Naa Kujaa Aabaad

The Arabian Peninsula embracing the religion of peace in a short span of time was utopian. The desert dwellers turning into the nurturers of civilization was utopian. The world seeing so many glories of nature has always been utopian. The advancement that the medical sciences have registered was utopian. The deep darkness of night being dispelled within no time was utopian. About 24 thousand (I don’t know the exact number of) students studying in the AMU – at one time – was utopian. Muslims participating in the national life (to whatever extent) was utopian. Sending a mail to a thousand people in one click is utopian. Talking to anyone anywhere in the world anytime I want to is utopian. Did not hear that ‘impossible is nothing’ in a madrasah. Heard this utopian idea only in the AMU.

All of the above happened in this world of asbaab (causes and effects). Has this law of nature stopped? If it has then it is not a law of nature – in the first place. If the laws of nature are still intact then the confluence of the two streams of knowledge is not utopian. Developing a culture of more emphasis on the individual is not utopian. Understanding Islam in relatable and applicable terms is not utopian. Having the two hands full is not utopian. Developing a new scholasticism and promoting a scientific and rational outlook is not utopian. Giving up emotionalism is not utopian. Showing the exit door to the exploiters is not utopian. Bringing back meanings to words is not utopian. An idea turning into a positive energy is not utopian. And finally, Muslims regaining the glorious position of founders and promoters of sciences in the world is not utopian. Many Naa Kujaa Aabaads (utopias) are and will be densely populated. However,

bajuz deewaangee waaN aur chaarah hee kaho keyaa hai

jahaaN ‘aql-o kherud kee ek bhee maanee naheeN jaatee.

(Faiz Ahmad Faiz)