Mysticism : A Truth , A Reality, a path

[usman.khawar]

The Working of the Inner Self 1/4

The whisperings of the reptilian Self prevent us from identifying our true priorities in life. Its temptations divert us from our real purpose and its voice can be heard in all aspects of life. One of the strongest desires we find hard to resist is the seeking of status, and this is linked to our careers. The idea of developing a career is planted in our minds from an early age, either by those who are close to us or by our observation of successful people. The rest of our life is dedicated to the pursuit of this goal and we exert all our energy in its cause. The pursuing of a career is seen as an obligation, it is the only thing that really matters in life. We never stop to question our priorities in life and are dragged deeper into ourselves. In the words of Krishan Mahraaj, ‘when a single passion controls our minds, reason is tossed out and flung away like a small dinghy left at the mercy of furious storms in a vast ocean.’

The psychopathic obsession with ‘status’ is fuelled by materialistic values and is a result of the social and economic comparisons we make with others in society. Like a nightmare it haunts and compels us to chase an illusion of reality. This madness does not allow us to rest or reflect upon the real nature of reality. Feeling disadvantaged and deprived, our ambitions undergo constant change, trapping us in the snare of our reptilian instincts until we reach our graves. These temptations are like wild creeper plants which hide the ultimate priority from view.

Instead we waste time and energy pursuing lesser priorities with the result that the real purpose of life becomes an indistinct memory, lost in the desolate plains of forgetfulness. Many years later we bring this vague memory to the forefront of our mind and return to our fundamental priority. It is then we realize that our habits are deep-rooted and our indifference has become ingrained in our being. Despite our efforts we feel powerless and are compelled to turn a blind eye to reality. Yet the chances of addressing the ultimate priority before the pangs of agony of death are slim. The only glimmer of hope seems to be the boundless mercy of God. Left on our own, we lack the necessary provisions to ensure our safety along the perilous journey of life.

There are many pastimes the intellect loves to engage in, but its favorite is self-obsession. When a person regards himself as intellectual, the nature of his preoccupation takes on a different hue. Ordinary people with an average education spent their life pursuing wealth and pleasure but for the highly educated the sole aim in life is to stand out from the crowd, to be unique. It is obvious that no human being can be totally exceptional. For instance the chemical make-up of all human beings is the same. One cannot shed the physical attributes of the human race even if one resorts to outrageous and unusual antics. In every sphere from criminal activity to moral qualities, people are constantly looking for novel ways and means. This still does not make them unique. Throughout history, there has been a constant stream of ignorant practices alongside highly intellectual traditions. The entire human race has emulated these personalities to add color to their individual characters. Perhaps, the truly exceptional individuals are those who many have attempted to imitate but few have attained their rank and status.

[usman.khawar]

The Working of the Inner Self 2/4

Despite our best efforts we can never become like Jesus or Muhammad. The doors of this choice have been closed to us. Throughout the ages awakened consciousness and presence of these individuals supported humanity, who had become diverted and distracted, in finding a route to safety amidst the dust storm of reptilian temptation. Regardless of whether people believed them or not, they continued to fulfill their responsibilities without any reward. Were it not for them, the future of the human race may have been decided a long time ago with Earth being declared an ‘annexe’ of Hell.

The fundamental issue is whether the human mind can attain self-realization. Its absence leads to self-deception and the strengthening of the animal instinct. If the pruning of the wild creeper is not undertaken in time, then the outcome will be the same as being trapped in the web of a deadly spider, or being surrounded by dense, intertwined thorny branches, preventing escape and blocking the sunlight. Reptilian desires surround the human mind, making it impossible for the light of reason to reach it. In the presence of Umar the great, a shepherd defined a barrier as an edible bush, entangled on all sides by branches covered with dense and poisonous thorns to which his animals could not gain access to eat. In the same way when reptilian cravings spread and take root the human mind becomes entangled in the thorny bushes of insignificant priorities. Weeding and pruning the thorn bushes is the only course of action. The intelligent person is the one who cuts the branches of animal desires with the ‘axe’ of accountability, and prevents himself from becoming a prisoner to self-indulgence.

