We must recognize that it is not always easy to change long-held beliefs. But our fortunes will not alter if we fail to recognize the centrality of the Qur’an and its message for our lives - Photo Medium

 

Course Correction: For a Better Future
By Azher Quader
Chicago, IL

With our campuses in turmoil, our politics in dysfunction, our leaders disconnected or disgraced, one has to wonder what kind of a country do we have anymore? With Iraq destroyed, with Kashmir occupied, with Pakistan silenced, with Saudi’s self-destructing and with Gaza raised to the ground, why is it that Muslim communities wherever you look globally, seem to be in the eye of the storm?

As always the poet sage of the East had warned us of this approaching trouble over nearly a hundred years ago. But did we listen to him then or are we listening to him now?

Ragon Mein Woh Lahoo Baqi Nahin Hai Woh Dil, Woh Arzoo Baqi Nahin Hai

That blood of pristine vigor is no more; That yearning heart’s power is no more;

Namaz-o-Roza-o-Qurbani-o-Hajj Ye Sub Baqi Hain, Tu Baqi Nahin Hai

Prayer, fasting, hajj, ritual sacrifice have all survived, But what has not survived is the “you” that you used to be Iqbal

These poetic expressions of Iqbal draw their inspiration from the recurring expressions in the Qur’an that question our belief system and challenge our deeply held paradigms. Our over emphasized concept of piety as evidenced through the devoted pursuit of certain rituals and the neglect of ethics and morality as foundational for Deen, is at the core of Iqbal’s lament.

What motivated earlier generations of Muslims, he says, was their passionate belief in the message and their unconditional surrender to Allah’s Will and commandments. He draws a sharp contrast between the attitudes of earlier Muslims to those of later times. To them ethical living was foundational, while for later generations the practice of rituals became the cornerstone of their faith.

The earlier Muslims were fearless and humble, not fearful and arrogant. They were engaged in building just and secure communities, in standing up against oppressive regimes, in embracing the rights of the peasants and the less fortunate. They were honest and trustworthy, they were caring and compassionate, and they were forgiving and forthright. They no doubt practiced the rituals as prescribed in the faith, but never ignored to live by the moral code that defined their true Muslim identity.

The Qur’an makes it clear that it plays no favorites. It promises the same results to all who follow its guidance. “Allah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds, that He will certainly appoint them successors in the earth as He appointed successors those before them; and that He will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that certainly He will, after their fear, give them security in exchange. They will worship Me (alone) and not associate anything with Me; and whoever disbelieves after this, then these are they that are evil-doers.” 24:55 An Noor

Ye Aik Sajda Jise Tu Garan Samajhta Hai Hazar Sajde Se Deta Hai Admi Ko Nijat!

Prostration before God (submission to His guidance) you presume as irksome, tedious, burdensome; But mind, this homage sets you free from thousand other calls for submissions (to men, vain desires and other personal desires.) Iqbal

A reimagining of the teachings of the Qur’an and a return to the “Deen” as presented in it which calls for the embrace of all people, pursuing their welfare, through a commitment to equity, justice, and compassion, is in Iqbal’s opinion the true meaning of living in Islam. The Qur’an does not ask for our blind allegiance. The Qur’an relies on no miracles to bolster its arguments. It rests its case on the evidence of reason and facts, historical and scientific. It claims absence of contradictions in its message, and the presence of order in the form and function of the universe created by the Creator. It promises success for all believers who pursue its prescribed path and points to the deviations of later generations which caused their inevitable falls from grace and glory.

The gift of “choice” given to us as humans, not only separates us from the rest of God’s creation but more importantly enables us to distinguish ourselves as believers or non-believers destined for either a blissful life or a life of torment and misery in the here or in the hereafter, on the basis of that choice. Clearly, we are doing the praying, the fasting, the hajj, and the ritual sacrifices, and yet our condition is not improving.

In fact, the poverty, the misery, the suffering we are witnessing should tell us the obvious. Perhaps we need a paradigm shift. A new outlook. A reexamining of our deeply held beliefs and biases, a reimagining of the message, and a relearning of the teachings. Yes indeed, a course correction for a better future.

Tere Zameer Pe Jab Tak Na Ho Nazool-e-Kitab Girah Kusha Hai Na Razi Na Shahab-e-Kashaaf

Unless the Bookʹs each verse and part be revealed unto your heart, (so you can know its true meaning and follow it) The works of scholars like Razi , though very wise and profound, are not enough to change hearts. Iqbal Finally, here is what is needed going forward in order to better understand and follow the Qur’an . 1. Know some basic Arabic. 2. Know the root letters (Maada) of a word to understand its true meaning through any appropriate Arabic English dictionary. 3. Collect all verses of the Qur’an in different locations that relate to a particular topic when discussing an issue, then review them, to understand their more comprehensive and contextual meaning. 4. Know the essential scientific facts of the times to better understand the descriptions of the Qur’an on facts that may not have been easily understood previously but would be easily understandable later in light of current scientific advancements.

We must recognize that it is not always easy to change long-held beliefs. But our fortunes will not alter if we fail to recognize the centrality of the Qur’an and its message for our lives. For the many perplexing problems, we face today, the answers are to be found in the Qur’an, if only we give it a chance to guide us. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within them” 13:11 Al Ra’ad May Allah guide us to better our lives and better the conditions of the societies we live in.

(Azher Quader is a writer, thinker, and community worker. He is the founder president of the Community Builders Council - www.cbc7.org - and Compassionate Care Network - www.ccnamerica.com. He can be reached at azherquader42@gmail.com )