Let us not address challenges of today with the solutions of yesterday
Dr Hasnain Walji
From cradle to ones grave,
Life seems but an illusion
The phase of youth so brave
'Tis an even greater illusion.
Abu Faiyyaz
More than ever before, in this day and age of cyberspace, PDA's and blogging, there is a dire need to rethink how we address challenges posed in the modern era dominated by Western culture and its attendant values. The yawning gap that separate the traditional language of religion and the language of modernity seems to be ever widening. The consequence of such a gap has given rise to 'misconceptions' which have become 'concepts'. One such concept is called 'the generation gap. Having gained currency, this misconception has now become an accepted concept . Paradoxically, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, this very " misconcept ' has created a 'gap' between generations. It has given a license and respectability to younger generations to be 'different'. To use modern parlance it has become 'cool' to dress, behave and act differently. This is a roadmap that leads to MTV and the land of hip hop.
Whether we like it or not Western concepts and values are being adopted around the world with enthusiasm. Aping the latest fads and fashions have now been extended to call centers in the developing world where young men and women now speak with a Texan drawl and the next minute switch to a New England accent attending to a caller from Boston. The youth of the Shia community can hardly be immune from this and the Community will be well advised not to bury its head in the sand.
No words of denouncement and condemnation of the perpetrators of the horrific terrorist attack on July 7 2005, in London, can adequately express the anguish and feelings of all those who are deeply struck by this cataclysmic event. This deliberate attack, chillingly executed before the whole world, had the sole aim of killing and maiming innocent human beings. This is a tragedy of our time that can only be felt in the hearts of all upstanding human beings who inhabit our world. In this time of global anguish good people of all faiths must come together to do all they can to rid the world of this menace. Inhuman as this terrorist act was and however much anger we may feel, it is important to bring about justice to the people of the world. Together, as we all campaign against terrorism, we must carry the principle of justice at its core in order to preserve the balance of goodness within our
So how do we address the challenges?
Shahid Ustad Mutahhari laying the responsibility squarely on the immediately preceding generation, in his book, Guiding The Youth of the New Generation * writes: " Each generation is responsible for the guidance of the proceeding generation - especially those people who are officially recognized as the leaders of the society - they have a much greater responsibility.
The same time he exhorts us not to address challenges of today with the solutions of yesterday. He states "the issue of leadership and guidance of this generation differs in its methods and techniques throughout the various time periods and differs according to the groups or people whom we are working with. Thus, we must completely remove the thought from our heads that this new generation must be guided by following the methods used by the previous generations.
Indeed such thinking reflects the guidance of Imam Sadiq (AS) that "The person who is fully aware of the time in which he is living in, will never be overcome with bewilderment (of the things around him)."
Therefore being cognizant of the era we live in, we need to focus, on the integration of intellectual, social, and emotional aspects that affect our youth and especially students in Colleges and Universities. The need of time is to recognize that our young continue to struggle with the dichotomy of disciplines and contradictions inherent in concepts such as pluralism, same sex marriages and new age fads masquerading as spirituality.
To counter this, both, medium and the message will have to be relevant to their needs. Preachers, parents and Community leaders will do well to acknowledge this reality and " completely remove the thought from (their) heads that this new generation must be guided by following the methods used by the previous generations." as boldly envisioned by Ustaad Shahid Mutahhari.
Such an acknowledgment and realization can help us on the first step in our quest to nurture a generation of Muslims who in turn will be able to nurture the next generation. Failure to do so will have disastrous consequences. Let us work towards creating a novel and a nurturing environment for the next generation with a renewed spirit.
In the words of Allama Iqbal
Ya Rabb! dil-e-Muslim ko wo zinda tammana dey
Jo qalb ko germa dey, jo rooh ko tarpa dey
O Lord, endow the Muslims heart with motivation anew
Such that it can warm the heart and stir the soul anew
Mehroom-e-tamasha ko phir deeda-e-beena dey
Dekha hai jo kuch main nay, auron ko bhi dikhla dey
Let us rid this neo-jahiliyya from within us rather than blaming others
Dr Hasnain Walji
The cataclysmic event of the 11th of September 2001, followed by the Madrid bombings and now the London bombings are all defining moments of our era that requires introspection by us all. Dr Hasnain Walji reiterates that it is a tragedy of our time that can be felt in the hearts of all upstanding human beings who inhabit our world. He suggests that it pains and disturbs us greatly that there are intolerant and deviant people within the milieu of Muslim society who have used their own design to inflict serious damage to the very fabric of our society and to the image of Islam and Muslims. As Muslim Ummah, we must take responsibility and endeavor to rid this neo-jahiliyya from within us. Today, we are compelled to not only expose their deviances but also express with vigor the authentic Islam within the framework of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his Ahlul bait.
TIME FOR INTROSPECTION
In The Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice Holy Quran: 60:8
No words of denouncement and condemnation of the perpetrators of the horrific terrorist attack on July 7 2005, in London, can adequately express the anguish and feelings of all those who are deeply struck by this cataclysmic event. This deliberate attack, chillingly executed before the whole world, had the sole aim of killing and maiming innocent human beings. This is a tragedy of our time that can only be felt in the hearts of all upstanding human beings who inhabit our world. In this time of global anguish good people of all faiths must come together to do all they can to rid the world of this menace. Inhuman as this terrorist act was and however much anger we may feel, it is important to bring about justice to the people of the world. Together, as we all campaign against terrorism, we must carry the principle of justice at its core in order to preserve the balance of goodness within our
Muslims in th West Best Placed to Bridge the Divide ..
