al_etidaal_gn

On the other hand are those who are of the opinion that in view of the prejudice and onetrack
mindedness of the Hindus, the Muslims will surely have to suffer tremendous
religious and secular losses if they join forces with the Hindus and even then there is no
guarantee of them reaching their sought- after destination. For this reason they believe the
Muslims should wage their own separate and independent struggle.
My saintly elders have always had differences of opinion and have always been divided
on these two issues and still are. Both these theories are noteworthy and merit thought in
their respective places. None of the two can be said to be definitely and categorically
wrong. In such a case is it not then necessary that a person should adopt that view which,
in his mind, seems most favourable and in which there appears to be less harm - the lesser
of the two evils? Is it then not necessary for him to advise his friends and adherents
to do likewise? If, on the other hand, another way presents itself, which lies between the
two extremes, should not such a path be pursued on condition that such a driver or guide
comes forward to take passengers along that path?
It fills me with disgust that because of some dissent in our ranks we become so worked
up and thereafter resort to denouncing and insulting such great personalities whom we
look upon as our leaders and guides. Now, I ask you, if the leaders of a people are such as
we claim them to be when we denounce and criticise them in newspapers and speeches,
then, does not the condition and description of the followers of. these leaders become
quite clear and self- evident? What we actually are doing, by insulting and degrading our
elders, is to announce and openly advertise our own inability, weakness and foolishness.
What a sorry state of affairs that those beautiful qualities which once belonged to
Muslims are now being discarded by them and are being adopted by others! Today in
spite of tremendous diversity among our enemies unity has been forged. There is respect
for each other’s opinion, and even though openly they show mutual disagreement, we
find them in secret consultations. Now look at us.
For us, being ardent followers of a great man and being supporters of his and of his party
means that we must be involved in a Constant battle against his opponents, insult and jeer
at them, whereby in actual fact we do great harm to ourselves. We only rejoice and cheer
when the opposite party suffers setbacks and disgrace, even though in the interim our
own image is degraded.
In contrast to that I do not want to bring examples from the early days and the golden era
of Islam or the early saints. I have heard some stories of the leaders of our family from
the recent past. When any court-case took place in connection with ownership of land,
they used to go to the courthouse of Kerana, which was about five or six miles from
Kandhla. Both parties used to travel to court in the same cart. Should the one party
harness his bullocks to the cart first, the other would also go along with him.
I have also heard a strange story about one of these incidents. There was once a lengthy
court case between two close relations, It went on for a long time and in the meantime the
respondent passed away. It so happened that the plaintiff in the case sent a message to the
widow of the deceased saying: “The dispute was between my brother and myself. You
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 26