No matter how desirable an object might be, if it has a negative effect on our focus on the ultimate priority then such a delusional thought must be severed from its root. Self-love ensures the survival of the reptilian spirit; narcissism is its defining characteristic. Under no circumstances will it permit even the thought of something that it does not agree with. However, God has placed the intellect as a force which can oppose the self-satisfying animal self of Man. The greatest obstacle to self-realization is self-obsession. Its deadly effect permeates every aspect of life. It is visible in the field of love and relationships. It is present in all the traditions of art and science. It is engraved on every page of the philosophy of human ‘wisdom’. The tragedy of self-love is that it takes away the possibility that we can make mistakes. Self-worship is beyond error.

Self-love, in a nutshell, is the urge to praise oneself and deflect self-criticism. The Self maintains the right to defend itself from attack at all costs, whether justified or not. God has declared the Self (Nafs) to be His greatest enemy. But what is the Nafs (Self)? The term self refers to the package of animal instincts found in Man. If the intellect is constructive and active then the Self is destructive and devious. Time and again we notice that due to self-centeredness the intellect becomes a tool of the unscrupulous instincts of the Nafs. How else could moral corruption spread to such an extent that governments across the world can declare the worst examples of human character as the privilege of democratic freedom? The single explanation for the moral bankruptcy of the western world is the fact that its entire intellectual approach has become entangled in the trap of reptilian self-conceit. History since ancient times shows us that only a sudden and major catastrophe can shock the system and dislodge this reptilian self-love, allowing it once again to take the path of the intellect.

To be continued after one week ...

[usman.khawar]

The Working of the Inner Self 3/4

The key to understanding the higher truths of religion lies in knowing yourself. The mystical tradition of all religions places a huge emphasis on this to the extent that both knowledge of God and the self are at times synonymous. Why is this the case? The answer is not that Man is God and if he focuses on himself he will discover the secret of divinity. But if Man understands the way he processes reality and the factors that impact on his spiritual well-being he can soar to the heights of the divine. In other words, self-knowledge is all about understanding the psychology of the self. The quest for God is the outcome of perfect psychological balance and as long as we do not undergo self-analysis and reflection we will never be able to realize our religious and social goals. Greed, deception, feelings of inferiority, a sense of superiority, lust for power, existentialism, narcissism and countless other nuanced concepts are such that they cannot be fully understood without first sacrificing your life on the gallows. The attention and praise of others which brightens up your face with the smile of self-satisfaction is enough to alter the outcome of years of spiritual struggle. When the mind desires the praise of a flatterer, it has already sentenced its intellect to death. ‘The last negative trait to leave the heart of a man’, declared Al-Ghazzali (Abu Hamid al Ghazzali (1058-1111) one of the greatest Islamic jurists, theologians and mystical thinkers.), ‘is the love of fame’.

Any person who is of the view that ‘we are made so’ can never step on to the threshold of deep knowledge of reality (Irfaan). The intellectuals and philosophers of the West are happy to indulge in academic research but are not willing to challenge the dictates of the reptilian Self or entertain the possibility that humanity, at its core, is spiritual. They believe that there cannot be any better form that the one they exist in. they do not regard seeking fame and power as shortcomings of human nature but as their due right. Gripped in the chains of restless activity, Europe and the Western mind are totally ignorant of inner humility and submission. Pride, arrogance, fame, power and status are seen not as repulsive character traits but as the innate purpose of life. Struggling for them makes absolute sense. There is not even a shred of feeling that this approach could be detrimental to life. Maybe the possibility that the purpose of life is driven by these negative traits is based on their objective approach and has led them to completely disregard any other possibility. Centuries have passed by and but a single Sufi or God-aware person has been born amongst the people of West; centuries have gone by and they have not felt the slightest sense of loss at this.

