Further To ‘Why To Think About Muslims?’

Got some very valuable feedback from the respected members of the Forums. S J Zaheer Saheb has rightly observed that ‘everyone is free to choose his ideal if it is self-fulfilling’. Someone may, however, choose some other sections of the society if it could lead to self-fulfilment. A little more analysis before choosing may help more and give increased conviction as well as self-fulfilment. Supposedly.

Dr Saleem Kidwai Saheb’s first argument that Islam has the second largest following in the world constitutes a good reason for thinking about the Muslims. But then if the number is a factor then we should think more about not the second largest population but the religion that has the largest following in the world. Why should we go for the lesser number if we have a greater number available?

 

When Saleem Kidwai Saheb referred to Islam as a world civilization it was especially enlightening. It has now been reduced to fundamentalism, unfortunately, as very aptly pointed out by Saleem Kidwai Saheb. If Islam was a world civilization previously, does it still have the capacity of offering a (healthier) civilization to the world? If we agree on this then we have a reason to talk about Muslims, as the upholders of Islam. 

But then how do we know that they could do so and why did they do so in the first place? They were able to do so because they had not divided deen from dunyaa. Because they had not divided knowledge into ‘religious’ and ‘secular’. Because they knew that they were meant to think about others. Hence they enriched the world.

Syed Saleem Saheb has probably hinted that we are focusing on many issues and are leaving the more important ones unaddressed. He, I assume, advises to avoid the trivial issues. Why we should be concerned about the Muslims is a question which he presumably considers important. The respected members may comment about it further.

Nafisul Hasan Saheb has posed more questions. At the same time he has hinted at the religious affinity as being the reason behind this concern. Religious affinity – apart from some other observations – is being suggested by Mr Mohammad Arshad as well. This we will come back to later. On the questions raised by both the friends we need to ponder more. 

Ansarullah Saheb compares the entire situation with the need for taking care of a critical patient. No question about it. The question, however, remains why only this patient. There are many more. Why not them as well?

Hasan Mateen Ul Islam Saheb has enlightened about the reasons of our concern both for the ‘Muslims’ and the ‘Muslim’ University. Religious affinity in case of the people and economical fee structure in case of the University are the highlights of his answer.

Received a feedback from Syed Shahabuddin Saheb, too. He observes that “(we should be concerned about Muslims) because of social & religious affinity as Muslim Indians. Man is a social animal but his social perception varies. It may be arrowed to family & then widened to include region, race, religion & language & then broaden to include all humanity. Concern also depends upon where one can be effective & produce visible results.” The sociological perspective that Shahabuddin Saheb has pointed out is very important.

The ‘religious affinity’, however, in the real sense of the term depends a lot on belief in and adherence to Qur’an. But then it is a book that we have safely placed in the shelves and have developed a perennial self-doubt. We don’t even talk about it assuming that it might take us backward. It is for recital at the ceremonial occasions. And even when it is studied it is not looked at in its totality.

It will be in order and enlightening to know if the Indian Muslims have developed an education system wherein they have devised strategies to hold the Book in the right hand – truly inspired by the Aligarh Movement. If this is not the case then the concern because of the “religious affinity” is on a flimsy ground.

Secondly, the social affinity should be with a diverse segment of the Indian population – and not only with Muslims. Because we live in a pluralistic society. Hence, this affinity does not constitute a sufficient reason for concern only for the Muslims. It should broaden and include the rest. And most deservedly so. If the Muslims, however, put Qur’an in the forefront there will be no need for them to worry about themselves as they will start worrying about others. What does it mean, though? And how will it happen?