In these challenging times, where the thin line between sin and righteousness is dissolving fast and people are overwhelmed with all kind of concepts of freedoms, Islam controls life. It guides every aspect of human activity.
FAR BE it for me to proclaim the supremacy of one religion over another. It is neither my profession nor my proclivity; and it might sound strange to many ardent believers when I declare that for me ‘Raksha Bandhan’ is best of all festivals in the world. It has given richness to my life; it had taught me a new chapter in human relationship; it had brought my family closer in deeds and thoughts.
A rakhee from Muslim or Hindu sister has always been the best gift for me and I would wait impatiently for it from the next day till next year. Similarly, Christmas had always given me the most unforgettable moments of love and happiness – limitless joy, which washed down the feelings of sloth, miseries and worries of the previous years. We all have one way (Ek hi raasta), the mode of travel may be different.
However, the fundamentals of each religion and faith are quite mysterious. People believe in monotheism; they believe in varieties of deities and there are those who believe fire, humans and animals as gods. Everyone is born in a certain religion and beliefs are passed through generations. People identify with them and are tied to their rituals.
It may be a moot point whether every religion and belief is based on logic and reasoning. Everyone thinks himself to be right, in his faith and belief and it is the most difficult decision to forsake one’s faith and convert into another religion voluntarily. It is greatest intellectual challenge of life.
“Michael Jackson is to be buried according to Islamic rites.” It was the news that provoked me, inspired me and compelled me to write this article. From Cassius Clay, Cate Stevens, Bony M to our own intellectual writer Kamala Das, we have a never-ending list of celebrities who took refuge in Islam. What lead to such a tectonic change in their lives? These people have had everything in life. What did they miss? What did Islam give to them?
If we go by media projections, today, Islam is the other name of terrorism, suppression and chaos. There is distinct schism in Islam. There is violence everywhere. Still what is there in Islam that makes it so attractive? Why is it the fastest growing (not by birth rate) religion in the world?
The answer is very simple. Islam is a peaceful and disciplined religion. Peaceful, not in reference with physical fights but in the context of the ‘peace of mind’. Islam means submission, that is submission to the will of god. Islam doesn’t teach, nor does a true Muslim desire, conversion of any people for fear, greed, marriage or any other form of coercion.
In these challenging times, where the thin line between sin and righteousness is dissolving fast and people are overwhelmed with all kind of concepts of freedoms, Islam controls life. It guides every aspect of human activity: how to deal with your fellow human beings, how to think, what to think, how to enjoy life, how to thank, how to pray, where to pray, when to pray, how to earn and how to spend? It takes away every burden from your intellectual capacities without impairing your capabilities.
It even takes care of your economic well being through its Zakat (2.5 per cent alms from your assets) and Khums (1/5 of your total savings). Quran provides solutions to every challenge of your life with logical, systematic and succinct way. It is unfortunate that Muslims are the first to ignore what is there, in their faith, to uplift them. They, at times, put more emphasis on the cosmetics than the fundamentals. Another important aspect of Islam is despite the peripheral differences between different sects of Islam and there is strong unity in the fundamental beliefs and they all behave on the same wave length when it come to crunch. People outside the peripheries discover it and enjoy the benefits of the universal intellectual stream and this is the beauty of Islam.
