The time of the great fair had come
again. I would have been deprived of the tremendous opportunity to view
it had I not left home to buy for my father some medicines from the market.
The heat was on; rhythmic sounds of the drums, a long series of outstretched
golden shawls1, devout youth
with red lips2 and their lively
dance with bare feet, all revived the picture that roams before my eyes
when I ponder on the damage caused by mysticism. The devoted young fellows
were headed for the shrine of Miyan Mir3
to humbly enshroud his grave with those sacred shawls on the annual ‘Urs
(anniversary celebrations). Their dance would turn into wild and frantic
African rumba if some ladies happen to watch the devotees from over their
balconies. It is very likely that one dancer should lose his senses and
faint owing to dancing ‘faithfully’: this is indeed desirable and commendable;
because he, it is erroneously believed, gets a chance in his faintness
to see and converse with the Great Mystic, Miyan Mir. Securing awe
and applaud from people standing on both sides of the road, the procession
moved on to the holy shrine carrying the shawls with utmost respect. Generous
as people were on the way, they would drop into the shawls currency of
varying denominations, though one should not suffer from the illusions
that they pay Zakah as much devoutly that is imposed on them by
their True Master.
A more despicable picture comes to
view as one enters the precinct of the shrine. It is always packed to the
fullest at this time of the year with the mixed gathering of males and
females of all ages. Oddly enough, sentimental enthusiasm mesmerizes the
Muslim ladies more effectively who, with a lot of make up on, come to attend
the ceremonial event in gay dresses. This event also provides to the forlorn
lovers a wonderful opportunity to deceive their families and obtain a chance
to meet. Side by side, the business of prostitution finds yet another safe
haven to be transacted in a place that is originally intended to be holy.
In many circles of the Qawwal (vocalists), tribute is paid to the
mystic in words that entail transgression in terms of polytheism. Many
ladies are observed to ambulate around the tomb of Miyan Mir much
like the way the Muslims circumambulate around the House of the Lord. Away
from this frenzied state of affairs, the spiritual disciples are observed
to sit in various groups; some are found preoccupied with struggles to
cross the boundaries of mind and body with the help of marijuana, and others
are heard to give a vent to the slogan Haideri Qalandri4
while enjoying the hemp they prepare to make most of the event. Thus, the
ceremony, with all its activities, runs quite averse to the scheme of the
religion of Islam.
The Lord has blessed us with as clean
and fine a soul as a transparent object is. Like glass is left with the
traces of our fingers – if nothing else – once we touch it, our soul gets
contaminated with even the slightest of blemish when we expose it to evil
influences. The Holy Qur’an vehemently proclaims that the Almighty
wants us to come back to Him with a cleansed and purified soul. He has
created us in His image. We are supposed to preserve this image at every
cost. Our life may become a bit dull, replete with the treadmill of routine,
and devoid of much fun but we need to adhere to the image that is all good
and exclusive of evil in all forms and faces.
As Muslims, we strongly believe that
this world is transitory in nature, and that a Day is soon to come when
the good will be separated from the bad; the first pocket will be rewarded
fabulously and the second will be cast into the abyss of destruction in
accordance with the sublime principles of perfect justice. In addition
to this, what we need to always keep in view is the criterion introduced
by the Holy Qur’an that will demarcate an evident line between the
good and the bad. The Book of Allah asserts that good is indeed the person
who saves his soul from all contaminations and nurtures what is decent
in it. In other words, success in the afterlife is destined for those who
succeed to purify their soul in this life period provided to them. To quote
the words of the Holy Qur’an:
He succeeded who purified his soul and remembered
his Lord and offered the Prayer. But you prefer the life of this world
when the Hereafter is better and more lasting. (87:14-7)
At another place this idea has been explicated
in the following words:
He succeeded who purified his soul and he failed
who contaminated his soul. (91:9-10)
After studying the Holy Qur’an,
the picture of a believer that springs to mind is like a humble man who
stays miles away from activities that are likely to undermine the purity
of his heart. He knows that the time he has now must be spent wisely and
not to be dissipated in trivial engagements. He does not loathe the members
of the opposite sex nor does he endeavor to destroy their repute. He extends
to them the same respect as he does to his parents and siblings. He firmly
believes in the principle of lowering gaze and preserving modesty. His
eyes are always set on the reward of the Hereafter instead of the pleasures
of this world. In his heart and mind, he is fully convinced that there
is no intermediary between Allah and him as the Book of Allah has stressed.
In addition, he knows that every person, in the Hereafter, shall be judged
on an individual basis and none will be able to transfer to him some good
deeds or share his burden. The realization of these facts definitely plants
within him a deep sense of accountability that compels him to lead a responsible
life in this world. He faces boldly the perils of life taking them as an
integral part of the trial of life and never resorts to drugs to overcome
the obstacles.
On the other hand, if he is placed
at the helm of the state affairs, he makes arrangements to ensure that
citizens are not caused to go astray and ultimately be a party to spreading
disorder in land. Without restraining their freedom to practice the religion
they wish to, he issues necessary orders and commandments that morality
is not sacrificed under any circumstances. His foremost priority is to
help conduct every ceremony in a manner as endorsed by the dictates of
his sense of morality. He ensures that people are able to nicely discharge
their responsibilities – which they perceive to be their religious responsibilities.
In a nutshell, a true believer, whatever sphere of life he is placed in,
epitomizes the moral ideals by leading and helping others lead a good moral
life.
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