ISLAM

Maulana Abul A'la Moududi- Torch of Islam

Maulana Abul A'la Moududi carried the torch of Islam in the subcontinent while Middle East, including the birthplace of Islam, was steeped in darkness.

Maulana Abul A'la Moududi is one of the greatest Islamic scholars of the 20th century. His contributions to awaken the Muslims worldwide have been significant. His writing remains source of inspirations to Muslims worldwide. His work especially Tafhimul HolyQuran, translation of Holy Quran into English and Urdu is a monumental work which speaks volume for his great contributions to English speaking Muslims worldwide who are keen to understand the Holy Quran in its proper perspective.

In fact Moulana Maududi worked to revive Islam and carried the torch of Islam at a time when the entire Middle East including the birth place of Islam, was steeped into darkness due to the manipulations of European colonial powers. His writings influenced a great deal well known Egyptian Islamic scholars like Hassan Al Banna, Mohamed Qutb, Syed Qutb and Amina Qutb and others.

Moulana Maududi (1903-1979) was a Muslim writer , religious and political leader in the Indian sub-continent. He was born in Awrangabad in the present Hyderabad state of India into a family with a strong religious and traditional Muslim culture. Moududi received his formal education in the schools of Hyderabad, but at the age of 15 he was forced to leave school never to return upon the death of his father; much of his earliest instruction was conducted in the home.

Moududi's earliest profession was journalism. At the age of 17, he became a correspondent and then editor of the newspaper Taj in Jabalpur. In 1920 he assumed the editorship of Muslim, the publication of the Jam'iyat-i 'Ulama.' He continued in that position until the newspaper was closed down in 1923 and, after 18 months, became editor of the prestigious al-Jam'iyah. Moududi left journalism in 1927 to engage in scholarly writing. During this period, he wrote a history of the Asafiyah dynasty of Hyderabad and a history of the Seljuk Turks, as well as a slim volume called Toward Understanding Islam which established him in India as a serious religious writer.

The years of journalism also marked his first significant venture into writing on Islamic subjects in the volume The Holy War in Islam (1926), composed as a series of essays in al-Jam'iyah to refute Hindu charges that Islam was a militant religion. The principles espoused in Moududi's later writing may all be found in this initial work.

In 1932 Moududi became associated with the Hyderabadi journal Tarjuman al-Qur'an, and in the following year he assumed sole responsibility for it. It was--and remains--the principal vehicle of his views and those of the organization he later founded. At first Moududi used the journal to advocate reform among Muslims, but in the late 1930s he turned to Indian politics. He opposed both the all-India nationalism of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim nationalism of the Muslim League.

His own solution to India's political problem lay in urging Muslims to recognize Islam as their sole identity and to become better Muslims.

His views during this period are collected in the three volumes of Muslims and the Present Day Political Struggle.

In 1941 Moududi founded the organization Jama'at-i Islami (The Islamic Society) and was elected its head or amir. The purpose of the Jama'at was to propagate true Islam and to train cadres of devoted men capable of establishing an Islamic system of government and society. It was thus a religiously-based political party and the organization later became a major factor in Pakistani national politics.

When the Indian sub-continent was partitioned in 1947, Moududi moved with some of his followers to Pakistan, where he quickly assumed an important political role as the principal advocate of the Islamic state. He evoked the displeasure of the ruling elite and in 1948 was put in jail, where he remained for more than a year. Upon his release he resumed the agitation for an Islamic state with renewed vigour.

Moududi was arrested in 1953 for his alleged part in the agitation against the Ahmadiyah sect. He was sentenced to death by a military court, but the sentence was never carried out. In 1958 Pakistan came under military rule, and political parties, including the Jama'at-i Islami, were banned. From that time Moududi's interest turned from the Islamic state to the achievement of true democracy in Pakistan. Moududi was again arrested for his bitter opposition to the Ayyub Khan government in 1964, and in the 1965 elections he supported the presidential candidacy of Fatimah Jinnah against Ayyub Khan--though it was counter to his Islamic beliefs that a woman should hold high office. Moududi joined with other right wing and religious parties in 1970 to oppose the socialism of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the demands of Sheik Mujib al-Rahman's Awami League.

In 1972 he resigned as Amir of the Jama'at-i Islami, having held the post, though not without challenge, since the inception of the organization. He died in September 1979 in Rochester, New York, where he had gone to visit a son and to receive medical treatment for a long standing ailment.

