Islam today

By Dr Khalil Jughooru Every activity must be initiated keeping in view a few measures of it. First of all the objective(s) of the activity should be very clear, and understandable to everyone. The Objective has two parts immediate objective and broader objective, I don’t want to go into detail of it, than we must identify the verifiable indicators of objective. Than the goal, and finally comes the purpose of activity. Though these standards are used in modern development activities, But Allah Almighty and Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) has clearly given us guidance to follow the same measures but in different words more then 1400 years back. I would like to refer to one hadith as an example (A person with best attitude will enter into Jannah much before then the one who maintains five times prayers, regularly offers Tahjud and nawafils). Means that the objective of the prayers is to develop obedience respect and tolerance and all other humane qualities in ourselves, and then we can expect an ideal Islamic society, which is the goal of Islam everyone will enter into Jannah that is the purpose of Prayers, Haj, Zakat and Fasting. We have to prove our verbal statement of saying of Kalima الله الرسول محمد￾ الا الہ لا Unfortunately majority of the activities in the name of religion are carried out without knowing any of the above standards. In other word activates are practiced without knowing their objectives, goals and purposes/spirits. Taking example of Tabligh, which I have observed closely, the bottom line of tabligh so far understood by common man is to go for 4 months in tabligh, fill up the masajid with people, get everyone going for tabligh on regular basis, convince others to do the same . One in 1000 knows what is beyond going for Chilla and return. I mean the Goal and it purpose are known to a very few Tablighies. Islam is therefore confined in Masajid , once we step out of masajid, no matter who we are , Tablighi, Hajji , Jamat Islami, Jamat Ulema and common man like myself and anyone who belongs to any party or religious group leaves Islam behind him in the masjid. In many cases the Islam is not practices even inside the masjid in true sense. I am trying to understand the Islam being practiced these days, but have not been able to find any clue about its existence in any book. Years back me and few friends in my social circle have been discussing the same question and issues, but fighting and opposing such a big majority was not easy at all. Finally, we gave up and decided to join the main stream, doing the same as all are doing , i.e. maintain Namaz, Roza etc, let the people see us doing all that, and live the life in your own style, and up till now that’s all about ISLAM TODAY for a good majority of us. Let’s take a breath, and let me share the last and most important message of the elders of Tabligh, if I did not do that, it will surely be dishonesty. A term used in Tablighi mission is called “Khawas” that is the name given to group of fewer well educated, visionary knowledgeable and pious people. That is the group where every one of its member knows much better than anyone of us and then all those who criticize Tabligh without spending even a single week living among them. The Khawas know the immediate objective, broader objectives, objective verifying indicators the goal of the mission and the goal and purpose of the Tablighi mission. Their understanding is very clear and transparent like a pearl. They are of opinion that it is too early to push an ordinary common man to understand the Goal and purpose of the mission. At the moment we are trying to call the people towards masjid and let them know how to pray correctly, teach them the basics of Ebadat (Prayers). Gradually they are encircling the ones who completely understand the mission into group of “Khawas”. Think they are not wrong to say and do the way they are doing. Coz all of us and every sensible person know that, mega projects under supervision of High caliber of Engineers project planners, secretaries and chief secretaries in Pakistan are initiated without considering the goal and purpose. To verify my statement keep listening to Mawlana Tariq Jamil and few others of Tabligh. On numerous occasions particularly on the day of Duwa they say… یہاں اکے روتے بھی ہو چلاتے بھی ہو ، لیکن پانج منٹ بعد جب بسوں پر چڑھو گے . تو سب بھلبلیئں ہو جایئں گی ، کہ اپ اتنے دن یہاں کس مقصد کے لیے اے تھے ، اور وہی کروگے جو آپکی مرضی ہے، اور الله کی مرضی کو پیچھے رائونڈ میں کہیں دفن کرکے اپنی اپنی راہیں پکڑ لو گے .. اگلے سال پھر اوو گے، چیلے ، چار ماه لگا کر پھر گھروں کی طرف نکلو گے اور اپنی مرضی کی زندگی کو ہی ترجیح دو گے ،، الله کو یہ تبلیغ، اور ایسی نمازیں مطلوب نہیں ہیں ،، The cycle continues again, the same happens every year. But the elders of tabligh think that, if out of one in thousand could carry the real message with him is big achievement. We should agree that there is surely one in 1000 who understand and follows Deen and understand true meaning and spirit of Islam. The same is in Jamat Islami , Jamat XYZ. How many of jamat islami members understand and the saying of Mawlana Mawdudi (RA) and follow his footsteps), How many Ismailies are doing according to Quraan, and farmans of HH Prince Karim Aga Khan. If we think honestly the same story is being practiced everywhere.. Why should we blame only a group with waste majority of very common man in it called Tablighi Jamat. I can give example of Mega projects in Pakistan completed without knowing the goal and purpose, but there is time limitation as I have to get out job to survive. Oh Sorry, I forgot to mention, about current trend of going for photo session in the name of Umra, they may have good reason for photography in Makkah and Madina, but we don’t know about it.]]>