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The entire Muslim world has started observing ‘Id-Milad’, Prophet Muhammed’s (Pbuh) birthday celebration. Special prayers, processions and charitable activities are observed. Muslims are overwhelmed with emotional and devotional attitudes. In other words, Muslims’s mindset is transformed beyond imagination. The name of Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) inspires and electrifies Muslim society. Yes, all this is true. But a close objective analysis will reveal the wicked and dubious mind of atleast some Muslims. Some are clean bowled, some are stumped and some are caught. Any one of these ways would mean the batsman is out and back to the pavilion. He cannot be recalled as the decision of the umpire is final.
This is exactly the socio-religious status of some followers of Islam and fans of Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh). When some Hindu friends say that they have unquestionable appreciation for the Holy Qur’an and teachings of Holy Prophet (Pbuh), but feel sorry for not practising these values and principles, I often feel helpless. I am forced to endorse their comments and express my concern. Such contradiction may be true among Hindus and Christians too. But I am now concerned about our ‘brothers in Islam’. I do not want to comment on others. May be I am not competent. I strongly believe in self-introspection among Muslims themselves. Clashes between Sunnis and Shias in Lucknow when Milad processions are taken out kill the spirit of Islam. This happens almost every year. It is unfortunate.
Last year’s observance of Milad and today’s observance could be taken as a period for self-introspection. Let me take a few values of Islam and assess their observance in practice. Social harmony remains disturbed. Peace is missing at all levels. Hatred is on the increase. Killings are part of deviant Muslim culture. Militancy and terrorism are patronized Killers are often defended. Suicide bomb squads are encouraged. All Muslims are brothers. But this is only on paper. Muslims kill Muslims. Muslims ditch Muslims. Muslim vendors exploit Muslim buyers. Vandals are tolerated, if not respected. Family life is generally disturbed. Husband -wife relationship is like a bubble on water. Siblings are detached. Parents are neglected and harassed. Youths are criminalised. Usury, excessive profit, alcohol, prostitution, pre-marital sexual behaviour are some of the examples to demonstrate the deviant behaviour of some Muslims today.
‘Healthy critics’ are condemned and flatterers are welcome. Regular prayers are very much missing. Not all who offer regular prayers are faithful to Almighty God and Holy Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh). While many suffer from utter poverty, some lead luxurious life. Begging has become an art and easy means of living. Belief in helping undeserving beggars or who seek alms ruins the society. Able-bodied men and women are patronised. Poverty no longer remains a curse. It is a means of living comfortably without efforts and risks in life. A strong belief that donation to mosque guarantees passport to heaven does not help the cause of education among the poor. Prophet’s thrust on education and upbringing of children is neglected in general.
Arab world is floating on oil, unmindful of limitations to natural resources. Arrogance of wealth, weakness to exploit oil wealth for a durable and sustainable progress, dependence on the treacherous Bush, disunity among the Muslim countries, detachment from basics of Islamic culture are symptoms of fast approaching ‘Qayamat’ dooms day. Allah’s grace is disgraced. Allah’s mercy is misused.
Muslims are suspected and dreaded, while Islam is held high, Muslims are looked down. This gap between Islamic prescriptions and Muslims practices needs to be addressed. Disunity, disharmony, discontentment, derailed Muslim leadership, differences among Muslim religious leaders, are some issues which need immediate attention. Thus, Muslim society needs purification and renovation. Fear of God and death, practical implementation of Qur’anic principles, respect to Holy Prophet by practising his teachings in daily life alone would promote peace and progress among Muslims. Social interactions with non-Muslims, socially integrated life, purity of mind and heart and a tongue which speaks the truth alone will assure bright future. Otherwise, it will be just ‘tall Islam’ and ‘short Muslims’.
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