Moududi was a prolific writer and speaker whose works have been translated into many languages and widely distributed. He was one of the foundation stones of the 20th-century Islamic resurgence and one of the most read Muslim writers of his time . Especially important were his emphases that Islam is a total way of life, that it requires control of the state for its full realization, and that Islamic objectives are not attainable without a disciplined and effective organization

Are we living in the Final Hours?

We are no doubt living in the last stages of the earth's existence as the following predictions of the Holy Prophet Muhammed(PBUH) proclaimed over 1400 years ago indicate.

It is recorded that Abdullah bin Abbas and Abu Hurairah both close companions of the Prophet narrated that the Prophet gave the following signposts of the approach of the final hour when the world will be destroyed and theday of judgment for mankind will begin. The major signs given by the Prophet are still to come but here are some of the minor signs which we can witness today.

Carnal desires will be pursued

Do we not see carnal desires are the order of the day? Even the harmless journals and newspapers which were used in the past to spread news and features are not spared in the present world in the pursuit of carnal desires.

Pornography on the internet "freely" available for all and sundry,even the cellular phone is not spared, and lewd shows portrayed as something acceptable on some TV screens.

It will not be possible to distinguish the truth from the false

We are witnessing today how certain sections of the media hide the truth and project the falsehood as the truth leaving the public confused with a remark "who are we to believe".

Rain will do no good it will fall out of season

This prediction needs no elaboration as we were the victims in the recent floods, and so were also Australia, Phillipines. We can see how rain instead of helping the crops to grow just swept it away.

Usury will be rampant

Money lending organizations like banks, finance institutions, are the order of the day. It has reached a stage where every item is tagged with usury label. Even nations have to borrow from usurious international lending groups at high rates of usury.

Offspring will disobey their parents

Some of the younger generation do not care for parental advice, and there have been instances where parents have sued their offspring in desperation for their care. Children are making it a habit to dump their parents into old people's homes and consider them as nuisances.

Males will commit sex with males and females will do the same with females

We read shocking reports of males "marrying" males and females "marrying" females .. Homosexuality which has been condemned in the Quran and the Bible has been given a new name"gay" while in the past this word meant happiness and notlewdness.

Murder will be prevalent, human blood will have no value, religion will not have helpers

In the 50s violence and crime were so rare that the newspapers used to carry out proceedings of sensational murder cases in theircolumns. e.g. The Sathasivam Case, The Pauline Croos Case etc. Religion has turned out to be out of fashion and many in the corporate world are so absorbed in their professions that they have no time left for religion. Even some denominations resort to attracting to the youth by having musical bands playing in theirplaces of worship trying to cater to the whims of youth.

Man will obey his wife and ignore his mother

We read of shocking reports of mothers making complaints to the police of sons harassing them at the insistence of the wives. The womb that bore the offspring has now to play second fiddle to the wife.

Islamic morals

Muslims would show bravery and courage when he holds the tyrant ruler accountable, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The masters of martyrs are Hamza and a man that stood up to a tyrant ruler, advised him and was killed." The Muslim would show generosity and sacrifice, he would go hungry for others to have enough to eat, Allah says:OAnd they give them preference over themselves even though they were poor" [TMQ 59:9]

Muslims would show the qualities of the just and fair judge between people, Allah says:OAnd when you judge between people, do judge with justice" [TMQ 4:58] Muslims would show fidelity and would honour his contracts, for Allah says: "Fulfill all obligations" [TMQ 5:1]And for the Messenger of Allah said: "The Muslims should always fulfill their promises" Muslims would show the qualities of compassion and friendliness for the Messenger of Allah said: "The believers are but like one body in their love ,friendliness and compassion to one another, if a member suffered, the rest of the body reacted with sleeplessness and fever".

He (PBUH) also said: "Have mercy on those who are on earth so that Allah may have mercy on you." There are other Islamic qualities which Allah has ordered the Muslims to adhere to such as: Decency, generosity, modesty, obedience to parents, good conjugal community, tolerance, helpfulness, supporting the believers, frankness, sincerity, keeping promises and safeguarding trusts etc...There are also some despicable moral qualities which Allah has prohibited.

These include telling lies, envy, injustice, cheating, insulting, tale carrying, backbiting, hypocrisy, disobeying the parents, laziness, cowardice, meanness etc.. Allah says:OAnd from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy" [TMQ 113:5]And He also says:OThose who want to be seen and refuse to supply neighbourly needs." [TMQ 107:6-7]The Messenger of Allah ((PBUH) said: "O Allah I seek your refuge from weakness, laziness, cowardice and meanness".

