TWO MIND SETS

TWO MIND SETS Communal or Islamic T HERE was an article in a well-known Muslim magazine titled ‘The Modern Age and Jihad’. In its opening lines, the article spoke of what it claimed was the terrible oppression that Muslims were suffering, which, it said had led to the emergence of what it called ‘jihadi’ organizations. This way of thinking is not something specific to just this one Muslim writer, the author of this article. Rather, it is the very same way of thinking of almost all present-day Muslim orators and writers. They claim that the violent actions that present-day Muslims are engaged in is a result of the supposed oppression of Muslims. But the point that needs to be considered here is that during the time of religious persecution the Prophet and his Companions actually faced atrocities on a large scale. One of these have been mentioned in the Quran in these words: “When they came against you both from above you and from below you, your eyes rolled [with fear] and your hearts leapt up to your throats, and you entertained [ill] thoughts about God. There the faithful were put to the proof and they were shaken as if by an earthquake.” (33: 10-11) Despite such extreme conditions, the Prophet and his Companions never adopted the method of reaction. Rather, they remained firm on unilateral patience and planned their actions on completely positive foundations. This resulted in the great success of the early period of Islam. The greatest mistake of present-day Muslims is that they have not been able to differentiate between Quranic teachings and the historical events which took place under certain specific situations. Instead of understanding the present age of religious freedom and planning positively, they have adopted the method of negative actions based on reaction. Today, Muslims throughout the world are engaged in such actions. Almost all Muslim orators and writers today are doing just this one sort of thing. Without any doubt at all, this is a destructive attitude, a wrongful innovation. Till such time as Muslims abandon this innovation they are not going to gain any success at all, no matter how big their supposed sacrifices may be. The present world is functioning on the established laws of nature. To know these laws of nature and to base one’s actions on them is the only secret of success in this world.