CONFUSION (First) & (Then) CLARITY

When a car has to make a u-turn it has to slow down. It cannot make a u-turn at the same fast speed. That period of slow movement of the car is the period of ‘confusion’. If the car does not allow that confusion for a while it can never change the direction. We are very clear about so many things. So clear that we do not allow ourselves any amount of time for introspection (or confusion). I am not sure how could we be so sure about so many things all the time without being unsure about even a few of those at least for some time.

We as a people need a change in direction. We need a new orientation. We should also be ready for a period of confusion before clarity. Being ready for confusion for some time means that we are ready to think twice about our Institutions. About our Organizations. About our existing thought patterns. About each one of us - individually. Each one of us has to ask himself if he has ever tried any other ideas – other than the ones which he is currently holding. Have we ever figured out that our field of action is we – ourselves – before fixing the entire world? 

Those among us who haven’t probably ever tried to revisit any of the crucial areas of our collective life and outlook are the surest about their ideas. The ones who have tried and have given themselves some space are more tolerant and patient. They are more logical and reasonable. The rigidity and narrowness in our outlook has set in as a punishment upon us. This is a punishment that we have ourselves invited and are reinforcing it with “passionate intensity”.

I wonder how we are so clear about what we should be teaching, for instance. We are so clear that we just launch projects after projects. We spend hours and hours on working out the strategies to raise funds without addressing crucial questions like what do we want out of our efforts. We do not think that there could be some scope of (re)thinking. Why should we, because everything is crystal clear! In our case clarity is not at all preceded by any amount of confusion and it doesn’t need to. Amazing! This is precisely why I refuse to call it clarity. This is why when someone argues for avoiding confusion then to me it sounds avoiding clarity.

We often hear that “Islam has been perfected 1430 years ago by our beloved Prophet (pbuh) and in sha Allah will remain identical till the Last Day.” There is no denying this fact. But despite the fact that “Islam has been perfected” – in our sense of these words – when we read and listen to those things which fit in our frame of mind then there is no need for Islam to be perfected. When, however, it does not fit in our frame – though still very much within the framework of Islam – then immediately Islam needs to get perfected. So this perfection is selective.

“Islam has been perfected” is one of those right ‘stories’ from which we learn wrong lessons. The life of the Prophet (pbuh) is complete. His Sunnah is complete. And we have a complete head, too, on our shoulders. What all these mean? All these mean that the principles are there. These universal principles will be a guiding light for the entire humanity in every age. But those principles will require interpretation, relating and application. This is what our luminaries brilliantly did – in their time and age – with a futuristic outlook, too. We are extremely grateful to them. But life has moved far ahead since then. The much foreseen future of those luminaries is now long-past. This relating and application, however, has not been carried out to the desired extent and the time has been passing by. This is why we remain stationary while the rest of the world has progressed. This is why we are not even catching up with it – leave alone leading and guiding the world.

“Do not disturb the fabric of these groups and try to pollute the pure minds” should read “Do not disturb us at this untimely hour (mid-night). We are curling in our cosy beds, you know. Moreover, we are very clear about what we are doing. The ideas that we are holding and are acting upon, we have, ma sha Allah, arrived at them without any confusion. We don’t want to waste our energies in a futile exercise like the one you have undertaken. Just leave us alone. Aur koi kaam nahee(n) hai? Jaa’o, jaa ke so jaa’o.”

Finally, “With your knowledge (I will) love to see some articles that are not spreading hatred.......... love to see you spread the knowledge of peace and love and brotherhood which Islam represents” means “Why don’t you ignore the pressing problems. Why don’t you become apologetic about Islam? Why don’t you try your best to develop a completely partial picture of Islam? Why are you worried about the clarity even if it is not preceded by any period and amount of confusion? Look at us; we aren’t worried at all about this, my dear! Just relax. With the fear of God Almighty and belief in the Hereafter everything will become fine, you know.”

There is a huge problem with the desire of “spread(ing) the knowledge of peace and love and brotherhood which Islam represents”. While Islam certainly stands for all of these but when the Muslims talk about it in the current situations it does not suit them. Its expression from those whom actually we want to convince about all of the above will truly make sense. But for the world to really say that and mean it, too, the Muslims will have to do a lot – and not from a safe distance. They have to be in the thick of it. With the desired hard work and the right kind of qualifications. They have to engage with life. They have to be the players and not the spectators. The talk, however, about all of the above shows that we haven’t realized that the longest is the shortest. Just as we aren’t ready for some confusion before clarity.

But let us salute those who are confused and they know and acknowledge that they are confused. Let us salute them because they will find the direction. They are our hope.