Mar 2, 2011

INDIAN MUSLIMS TODAY


THE INDIAN MUSLIMS TODAY
Khaliqur Rahman

Muslims, in India, are either Sunnis or non-Sunnis. Amongst non-Sunnis are Shias, Bohras, Khojas and Bahais. Amongst Sunnis, some are Wahabis. A smaller percentage amongst Sunnis has embraced one or the other Silsila while the rest have refrained from doing so but go to Durgahs.
Historically speaking, amongst the Sunnis, there are four Silsilas: Naqshbandiya, Shurwardiya, Qadariya and Chishtiya. Add to these the later-on off-shoots like Chishtiya-Nizamiya, Nizamiya, A’bul U’lai, Warsi, Suhagan and perhaps finally, Deobandis and Barelvis.
All the Muslims think that they are lucky to be born of parents who follow Islam. Most of them believe that non-followers of Islam are Kafirs. They have their eyes set on Jannat because they are assured of celestial wine and women (sharab-t’ahoor and hoor).
The question is: if a child born of medical doctors is not a doctor unless it grows and takes a degree in Medicine, how come, a Musalman’s son is Musalman and a Brahmin’s son, a Brahmin? And, is it not funnily astounding for a Muslim who has had a full share of life in this world to still crave for t’ahoor and hoor in Jannat?
If all of them claim to live life in pursuit of God and believe in truth and love (which are the two basic tenets of religions of the world, anyway) why should they choose to quarrel?
After Independence in India, many Muslims thought their place was in Pakistan. Those who could not go because of various constraints had their hearts in Pakistan because their near and dear had crossed over. Some of them chose not to leave the Mother Earth of Birth. Come, what may! I think now, that these people, knowingly or unknowingly, had the heart and mind of Amir Khusro who is the example at the top of those who are faithful to the land, the language of the land and the ruler of the land.
Let’s now look at the lifestyles of Muslims in India these days. Some are very astute and pray five times a day, recite Quran regularly and observe fast during Ramadan. Some of them do it quietly and some demonstrate it. Sunnis, who think they are not Wahabis, go to durgahs. Some durgah-goers have become mureeds, therefore, have a Peer or Murshid. Most Muslims are not properly educated to understand mundane things of life, let alone the basics of religion they follow. It is, therefore, understandable they follow religion only socially and ritualistically. The educated Muslims are either led into blind faith or rigid dogmas because of the literature they’ve read or the company they keep. Some of them do go to durgahs but keep themselves away from Peeri-Mureedi. But they do go to astrologers and/or Alims with mundane problems of life; some of them openly, others, otherwise.
In a situation like this, it is prime time for half-baked, semi-learned Imams, priest heads, peer sahibs and qadims, of mosques, madrasas, halqas and durgahs to exploit the illiterate and semi-literate masses to their own advantage.
In my view there is nothing wrong with any religion but everything seems to be wrong with not all but some of the followers in every religion who represent it to be rigid and dogmatic and thus denying it its very basic value: love. This trend, call it religious activism, is noticed to be very unfortunately growing amongst the youth of all religions. Here, I’ll try to look at the Muslim youth. They are taught to believe that:
Christians are ‘wrong’ because they claim Christ to be the Son of God.
Hindus are Kafirs because they are idol-worshippers.
Most Muslims who go to Durgahs and follow a Peer are Mushriks.
Let’s take Son of God and compare it with similar expressions like the son of the soil or the son of the Mother Earth. If soil or earth is Mother, do you think of the Father? It’s a way of saying, isn’t it? It is certainly not an issue.
And, who is a Kafir? A Kafir is a non-believer, not of Islam but of God. In Quran, in my view, only Firaun(Phaeroah) is a Kafir because he claimed himself to be God.
Who is an idol-worshipper? Don’t we all worship a moving idol in the form of our own body much more than, we think, we worship God, if at all, we worship God? Khudparasti hi butparasti hai, says Hazarat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Aren’t we, then, Kafirs and also Mushriks, ourselves? As long as the combination of the animal, the Satan and the Ego is alive in us, aren’t we guilty of Kufr and Shirk?
O God, the most Merciful, forgive us our sins and our ignorance. ASTAGHFIRULLAH! Taubah Taubah Taubah!!!

5 comments:

  1. That's a nice post. Why don't you post the link of this post on your facebook page.

    Ironically a large number of Muslims are in a habit of judging others and their 'imaan', which is a ridiculous thing and Islam also doesn't sanction it.

    Wahabis feel all those who gave to graves are 'mushrik'. Similarly Barelvis don't have a good opinion of Deobandis and this goes for all sects. Everybody is eager to pass on a judgment whether the other is pious enough or 'Muslim' enough or not and that's really disgusting.

    It was not the situation earlier. Islamic scholars and even great poets from Mir to Ghalib and Mirza Mazhar Jaan-e-JaanaN were liberal....Khair it's a topic that really needs a long discussion...

    PS: Bahais don't consider themselves as Muslims. The question of Ahmadiyyas or Qadiyanis is slightly different as they claim to be Muslims but most Muslims don't consider them as they term Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as final prophet. Qadianis also have to sects and the smaller one, Lahori, are considered closer to mainstream Muslims as they term Ghulab Ahmad a mujaddid or reviver and not prophet.

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  2. Thank you but I am more than curious to get to know you now.
    Yes, I think, I should post the link of my recent post on my fb page.
    Thanks
    Khalique

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  3. In search of religious answers, I was a practicing Muslima for a while (pre-911). I wore the hijab and everything. What I noticed was the contradiction with the Quran. It says to follow NO other books but they follow the Fiqh and others right in line with the Quran.

    Also, there is not to be sects in Islam yet there are several. Islam was just as hypocritical as Christianity. I have since decided to NOT affiliate myself with any religion because they are just too divisive. I am not an atheist, but not of a religion.

    This was really interesting!!

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  4. Thank you very much, Heather, for posting this comment.
    I think, all religions are ok. The problem lies with the followers. Lack of knowledge and guidance leads to various problems.
    I think you need spiritual guidance for peace and quiet leading to happiness.
    Best wishes
    Khalique

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  5. Hi Khaliqur: Interesting blog, and thought provoking. I found you through LinkIn.

    I don't think that I'm qualified to offer much in the way of detailed knowledge on the subject of religion. I was raised a catholic, and as is probably somewhat typical - it was more about going to church as opposed to seeking knowledge. My father would usher us out during communion. Not the best example.

    As an adult, I am hungry for spiritual guidance and read as much as I can. I'm reading a book right now on cleansing the consciousness which I find interesting.

    I am in the exploration stage, but I do believe that a strong spiritual foundation opens the gates to the peace and happiness that I long for....

    I hope this makes sense.

    I'm doing a book, a psychological drama, that deals with the effects of abuse on the developing mind. How she learns to cope with this as she matures is interesing.

    Anyway, thank you for the post and I will definitely follow your blog. I am sure that I can learn a lot.

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