Today’s Trials & Tests of the Scholars & Reformers, By Maulana Syed Muhammad Yusuf Banuri
Collected & Compiled By: Mufti Umar badakhshani
The greatest blow and source of pain are the Trials (Fitnah) which are evident among the group of the reformer people these days. It is extremely dangerous. This is not the occasion for details but some of these issues will be mentioned in the form of a list:
I) THE TRIAL OF LOOKING FOR EXPEDIENCY
This Trial is in full force today. When someone endeavours to serve the Religion or knowledge in some way or the other, worldly expediency is kept in mind. The basis of the trial is Hypocrisy. This is why there are no blessings in many Religious and scholarly services.
2) THE TRIAL OF SEEKING POPULARITY
When advice is being given or issues are being discussed, it is borne in mind that nobody is upset and that everyone remains happy. The basis of this Trial is love for fame.
3) INSISTENCE AND IMMUTABILITY ON ONE’S OWN OPINION
This is when one’s opinion is considered to be totally correct with certainty while considering the opinions of others as unworthy of attention and merit. To adopt the stance that one’s point of view is a hundred percent correct and that the opposite person’s viewpoint is a hundred percent incorrect and wrong constitutes the trial of vanity in one’s opinion. These days, the political parties have fallen prey to this disease. No group is prepared to listen to the views of other groups. Nor do they even consider the possibility of the opposite party’s opinion being correct, or that perchance, they also want what we want. Only their interpretation and method of presenting it varies from our own or that there is a difference in the establishment of priorities.
4) THE TRIAL OF BEARING EVIL THOUGHTS ABOUT OTHERS
Every individual or party is of the opinion that they and their members are all sincere and that their intentions are sound and correct, while everyone else and all other groups who do not support and agree with our group, are all self motivated and their intentions are not sound and correct. In fact, their intentions are based on selfish motives. The basis of this is also vanity and pride.
5) THE TRIAL OF MISUNDERSTANDING
When an individual hears the opinion of another party, he immediately considers him to be opposition. Not only does he express hatred but considers opposing him in an unbecoming manner to be his enjoined responsibility. There are many different possibilities and explanations in the opinion of the other person. Yet one adopts an approach towards him which is underlined by demeaning and disgracing him. Has the compulsory nature of the following verse and Hadeeth been declared unnecessary to be acted upon?
ان بعض الظن اثم
“Verily, some opinions are sins.”
Similarly, it is mentioned in the blessed Hadith:
اياكم و الظن فان الظن اكذب الحديث
“Save your selves from evil opinions, for evil opinions are the worst lies and great lies are borne from this.”
6) THE TRIAL OF SLANDERING
To disgrace and humiliate the opposition without proof, to attribute despicable actions towards them, to accept and be convinced about what was heard in some gathering or conference without investigating its truthfulness and to enjoy this and make it the life of the gathering. Even if one does not slander others but accepts as true merely on the basis of hearsay about them without determining its veracity, is this not contrary to the verse of the Quran?
ان جاءكم فاسق بنباء فتبينوا
“If some sinner approaches you with some information, verify it.”
7) THE TRIAL OF SEEKING REVENGE
If a person bears enmity, hatred or evil opinions about another, he remains silent due to helplessness but as soon as he is in a position of power and leadership, there remains no question of silence any longer. His initial silence was not on the basis of forgiveness and overlooking but was based rather on his helplessness to do anything and his lack of power and strength. As soon as he has the power and strength, he begins taking revenge. Mercy and forgiveness, overlooking and pardoning all come to an end.
8. THE TRIAL OF SEEKING FAME
If does some work serving religious, scholarly or political, the desire is to gain as much praise as possible so that he can hear as many slogans of applaud and acclaim. In reality, this desire stems from a Jack of sincerity or even a total absence of it, a yearning for show and self elevation. This disease has now arisen in those who are making sound effort and in reality, this is hidden polytheism. Any action only increases in value in the court of Allah through sincerity and this is the basis of acceptance for all actions. Newspaper articles, conferences and gatherings are all links in this particular chain.
9) THE TRIAL OF DELIVERING LECTURES AND BEING AN ORATOR
This trial is becoming more and more common with people wanting to be seen and know in all circles in spite of the fact that as far as action goes, there is nothing but zero. The passion for “Qawwali” is addictive while there is no great link to character and action.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“0 people of Imaan! Why do you say what you do not do? It is indeed a disgusting act with Allah that you say what you do not do.”
Lecturers deliver talks in such a manner as if the woes of the world are carried in their hearts but when the connection to action is considered, they stand at zero.
10) THE TRIAL OF PROPAGANDA
Those groups that have come into existence, particularly political factions, the malady of propaganda and spreading rumors has reached such epidemic proportions and in which there is neither Deen, character nor intellect, nor even justice. It is nothing but an imitation of the irreligious stance of Europe. The newspapers, pamphlets, radio and television all bear testimony to this.
11) THE TRIAL OF FORMING ORGANISATIONS
If a few individuals agree on a certain point or there is a slight difference of opinion, a call for a new group will be made. Long and widespread objectives are show an for the sake of propaganda newspapers are readily published. Articles are published which claim that Islam and the country can only remain if our group is followed step by step. Very appealing and attractive words and language is used to make proposals and pass resolutions. Splintering the Ummah, causing disunity and giving rise to faction forming have assailed the Ummah through this avenue.
12) THE TRIAL OF PREJUDICE AND IGNORANCE
To support and back every point regarding one’s party, no matter how wrong it may be, and to oppose every point of the opposition is considered the greatest responsibility. The claimants to Islam publish newspapers and magazines, pictures and cartoons, posters for cinemas, posters advertising interest, gambling and lewd subject matter. Since they are supporters of their party and on the basis of false bigotry, they look upon all this with an acceptable eye. In short, as long as it is one of their supporters, he remains a strong Muslim in spite of all the evil actions he may be committing. When it comes to one’s opposition, his acts of worship, his namaaz and fasting are mocked at.
13) THE TRIAL OF LOVE OF WEALTH
It appears in the Hadith:
حب الدينا راس كل خطيئة
“The root of all evil is the love of wealth.”
In reality, all the combined Trials are due to either a love for wealth or a love for fame. Many an individual present the verse “Rabbana aatina” as a proof for their efforts and love for the world. Whereas, it is clear that there is a difference between a connection with the world and acquiring necessities which cannot be denied. Natural love for wealth and comfort cannot be denied. The objective is not to be overtaken with the dominance of love for wealth and love for fame to such an extent that all the requirements and demands of the Shariah-e-Muhammadiyah and the Deen-e-Islaam come to an end or are overpowered. There is a need for moderation and maintaining a balance. How can one complain about the general masses. These days, this Trial has surpassed the general masses and assaulted the hearts of the elite as well, with the exception of a few. In order to deal with these Tirals in detail, a lengthy treatise is required. May Allah grant Taufeeq. We conclude this list with a Duaa of Rasulullaah:
اللهم ارزقني حبك وحب من يحبك ، وحب عمل يقربني اليك ، اللهم ما رزقتني مما احب فاجعله قوة فيما تحب ، وما زويت عني مما احب ، فاجعله فراغا لي فيما تحب ، اللهم اجعل حبك احب الاشياء الي من نفسي و اهلي و من الماء البارد
Source: Daur e Hazir kay Fitny aur un ka elaj