There are many people who object that this is not the case. They are keen to regard philosophers and writers such as Sartre, Camus, Rosseau, Dostoevsky, Bergon, Kant and Hegel as Sufis (Mystics). According to some, Louis Pasteur and Pascal could even be Sufis. Those with extreme levels of intelligence regard the satirist Jean Genet’s ‘Journal of a Thief’ as a textbook of spirituality. This is because spirituality is seen as nothing more than lovely phrases and idealized notions of how to live life. But to regard human compassion and concern for the problems of humanity as a purely spiritual matter is the outcome of the objective reasoning style of the West. Humanism has inflicted a great blow to the ultimate priority of mankind. If the fundamental obligation of recognizing God had been fulfilled then the rights and dignity of mankind would all have been safeguarded under the concept of God awareness. However, the situation deteriorated to such an extent that human rights became an excuse to sideline God. Humanism was made to replace the concept of God. The claim that the rights of people were more important than the rights of God became widespread. When the intellect suffers a crisis of its priorities, this is the result.

The hegemony of Western thought produced an inferiority complex in the East. This was exacerbated by the way of knowledge was researched and transmitted from the West. For many years, the intellectuals of the East remained dependent on the West for inspiration. Not only were they influenced by the West but they ultimately lost their ancient heritage of wisdom. Inspired by Western education, these oriental copies of the West are in reality just beggars at the doorstep of the Western way of life. Their inner experiences too were sacrificed to this slave mentality. So when a range of modern movements went on to lay the foundations of religious groups on the basis of activism and organization, they felt compelled to insult and oppose the sublime thought and values of traditional religion. The bipolar split between those who believe only in Shariah and those who only believe in Tariqaat (Spiritual Law) is a result of this type of thinking.

Those who rejected Western thought on the basis of religion did not have any convincing evidence. Decades of unquestioning, shallow and blind following of religious leaders had made them completely oblivious to the fact that they must respond to changing social conditions. Although they opposed Western thinking, it appeared that they were shaken, frightened and intimidated by modern thought, rather like a shabbily-clad beggar who, upon being refused charity, begins to swear and curse the wealthy passer-by. Then there were those progressive intellectuals, thinkers and writers (words which are mistakenly applied) who, like monkeys, blindly aped western trends without any analysis or critique. By licking the leftover dregs from the discarded goblet of the West they tried to gain honor and status.

It is to be expected that during times of change people’s values will also be transformed. But the speed of turbulence with which the Subcontinent underwent its transition to modernity is perhaps unparalleled. Here the supporters of modern civilization were slaves, as were its opponents. If the intellectual and writers wandered around with outstretched palms, the religious masters were also prepared to drink the dregs discarded from the cups of West. Great names were bolted on to very small dwarves. Mullahism, Sufism and secularism all claimed the slogan of revival. At a time when the dream of glory had been shattered these people were taken as the nobles and leaders of a diseased Muslim Ummah(Community). The priorities of the Muslims changed in such a way that religion lost its universal character. It seemed that religion was dependent upon schools and universities for its authentication. Sadly, familiarity with Western education did not lead to knowledge but, like racial pride, it became a way of acquiring personal power and status. At times the opinion of a Western intellectual was given the status of divine revelation.

To be continued....

[usman.khawar]

The Working of the Inner Self 4/4

Amongst the mystical schools of religion, displays of telepathic communication, telekinesis, clairvoyance and levitation were seen as Mysticism (Tasawwuf) itself. But the spiritual Order of the Naqshbandi masters (a mystic group of Islam in Sub continent) was the most extreme. They developed all kinds of strange terms as compounded presence (Tarkeeb –e-hazuri), compounded communion and regarded these as the signposts on the path to God. The Sufi Orders were so engrossed in the seven colors of light that they did not even realize that two further colors of light had been discovered. Their dreams of grandeur were such that a double first graduate who would perhaps one day become greater then Wittgenstein or Russel in his field would embrace politics and revolution, wasting away his entire life in unconscious ecstasy.

