Daily Times

How people think about people is important. God commands us to take care of our fellow humans. Islam is the faith of peace and brotherhood. Some forces are trying to prove it otherwise, making efforts to malign Islam and label Muslims as terrorists, extremists and a source of all evils. We need to understand the triangular relationship that exists between God, the messengers of God (Rasul/Nabi) and the recipients/audience. Muslims do not view Islam as a new religion. They believe that it is the same faith taught by all the prophets of God, including Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus (pubh). Islam formalises and clarifies the true faith in the one God, and purifies it by removing ideas that were added in error. Islam is a deen, which is more than a religion because it is a way of life based on universal values. The Quran, as a primary source of guidance for the Muslims, contains the direct words of Allah, the One true God, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Hadith is the other primary source of guidance for Muslims. It describes the Sunnah or the way of the prophet.

We need to think what life is all about. The purpose of religion is to make us better individuals, better human beings, and to make our lives meaningful, accountable and responsible. In our prayers and meditation we gather together to focus on our creator, the purpose of creation of the universe, the messages Allah has for the best of His creation — human beings — and we, the Muslims. Looking at the said triangular relationship, we need to understand the rights and obligations. What are the requirements for us to fulfil as far as our relationship with Allah is concerned? We need to understand the role of the prophets (messengers), and what if we fail to follow the path of Allah, (the righteous path) vs the other paths, the path of Shaitan, and the paths based on numerous wishes and self-centredness. In all such situations we need to seek Allah’s forgiveness and ask for His guidance for doing things right and doing the right things to please Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent.

It is our duty to remove misunderstandings and misperceptions about Islam, the faith that stands for peace and brotherhood. There is no coercion and compulsion in religion. Allah’s messages are for the benefit of mankind. We need to choose the path of truth vs falsehood, the path with rewards for a good life and a good life on earth and the hereafter. The way forward for us is to obey Allah and to obey His prophet (PBUH), follow the path of Allah, follow the path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Equity and justice is the right path.

Misperceptions and misunderstandings about Islam and Muslim culture and civilisation are due to misinterpretation and misrepresentation of messages of God in the Quran. The best way to truly understand the Holy Quran is to follow the original text in Arabic, for which we have to learn the language in all its depth. Many translations of the Holy Quran have not done justice to the task, and have, therefore, complicated things and created misunderstandings further. Wrong translations have provided a chance to enemies of Islam to give wrong meanings to the holy messages to create a wedge between Muslims and the western world, particularly. A wrong translation is one of the causes of Muslims being labelled uncivilised, brutal, violent, extremist and terrorists.

Efforts for interfaith harmony are needed. A balance has to be struck and made possible for world peace and development. It is possible to correct wrongs by removing misunderstandings, educational institutions and scholars of outstanding ability could help overcome difficulties. This situation points to an intellectual crisis that must be tackled with full zeal and sincere, good intentions. Leadership failure is another source that has let down the Muslim ummah. We need to understand how leadership gaps could be filled.

There is a need to highlight the equilibrium in Islam and the resulting balance that gives rise to equity, justice and a social system that cares for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and the hapless.

Those talking of ‘political Islam’ are deliberately creating problems, especially in the less developed countries, imposing war on them, killing innocent people, rendering them homeless and jobless and leaving them no choice but to seek asylum in other countries. In this madness dignity of man has been ignored, and more often, injured. Brutality, injustice and killing of innocent people must stop. There is no room for bloodshed in Islam. We have to demonstrate by our deeds that our values are for the good of the people irrespective of their belief system.

Let us face it. Wrongs must be corrected. Leaders have to lead from the front. They should be prepared to manage diversity effectively for unity and clear goal orientation, avoiding divisive politics and politics of hate and deceit in all circumstances. Those who intend to lead must ensure that whatever they say or do must be well-informed. They are not to be swayed by emotions. A true leader is sincere to the public causes. Once such traits are visible and clearly understood by people, they will follow the leaders. It is the leader who leads, not the public. Public must, however, have faith in the leadership. This applies to all situations of governance anywhere in the world. All Muslim countries and Muslim populations anywhere need to have experience of managing multi-ethnic and multi-religious populations, and therefore, it is important to have a good comprehension of forces that create an environment for working together.

History will judge people’s intellect with the choice they make. Principles have to be given priority over selfish or personal considerations like money. When small nations make a bad choice, the damage is limited. But when great nations make such a choice the damage is huge. There has to be a rightful campaign to uphold positive values including family values, to resist extremism and to correct xenophobic leaders and elements working against world peace and harmony.

The voice of the time reminds us to make decisions rightly and correctly, institutionalising democracy for a solution to all public problems. Who is corrupt and how corruption can be put to an end. What is nepotism? What can be done about it? Do leaders really represent thoughts and opinions of their followers? This is a big question that we all need to ponder on.

The writer is a former director of the National Institute of Public Adminihstration, a political analyst, a public policy expert and an author. His book Post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States