Rhetoric are Killing the Wisdom

Religious extremism is the greatest disquieting phenomenon of our times. Though there are numerous factors with their extremely negative impacts from outside but within our own ranks a rapid rise of an ignorant religiosity has been a worrisome problem for a quite long time. A developing culture of stupidly giving vent to the prejudiced and half-true views in the name of religion has plagued the society.  More reactive than being positive and constructive, this type of religiosity earns bad name for Islam. Leaders of the religious organizations, tempting to apply hyperbole, let not remain their workers in cool and thoughtful atmosphere. The workers, breathing in anger and hatred, are mostly under the sway of reaction and agitation. Getting compressed by the sectarianism they are psychologically ill. Islam is, in no way, ready to own a psychologically ill mob of followers.

Our Holy Prophet, be peace and blessings upon him, was very cautious about letting not grow an unhealthy psyche in his companions. For about 13 years in Makka and 10 years in Madinah he lived in a state of emergency, having the atmosphere mostly overclouded with dangers. Cruelties and tyrannies of the pagans of the Quraysh and after migration constant aggressions by the enemies, battles, expeditions, there was a lot to enrage and breed extremism, but Muhammad, be peace and blessings upon him, as an extraordinary shrewd leader, did not allow ill attitude occur in the minds of his companions. He was a unique model of leaders, with his hand always on the pulse of his followers. He vigilantly guarded their attitudes and saved them from getting affected by overindulged anger, hatred and tention.  That was why even in the battlefield having the enemy knocked down a Muslim was not overcome by spiteful feelings. Bring the example of Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, in minds. Once in a battle he was about to thrust his sword deep in the chest of an overthrown enemy when the enemy threw a gob of spit on his face to show his full hatred. Ali, RA, instead of getting stirred up and killing left him off.  Why? The mission of Islam was surpassing over all other personal motives.

The Messenger of Allah, be peace and blessings upon him, always tried to cool down the heated up feelings. Once giving a piece of advice to someone he repeatedly said: “La Taghdhab” (do not get angry). At another occasion pointing out to the people who were hasty natured, fastidious and sentimental three times he repeated: “Halaka Al-Mutanatteun”.  (Muslim) He is reported to have once said: “Kheirul Umure Awsatuha” {moderation (avoidance of extremes) is the better way in dealing the matters.}(Al-Behaqi) One of his numerous wise quotations is: “Knocking down the opponent in wrestling is not the bravery. Actual powerfulness is to overcomes the anger.” (Agreed upon) The Prophet, SAW, made it clear that cool mindedness and tolerance are the qualities blessed by Allah and hastiness and bigotry are the satanic trends. In one of the Ahadith of the Prophet, be peace and blessings upon him, we find the following characteristics of the believers: “The believer is sagacious, intelligent, careful, aware, courageous, persevering and resolute, knowledgeable and pious.” (Ad-Delmi)

Only at an extremely emotional moment when the greatest event of the conquest of Makkah was about to happen, an incident of rhetorical expression became evident. On such moments such expressions are quite natural, but Islam is so vigilant about not letting its followers make any boastful, arrogant and rhetorical gestures. While marching into Makkah, Sa’ad bin Ubadah (RAA) overexcitedly said: “Today is the day of battle, the day of carnage, the day when all taboos will be lifted.” When the Prophet, be peace and blessings upon him, came to know about the words one of his prominent companions had uttered, immediately he removed Sa’ad from the command of his group and replaced him with his son. Sahabah kept the windows of their minds even in very critical moments of their struggle.

And now, when the mission is same why we have changed to such an extent that rhetoric have become our hallmark? It seems that the loud thinking leadership of the Islamic Organizations is bent upon leaving no room for a thoughtful and cool atmosphere needed for the Noble Cause of Da’wa and Islah. The leaders have become used to only challenging and threatening the opponents of Islam. Unending agitating rallies, protests, blockades and marches build an irksome and strained psyche. An avowed and unconditional obedience, which has been the right of only Allah, the All-Mighty, and His Messenger, is now claimed by the leaders and due to this the qualities of wisdom, conscience and thoughtful ness of the activists remain mortgaged to the leadership of the Islamic Organizations.

 One of the greatest obligations of the leadership of the religious parties is to strengthen the habit of thinking, increase the amount of knowledge, raise the level of educating the workers and sustain their spiritual and moral qualities. The capabilities of the workers to consider and judge by themselves are to be enhanced and not to get rusted in the name of organizational discipline. They should not be so hypnotized that they become subject to the loss of their free will to assert by themselves what is right and what is wrong. The wisdom killing done in some particular circles of Sufya should not be repeated by the leaders of the Islamic Movements. The workers should not become the scapegoats of rhetorical claims, illogical decisions, improbable and inconceivable goals. Obedience and intimidation should be distinctively defined in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.