Al-Risala (English), June 1989
Al-Risala (English), June 1989, p. 2
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Seeking Laurels and Losing God’s Love
1989 6 June 2 Seeking Laurels and Losing God’s Love (361) People who pose as servants of Islam and the Muslim community, do so in places where they expect to be publicly honoured for their activities. Where there is no hope of worldly recompense, they remain insensitive and impassive. Such people may continue to impress others, even only if temporarily, as champions of the Islamic cause. But they cannot deceive God Almighty.
The former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, raised slogan ‘gharibi hatao’ (eradicate poverty) and, touring by plane, made fiery speeches on the subject all over the country. But Indira Gandhi had no genuine interest in doing anything of a practical nature for the poor of the country, for while the ‘gharibi hatao’ slogan did wonders for her image as the prime minister, the actual eradication of poverty would have done the opposite. She would then have lost not only the prime ministership but also all the honour and glory that go along with it.
The same is true of Muslim leaders of the present day. To all intents and purposes, they seem to be very enthusiastic about serving Islam and Muslims. But they are interested in that service only so long as it brings them laurels. Any service to Islam and Muslims which, rather than bringing them honour and glory, makes them appear insignificant in the eyes of the community, does not engage their attention. The Quran says of such people that they set out to deceive God and the believers, but that in actual fact, it is they themselves who are deceived, without their being aware of it (2:9). Of all forms of self-deception, this is the worst.
People who pose as servants of Islam and the Muslim community, do so in places where they expect to be publicly honoured for their activities. Where there is no hope of worldly recompense, they remain insensitive and impassive. Such people may continue to impress others, even only if temporarily, as champions of the Islamic cause. But they cannot deceive God Almighty. Not even for one minute. They must sooner or later realize that God will judge them, not on the basis of appearances, but oil the genuine inner reality.
