The Root of Evil

The Root of Evil

1991 11 November 14 The Root of Evil (367) When everyone speaks of truth, why is it that perversion has set in all over the world? The reason for this, according to the Quran, is deviation, that is, turning from right to wrong.

One form this deviation has taken in the world of today is the interpretation of commands meant for individuals as if they were meant for people in general. That is, those commands which are addressed specifically to individuals for self-action are taken as being applicable not to the self but to others. For instance, the Qur’an says: “Magnify your Lord, cleanse your garments and keep away from all pollution.” (74). If this verse is taken to mean: “Cleanse the garments (behaviour) of others,” then the injunction will have entirely the wrong effect. This verse, which aims at improving personal behaviour will, if wrongly interpreted, lead us into launching campaigns against others.

The same is true of other commands. Whatever the expression of the divine will, it is addressed first and foremost to the individual. But the revolutionary clerics of modern times have diverted the focus of all commands from the individual to the community. This is why, in spite of vigorous action being taken in the name of religion, no improvement of character is in sight.

All kinds of reforms and all kinds of perversions can be summed up in just two short sentences:

1. God is great, so I am not great.

2. God is great, so you are not great.

The first sentence takes the meaning of Allahu Akbar in the right sense. But not the second, which is a misrepresentation of Islamic thinking. If you repeat the sentence, ‘God is great therefore, I am not great,’ this will engender a feeling of responsibility within you, and pride will give way to seriousness and a desire for personal improvement. Humility, which is the root of all good, will then override all other feelings.

On the contrary, if you repeat the second sentence, Le. ‘God is great, therefore, you are not great; this will beget a psychology of pride which will lead to violent activism and the politics of destruction. It will mean unlimited chaos and perversion in the name of Islam.