Physician, heal thyself

Physician, heal thyself!

The Prophet ﷺ has observed that people are readily inclined towards spotting a speck in others’eyes, but casually neglect a log in their own. It is human tendency to blame anyone and everyone for our problems but our own selves. Today, Muslims world over are waist deep in misery, and we tend to transfer the entire burden of blame on Zionists, Americans, NATO, Russians, Hindutwa, communism, capitalism-anyone and everyone but our own selves.

I do not say that that these external factors mentioned above have not played their part in drubbing us Muslims. They most certainly have, and for good reason. The ideology that Islam presents is bound to be met with retaliation. In an earlier essay on ‘Cultivated Islamophobia’ published here some months back, I had sought to make it amply clear that hatred towards Islam and Muslims is being systematically cultivated in the minds of the masses so as to keep them away from the justice-loving teachings of Islam. The incumbent political, capitalist and priestly class sees in Islam its unavoidable death and hence its efforts are concentrated in keeping Islam away, far away from the fertile minds of its circle of influence. It thus occurs that their anti-Muslim policies and anti-Islam propaganda are part of an institutionalized program meant to salvage their own ulterior motives. This is exactly what is expected from them and there should be no cause of amazement or despair at this modus operandi of theirs. On the contrary, it would be quite surprising if they were to abandon their grotesque plans and make peace!

Hence, instead of blaming the anti-Islam powers-that-be, and far from it, we should devote out time, efforts and resources in introspecting within. Or is it that we consider ourselves so lame that we have resigned our fate to these external agencies in the hope of some mercy and handouts? This, despite being in possession of the ultimate book of guidance- the Qur’an and despite being privileged to have Prophet Muhammad ﷺas our guide and teacher? It then turns out that we have not yet completely comprehended our association with the Qur’an and the Prophet; for it is totally illogical for a person who has understood this noble association to keep blaming those powers whose source of existence itself lies in opposing and defaming Islam and Muslims with all their might.

The Qur’an has been described by jinns in Surah Jinn as an ‘amazing book’; and amazing it indeed is. It is amazing because it is by all means the only book which is accorded the highest respect and affection in this world but is never attempted to be understood. A book that is claimed by one and all to be a source of profound guidance but is never acted upon. A book that has been translated in almost every language spoken on earth but the overwhelming majority of Muslims still remain unacquainted with its message. It is an undeniable fact that the solution to all our problems is laid bare in this small book. Now, are the Americans and Zionists to be blamed if WE have not yet opened the Qur’an and introduced ourselves to Allah’s guidance?

The second most important source of guidance is the Sunnah(ways and traditions) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. A person once asked Lady Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) to describe to him the Prophet. Lady Ayesha replied, “Have you not read the Qur’an?” The life of the Prophet was a personification of the Qur’an, an embodiment of the Qur’an. It is imperative that we study the Qur’an and the Sunnah in order to understand Islam, without which we have nothing to stand upon.

One important teaching of the Qur’an and the Sunnah is that we repel evil with that which is good. “The good and the evil are not equal. Repel evil by that which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity (will become) as though he was a devoted friend.” (Surah Fussilat ayat 34) Upon reflection, we would notice that these words have an ocean of wisdom contained within them. Instead of fighting fire with fire, the Qur’an instructs us to douse the fire with water. If our individual and collective character becomes a reflection of Qur’anic teachings, we would cease to live in the misery for which we are so eager to blame others. The bearers of the Qur’an are expected to exhibit a high moral character. We are expected to offer namaz (prayers) regularly, to meticulously pay zakat and sadqa (charity), to be dutiful towards our parents, to respect our elders, to be humble, to be modest, to be honest in our dealings, to follow the Sunnah of our Prophet in all walks of life. And until we do this, we have no moral right to point fingers at anyone but our own selves. I ask you, is America compelling us to forfeit our trusts, or is Israel forcing us to abandon our prayers? Are NATO forces responsible for our lack of inclination towards education or are the Fascists persuading our womenfolk to roam the streets unveiled? The destitution faced by contemporary Muslims is one part the act of external factors and ninety nine parts the act of us Muslims. It is a clear case of criminal negligence!

I am reminded of a historic dialogue between Hercules, the Byzantine Emperor and his army commander during the siege of Syria. Hercules asks him, “Why are we facing defeat after defeat at the hands of these tribal desert Arabs, despite we having much better and sophisticated arms, well trained regiments and superior resources?” The commander replies that “The people we face are honest and upright, pious and men of good character, soldiers by day and monks by night.” This episode teaches us that even the standing legions of the Roman army were helpless in front of those people who had moulded their personality according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. What was true yesterday is true today as well. We should be so grounded in truth and virtue that we should have the audacity to proclaim- as Prophet Nooh (Peace be upon him) did- “I have relied upon Allah. So resolve upon your plan and (call upon) your associates. Then let not your plan be obscure to you. Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite.” (Surah Yunus ayat 71). What we are doing instead is whining and crying upon every affliction that comes our way and conveniently shirking responsibility for our misgivings.

It is high time we stop hiding behind the cloak of self deception and look within. It is then and only then that we would be able to reach the correct diagnosis. Unless diagnosed properly, the prognosis would remain sad and lacking. Our body defenses are weak and weare blaming infectious bacteria for our diseases. I beseech thee, when will we understand that it is inthe very nature of bacteria to cause infections? The question is- What are we doing to strengthen our bodies against them?

- Dr. Parvez Mandviwala