Simple living, high thinking

'ulama fraternity after I refused to submit to the dictates of the 'ulama uncritically. I have subsequently been ostracized by the 'ulama, rendered unemployable and labeled a deviant. During this time (over 7 years plus the period of my studies), one of the sources by which I drew solace was your writings. Whenever I was asked to speak in a Musjid I spoke from your books. At present I find myself in a "spiritual mess". I have literally been ostracized by the "ruling" 'ulama body here who exert every influence over most of the Islamic organizations. I have continuosly been refused work at "their" madaaris and Islamic schools and anywhere else. I am not called upon to deliver khutbas, jumu'ah or otherwise any longer, I have no avenues from which to articulate my thought. Friends I had from my madrasah days avoid me. I read extensively and continue studying on my own, and have grown beyond the narrow outlook of the traditional ulema fraternity. It's not possible for me to move away to a different place or locality as I have a widowed mum and an ailing widowed grandmother to take care of, and I am an only child. I am also married and have two beautiful children alhamdulillah. Because of this total isolation and ostracism, I feel abandoned by Allah (SWT) and there are days when I question my faith, times when I felt shaken to my core. When I contemplate my predicament, I am able to understand and accept it on an intellectual level, and have intellectual responses; but I can't come to terms with it emotionally or spiritually, and I am in serious need of a spiritual guide and mentor. I do realize that you are extremely busy but if you could spare a few minutes for me so that I may solicit advice from you albeit electronically I would be most grateful. Also I humbly request you to make du'a for me. (Yusuf Vorajee, South Africa)

جواب

According to my experience, I would make some suggestion to you: 1. First of all, you will have to study all of my books, also you will have to be a regular reader of my monthly magazine “Al-Risala”, published from Islamic Centre, New Delhi, India. This magazine and other of my writings are also available on the internet (www.alrisala.org). 2. According to my analysis, all of your problems are the result of one thing alone. And that is your idealism. You are an idealist, and idealists always try to translate their ideals into their social matters, but it