Quranic Wisdom

The Prophet’s Life wasan Open Book the living ideology of Islam and to re-awaken their minds along the lines which were followed by the Prophet and his companions. It is this act which is called in the Hadith (saying of the Prophet) tajdeed, or revival. The process of tajdeed cannot be successful if the reformers want simply to revive the ritualistic form of Islam. The above example of the barren land tells us that the starting point for reform is intellectual awakening and not simply the revival of ritualistic practices. Moreover, the task of revival needs a creative approach entailing the use of the contemporary idiom; reformers should try to sense their listeners’ moods and preach in such a manner that their minds may be addressed. If people’s minds are not addressed, then no reform movement will yield any positive results. The Prophet’s Life was an Open Book A ccording to the Quran, the Prophet of Islam lived an exemplary life. Different aspects of the prophetic character are described in the Quran, one of which is alluded to in the chapter Yunus (Jonah). The translation of the relevant verse is as follows: Say, ‘If God had so wished, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have brought it to your knowledge. Indeed, I have spent a whole lifetime among you before it came to me. How can you not use your reason?’ (10:16)