Are the Conditions Fulfilled?

I deem him to be sincere and candour but more simple. He is an enthusiastic activist and perhaps media in charge of a religious organization. No week goes without a piece of his writing mailed to media centers and intellectuals. He very anxiously wants to establish ‘Nizame Khilafat’ in Pakistan. He is, like many of the workers of religious organizations, picky and bitter critical of the rulers and politicians of Pakistan. His opinion is that all the evils rest only in the power galleries and political spheres of the country. It is as if all is done and only the political areas are left without reforms. To him and many of the activists of other religious parties there is only a shortfall is to shove a bit and once more. (Aik Dhakka Aur Do) If it is done those who are in power will fall with a thud and Islam will get established in full.

The question is that have the religious elements done their utmost while being over optimistic? Is the time really ripe for implementation of the Islamic Laws? And one more important thing that is Islam only an accumulation of decrees piled in huge shelves of courtrooms and courts’ libraries or is a vibrant civilization and a living ethical and spiritual system too? In reply to his frequent writings I have always made my friend understand unless ‘Itmame Hujjat’ is done how over optimism about establishment of Islam is so decisively vindicated. He asked what ‘Itmame Hujjat’ actually means?

When our Holy Prophet (S A W) migrated from Makka to Madina sincerity and diligence in task of Dawa (preaching) by one of his young companions, Mus’ab bin Umair (r a) were already bearing fruit and almost every house of this holy city had been illuminated with new Faith. Abdullah bin Ubey, whose coronation as the king of the Aus and the Khazraj, two major tribes of Yathrib, was about to happen, not only lost his position but in the modern political term he could not stand as an opposition leader against the Prophet (SAW). He had to resort to secret plots and intrigues to damage the newly created Muslim society. Within the period of about two years after migration he had the support of only 1/3 of the people in Madina. Two third (75%) of the population of Madina was firm in decision to openly side with the Prophet (S A W). It was the result of Dawat Ilallah. In spite of all odds unstinting missionary spirit worked. Door of every heart was knocked and wisdom of every mind was appealed. In the set goals nothing but winning the Pleasure of Allah, the Exalted, through spreading the message of Islam was prioritized at the top.

The Prophet (S A W) is reported to have said: ‘Exalt and honour the commandments of Allah as a serious matter, Allah will give you honour.’ (Deilmi) We are assessed by our sincere efforts for the noble Cause of Islam. Power and influence are only fruits of the efforts for earning the honour for Deen. Unfortunately the religious elements have started deeming the means to be their goals. Imagine the level of enthusiasm and the tireless struggle done for winning a seat of an assembly. The campaigners go door to door to convince the people to vote for their candidate. They meet every high and low ranked person in the constituency. Contacts are made and links are revived. They distribute a lot of handbills and pamphlets highlighting the profile of their candidate. Within only a few months several hundred thousand rupees are squandered in the election campaign. Why not all this is executed with the same spirit and zeal to educate the people about the blissful features of Islam and why not moral distinction is demonstrated? Election campaign is generally the mud-slinging game and they play it as it is in vogue. What is the outcome? Support of not more than one or maximum two percent of the people of the constituency!

They are in the field to strengthen the virtue against the vice and uplift good against bad. They are not supposed to try out all ugly tactics used by their opponents. First of all they have to return to their moral and spiritual basics. Moral values and lofty principles are the very first weapon to face odious circumstances political struggle. Only a little slip on their part is more likely to cause a bigger moral ruination in the society. Show of neglectfulness towards the basics is beginning of the failure. Not only their sympathizers, but their workers in the field also notice the policies on the skids with embarrassment. Lapses in keeping stuck to the principles are difficult to be justified. How joining hands with the corrupt and opportunist elements and those who had been the source of strength of the dictator for almost a decade for their interests can be proven right only for a seat in the by-election? It is notoriously inconsistent to the noble efforts of the past done by the noble elders. The voters may forget every blunder of the secular politicians but they are hardly ready to forgive self-contradictions and deceptions of the banner holders of Islam.

A deep study and understanding of Deen is an important part of the process for returning to the basics. It is indispensable for all the Islamists to enhance their own comprehension and also of the people about what actually Islam is. Currently inadequate knowledge of Islam and being ignorant of rich Islamic literature is a big deficiency. For last about three decades, since young men from all over the world and particularly from Pakistan stood to liberate Afghanistan from Russian subjugation, Jehadi trend and the political activism in the religious organization has arisen high. Lack of proper Islamic knowledge has led to a severe damage for sacred Cause of Jehad, the spirit of Islam and the principled political struggle. Almost entirely consumed by this phenomenon the reading taste of Islamic literature has remained only a tale of the days gone long ago. The books got placed in the niches. Absence of ideological feedback has brought a moral downfall of the Islamists seen not only in political ventures also in social life. Repairs are must and require as soon as possible. Failure in winning a seat of assembly may be a loss, not too big to be brought on the mend, but loss of the principles and moral standards will be a several decades push back for them. In the Quran and Ahadith and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S A W) we find clear conditions for success. Self-assessment is necessary to judge they are fulfilled or not.