بِسمِ اللہِ الرَحمٰنِ الرَحِیم
THE QUEST FOR SPIRITUALITY
[DISCLAIMER: This article has not been written by a scholar of Islam but someone who has learned Islam from many scholars/books and through different sources apart from physical efforts over the years.]
Written by: S Roman Ahsan (April 02, 2018)
What is critical for Pakistan and Pakistanis? Is it only the issue of good leadership which matters for us or is there more to it? Most Pakistanis consider that having a good and sincere leader in Pakistan will solve all of our problems.
Good and benevolent leadership is no doubt important for us. But as Muslims what should matter most to us is our beautiful religion Islam and the associated beliefs which can lead us to salvation in afterlife. Good leader or no good leader, we have to strive to be good Muslims all through our lives.
We cannot ignore that after 9/11, Islam and the Muslim world are being targetted by enemies of Islam. That is the only reason senior scholars of Islam worldwide increased their efforts to defend the image of Islam Al-hamdulillah.
Those of us with English Medium Schooling background and the experience of working in progressive business environments, could be much further away from the true spirit of Islam, even if we don't like to acknowledge the fact. Though there could be much good attached with English Medium Schools also but most of us are not aware that True Islam means 'conservatism' and not 'liberalism'. Liberalism is all about appreciation of 'visible kind of beauty' or the 'outer beauty' or the 'apparent success in the world'. And being 'conservative' or 'liberal' for a Muslim has a different meaning than the Western interpretations of the same terms. If we understand all this, then we could be more successful in forming true Islamic ideals on long-term basis!
The above argument does not imply that we shun all liberal environments where we are required to go as part of seeking academic degrees or for work. After all, we live in a very liberal world today and the environments everywhere tend to be increasingly liberal. It only means we 'try' our best to reap worldly benefits that are not in clash with the conservative spirit of Islam. Our Creator, Allah Almighty did not invent liberalism, it is us who have done so with the aid of Satan especially with the advent of media since the past 100 years or so.
We as Muslims need to sacrifice our special affinity for liberalism and liberal environments when things go 'too far away' from the true spirit of Islam. After all, we do know this life is just temporary and an everlasting afterlife awaits us, don't we? The Almighty has asked us to 'strive' only.
Our dear Prophet's (pbuh) wife Hadhrat Khadija (ra) was not being liberal as a businesswoman, sorry to disappoint some of my friends who like to stress on this. She was a widow who just carried on the business of her first husband behind curtains at home. At least we should not mix fact with fiction, otherwise we understand Muslim women today can go out for work within limits for the sake of earning in noble professions. Proper scholars of Islam have to be consulted to understand what are those 'limits' and what is 'noble' in Islam!
An average educated Pakistani Muslim is confused about which Islamic school of thought or which sect to follow. To proceed on the path of Islam is a long road with trials and errors. A Pakistani scholar said with regards to Islamic practices in Pakistan that whether one is Deobandi or Barailvi, if one is able to avoid 'Shirk' and follows the main teachings of Allah and His Prophet (pbuh), then one could hope for salvation in afterlife. However, it should be remembered that occasionally visiting a shrine (like Data Darbar, Lahore) and performing acts of worship for Allah there is not 'Shirk'. Even Allama Iqbal (ra) and the renowned Saint Khawaja Moeen-ud-Din Chishti (ra) used to visit Data Darbar and worship Allah there.
When we go to Data Darbar today, we do see few illiterate Muslims engaged in acts which are far from spirit of Islam. However it is perfectly fine to recite a portion of Qur'an like Surah Yaseen as a gift for the soul of the saint, Hazrat Data Gunj Buksh Ali Hajveri (ra). Or to sit there and recite Durood Shareef. There is water being served just adjacent to the net section where people are reciting Qur'an or some Surah. Or sometimes a man going on a round near the net wall serving water in metal containers with Surah Yaseen or other kinds of Holy text engraved inside. It is fine Al-hamdulilah to taste that water!
The main thing which we should not neglect is striving to pursue regular Salah prayers in mosque (not just Jumm'ah) regularly. During the day when one is at work, one can offer prayers in congregation at office. After returning from office, one can at least offer Maghrib and Isha Salah in the area mosque. The experience in mosque could seem very dry to newcomers compared to the liberal environments all around but this is our test. When we are persistent in our visits to mosque, then we will develop liking for it also naturally. Offering regular prayers in mosque combined with visits to a shrine like Data Darbar (occasionally) 'can' impart spirituality (roohaniat) to Muslims provided if they are not neglecting their duties towards fellow-beings and of course if Allah wills. Other worthy acts are reciting Qur'an with meaning on regular basis (even if short portions), 'Dhikr' (reciting some verses on daily basis granted by someone who has superior knowledge of Islam) and helping the poor or needy. Abstinence from bad company and bad habits could also be a plus. We cannot ignore that pain can also bring us close to Allah. The kind of pain which is related to emotions!
Again, the concept of spirituality in Islam differs greatly from the Western interpretation of spirituality which has no basis in religion. If we love Allah then we know that the true spirituality is that which emanates from Islamic practices!
Hence, in ultimate analysis, we need to continuously develop a bond with Almighty Allah and His Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wa-Alaihi Wassallam. This we can do beside carrying on our worldly duties as Almighty Allah (swt) has not forbidden us to pursue all that which is permissible or 'halaal' on Earth. It is alarming that in these times when there is widespread Godlessness, we have not many choices of seeking permissible means of earning livelihood. Consulting proper scholars of Islam can help us decide what is best for us or how we can survive in this era!
Pharaoh of Egypt (Firaun) had a great kingdom and he had never experienced even a headache in his long life. Compared to him, Prophet Musa (pbuh) had apparently just a staff though also Almighty Allah behind him. Finally, Pharaoh and his forces were given a most humiliating defeat with the spiritual help of Allah after a long struggle!
All Prophets (peace be upon them all) did not succeed in their missions in their worldly lives. The Children of Israel (Bani-Israel or descendants of Prophet Yaqoob pbuh) martyred many Prophets (peace be upon them all) after the time of Prophet Musa (pbuh) for reasons known to Almighty Allah only. Hence, this shows closeness with Allah does not always bring victory in this world but success in the hereafter is guaranteed. True believers today can thus face tough resistance in this world without little apparent success.
The quest for spirituality revolves around striving to lead the Islamic way of life in all spheres. Our Creator has chosen Islam for the believers as His final message till the Judgment Day!
May Almighty Allah, the Most High guide us and protect us - Aameen!
