" Qur'an and have learnt from the life, mission and message of the last Prophet of Allah (PBUH). The message is embodied in the Holy Qur'an and mission is fully explained and reflected in the life of our Prophet (PBUH).
In my view there are three main thrusts of the message of Islam - first and foremost is acquision of knowledge, continuous and hard thinking and vision, second is welfare of mankind and basic practices of Salat, Zakat, Fasting and Hajj. Deen-e-Islam is the name of welfare of others. Whenever there is question of well-being of mankind nothing but the footprints of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) are to be followed and only then desired results will come forth. Humanity can find peace and tranquillity only if the message of Islam is followed. All modern, social, sciences and philosophies have failed to rescue mankind from war, oppression, poverty and other problems. All offer only partial, temporary, ad hoc and limited solutions to the human sufferings. It is only Islam's comprehensive message that can salvage man from the atrocities of modern age and catastrophies.
At present mankind has only one choice and that is to follow Islam's eternal message which is of peace, social justice, tranquility, higher human values including respect for man as man mutual tolerance and service to mankind.
Human society can be balanced and peaceful only if Islam's tenets as enshrined in the Holy Quran are followed. In Islam both individual and collective behaviour are regulated with humanitarian and humane approach.
Beliefs and prayers and other rituals are there but the true message of Islam is service to humanity, respect for the rights of everybody and every community, sanctity of family life, sacrifices for fellow beings and State's responsibility towards all its citizens without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion, colour and race.
Islam was and is a "deen" aiming at universal brotherhood. It transcends all borders of geography and ethnicity. Before Islam, masses were treated by the kings and feudals like animals. The entire humanity was shrieking under the heels of oppressive systems. There was none and nothing to provide relief.
Islam's message and mission is to create love and peace in the world. Itis our belief that if the world turns to Islam and follows its message, there will be peace and harmony in the universe. Addressing the Holy Prophet Allah, the Almighty has ordained: "ALR. A Book which we have revealed Unto thee, in order that Thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness Into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the way of (Him) Exalted in Power, worthy of all praise!" 14/1
Thus the real message of Islam is essentially to bring light to the mankind oppressed by darkness - darkness caused by oppression, injustices and crudities. Islam calls upon its followers to understand their responsibility towards mankind. It is not enough to call oneself Muslim. It is not enough to offer prayers regularly, to have belief in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, in the angels and prophets. There is much more in being a Muslim.
It is the duty of Muslims to establish social order, enforce social justice serve the whole mankind and establish and promote peace through the use of pen and world of month.
All legitimate means should be used to convey the true message of Islam and accomplish its mission. Muslims must practically demonstrate as to what a society would be like if Islam is practised in letter and in spirit. They must show to the world as to how Islam creates a just and peaceful society on the basis of equality and how healthy culture flourishes and what dazzling progress can be made in various spheres of life by following the message of Islam.
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_8604.shtml
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_8605.shtml