MUSLIM DEGENERATION AND ITS ONLY REMEDY

FIFTH

            Most of us take it for granted that the religious schools, the “Ulema”, the saints who have their seats at various religious places (Khanqah), and the religious books and magazines are sufficient activities for the fulfillment of the mission of “Amr bil ma’ruf wa nahi anil munkar” (Tabligh). These efforts, they think, are enough to meet the requirements of Tabligh. Undoubtedly, the presence of all these is absolutely essential and one must look upon them with reverence and pay attention to their problems, as the very institutions, but they are not enough to meet the situation even partially. The task is stupendous, considering our present weaknesses and the extent of the problem. To be content with the existence of these few means will be a grave folly on our part.
            Even to derive full benefit from these institutions, we have to create, within ourselves, a true and a deep respect for the faith of Islam and a burning desire to adopt it in our practical life. Up to fifty years back, people did possess real love, urge and passion for Islam, and there were visible signs and manifestations of Islamic way of life. In those days these institutions could perhaps meet the demand adequately. But, today all our sentiments and feelings for Islam are practically dead, because of the continuous onslaught on our faith and social structure by various foreign object! As, instead of love, we seem to possess a hidden inferiority complex towards our religion and faith! Obviously, therefore, we must act quickly and wrest the initiative from the hands of opposite forces and launch a strong counter-effort, whereby we are able to revive the dead spirit of each and every Muslim and rekindle In him the love and attachment for Islam. Only then can we derive full benefit from the existing religious institutions which, in turn, can serve the community in a befitting manner. Unless such steps are taken vigorously, the present state of complacency will spread deep and wide, and instead of these institutions, which are doing good in this limited way, may meet the fate of total extinction.

SIXTH

            There is a great misunderstanding that, whenever one takes up the work of enjoining good and forbidding evil, he is not received well by the people. The people invariably treat him badly, using harsh and insulting language. Also, that sometimes people tend to adopt a mean and contemptuous attitude towards religious workers. This is true, but we are apt to forget the fact that the performance of the act of propagation means simply to follow in the footsteps of the prophets of Allah Ta'ala, who were always the victims of the worst type of treatment. That is the usual and destined disposition of those who take to this mission! Indeed, all prophets had to suffer untold miseries on account of this, as is clear from the following verse:

“And we sent down prophets before you amongst people gone by, and no prophet came to them but that they ridiculed him.”
The holy prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) once remarked:
            “No prophet has suffered more than me in the propagation of truth.”

It is obvious therefore that there is no justification for giving rise to such misunderstanding. As we profess to be the followers of Hadhrat Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) who himself had suffered in the performance of this very mission, but took everything cheerfully and with forbearance, we must also follow his sublime examples and show patience and calmness while performing the vital duty of “Tabligh”.

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