Self Opinion and Enslavement
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that self opinion in this path is a notorious bandit and a fatal poison. A man in whom this malady of self opinion exists will be totally deprived of benefit. He will not attain any benefit in this path (towards reformation).
The very first step in this path of moral reformation is self annihilation. The need is for total enslavement to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; this can only be fulfilled through Ibaadah and obedience to the best of one’s ability. The believer has to be steadfast on the commands of Shariah. There will be shortcomings; therefore it is essential to repent for the defects in our commitment. There is immense goodness in having this type of attitude. The state of Abdiyyat (being a slave of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله) cannot be attained without severing unnecessary relationships.
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The Mindset of Submission
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that in the terminology of the Holy Qur’ān, Islam means that one should submit himself entirely to the commands of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله when he receives the command from Him. One should not question or dwell into any reasoning regarding the wisdom behind any command; rather he should submit totally. This is Islam and this is what we are commanded to do when Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله says in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely…’
(Surah al-Baqarah: Verse 208)
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that one may have recited the Kalimah Tayyibah and the Kalimah Shahādah but it is now necessary to enter into Islam; and this is done by submitting, accepting and acting upon the commands of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
One may question; what is the need to submit without first ascertaining the wisdom of any command? The simple answer is that if anyone does not accept any command of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله by abandoning his opinion and then uses his intelligence to argue regarding how senseless, meaningless and unjust a command is; he will thus become the slave of his intelligence and not be a true slave of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
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Means of Receiving Knowledge
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has blessed man with the means of acquiring knowledge. The eyes, ears, nose, tongue and hands are used to attain knowledge and man benefits through these means. However, there are limitations in that the eye will benefit man through sight but not through hearing. Similarly, the ears, tongue, nose and hands have specific functions and cannot be used beyond the sphere of its individual activity.
There is a stage of attaining knowledge beyond the limits of the sensory functions; that is intelligence. Hazrat Mufti Taqi Uthmāni حفظه الله explains through an example of a microphone; one can see and feel the microphone but one is unaware of how it came into existence. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has blessed man with intelligence which will show man that the microphone is used in relaying his voice to a distance but it did not come into existence on its own but rather, the microphone was made by an expert technician. Where the five senses are limited; Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has blessed man with intelligence to further enhance his knowledge.
Just as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and hands are limited in their scope of activity; so too is intelligence limited in its function. It cannot help and guide man beyond that.
There is another vital means to attain knowledge; this is called WAHI (Revelation from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله which has been bestowed upon the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام. This guides man beyond intelligence. Many things cannot be comprehended or understood without the means of Wahi which was revealed through the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام to guide man.
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Revelation Compared to Intelligence
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has explained through this example; the knowledge that the world will end, all mankind will perish and the life of the hereafter will follow – these concepts cannot be understood through intelligence. It is only through Wahi (revelation) which was sent to the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام that we have become aware that there is life after death. Man will have to render an account of his deeds before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and that there is Jannah and Jahannum.
Wahi (revelation) takes over to guide man when intelligence fails. Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has written in his Malfoozaat that there are such clear incidents regarding the Divine Scheme controlling Rizq (sustenance), which even liberal and sceptical intelligence cannot deny. There are many wealthy people who are completely illiterate, not even able to write their names but they have graduates that are employed by them. In another incident, a lawyer asked Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله why the five daily Salaah are compulsory? Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله spontaneously asked him why his nose was created on his face? The lawyer replied it would have appeared ugly if it (the nose) was on the neck. Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله then asserted that if everyone’s nose was at the back of the neck, it would not seem unsightly. The lawyer remained speechless. People put forward excuses that they cannot understand; what they need to know is that there are things that are outside the sphere of intelligence. This is the reason why Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله sent Wahi to the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام to reveal His absolute Power and Control.
Man must realise that it is Wahi that has decided what is good or bad, what is lawful or prohibited, what is proper or improper and what pleases Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله or displeases Him. It is not for man to decide through his intelligence.
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The Attempt to Submit Revelation to Reason
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has quoted a scholar from Nadwa who had written; “The attempt to submit revelation to reason so that revelation conforms to reason is a grave error. Religion (Islam) refers to pure Īmān (Beliefs) and Inqiyād (submission to revelation). In Deen there is nothing other than wholehearted submission to Divine Law. On the other hand, in matters of reason and intellect, rational proofs are necessary.”
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله then states; “However, the Ālim did not elaborate on the statement of rational proofs being unnecessary in religious matters. If rational proofs are to be totally discarded in religious matters, then everyone will be able to claim the truth of his religion on the basis of only faith.”
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله further added; “The Ālim Sahib should have added that rational proofs are not necessary in relation to the Furoo’ (details and particulars) of Deen. But in so far as the Usool (the principles and fundamentals) are concerned, there is a need for rational proofs. Godhood and Risālat (Prophethood) should be substantiated by means of rational proofs whereas pure and total submission is required in the detailed rules of the Deen.”
