Religion and a common person

Religion is of utmost importance for most of us. Before the turn of the century, the religious knowledge was exchanged within the family, and from teachers to students at a limited scale and from limited sources. But after the advent of social media, a flood of religious information has swept the society, especially our younger generation. It has exponentially increased the awareness of religion imparted by very respectable and learned religious scholars.

This phenomenon is spectacular as our ancestors were Muslims because of belief, not because of knowledge. First translation of Holy Quran from Arabic to Urdu was done only nearly 200 years ago in 1826 by Shah Abdul Qadir but it was available only for scholars, not a common person.

But there is a negative side also. There are too many details and conflicting views which is not unexpected because every scholar analyzes various subjects in his/her own way. Often, these scholars also have a pedigree of a particular school of thought which consciously or subconsciously affect their sermons. This provides an ideal situation for students of theology, but in these busy days, it usually becomes an excessive baggage for a common person.

Not everybody should think of becoming a theologist. We need scientists, engineers, doctors and specialists of all professions to progress our country (and Islamic world) in this competitive era.

The golden age of Islam was when Muslim scientists and philosophers dominated the world. There was tolerance and populace was broad-minded. But gradually rot set in because almost whole populations became unpractical due to affluence and indulged in ridiculous religious debates.

When  Hilaku Khan attacked and destroyed Baghdad, the debate was raging in the city on an aayah of Holy Quran which says that a certain event will not happen unless a camel will pass through the eye of a needle. It is an eloquent way of saying that such event is impossible to happen. But the so-called scholars were trying to find the ways by which a camel can pass through the eye of a needle. The whole nation was caught in that frenzy and they forgot everyday duties, especially the defense of the motherland. As a result, those lazy and stupid people were hunted like sitting ducks by Hilaku Khan.

This happened because of divergence from real teachings of Islam. Islam is against priesthood. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed all daily routines which a common person is supposed to do. There are Hadiths in which he pointed out such practical persons as “Jannati” who were honest with the job and followed just the basic teachings of Islam.

So the question is how a common person should model his/her life in modern times?

The Holy Quran provides clear guidelines in Surah Al Mumenoon,  Aayaat 1-11.

In these aayaat, characteristics of momneen are given as:

1. They say prayers with khushoo [it means fear and lowliness; real khushoo is of mind – that of body follows it].
2. They do not waste time in useless affairs and if someone talks loose or useless, they do not pay attention.
3. They give zakaat regularly.
4. They abstain from illicit sexual activities.
5. They honor other’s amanat and protect it. They also always honor their word with Allah and other human beings.
6. They protect their salaat, i.e., they are regular in saying salaat.

Those who fulfill these criteria are promised jannah by Allah.

As I have stated above, we need scientists, engineers, doctors and specialists of all professions for the progress of our country (and Islamic world) in this competitive era. This needs a lot of time and a lot of effort.

Taking guidance from above-mentioned aayaat from Holy Quran my model for a common person is:

1. Say 5 times prayers:

If you are restrained by time, say at least farz. Many of us are put off by length of the prayers. Do try to say sunna and nafal but saying only farz prayer is OK.

2. Consider your job and duties as if you are doing ibadat:

You are doing it for betterment  of yourself, and your family which translates into betterment of your country and in a broader prospective, the Islamic world. Remember, every jayaz act is ibadat.

3. Respect and serve your parents:

Quran prohibits to show any displeasure to your parents, even to say “Oh” in reply is forbidden. After Allah Almighty and Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), they should be the most respected persons for you. Their prayers for your betterment are your most precious asset. Treasure it.

4. Keep your heart clean of jealousy:

An incidence is narrated by religious scholars. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the next person who would enter his room would be ‘Jannati’ on three consecutive days and on all those three days, the person was same. A very pious companion of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) who spent his day and night in ibadat was astonished because he thought that he deserved such a prophecy more than anyone else. He decided to find the secret and reached the residence of that person and asked permission to stay a few days with him. He found that the said person was regular in mandatory prayers but spent all his time in daily routine without any extra prayers. When he was told about the prophecy of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), his reply was that the only reason could be that he had never felt jealous to any other person, and was content with whatever Almighty Allah had blessed him with.

5. Be honest and never lie:

Lying and dishonesty are cancers of our society. Although we claim to be Muslims but unfortunately almost everyone is dishonest and a lier. It is shameful that according to a report, Pakistanis are at No: 3 in lying among all countries in the world. It was clearly stated by Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) that a person who tells a lie cannot be a Momin. Dishonesty and lying are intermingled. I am sure our score in dishonesty must be similar. It is a shame.

One of my Professors in Japan once said that they had adopted Islam but without reciting kalma. They have every quality which a Muslim is supposed to have. In Japanese society, lying is unthinkable. You say something and they believe. In our country, it is just the opposite. We never trust what a person says and are always full of doubts. I have visited almost all developed countries. The situation is same as it is in Japan. Please remember, we have problems with political leaderships of some of these countries but a common person in these countries is honest and truthful.

And above all, remember that only a few pages in Quran are devoted to Haqooq Allah. A bulk of content teaches the importance of Haqooq ul Abad. Almighty Allah is gracious but He will not forgive unless the affected person forgives. When you are not honest or truthful you are harming someone and thus breaching Haqooq ul Abad. So avoid these evils at all costs.

One important question remains to be answered.

It is that there are so many faiths (firqas), which should be followed?

My suggestion is that the faith of the parents should be followed unless you find something clearly wrong with that faith. 

Final word.

Do keep in touch with teachings of religious scholars to improve your knowledge but do not follow them blindly. I myself spend at least 3-4 hours per week listening to these respectable personalities.