He (PBUH) also said: "The Muslim would never be a slanderer, an abuser, nor would he be a loud mouth shouting in the markets".The characteristics of the Islamic morals::

1 - The Islamic morals cannot be separated from the other types of legislation such as the rituals, the transactions etc. The humility for instance does not manifest itself except in prayer, and the truthfulness and trust do not materialise except in transactions, therefore the morals cannot be separated from the other commands and prohibitions for they are characteristics which appear only when the human is performing the action.

2 - The Islamic morals are not motivated by material gains as is the case with most people in western societies.

A Muslim is ordered to adhere to those morals regardless of benefit or loss, he would be truthful before the tyrant ruler and he would be brave when holding him accountable. Even if he suffered persecution and oppression, he would not compromise his principles, for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The master of martyrs is Hamza and a man who stood up to a tyrant ruler to advise him and was killed."

3 - The Islamic morals conforms with the human nature, for instance, being generous and hospitable to the guest and helping the needy conforms with the instinct of survival; humility and modesty conform with the spiritual instinct. Mercy, clemency and love conform with the instinct of the gender.

The effects of morals on the individual and society:

1 - Morals, together with the other obligations make of the Muslim a distinctive Islamic personality and when dealing with other people, they would trust him and believe what he says.

2 - Islamic morals generate affection and respect between the members of the family in particular and the members of society in general.

3 - Abiding by the Islamic morals will be rewarded by Allah on the Day of Judgment, just like the other commands and prohibitions, and the Muslim would gain people's trust and respect in this life.

Those who adhere to high morals will be close to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in the Hereafter, sharing the grace of Heaven, for Allah (SWT) says:OAll who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the grace of Allah, - the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs and the righteous. What a beautiful fellowship" [TMQ 4:69].And Bukhari reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Verily those I love most and those who will be closest to me are those of you who have the best morals." And the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked once about the best assets that would make a Muslim enter Heave and, he said: "The fear of Allah and good morals".

Important health tips

* Occasionally fumigate the house- every room- with fragrant incense (lobaan), and close the doors for a while

* Don't eat to full satiation. This will save you from many sicknesses.

* Eat less during the spring season.

* Pregnant women should abstain from eating carrots and should never eat beans.

* Beans cause distressful dreams. (This does not mean that it is necessary to totally abstain from eating beans. Excessive indulgence in anything is harmful).

* Excessive consumption of sour things weakens the muscles and hastens old age. Females should exercise extra caution and never eat sour things during pregnancy.

* Do not eat sour things with milk.

* Never eat fish and milk together. This combination can cause paralysis and leprosy.

* Do not drink water after eating oily foods and after eating fruit.

* Drinking cold water with hot food, causes considerable damage to the teeth.

* Don't sleep immediately after eating. There should be a minimum interval of two hours.

* Don't drink water immediately after waking up from sleep. If overcome with thirst, close the nose then drink the water, and drink slowly. After drinking, keep the nose closed for a few moments.

* Don't drink water after a strenuous walk or exercise. It is very harmful.

* After relieving yourself in the toilet, don't immediately drink water.

* Ice is harmful for the kidneys.

* Don't resort to medicine in minor illnesses. Overcome such illness by means of correct eating, drinking, walking and fresh air.

* Regardless of how serious a sickness may be, never panic. Panic adversely affects medication.

* Sleeping on a full stomach can lead to deafness. Never sleep before two hours after meals.

* Don't bite something hard. It harms both the teeth and the eyes.

* Biting ice is harmful.

* Pay special attention to the health of the stomach. Do not eat unless you are hungry. Do not fill the stomach to eliminate all vestiges of hunger.

* Don't become addicted to fine and delicious foods.

* Occasionally observe optional fasts. It benefits both physically and spiritually.

* Don't eat fruit on a full stomach nor on an empty stomach. Consume fruit when the stomach is neither empty nor full.

* Excess of oily foods weakens the stomach.

*As far as possible abstain from laxatives. Without the opinion of a physician (hakeem) never take laxatives.

*During pregnancy, as far as possible abstain from sexual relations, especially prior to four months and after the seventh month. Sexual relations during this period are harmful.

Courtesy Hakimul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)The Majlis Vol. 21 No.1