On preparation
It is often assumed that Islam is about opinion and variation is wrongly given weight. Rather Islam is about treading the Straight Path and variation is only prevalent in as much as there is concession, or leniency in governance.
The Straight Path is the most arduous path and those who wish to walk it are bound to be tested. Tested for patience and tested for motive. What is the motive for ‘good’? Can it be that we will do ‘good’ when no one thanks us for it? Can it be that we will do ‘good’ when people punish us for it? Regardless of how we are perceived we must strive for ‘good’, but complication enters when we must strive to do ‘good’ without compromising our perceptions.
Muslims are ambassadors for Islam and at the same time there is no glamour in such a role. The highest disposition of a Muslim is slave … a slave unto the laws of God. However, the slaves are subjected to criticism when they are engaged in advice and invitation. This criticism comes from within the ranks.
On Choice and Freedom
Is it true that Islam recognises freedom in religion? Or is ‘no compulsion’ meant to be something else? Islam has defined rights and wrongs and for these there are classifications of priority and context. Is it true that there is no benchmark or solid ground or is the whole of Islam subject to opinion?
Qur’an is indeed the highest scriptural authority in Islam, but it is A Book. Subject to our minds and how we perceive it. There are other authorities! Those are hadith, interpretations of companions, the scholars especially those who have acquired an unbroken tradition of guidance dating back to the earliest times of Islam. The idea of submission to God’s Law does not end at how we choose to interpret the Qur’an. By interpreting the scripture we have already fallen into a state of valuing our own opinion. This is the path towards esteeming ones own mind above the minds of those who have devoted their lives to learning Islam from those who have learned from others, who have done likewise. The final level of authority is compromised and yet by doing so we could actually be compromising all levels of authority should our understanding be utterly erroneous. Very early ijma’ was considered a beautiful means to eradicate variation and was a means towards conformance to the best opinion, as it increases the likelihood of being correct.
We should not look for how we can relax Islam to suit out needs rather should establish an acceptable view point and an exceptional viewpoint. We should find it necessary to be at least acceptable with regards to our disposition of Islamic matters and we should at least have a desire to attain exceptional status. Those who do not wish to better themselves are content. And contentment can lead to dangerous traits such as arrogance.
Our Standards of conduct
It is unfortunate that those who are perceived as religious are the ones criticised for not being ‘nice’ or due to a tone of authority and ‘truth’ in their words these are mistakenly picked up as arrogance. The very advice to others to reflect on actions such as indulgence to prevent traits such as arrogance is the very accusation that is being levelled at those who advise against those precursory actions. Why?
It is because there is a sense of pressure from within the dissenters, a sense of guilt that demands either change or rebellion. Those who rebel are those who have submitted to their own wills, but those who change are those who do so, not under pressure from the adviser, rather do so under their power; wilfully conforming to the Law of God – A truly remarkable submission!
We should work to make excuses for one another and learn to tell the truth, and learn to be nice and if we cross the mark with each other … to seek forgiveness from each other. Rather when a person is seen to admit a mistake they should not be crucified for it. It is also true that no matter how nice someone can be some people will hold it against them for being ‘inviting’ … verily those invite to good only wish for you success in the Hereafter. If you disagree with them and do not need their sincerity you can say it in a nice way. The same standards of conduct are expected from all humans, only just that those who tolerate bad behaviour are often those who are in submission to the Will of God already.
On exposing lies
In the endeavour for truth one cannot ignore lies, be they about religion or otherwise. Lies are a danger to the souls of the liars and are a danger to the trusting servants of God. Exposing lies is a duty and those in power have the greatest duty of all to manage affairs in the best amicable manner. To love one another we need to understand why we are being confronted. Some us could learn how to conduct ourselves in better ways and others could learn that there is more to delights of this world that people who address us are concerned about.
