CONVERSION AT THE POINT OF SWORD!

After September 11 2001 every Muslims were suspected terrorists infact the whole world turned their face from us. Even smiling at us was a crime. The hatred was so furious that the poor Yankees could not differentiate the between a Shik and a Muslim before beating him to death. And A1 mark to the Film world where they put more oil on the fire, producing movies supporting West’s unjust war on Islam.

Recently in a movie called “Crossing Over”(with lead actor Harrison Ford, Hollywood’s American President) where the film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures. In this movie there was a Muslim Bengali parents where their daughter studies in school. So she in her school essay assignment supported the 9/11 hijackers. And then she got very badly humiliated. We as Muslims will never support 9/11. But the director/writer of this movie showed it that Muslims support mass innocent murder !!!

After such “mogoj dholai” when a Muslim talks about peace the non-Muslims laughs and gets confused at us. They think we should be talking about “philosophy of War” and not “peace”. That’s only because the media, films have engineered & successfully developed “superimposed imagination” on it’s billions and billions of audience. And off-course these audience only have external knowledge for which they only do superficial understanding.

“Let there be no compulsion in religion.” (2:256) . This verse clearly forbids the use of force or compulsion in matters of religion. “Fighting for Islam” and “Spreading Islam by force” are not synonymous. The specific condition which requires for Muslims to fight would be to liberate the oppressed, particularly when the oppressed are crying out for such help (Quran: An Nisa- 4:75; Al Hajj-22:39-40; etc)

And if certain nations or groups in ignorant of the real teaching of Islam wage war in its name, the crime is theirs and no blame can be given to Islam. In the name of peace, justice & safeguarding the rights of weaker nations million of human beings were killed in WW I & II. Should we then condemn this noble and humane qualities because some head of the countries abused these terms and slaughtered human for selfish ends.

The spread of Islam around the world and its acceptance by all men is solely due to Muslim obedience to the Quranic command : “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.” (16:125).

Richard M Eaton in his book “The rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier” wrote that British ethnographers, historian and many journalist of Bangladesh and Pakistan widely accepted the theory called “the Religion of Social Liberation” which explains the Islamization in the subcontinent. “The theory postulates a Hindu caste system that is unchanging through time and rigidly discriminatory against its own lower orders. For centuries, it is said, the latter suffered under the crushing burden of oppressive and tyrannical high-caste Hindus, especially Brahmans. Then, when Islam “arrived” in the Indian subcontinent, carrying its liberating message of social equality as preached by Sufi sheikhs, these same oppressed caste, seeking to escape the yoke of Brahmanic oppression and aware of a social equality hitherto denied them, “converted” to Islam en masse” (The rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier Chap.5 Pg-117)

Muslim brought to them the message of Al-Wahid, An-Nur, Al-Haq, Al-Karim, Al-Gafur, Al-Adl, Ar-Razzaq, Al-Gaffar, Ar-Rahim & Ar-Rahman.

As far as Islam is concerned the Quran distinctly says : “that those who died might die after a clear sign (had been given) and those who lived might live after a clear sign (had been given). And verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things)” (8:42)

After the loud and clear reality of Islam is being exposed for ever and still who persist in false may do so and will realize the consequences of his/her action.

PATIENCE AND TIME

We live in era of crushing western influence where two major ideas are upheld and promoted. One is “instant satisfaction” and the other is “cult of the superman”.

People are less prepare to wait, or work hard, or suffer temporary hardship, to get results. They want world of wealth and power as seen depicted on TV and movies and they want it, instantly. TV and movies are showing that stronger and wealthier you are the freer you are to do what you like, regardless of the consequences. The idea of the “survival of the fittest” is used to justify destroying the weak. The godless are turning this world into an living hell where competition and conflict prevail. And for this negative western influence crime is on the rise, sense of fear and insecurity spreading, mental illness and psychological disorder are further symptom.

Our Creator knows best our human psyche. The guidance of Quran and Sunnah is in perfect harmony with human nature. Ubudiyyah (being a true slave of Allah) which puts a person in touch with highest Power in this universe, Tawakkul (putting ones trust in Allah), on which Prophet(SM) advised, “Whoever wishes to be the strongest among men, let him put his complete trust in Allah” and Sabr (patience, forbearance), which enables a man to face hardship with dignity and to accept times of ease without becoming arrogant. These are the few important Islamic ideals.

Sabr is of two kinds, Sabr by choice and without choice. Sabr by choice, such as doing hard labor willingly and refraining from things which both Shariah and common sense say are wrong. Sabr without choice is patiently bearing illness, suffering and enforced separation from one whom we love.

Scholars says, the relation to Sabr to Iman is like the relation of the head to the body, and the one who has no patience has no Iman. Sabr is required in worshiping Allah, following His commands, abstaining from wrong actions and in accepting Allah decree and ruling.

We all know what is the merit of Sabr and we hear about it almost every day from our parents or grandparents. But one quite interesting thing I noticed recently is on the ayah below.

"I have rewarded them this day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..."
He will say: "What number of years did ye stay on earth?"
They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account."
He will say: "Ye stayed not but a little if ye had only known!

(Al Quran 23:111-114)

There is always a connection between Patience and Time. We normally fail to be patient because of the time ticking away. And it is really very hard to be patient even for one hour when crisis and urgency hits.

After being rewarded Jannah for being patience, Allah (swt) will ask us about our life time we spend on this earth. And our answer will be a day or part of a day ! But is that so ? No ! Allah say Ye stayed not but a little. Can we understand from this ayah that we stayed in this earth for a moment only? Well, I certainly believe this.

So when we are asked to wait in patience (easier said than done) at the emergency unit of a Dhaka Medical Hospital (and DMC’s most quickest action takes minimum 20 minutes to attend a emergency patient) so are we really holding patient for 20 minutes according to Allah (swt)’s words? If our whole life from cradle to grave is nothing but a little moment, then why we still find being patient is so hard. That’s may be a mystery or may be human psyche.

The patience that Palestinian, Kashmiri and Bosnian brothers and sisters are holding, infact the whole Muslim ummah is holding shall we go and tell them that your years of pain, suffering and grief is nothing and it will pass away like a moment. Who dares to say that.

For Allah said in the Quran “O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy: vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that ye may prosper.” (3: 200)

Verily we are not asked to outdo each other in sitting back, suffering or resignation. We are not asked to see ones suffering and give them condolences or condemn the crime. The challenge to the one who desires to be muslim is to refuse to sit back ; to hang in there despite falling many times, despite how tyrant the enemies are there is no stopping to walk extra miles to support and strengthen each other.