Sunday, April 23, 2006

Some Common Myths

Some Common Myths

Q: Then why is the Muslim subdued today?

The profound impacts that are felt after one embraces Islam have been dealt in detail in the previous pages. However, the generalizations that all the Muslims do not seem to have undergone the sheer change and turning points and despite being Muslims, many of them are still indulged in vices and sins, should not lead to utter confusions. First and foremost, we ought to realize that the way Allah has given the option of selecting between virtue and vice, truth and untruth, guidance and misguidance as well as the inclination to accept Islam or not, similarly, Allah has let the doors of options open even after coming into the folds of Islam, with regard to vice and virtue, that is to chose between the good and the evil. The cardinal sin of Shirk and Kufr can never be committed by a Muslim. As a corollary, he does not remain a Muslim once he returns back into those swamps, notwithstanding that he keeps on understanding himself as a Muslim and the world too assents to his supposition. Before Allah, because of dilution and adulteration of his Iman, he shall always be considered as a Kafir and Mushrik, thereby deserving the Fire of Hell. In contradiction with other sins and misdeeds where the identity of being a Muslim is not hampered, the cardinal sins of Shirk and Kufr leave no room for being identified as a Muslim. As far as the other sins are concerned, if Allah wants, He can excuse the person if he seeks forgiveness in this world before his death. In the most undesirable situation, even if he does not seek so in the world and the sins are not forgiven, he would simply be subjected to temporary chastisement and then allowed to enter the Paradise, as promised by Allah. In the light of the above discussion, we ought to distinguish between Islam and Muslims. Islam, basically is a complete religion and Shariah, which has been bestowed by Allah to the entire mankind. There is no room at all for any loopholes or fissures in this epitome of perfectness. That is why, it has to be always superimposed and domineering. Allah has promised that it shall be so. The Muslims have been assured of complete relief and blessings with a definite entry into the Paradise after death. Nevertheless, the possible effects of their shortcomings, sins and misdeeds in this world shall have an impression on their lives in the world itself.
These misdeeds take the form of adversities, problems and hostilities that befall on them, as a result of which, they may even become subdued in this world. At times, as a result of their bad deeds, Allah may even make way for them to be ruled by oppressive and Kafir rulers, as a part of the worldly chastisement, as has been predicted by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Today, the feebleness, emasculation and subjugation that we se amongst Muslims is the result of their non-misdeeds basically. As a matter of fact, a large number of Muslims gets diverted by Satan, lose their self-control and self-discipline, fall into the trap of vices for a temporary phase, which is indubitably against the prestige of Islam. Unethical atmosphere and sinful compay also play a detrimental role. Although these vices are present amongst non-Muslims too, yet the basic underlying difference is that Muslims do tend to realize their follies in the light of their Iman and Islam and they seek forgiveness from Allah at some point or the other, as against Mushriks and Kafirs who generally never realize their mistakes under the darkness of Kufr and Shirk. Not realizing the sin is even worse than committing the sin itself, from which the Momins and Muslims are perfected by the grace of Allah. In this context, if you have a deep analysis of Islam, you would realize that Islam has never been subdued in the entire history of mankind, although at times it has preferred momentary losses keeping in view an everlasting victory rather than winning battles and losing the full-fledged war.

You would observe that whenever and wherever Muslims have become subjugated in Islamic history, Islam emerged dominant and strong. In the 7th century A.H, the Tartars attacked Baghdad, the most beautiful and enticing city those days and ravaged it. Moreover, 18 lakh Muslims were killed during the genocide. These Muslims had superceded all their ethical limits and moral turpitude, indulging in the choicest of vices and vulgarities. The whole world thought at that point, that the days of Muslims are over as they have touched their nadir. However, history stands as a mute witness to the fact that the glory of Islam was restored back over there and as time turned a new dimension, the sworn enemies of Islam – the Tartars embraced Islam. A silent transformation took place as the world watched the Tartars defeat the Muslims and Islam conquers the Tartars. In order to understand Islam and embrace it, Islamic teachings have to be the touchstone, rather than following those Muslims today who do not follow the true Islam because of weaknesses in self-discipline and inclination towards satiating their worldly desires. That is precisely why, we notice that as compared to neo-Muslims, those who have been Muslims for long, appeal more callous and wayward towards their obligations. It is because the neo-Muslims have accepted Islam out of sheer effort and commitment. They value the guidance and treasure of Islam more so after having been under the effect of misguidance. On the contrary, the Muslims by birth have received the Guidance from their fathers and forefathers as a part of legacy and they haven’t gone through the challenges in this regard.

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