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Whither Indian Muslims
– Third and Last Part

Dr. Pasha

(Bringing Islam to the World One Concept at a Time!
Taking the Qur’an to Every Home and Heart that Needs It --
And which One Does Not?)

Some Examples of Lack of Character

We have been saying so far that it would take two things to change the condition of Muslims in India – and also in other places:

1. One, a complete overhaul of Muslim education – Ta’aleem – in India and everywhere else.
2. Two, a total revolution in Muslim character – Tazkiyah – in India as well as in other places.

Naturally, this means that there are some serious problems with both Muslim education as well as Muslim character. Below, I provide some examples of lack of character among Muslims. And also among others, I guess, if you want to generalize it to other groups. I have deliberately repeated some instances using different language and emphasis.

Add to this list your own ideas. But as you are doing that, please keep the following three things in mind:

1. First, keep those ideas practical. Don’t forget Islam is a pragmatic system.
2. Two, keep them simple. Making things complicated may make you feel important, but it doesn’t get the job done.
3. Three, don’t create confusion by using so-called “religious” expressions as a substitute for real-life issues and language. Islam is not theology. Don’t forget that its first addressees were the no-nonsense children of the desert.

Even though in reality, the Deen of Islam and real life are one and the same, many Muslims unfortunately do not see them that way and they do not know how to use them that way. Therefore, always think practical and always think simple and real.

For, that is what the Deen of Allah, the Deen of Nature – Deenul Fitrah – really is. It is simple. It is clear. And it is most eminently practical.

For example, when someone asks you – does not matter who it is – if you will do something, don’t say “Inshallah!” and leave it at that. Don’t try to put that person off with the intention of buying time. Instead, do not hesitate to say, “Yes!” firmly and clearly.

But don’t forget to add “Inshallah! I will do my very best to do it.”

Try to be as real and as genuine and honest in everything you say and do. And do so regardless of who you are dealing with – Hindu, Muslim, Jew or Christian; rich or poor; friend or foe; adult or child. For, that is the spirit of this Deen: total and complete openness and honesty – with Allah as well as with Allah’s creation.

That is the nature of this beautiful Deen that Allah sent from heaven to guide and help you right here on earth – to make your earthly life as nice, as good and as successful as possible.

If You Lie, You Lack Character

So here goes:

• When you lie you lack character. So Muslims need to rebuild their character to be truth-tellers. They need to relearn, as individuals, groups, societies and nations the lesson of Sadaaqat. For, Islam is truth telling. It is Sadaaqat.
• I watched my late father, Allah give him and my mother Jannat. In all the time I was with him, the man never lied. Not even in jest. Not even to his kids, as so many people so cavalierly do. That was his reputation among both friend and foe: his word was totally and absolutely his bond.
• When you show up late for your appointments, you lack character. Once again, I never ever saw my father being late to an appointment, or to a train, or to a Namaz. People knew that when he was involved in something that thing would start on time, whether it was wedding, a funeral, a meeting or a dinner party.
• When you steal, you lack character. And there are all kinds of ways in which people can steal, both formally as well as informally, both technically as well as in more routine and ordinary fashion.
• Stealing from your work is still stealing. When you collect payment for the time in which you did not put in any work, you are stealing.
• Breach of trust is also stealing. When you are put in a position of trust and you violate that trust, you lack character. Muslims need to relearn the lesson of Amaanat in their capacity as individuals, groups, nations and societies.
• If leaders betray the trust of their followers and plunder and squander their national wealth, they lack character. And if followers do or say or feel nothing about this outrage, then they too lack character. There is perhaps no worse example of lack of character than Khayaanat.
• When leaders and others work to advance the interests of foreigners at the expense of the genuine national interests, advancement and wellbeing of their own societies and peoples, then the name for that kind of lack of character is treason. In Urdu it is called Ghaddari.

You Lack Education, You Lack Character

• When you lack education and yet you are not making any effort to remedy that situation; to go to school; to educate yourself; or to increase your knowledge base or skill level in one way or another, you lack character.
• When you are not willing to help others to go to school and get an education or better their life in other ways, you lack character.
• If you are a commercial provider of goods and services, and you misrepresent facts to your customers, you lack character.
• When you make promises mindlessly or break them carelessly, you lack character.
• When you do not value your time, or other people’s time, you lack character.
• When you have not done anything to keep your neighborhood clean, you lack character.
• When you do nothing to help your neighbor, you lack character.
• When you do nothing to resolve disputes in your community and neighborhood and among members of your own family, you lack character.
• When you show up late for everything everywhere, you lack character.
• When your word and promises have no value, you lack character.
• When you are habitually rude to people, you lack character.
• When you lack respect for your elders, you lack character.
• In the same way, when you lack compassion for those younger than you, you lack character.

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