Genuine and Reactive Religiosity

GENUINE AND REACTIVE RELIGIOSITY They built a mosque overnight, driven by outward religious zeal; but the old, sinful self could not become prayerful even after years. This is a symbolic incident that applies to most Muslim activities in the present age. In our time, many religious activities are, in fact, reactive. Their real driving force is some action by another community, not the genuine command of God and His Messenger. Such religiosity is reactive religiosity. It is born of a national impulse, not a divine impulse. As a result, Muslims, influenced by material, geographical, and political factors, have come to regard other nations as rivals. By seeking to outdo them, they attempt to gain a sense of national satisfaction. All such actions are, in reality, national actions, even if outwardly presented in religious dress. A believer is one who fears God, whose every activity is carried out under God’s guidance. To stop is for God, and to move forward is for God. Work done with such awareness carries God’s support and produces beneficial results. But work done in rivalry with other nations increases hatred and conflict. Its outcome is limited: the situation becomes more complicated and never reaches a good conclusion. (Al-Risala, January 1983)