The millions Muslims, who call the Western world, home, are amongst the most industrious and resourceful communities of Muslims anywhere. At this critical juncture they are best placed to engage with the mainstream in enhancing understanding of Islam. As we continue to participate in the international effort to bear this tragedy and help rebuild not just the structures and underground tunnels, but the very foundations of liberty and freedom, the lasting values for all times, Muslims in the West have an added responsibility to reach out to rest of the world and tell their neighbors, school friends, workmates that Islam does not advocate terrorism in any form. The Holy Qur'an says:
"Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or mischief in the land, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whoso saves the life of one, it shall be as if he has saved the life of all mankind." Quran 5:32
We must also tell freedom seeking peoples all over the globe, that amongst the refugees in the world, the largest numbers are Muslims. They too are victims of tyrannies and terrorism, and not the perpetrators. Since their fellow Muslims are the number one victims of violence and terrorism, Muslims in the west are better placed in guiding and helping their fellow citizens in our global quest towards a terrorism-free world. In the midst of the ruin and rubble, let there be a positive endeavor to bring about justice by convicting those appearing in the symbolic band wagon of terrorism but also holding to account those who allowed this symbol to form amidst the poverty and injustices around the world.
We must also remind ourselves, as a global community that a long-standing right of an oppressed people does not become invalid over time and must be addressed. If we find restrictions and hardship in dispensing justice because of our self-interest, we should know that the path of injustice and oppression is harder and even more restricted.
Just as most people in Europe and America look at the realities of Islam through largely misinformed media pundits and biased academics that regurgitate historical prejudices, by and large; Muslims elsewhere in the world too have a distorted view of Americans and the Europeans. Across the globe, Muslims have great difficulties in distinguishing the bivalent American foreign policy from Americans - the variety of people, religion and culture who make up the civilisation, the progress and pluralism.
It is inconceivable that faith that derives its very name from 'salama', meaning peace, can raise even a single individual, who is willing to commit suicide in order to murder thousands of innocent people This is a faith whose holy book proclaims Allah as the 'Giver of peace', 'the Granter of security' and 'Guardian over all'. The Holy Qur'an says:
He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King, the Holy, the Giver of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him). 59:23
So, how can those who are not able to appreciate the value of human life that Allah has made sacred and who reject the spirit of tolerance and reconciliation be described as Muslims? It pains and disturbs us greatly that there are intolerant and deviant people within the milieu of Muslim society who have used their own design to inflict serious damage to the very fabric of our society and to the image of Islam and Muslims. As Muslim Ummah, we must take responsibility and endeavor to rid this darkness and neo-jahiliyyah, from within us. Today, we are compelled to not only expose their deviances but also express with vigor the authentic Islam within the framework of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his Ahlul bait.
At the same time, there are deep wounds of oppression and injustices perpetrated against Muslims in Palestine, economic sanctions and air strikes that has taken more than a million innocent lives elsewhere in the Middle East, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo, massacres in Chechnya and many others, not to mention the Crusades and colonial experiences that has left deep scar on the collective Muslim psyche. In this depth of despondency the world appears to remains almost oblivious as if Muslim lives have little or of no value.
These are bitter experiences of our time, of our civilization, of our faith. It is self evidently true that human civilization benefits when it adopts praiseworthy traits in their conduct such as truthfulness, honesty, consciousness, benevolence self sacrifice and sense of justice. These are enduring values of progress and attainment. By the same measure, a society descends to its worst elements when greed, injustice, intolerance, self-interest, arrogance and stubbornness become the guiding stars of human condition. This mindset then becomes the breeding ground for terrorists and terrorism of individual and the state kind to emerge and display evil acts to chilling consequences. The Holy Quran aptly states:
"Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have wrought. Quran 30:41
Islam has invited mankind to perform righteous and correct acts suitable for man's interest and has placed this as the basis of its edification. What is needed is the reassertion of the eternal truths of Islam as revealed in the Noble Qur'an, explained and elucidated in the Hadith and Sunnah of the Blessed Prophet. This reassertion must present the heart of the Islamic message beyond all human biases and divisions, and emphasize that unity of mankind is the very heart of the Islamic message.
As we grapple with all these issues and apply ourselves to redressing, collectively and singly, the distortion of our faith, we must curb our instincts to blame others and take it upon ourselves to do what we can, to act when we can, to help when we can, to speak when we can, and to debate when we can. Drawing a curtain and hiding behind the cloak of silence will simply not do. Our call is to to enhance the understanding of our faith by living it, by precept and example, that we are a people of peace, who uphold universal values of justice and respect for all human beings.
The need of time is to stand up and be counted as Muslims, whom the Qur'an describes as 'people most balanced' (UMMATAN WASATA), who are members of the Abrahmic, monotheistic family of religions, and present Islam as a living faith capable of providing explanation of the meaning for a human life to a world that is seeking direction and orientation. The Holy Qur'an states:
And thus We have made you a people most balanced that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Messenger may be a bearer of witness to you; Quran 2:143
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