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has explained that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has distinguished and granted superiority to man over other species of creation by virtue of Aql (intelligence).
INTELLIGENCE SHOULD THEREFORE BE EMPLOYED ONLY IN SUBMISSION TO WAHI (REVELATION). IF AQL (INTELLIGENCE) IS NOT SUBMITTED TO WAHI, MAN BECOMES THE VICTIM OF ERROR, NIGHT AND DAY.
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Reliance on Intelligence Leads to Misguidance
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that all the grave evils and wrong ideologies that are prevalent in the world are the products of the mind. As an example, the Muslims believe that pork is forbidden but if we ignore the teachings of Wahi and rely on intelligence, then we will slip into deviation. Man’s intelligence will tell him that there is nothing wrong in consuming pork because the non-Muslims eat it because it tastes good. A similar argument is presented in favour of wine by those who do not believe in revelation whereas Muslims regard it as evil and prohibited. The slaves of intelligence argue that they find no evil in drinking wine because millions drink it without any serious harm. There are others who entertain the idea that there is nothing wrong in an illicit relationship between an unmarried man and woman; if they are both willing to enjoy that relationship – this is the result of relying on intelligence only.
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه اللہ has further added that it is on the strength of intelligence that the worst of all evils is considered proper. This is solely because intelligence is used beyond the limits prescribed by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; the result is deviation.
It is therefore imperative that we realise the limits of intelligence and the absolute superiority of revelation. Submission to Wahi (revelation) will ensure success and guidance.
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There is no Option…
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that for seventy four years, socialism and communism were synonymous with Russia. The slogan of equality and sympathising with the poor was raised prominently. It was claimed that socialism will spread throughout the world. If anyone had said that this ideology was based on intelligence alone and was fundamentally wrong, then he would be referred to as being a capitalist, a feudalist or a conservative. But the truth was realised that today, after so many years, the very proponents of Lenin toppled his ideology. This is the consequence of an ideology that is based on intelligence alone which is in total opposition to the Wahi (revelation).
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has instructed that man submit himself to His commands and to that of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم , follow the Wahi (revelation) so that he may live peacefully and tread the correct path. Man must submit to the demands of Wahi and not use his intelligence against it (revelation), even if it seems to defy common sense and reasoning. The only option is to submit to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله when man is commanded to do so. The first part of the verse commands the believer to enter into Islam; that he submits himself wholeheartedly to the commands of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and His Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
The second part of the verse says ‘enter completely’ – in other words, it must not be that man enters into Islam in so far as faith, belief and worship is concerned. It should not be the case that man confines himself to reciting the Kalimah, performs Salaah, observes fasting, fulfils Zakaah and discharges the obligation of Hajj. His commitment to Islam must not be confined to the Musjid and the other aspects of his daily activities do not conform to Islam. To be punctual on acts of worship is but a part of Islam; the responsibility of man is that he is obedient to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in all aspects of his life. Islam therefore means that a believer moulds his entire life according to the dictates of Shariah; be it in business, at home with his wife and children and in his interaction with various classes of people.
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has stated that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has divided the religion of Islam into five parts;
- BELIEF (AQAA’ID): It is necessary for one to have proper beliefs.
- WORSHIP (IBAADAH): The observance of the five daily Salaah, keeping the fast of Ramadān, discharging of Zakaah and performance of Hajj at least once in a lifetime.
- BUSINESS DEALINGS (MU’ĀMALAAT): The transactions of buying and selling must be within the confines of Shariah. Any improper and unlawful means must be shunned.
- SOCIAL ETIQUETTES (MU’ĀSHARAH): The commands of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله must be observed in day to day affairs, in mutual and social interactions.
- CHARACTER (AKHLAAQ): One’s personal character, morals, feelings and thoughts must be within Shar’ī limits.
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has lamented that Muslims display Islamic behaviour only in the Masaajid but when we examine our commitment to practicing Islam; we find that Muslims are involved in cheating, we betray trusts and we are the cause of inconvenience to others. Whilst worship constitutes 25% of Islam, 75% of Islam concerns the rights of creation. If anyone does not fulfil the rights of people, he has not entered into Islam completely.
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that the main cause for not discharging the rights of creation is corrupt behavioural attitudes. As a result of such corruption of behaviour and manners, mutual resentment and dislike for one another have set in among people. This has eliminated the tranquility of the heart which is vital for mutual love and respect in society.
When we examine the directives of the Qur’an and Ahādīth, it is established that Islam has a very lofty system of life in which no facet of man’s behaviour, attitudes and actions will constitute the slightest difficulty, harm, displeasure, detestation and ill feeling to another fellow being. The believer’s behaviour should not be a cause of worry, confusion or fear to anyone.