However, other equally intelligent people were so influenced by scientific theories that they insisted on re-interpreting the Quran according to their own inclinations. It felt as though the Quran was only a carbon copy of Western thought. Although God alone is the judge of intentions, people such as Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, Perwez and Barrq (Names of people who perverted the mainstream understanding of religion, sometimes setting themselves up as prophets) were so captivated by the West that in an attempt to be objective they strayed far from the clear and simple interpretation of the Quran. Instead of being a book of the cosmos, the Quran seemed like the creation of unknown and possessed thinkers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These self-proclaimed researchers plunged the Muslim Community into a crisis of interpretation that ignorance was better than comprehension.

In contrast, the classical scholar of religion was unable to step beyond the intellectual advances of the Tabi Tabieen ( the second generation of followers after the Companions of the Last Prophet P.B.U.H) during the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The statement of Ibn Abbas (An eminent companion of the Prophet (PBUH) regarded as an authority in Tafseer, Quranic Exigesis) that every age has its own interpretation of the Quran was forgotten. Contrary to this the whole of knowledge was based on the selections of doctrinal scholars. The commentaries (Tafseer) of the Quran from the middle ages were beyond repeal. Yet it was impossible to bring them into alignment with the modern age. In the history of the world, Islam has never been a religion of extremist tendencies. But when religion became the means of acquiring power at a personal, group and institutional level, then a new interpretation of Islam emerged. An Islam that was devoid of tolerance, compassion, trust and sincerity. Religion was no longer about moderation and refinement of the soul. Instead it became an outlet of feelings of inferiority and loss.

To some extent it is possible to accept such a misrepresentation of religion amongst co-religionists. But the bitter tragedy was that this novel interpretation of religion was seen as authentic by others. On the basis of this false conception of Islam, the crows and mistresses of the West went on to declare themselves champions of human freedom and free thinking. The whole focus of discussion and debate has shifted from Islam to the prevalent practices of the Muslims. The identity of Islam is defined by the conduct and character of those who claim to be Muslims. Sadly, the state of the Muslims today is that their hypocrisy is self-evident and their intellectual capacities are confined. Their character and values are so rotten that it is impossible for them to face up to this challenge in any shape or form. It has long been a tradition of the West, and it still is today, that they do not look lightly upon weakness. Their devious and scheming natures have enabled them to take advantage of this moral weakness of the Muslim people during times of plenty and to revive the traditions of Genghis and Hulagu Khan (Mongol Invaders renowned for their cruelty, barbarism and oppression).

Yet the people of Islam have still not worked out why their prayers are not answered and their efforts go unrecognized. Despite the intensity and abundance of religious practices, victory and glory remain distant, and divine support seems to be absent. The Muslim statesmen are modern and secular. The Mullahs are out-of-date and lack intellectual depth. This leaves the ordinary Muslim in a state of helplessness, waiting in the hope of another Messiah to come. He has complete trust in the promises of God and His Messenger. But the character and values which these promises require Muslims to adopt are nothing more than hopes, dreams and desires.

To be continued with next chapter..!

[usman.khawar]

Eastern and Western Approaches to Religion 1/4

The paleness and ferocity of the West was a trial for the ‘rainbow’ residents of East. The desire to adopt the learning of the West compelled them to send their finest and keenest intellects to Western lecture theaters. This elite group returned with the belief in the innate superiority of Western culture, resulting in a profound impact on Eastern society. The benchmark for determining social class and status was replaced. No longer was society hierarchically structured on the basis of family and tribal loyalty: language and levels of formal education now determined rank. Alongside the notion of cultural superiority came the secularist temperament which spread the idea of inferiority and lack of cultural capital in the minds of the downtrodden and colonized people of the East. The infrastructure of education changed. New systems of education led to the creation of a different type of social class structure.

