(Article was written in response to eminent scholar of Islam and sociologist Dr. Asgher Ali Engineer)
It was a pleasant reading your article on this current issue which is being debated through out the world. I would like to come to the core issue where I am feeling some restless. Division between Political and Spiritual Islam. It would be a Herculean task to take this message to grass root level where Mulla element rule the roots and effectively able to present Islam as a so-called complete science of living which include state affairs (very important component) as well. Let us reach to this point sooner or later that there is nothing complete in this world and more over there is no any scope of Islamic theocracy. We can not define age-old theories with all new instrument developed by modern age, psyche and wisdom. The modern interpretation of all religions is a very serious issue where we try to justify our past and try to implement past onto our future. A lot of work is being done all over the world where people are trying to re-define centuries old religion and traditions as a viable alternative in this modern world using (immorally shamelessly) the latest technologies of the modern world which is simply unscientific, impractical and un-natural.
Let me come to the point about bifurcating political and spiritual Islam. Is it possible for the Muslim to accept it? Indian Muslim or where ever they are not in the position to take control of political power may accept it but can you expect same in the entire Middle East and North African nations? Ideologically, a Muslim thinks that Quran, the holy book is a ultimate truth and which is above from all, thus creates a very thin but powerful dividing line between Muslims and non-Muslims which sometime results in hatred. An Arab Muslim will emphasize more on the political history of Islam rather than defining its spiritual aspect but a Kashmiri Muslim would interpret Islam in opposite way. The most difficult task with the Muslims is that they do not live in the present. Their outlook is designed in such a way the either he will think about the past and tell history with pride and then all of a sudden jump into extreme future (After Death). They don’t have any vision for present. The myth of their belief that everything was set in order during Caliphate is nothing but a farce. They could not develop anything in the past 1400 hundred years just leaving apart some scanty developments during Abbasids. The problem lies with their theory of Ultimate-ism. Hegel and Huntington were born quite early when made the world believe that there is a man who is last and there is a theory which is FINAL.
We are the product of this imperfect, un -scientific theory and causing painful delay in progress and development of Muslims, be it economic, political, social and even spiritual. The discovery of oil resources brought another historical delay and slowed down the natural process of development. This was the first phenomenon in entire modern era that industrial development came without any change in production relations. Thanks to the expatriate worker and enormous wealth which kept Arabian society away from any sociological change and oil money was used to keep intact their so called heritage alive. New jargon came into force ‘From camel to Cadillac’ in this part of the world. The entire gulf region which has potential per capita income is nothing but a market for those who want to sell their product and labor as well. It has been over 42 years after exploring oil there and there is at least one or two generations which are totally far from their toiling ancestors. The new generation has everything best available from the world. Their living standard is quite extravagant and at par with some of the first world nations. They have best home, gadget, computer, all scientific technological advances and universities still we do not hear any news from their academic world. No any scientific or academic breakthrough has taken place on their soil. WHY? Why they are still considered only a market rather than creators or inventors? I am sure that their belief, teaching and tradition are responsible for this sorrow state of affairs. This is the only community on this planet which does not ask any question to it nor put its past for any scrutiny. We need to do a ruthless thorough introspection for our past without any fear from any qualm, sect or state. Let us make our house in order first and decorate it with all the modern facilities of living which are essential and then only we would be able to compete with the world. But the problem is, Muslim has evolved such a system in last 1400 years that who so ever will try to do it, will have to face Rushdie like treatment because no one oppose at the right time and right place thus giving way to sectarian forces which are ruling the roots now. For example, in last 1400 years, we could not be so mature that we could imbibe that much of strength to accept a Quran which is in chronological order. The great scholar of India Abdul Fazal did it for the first time in 1940s and tried to put Quran in chronological order, but was rejected out rightly by Muslim clerics of the time. Let us examine all the historical facts like, why Islamic state has to wait for about 400 years to make its first University in Egypt? We should ask ourselves honestly why there is no any Muslim behind any great scientific invention or discoveries of the present era? Why there is a deep vacuum of Muslims in any branch of academics? How many authors are awarded Noble Prize to Muslims? List will continue to grow…!!
Its true that religion is a very important force to motivate a community or state. It’s a driving force for the millions on this planet and vehicle of spiritual salvation for many amongst us. If it’s (Religion) a driving force to the mankind, why its (Islam) is not delivering positive, creative and productive energies to its followers? Muslims are definitely missing a link and they will have to find it out where and what is that?
Intellectual, scholar and activist bears historical responsibilities to save Islam form the dark trenches of Osama/Omar brand interpretation of Islam. Many great thinkers had to pay great price in the medieval period during Umayyad or Abbasids to Imam Khomeini. There is ongoing struggle between new and old within Islam, unfortunately OLD has proved to be more powerful and detrimental. Let us see how long this era of ignorance will prevail and continue to eclipse the sun of wisdom, liberty, knowledge and creativity?
No comments:
Post a Comment