WORLD PROBLEMS; SOLUTION LIES IN THE QURAN

WORLD PROBLEMS; SOLUTION LIES IN THE QURAN

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN (14/29-A SAMMANABAD LAHORE)

          In this era of materialism man has become a victim of spiritual bankruptcy. Man is betrayed by his knowledge and swindled by science and has adopted the pattern of life in which mathematics of 2+2=4 is applied. He has become a self-centred ego-maniac individual. The dazzling lights of atomic dawn have made it clear if poise and balance are not adopted, there will be a dusk of organic life on earth. The establishment of economic blocks has benefitted the fewer but battered a colossal majority. Man’s insatiable greed is finding no resting canopy and is still a move, thus creating extreme poverty for some and obnoxious persecution for others or both. Thus Peace, Poverty and Persecution have become the main concerns of today’s so called civilized world.

           How to do away with this troika?  By Poise, Piety, Pious….. But the application of poise and balance needs revolution which is only possible if practical implementation of the teachings of the Quran is carried through all walks of life.

             What is the Quran? The Quran is the last Divine book of God, revealed to the last Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (May peace and blessings of God be upon him)through Angel Hazrat Jibril(peace be upon him).It is a complete code of life. It was originally revealed in Arabic and later on translated into more than hundred languages. The original text is still intact as Allah, Himself is its Custodian. The basic topic and addressee of the Quran is “man” and summary of its teaching is: “What to do and what not to do!”The orders of “doing” are substantiated from the histories of different nations and what they had benefited in this world and what blessings, they will attain in the coming life. The orders of “not doings” are similarly explained along with punishments, the doers experienced in this world and how harshly they will be dealt in the next life. So, the Quran mentions two nations; believers-the righteous ones and the disbelievers-the cursed ones.

              The crux content of the Quran is: “Man, due to his nature of superficial glancing, hasty generalization and captivity of inner unending longings of the material gains, has concocted certain ideas about this universe, life and surroundings and then adopts behaviour accordingly; that is erroneous and devastating at the end. On the contrary, the Quran invites him towards an “ideology” and “behaviour” which is true, real and fruit bearing at the end of the day.

            The principal teachings that spring out of the holy fountain of the Quran are:

1)   The firm belief in the Unity, Immortality, Vigour, Mercy and Omnipotence of God. There is no deity except Allah. Mohammad (PBUH) is the prophet of Allah.

2)   The firm belief on His Prophets, Angels and Books.

3)   The firm belief in the Day of Judgement and the Day of Resurrection.

4)   The firm belief that the fate of good or bad is determined by Allah.

5)   The firm belief in coming to life after death.

6)   The subjugation of the passions for the sake of Allah.

7)   The extensive and cheerful Charity tinted with love for the mankind and with a motive to seek Allah’s Pleasure and to promote fraternity within mankind to establish an affectionate society.

8)   The Gratitude of God in all circumstances.

9)   Accountability for the human actions in the next life.

10)                     The firm belief in Allah as He is with all His Names and the Attributes and acceptance of all of His Commands.

11)                     Pledge to protect life, property and respect of all other human beings.

12)                     Execute no harm to animals, plants or other material beings unless it is absolutely necessary for the survival of the mankind, etc.

        These principles have practical conviction with great psychological value. Accepting God as an absolute Master of this Universe gives us the meaning of the creation of life and universe.

        Subjugation of the passions as in prayer is good for spiritual and physical health. Recent scientific knowledge has revealed that it is a good exercise for body, especially brain, stomach and spinal cord.

         The idea that we have to account for our actions in later life before the Almighty God has both deterrent and inspiration value.

          The philosophers are of the opinion that man after attaining all his desired things still feels something missing, “a lacuna”, in his life. This hiatus is due to dissociation with God and can only be bridged when we solemnly kneel before Him and earnestly request for the Mercy. “The act of remembrance of Allah, provides solace to the hearts”, the Quran.

       Charity and brotherhood among mankind give a perfect relationship in any social society. No other criterion can be better than this. It paves the way for the establishment of an ideal welfare state which is the ultimate goal of the Islamic Society.

      Islam dispels aberration of superiority and inferiority on the basis of material exchange which are very common these days. All are equal with exception of those blessed with the worth of Taqwa (a complete subjugation to Allah with fear.)As the Quran says: “The more respectable among you are those, who are more righteous, and have a greater fear of God” (Surah Al-Hujaraat)

        The issues of racialism, parochialism, provincialism, nationalism, sectarianism, linguistic divide, etc, can only be solved by Islamic ethics of equality and brotherhood. Here is what Quran says:

         “All of you are created from one man and woman”. (Surah Al-Hujaraat).When all people have the same origin then why this superiority of the white over the black? All differences fade away in this cosmopolitan idea of equality.

         The other conflicts among different groups are based on ideology and political consideration. Each block/group has zeal for domination and retribution. They have their own system of life which they think to be the best. They presume that if their system is followed, peace and tranquility will prevail in the world.

        But why do they indulge in wars(two World Wars, a hundred year war, a thirty years continuous war, and about fifty wars after the World War II) if they desire peace?

       They use aggression and coercion as tools of victory and dominance. These methods are employed by those who are capable of using them, consequently a blind race results for the achievement of more and more material goods, weapons and strategic positions, heedless of the consequences.

        Where is the solution to this problem? No doubt in the Quran which condemns this attitude. It believes not in coercion but in persuasion (winning by love).

It pre-supposes that people who are to be given the truth are as good as those who posses it. All creatures are equal before the eyes of God; Who says:

       “Go to Pharaoh, who has rebelled (against God) yet say to him with leniency, in order that he may understand and cherish the true fear of God.”

          These words are addressed to Prophet Moses and Haroon who were deputed to go to Pharaoh for imparting the Divine message to him. Pharaoh is a symbol of cruelty and oppression. Even to such a man God instructs moderation and leniency. It is the Magnanimity of God.

          For international relations the following words of Quran are valuable:

       “Let not enmity and ill-will misguide you or make you trespass the limits. Be just.”

      In an economic arena, the Quran guides us to bring prosperity for all human beings. People often quote Ghandi for his saying: “There is enough on earth for human need but not for his greed.”But they forget the Islamic instructions of fourteen centuries back that every individual has equal right over water (barrage, dams, electricity etc.) ; fire (fossil fuels, wood, etc); and greenland (pasture ,crops ,trees, herbs, shrubs, etc.).The gist of injunction is that the natural resources are for the consumption of all human beings. This is the best economic doctrine to ensure well being of all the mankind. The issue of developed and developing countries can be solved by implementing this teaching of Islam. The Quran says: “Eat and drink but don’t go near prodigality.”If we follow this injunction, the excess material will have to be distributed among the needy ones, it will eliminate poverty in a jiffy. Furthermore, wealth flows from the affluent to the needy to create economic parity.

        In the field of social justice, we find persecution of every type, everywhere. The Quran clearly instructs love, kindness, good will,  politeness and amicable behaviour  for -- family members, neighbours, relatives, slaves, passengers, destitute,  patients, guests, orphans, handicapped, other Muslims, minorities, enemies, etc.

         “And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin. And the fellow-traveler and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful”, (Surah-al-Nisaa).

  Then He further says: “Do not quarrel on earth; surely, God abhors quarrelsome people” (Al –Qassas).

        The world today is facing three problems of peace, poverty and persecution. The Quran has viable solutions to all these issues.

           This teaching of love, amity and goodwill is unique in Islam. Human progress demands goodwill, love, fraternity and sacrifice. This can only be achieved if we follow the injunctions of the Quran in letter and spirit.