The attempts of Muslim societies to become ‘civilized’ verged on the ridiculous. Every street and neighborhood began to reflect the new divisions of educational class. Employment opportunities were few for those without European qualifications. As a result, religion became the means of livelihood of the lower classes. Religious learning became the preserve of those unwanted by society. Is it any wonder then that a religion whose foundations are built on dependence is unable to produce shoclars who command respect and can apply the Quran with wisdom and insight? The reality is that students of religion are viewed with a mixture of pity and charity. Their survival depends on the handouts given by wealthy and ‘generous’ patrons of secular culture. In the words of a poet, men of God are beyond this:
‘Not for the free is this life or that
Saintliness-hypocrisy, Kingship- a sham’

The poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal (d. 1938) wept at the state of the Muslims, but the rate of decline was beyond the shedding of tears. Although he was unable to solve the crisis of the Muslims, he joined forces with M.A Jinnah (founder of Pakistan d .1948) to create a country for the Muslims of India in which, at the very least, they would not feel a sense of inferiority in the outward practices of their religion. However, the state of intellectual poverty remained unchanged. In fact it grew more intense after independence. After centuries of ignorance, these two champions of freedom of thought and action illuminated new dimensions of knowledge and character. Unfortunately, intellectual confusion and degradation have remained a social reality. Mediocre minds and slave mentalities have cast their bewitching spells over the masses. Instead of forging a universal and inclusive view of Islam, religion was fractured yet further. Divisions amongst the Muslims increased leading to further helplessness and subjugation.

Almost seventy years later the country of Pakistan has not been able to step beyond its infancy. The irony is that Islam remains an exile within its own home. The off the shelf and ‘canned’ model of religion has divorced itself from the great movements of consciousness towards which the Prophet invited the most uncivilized nation of the time. The religion of Islam, which came to be loved by the people and held in high regard by the Angels due to divine support and the steadfastness of the greatest teacher of humanity, has today become deprived and ignorant of its real priorities. The Sacred Law has continuously adapted to the changing circumstances of different tribes and nations. However from the time of Adam till the advent of Muhammad (PBUH) the ultimate and fundamental priority of religion was and still remains the same: God and nothing else.

The Sacred Law is the outer wall which protects the social, economic and ethical rights of the people. It enables them to comprehend the essential aim and goals of religion. Compared to other systems, the Sacred Law is a divinely sanctioned system which promotes justice and equality, protects social rights, cultivates ethical character traits, and creates in some people a realization of the conceptual aims of religion. It is a system which ensures that both rulers and subjects do not abuse their positions and privileges. As well as encompassing all aspects of life, the Sacred Law creates institutions to ensure the smooth running of social affairs with the minimum of interference. Despite the existence of class interests, these institution offer equal dignity and respect to all members of society. The entitlement to dignity and honor in the Sacred Law is not based on wealth, level of power or social status, but on the basis of devotion and reverence to God (Taqwa).

The social infrastructure put in place by any ideology seeks to integrate and govern all aspects of life, and has a conceptual unity underpinned by its core beliefs and values. Dilution from other ideological systems is not permitted or tolerated within the framework of any ideology such as socialism, communism, or democratic capitalism. Yet out intellectual destitution is of such a degree that we have suspended almost all of the most important systems and structures of Islam. We have confined religion to a few personal practices which we Endeavour to enforce. The reason for this is not that we are no longer Muslims: despite claiming to be Muslims we are unwilling to trust God’s universal sovereignty. In fact we regard the benchmarks of the Sacred Law as backward and outdated. The reality is that the Law of God is the starting point and yardstick which offers us the opportunity to evaluate our actions. Beyond the external structure and regulation of the Sacred Law lies the ultimate and most fundamental priority of religion: for every individual to establish a personal, emotional and internal connection with God the most pure and exalted. The goal of religion is God, and religious systems are supports and scaffolds to assist humanity in reaching God. Religious systems are a gift from God to mankind, enabling society by degrees to evolve and develop a capacity for deep knowledge and recognition of the ultimate reality: God.

To be continued...

