Maulana Maududi’s Writings

CHAPTER 3 Maulana Maududi’s Writings  T he nature of the fundamental mistake in Maulana Maududi’s interpretation of Islam is not the same as sidelining an aspect of the deen (as for instance, denying the practice or sunnat of the Prophet) or adding a new aspect to the deen (such as a new claimant to prophethood). Rather, the Maulana’s real error is that he had transformed the philosophy of the religion of Islam. This is the root of all the other errors that resulted from his interpretation. If someone believes that the fundamental purpose of life is to earn money, he will not deny the salience of other basic human needs and related matters. He will continue to recognize the importance of everything else that human life requires, including religion, morals and social relations. But the way he relates to these will be entirely different. He will relate to them as mere means to accomplish what he sees as the purpose of his life—to make as much money as he can. He will establish relations with others, and even with himself, simply on the basis of how far this can help him earn more money. He may donate money in charity, but here, too, his motive will be to help him increase his earnings.