Constant fear of God

Constant fear of God

1992 8-9 August-September 6 Constant fear of God (50) The second Caliph of Islam, Umar ibn Khattab once wrote a letter to Abu Moosa Ash’ari, offering him this advice: “Remain ever in fear of God; and learn the Book of God, for it is the source of all knowledge; for weary hearts, it is the freshness of spring.”

(AI-Dhahak)

Sans’ Wisdom

1992 8-9 August-September 6 Sans’ Wisdom (274) Cicero (106-43 BC), a great scholar, thinker and orator of the Roman period, once said, ‘An army is of little value in the field unless there are wise counsels at home.’

This is an extremely important fact. While the possession of an army and weapons spells power, the successful use of that power will depend upon the astuteness of the mind that guides it. Power used in a mindless way can only cause destruction. It can never yield constructive results.

Muslim conduct in modern times is the worst example of this historical truth. On innumerable occasions, Muslims of the present day have waged armed struggles against their alleged enemies, and each time the result has been their own ruination. Violent campaigning on their part has only left a trail of destruction, mainly their own. None of these steps have led in real sense to the, advancement of the Muslims, or to any benefit to humanity in general. The reason is that whatever army they had managed to assemble was not guided by wise counsels.

What acts as a spur to violent activities is the feeling of hatred, whereas the mainspring of the action in jihad ought to be love. A mujahid first of all strikes himself and only then does he rise to launch a campaign against others. Present-day Muslims have been instigated by hatred. Their activities, ostensibly in the name of jihad, fall, therefore, into the category of acts inspired by the self and not by the true spirit of jihad. If they call their activities ‘Jihad’, this is adding insult to injury. In this way, they are culpable before God and man.