[Zemouli Chahra]

Scientific Proofs of Believing in Allah the Almighty The Rational Bases
. Nonexistence Creates Nothing If we contemplate the creatures which are born everyday whether humans,animals or plants and think of what is happening in the universe where wind,rain, night or day and look at what happening in every time of orderly movementsof the sun, moon, stars or plants, the mind will surely admit that all thingsare not created haphazardly, but by the Creator, the Existent (Dignifiedbe He). Allah the Almighty said: “Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief”. (At-Tur: 35-36) 1. Thinking of the Created Elaborates on some Characteristicsof the Creator The components of the created indicates the capability or the characteristics of the maker. In other words, unless the maker has certain abilities or characteristics,which can enable him to do things, the created object will be void of anythingwhich is indicative of its maker. For example, if you see a door, whichis perfectly made from wood, you will realize that the maker has a wood,is able to systemically cut it, is able to make this wood smooth, has pinswith which he can fasten the parts of the door, and he has experience inmanufacturing doors. By the same token, if we see a straight hole in thedoor (keyhole), this indicates that the maker has the ability to accuratelydrill and make the keyhole for the door. Therefore, thinking about the manufacturedthing will lead us to realizing the skills of the manufacturer and thinkingin the creatures will lead us to know the traits of the Creator. Allah theAlmighty said: “Verily in the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe. And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured faith. And in the alteration of night and day, and the fact that Allah sends down Sustenance from the sky,and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the change of thewinds, are Signs for those that are wise. Such are the Signs of Allah, whichWe rehearse to thee in truth: then in what exposition will they believe afterAllah and His Signs”. (Al-Jathiya: 3-6) If we ponder and think about the creatures, the signs of Allah will leadus to some of Allah’s Attributes. Allah the Almighty said: “Say: Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth…” (Yunus: 101) And Allah the Almighty also said: “Do they see nothing in the kingdom of the heavens and the earth andall that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that theirterm is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they thenbelieve?”. (Al-A’raf: 185) 1. The Owner of Nothing Gives Nothing Money cannot be asked from the one who has no money and knowledge cannotbe sought from the ignorant, for the one who is void of something cannotgive it to others. Through thinking about the creatures of Allah, the signslead us to the Attributes of the Creator; Exalted and Dignified be He. Andif we know the attributes, we will know the Described. Those who claimthat nature created them, come into conflict with what the mind and the truthhave admitted. That is because the universe bears witness that its Creatoris the All-Wise, Full of knowledge, well-Aware, the One Who guides, the OneWho has no partner. The stone-deaf and solid nature has neither knowledge,nor wisdom, nor life, nor mercy, nor will; how they did then think in thatway and the one who is void of something cannot give it to others. What Is Nature Nature consists of various kinds of creatures along with their characteristics. The idolaters worshipped some parts of the nature such as sun, moon, stars,fire, stones, and the humans. The neo-idolaters (naturalists) imagine thatthe previous idols (nature) has created them, although nature has no mindand they have, it has no knowledge and they have, has no experience and theyhave, and has no will and they have. Didn’t they know that the one who isvoid of something cannot give it to others. Allah the Almighty said: “O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Thoseon whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they allmet together for the purpose And if the fly should snatch away anything fromthem, they would have no power to realize it from the fly. Feeble are thosewho petition and those whom they petition!
They do not have right estimate of Allah, for Allah is Powerful and Mighty”. (Al-Hajj: 73-74)

[usman.khawar]

Eastern and Western Approaches to Religion 2/4

It is only within the context of an Islamic society that scientists, philosophers, thinkers and men of letters can truly comprehend the Ultimate Priority. The reason why the realization of God does not occur in other societies is strikingly obvious: their social systems lack the capacity and integrity to awaken the consciousness and understanding of God in its true form, undiluted by the baggage of history, prejudice and personal interest. These societies are unable to ignite the flame of universal love and compassion in the heart of an ordinary human being, transforming him into ‘the most beautiful of forms’, the epitome of human perfection. A human being whose presence ensures that prayers are answered, that clouds burst with rain in times of drought, and the Earth unveils its hidden treasures. He would guarantee that humanity, as God’s deputy, fulfils its responsibility of stewardship of the Earth, and that Paradise is the rightful inheritance of the person who believes and acts in accordance with God’s universal laws.

