(JollofNews) – It has been clearly brought out in the preceding pages that the current disease in the body of Muslims has sprung from the extinction of the true spirit of Islam in our hearts.
As a result, real sentiments and love for Islam are practically dead in us and our belief in it has dissipated. Obviously, when the very source becomes dry, the channels of virtue, good deeds and fine attributes, which can flow from it, are not to be seen any longer.
This is exactly what is evident today. It has been fully discussed and brought out earlier that the only means for the building up of this source, and maintaining a constantly proper flow of religious benefits from it, is the act of “Tabligh”, which really and truly is the life-blood of Islam. Unless we are able to revive it, we cannot achieve anything in this life because no nation of people can rise to glory without having in them the high human attributes and character which only the religion of Islam can give. We should now clearly feel the disease from which we suffer and judge the treatment which can bring the remedy. It is now up to us to set about the revival of the obligatory task of “Tabligh”.
It will be only then that we can hope to regenerate the true faith of Islam in the masses. By this means alone can we recognise and truly understand both Allah Ta’ala and His Holy prophet, Hadhrat Mohammad (SAW), and will be able to clearly understand and finally submit to their commands and wishes. To achieve all this, we will have to adopt the exact methods and ways which are laid down and were demonstrated by the Holy prophet (SAW) himself when he reformed the pagan Arabs. Allah Ta’ala says in the Quran:
“Indeed the Holy prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) is the perfect example for you to follow.”
In this very connection, Hadhrat Imam Malik (Rahmatullah Alaihi) said: “Reformation of the last (part) of this (Mohammad’s) Ummat will not be possible except by adopting the method which was used in the beginning (by Hadhrat Mohammad (SAW).
In the beginning, when the Holy prophet (SAW) had started to call the people to Islam, he did not have a single supporter behind him nor had he any political power or possessions. The Pagan Arabs were arrogantly independent and self-opinionated. No one among them was prepared to listen to reason or truth or obey another person.
They strongly disliked and were deadly opposed to the “Kalimah-tul-Haq”, which the Holy prophet (SAW) had the sole mission to teach. In these circumstances, one wonders what gave such invisible power and force to that one single man, who was wordly poor and without any means, that he eventually was able to draw the whole of the Arab nation towards him.
First we ought to carefully think and see what was it refused, but came running towards him as soon as they perceived the light, and steed by him so close that they never left him again. It was the message of Eternal Truth to which he called!-that and only that (Truth), which was the Holy Prophet’s (SAW) sole mission and aim in life-and which he so beautifully presented to the people! It is: “That we worship nothing but Allah, and associate none with Him as His compeer or rival, and none of us considers another god except Allah.”
The propagation of that same very truth can bring the very same results again.The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) forbade his followers from looking upon any ‘Being’ except Allah Ta’ala for worship or obedience. Not only did he succeed in achieving his aim, but was able to cut all ties between his followers and every alien element, and bound his people in one uniform system of life from which they never tried to break away again. They really became the picture of: “Follow that which has been sent to you from the Sustainer, and do not follow others (considering them) as Protectors except Allah Ta’ala.”
This was the real lesson, which the Holy Prophet (SAW) had been commanded (by Allah Ta’ala) to teach and spread. It is further clear from the following verse: “O Muhammad! Invite people to your Lord with wisdom and better counsel, and argue with them in such wise as is best; verily your Lord knows the one who wanders astray from His path, and He knows those who are on the right path.”
The highway marked for the progress of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his followers is further declared in the following verses: “O Muhammad! Say, this is my path, and I invite you towards Allah Ta’ala knowingly, I and my followers too: and Allah is all pure and never will I join partners with Allah.”
“And who is better in speech than one who invites you towards Allah Ta’ala, does good deeds and says, verily, I am of those who submit their will to Allah.”
To call mankind to Allah Ta’ala and show the right path to all those who had gone astray was the only mission and the sole purpose of the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) life. To serve this very purpose, thousands of prophets had been deputed before him. As Allah Ta’ala says: “And we did not send any Prophet before you, but that We revealed upon him that verily there is no god but Me and so worship Me.”
The sacred biography of Hadhrat Mohammad (SAW) and also those of other Prophets indicate one single aim as the sole mission of their lives: i.e., to believe in One True Allah Ta’ala and His one Divine Personality and His Attributes. This belief is the essence of the faith of Islam. It was to practise and demonstrate this very faith that man has been sent on this earch, as will be seen fron this verse: “And We have not created the Jinni and human beings but to worship Me only.”
We should by now ought to be able to understand the real purpose for the creation of man and the way we, particularly Muslims, should live; we also know the true disease from which we suffer and its treatment; it should, therefore, not be difficult then to find out how to apply that treatment and regain our lost vitality. If we bear in our mind all that has been discussed so far, and with that background act sincerely, any method adopted will “Insha Allah” prove to be beneficial and successful. However, a proven successful method is described.
Course Of Action
With the very limited knowledge and understanding that I have about such a vital matter as “Tabligh” (enjoining good and forbidding evil), a scheme of work and action is described below, for the improvement of Muslims and their progress in Islam. Actually, what I have to say is nothing else than a brief outline of the practical way of life which had been followed by our ancestors and early Muslims.
The first and the foremost thing to do is to change the aim of our life, form material motives and acquisition of wealth, to the propagation and spreading of Allah Ta’ala “Kalimah” and Islam; to fix as a definite objective for ourselves, the enforcement of the commands and orders of Allah Ta’ala; and to sincerely resolve: I will obey every command of Allah Ta’ala, shall try to practise it in cumstances. The fulfillment of this resolution must be madethe main aim of life. We can plan and act on this brad base by adopting the following practical scheme and proredure: To memorise and correctly recite the “Kalimah”: And to understand its literal meaning, as well as what it actually implies.
That is, to believe, to say, and to act on the faith that Allah Ta’ala is the only Power, the only Authority and the Sole Controller of all things, and it is He alone who is to be worshipped and obeyed, and it is He alone who grants success or failure in life. Success will depend on our truly adopting the way of life preached and taught by Hadhrat Mohammad (SAW) and our own life on the pattern requirements of the “Kalimah”
To become punctual and regular in offering our prayers (namaz) five times a day. Ther performance of this most obligatory duty ought to be strictly in accordance with the procedure laid down by Hadhrat Mohammad (SAW), to be performed in utmost humility and supplication. The greatness and superiority of Allah Ta’ala must be held uppermost in mind throughout the prayers, whilst maintaining the feelings of one’s own humbleness and helplessness. In other words, “namaz” should be performed as if one was actually being presented to Allah Ta’ala in a manner befitting the Height of His Greatness and Glory. If the procedure of “namaz” is not known, it ought to be learnt properly with each detail committed to memory.
To develop attachment of body and soul to the Holy Quran in the following manner: To recite daily a portion of the Quran, however small, with highest respect and reverence for the holy scripture and by understanding its meaning, if possible. If one is unable to understand the meaning, he may still recite the text with the purpose and hope that his salvation and progress depends on it. Simple recitation of the original words and lines is also a great blessing. If a person is unable to read, he ought to spend a little time daily to learn to read.
To ensure that one’s own children as well as those of the neighbors and friends are taught the holy Quran and other essential religious books as a first step in their learning.
To be continued.
Courtesy of Fazail-e-Amaal
