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Question: I thank you for your
reply and the time that you spent in writing back to me. If I may
add to my previous mail; it will give me a chance to better explain to
you the situation. For one, I am thankful that I am a Muslim but I am at
the same time ashamed to be so now. Frankly, I regret saying this that
I detest going to the Mosque. Although I have never voiced this, I detest
talking to these so-called Muslim clergy as they like to be called some
very learned people.
This may be considered arrogance on
my part; I apologize to God for that, but I have my reasons to feel that
way. What all Muslims do is talk. I have not seen a single Muslim actually
do anything in action. Their speeches are hollow that get lost in the very
air these are uttered. Muslims think that everything will be fixed by God.
True. God does everything but there is a lot more that God has left to
us for setting things right. Muslims are rigid people and they have no
tolerance to accept others; they make more enemies than friends. You might
consider me to be of the same label. I don’t have much tolerance for these
kind of people too, but not because of lack of reasoning, but because Muslims
are generally not progressive. The people who go to this mosque of our
locality are usually so fixated on their approach that they strike fear
instead of love for people who visit it. I know that I should judge other
people like I would want God to judge me, but I want to make God happy
by progression. These Maulvis strike against the West, let it be known
to them that all the machines in the hospitals are made by the West. I
believe that one should give love and be open to things. I would like you
to comment on my views.
Answer: The point you need to
appreciate is the difference between Islam itself and the deeds of Muslims.
Whatever they do cannot be taken as Islam.
The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah
are the basic components of Islam. Therefore, it should always be studied
and understood in the light of these basic sources. No doubt, there are
so many factors which affect the deeds and actions of the Muslims. And
these factors may be contrary to Islam, as we see these days.
I think actions of others ought not
to be an excuse to set one’s face against the actual teachings of Islam.
We will have to stand before God all alone in order to justify our deeds
and actions. And, there, the practices of others, I think, would not provide
a sufficient cause to justify ours.
I really feel the gravity of the situation
and that of your concern but remember: it is not our duty to correct people
by forcing them to adopt the path which we consider correct. On the contrary,
our duty ends with trying our best to having them mend their ways. We are
bound to be overpowered with tension and frustration when we start thinking
that the rectification and correction of people around us is our responsibility.
Try to appreciate the difference between
forcing someone to the right path and that of showing that path with all
clarity. Your duty is to show the picture of the right path in a better
and a more effective way. The rest is up to them. However, as part of effectively
communicating our concern for the well being of others, it is our duty
to try to find out ways, which would serve our purpose without annoying
our addressees. And during all this process sticking to the right path
is obviously a pre-requisite.
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