The sacred law is not the aim of religion, but the first step towards attaining the ultimate goal of humanity: the intimate recognition of God. When priorities are confused and ritual worship and daily routines become the defining focus of religion, the goal of mankind disappears from the hearts and minds. What is the purpose of existence? For what and whom do we exist? This much is certain: the lives of mankind are not dedicated to the Sacred Law. The journey is never the destination. Conflicting opinions and views on lesser priorities led to the formation of different religions, schools of thought or pathways. Over time these pathways became more important that the journey’s end!

When religion becomes nothing more than a set of external rituals and social customs, it falls victim to exploitation by personal and group interests. It no longer leads to God but diverts people away from Him. The sidelining of the Ultimate Priority resulted in the hijacking of religion by the inferior prejudices of its ‘scholars’. Gradually this bigotry and bias hardened and became more contemptible than idols carved from stone or wood. In fact, even the tears of a Saint could not soften the stone-like hearts created by the intolerant and partisan approach to religion. The result was tribulation and suffering. This was the only way to cleanse society from the cancer of sectarianism and to allow people to taste the destructive consequences of their approach to religion. The loss to humanity was immense because the reward for the transaction they had made with God was on a massive scale. What was a period of less than a hundred years on Earth in comparison to a lifetime of eternity in Paradise? Mankind had bartered one for the other: by focusing on lesser priorities linked to personal interest and ignoring the Ultimate Priority.

The human mind’s capacity for objective thought and search for reality was ignored. The worshippers of the physical and external did not go beyond the superficial realities of the five senses. They were unable to attain deep understanding which lies beyond the five senses, remaining under the spell of their own theories and inventions.
In the words of a poet they are:

“Devoid of truth and sincerity, [worshippers of] dry, selfish intellect, slithering in circles likes a snake”

The intoxicating allure of arrogance pushed us closer to feelings of racial pride and superiority associated with Shaytaan (Devil). This prevented us from entering even the outer reaches of God’s fountain of compassion. The period of time stretching to the grave was wasted in distractions up till the moment of death – a lifetime of opportunity to fulfill the purpose of existence lost forever. A large veil of inattentiveness and forgetfulness covers their intellects preventing their minds from focusing on the ultimate priority. The explanation is the actual meaning of the Quranic verse that God becomes a veil between their hearts and the acceptance of reality. But why is this? Is it not God’s will that clever, intelligent and hard-working individuals be inclined towards Him and confirm the unity of the Creator and the cosmos? Does He not want them to occupy the rank of the perfected?

To be continued...

[usman.khawar]

Eastern and Western Approaches to Religion 3/4

The history of Jews and Christians provides a partial explanation of why opposite of this happened. There millennia of recorded history show us that the ‘scholars’ and clergy of these faiths enslaved their minds in order to gratify their greed and passion. The sanctity and sincere understanding of God was insulted. Instead of idols they made themselves partners of God, defining for Him kinship, relations and progeny. In fact, they created a lineage for His ‘descendants’. They normalized their errors and corruptions by making them public instead of keeping them hidden from society. Deception and deceit of every kind was flung far and wide. The deliberate devaluing of God was undertaken in order to confer honor upon themselves. Setting aside the influence of human genes on a person’s disposition and personality, the changes of time and location have failed to bring about a change in their approach to religion and life.

In the present day and age, the Sacred Law of the prophets is still ridiculed, and people’s own limited and prejudiced intellects are regarded as the measure of all things. The sexual practices of Sodom and Gomorra are promoted. Instead of self-realization and personal development, self-centered desire for celebrity is used to encourage rebellion and dissent. The unashamed and blatant manner in which the unlawful has been declared lawful is a dark chapter in the history of the Jews and Christians. The foundation of their ‘intellectual superiority’ was built on the distinction of race and color, a dogmatic belief held with the certainty of Shaytaan (Devil). A conviction which led them to develop a political philosophy of deception hypocrisy and pretence, inspired by the ideas of Machiavelli (Italian politician (d.1527) famous for his assertion that the end justifies the means, See his political treatise ‘The Prince’ ) and Changhis Khan.

