Islam's Reformers .pdf

“The obscuration of high realities among the medley ofsuperstitions has been caused by the contentment, tawakkuland resignation of Muslims. The hadîth telling that contentmentis an inexhaustible treasure has been mis understood to theextent that it is not even believed that it is necessary to work.”“It is a very unjust slander to blemish Muslims with lazinessjust because of their contentment. ‘Contentment’ does notmean ‘not working; using whatever one finds by chance and notlooking for anything else’. It means ‘being satisfied with what isearned by one’s physical labour and not casting covetousglances on others’ earnings’. It teaches that others’ earningmuch more should not be envied and that one should work hardlike them. It teaches not to stock the remaining part of what oneneeds of one’s earnings, and to give it to charitable institutionsdefined by Islam and to help the poor, the destitute, thediseased and mujâhids. So, contentment is not only the sourceof good morals but also an unconquerable fortress providingman with happiness when he is in deprivation. The poet says:“O Time; While attacking people, don’t suppose that I amlike other people and don’t march upon me! You can’t twist myarm! Don’t suppose I am alone against you! There is anundefeatable army behind me: my contentment!”29 - The reformer says:“Sects sprang up in Islam. They parted into two even inîmân. Those who followed the Prophet’s companions werecalled ‘Ahl as-Sunna’. Those who departed from this path werecalled ahl al-bid’a. Ahl al-bid’a parted into seven groups.Today’s Muslims have chosen the way of Jabriyya among theseahl al-bid’a groups. Those who claim to be Ahl as-Sunna say,‘Man can do nothing. Allah creates everything and man doeswhat is predestined.’ According to them man is incapable inevery respect.”The reformer mistakes Ahl as-Sunna for Jabriyya. It is truethat man is incapable before the Divine Power in every way. Yetif Muslims considered themselves incapable and otherspowerful, then the reformer would have a right to speak.30 - The reformer says:“There was nearly no Ottoman family in which they did notblunt and kill the abilities of comprehension, observation andinquiry in children with suppressing, ignorant answers. The- 41 -