In practice, the duplicitous and worn-out slogans of ‘freedom of expression’ and ‘human rights’ were covered and crushed under the debris of time – revealing the same faces, the same practices, the same ignorant and short-sighted policies. All this backed by unfair laws, unjust systems, double personalities and double standards driven by pure self-interest and foolish disregard for others. However, we must remember that all history are subject to the universal laws of time and that history has a habit of repeating itself-even over a short period of time. The feelings of guilt engendered by the genocide of the Jews are still a source of anguish and tribulation for the German people. But those who wiped out Hiroshima and Nagasaki display no remorse or regret! The deceit and double standards of the West are open and transparent. Despite this, the high profile statesmen and political theories of the West regard power and force to be synonymous with justice. Brute force is defining the standards of prudence and fairness. The scrolls of wisdom and justice have been rewritten. Yet the oppressed regard that as the tyranny of fate.

The issue is no longer about politics or governance but about claims to godhood and ultimate power. The United Nations conception of mutual and shared world governance has gone beyond its original meaning. The world is edging towards embracing the idea of a single universal Godhead. A God not characterized by generosity and compassion but by force, underpinned by control of world’s resources. A struggle is under way to wipe out prophetic teaching, morals and qualities with the narrative and mindset of deceit to replace ‘Kingdom of God’ with earthly tyranny. This is the struggle of Dajjal (Anti Christ) and it is a crime greater than disbelief. The denial and rejection of God is understandable but to declare war and struggle against God in the manner of Nebuchadnezzar (Nimrod) and Haman (a henchman of Pharaoh) is the defining characteristic of Dajjal.

This new style of Godhood offers those who submit to it the promise of unimaginable wealth. For those who reject it, it threatens with exploding flames, annihilation and destruction. The centuries, old love of ease and comfort, enabled Man to travel over the last three thousand years and arrive at the discoveries of gunpowder and the wheel. Yet in the last century mankind has managed to produce the most terrifying tools of killing and destruction on an unprecedented scale. This astonishing advancement of thought is not supported by a corresponding advancement of moral balance. In fact, the dreams of power and grandeur, the product of a schizophrenic tendency, have exceeded the boundaries of all standards of ethics. A major catastrophe, shocking event of apocalyptic proportions is the only way to halt the onslaught of this leadership. The imminent possibility of such an event fills the human heart with horror. The thought of humanity rushing headlong, willingly, towards self-destruction is a wakeup call for us all.

However, most of us think of God when we feel helpless or experience some difficulty. At all other times we are content to ignore God. Is this because the thought of God reminds us of the restraints that He has placed on us, limits which the Nafs cannot tolerate? For the Nafs (self) find pleasure in indulging in base animal desires, committing excesses and trampling on the rights of others. I once met a man who said that he had reached the age of forty years and had still not felt the need to think of God, ‘Why should I bother thinking of Him?” he boasted. When I looked at the state of this individual I saw a wretched man of hostile temperament and bad character. He seemed to me as the embodiment of utter stupidity. Similarly, there are other people who walk around with their noses stuck in the air, looking down on everybody else. It is as though they want to coerce God to apologize on their behalf for the way they are. Sometimes I am amazed at God: how sublime He is, and yet how wretched are His creatures!

[usman.khawar]

Eastern and Western Approaches to Religion 4/4

This is the case of ordinary people. However, the psychological crisis found in educational institutions is of a different breed. Simple and naïve female students, having imbibed the influence of ‘modernity’, fall prey to the deception of cunning male colleagues and even lecturers. As John Donne once remarked, the discussions on metaphysical realities on the one hand can result in the uplifting and refinement of the soul, but they can equally be overshadowed by the struggle of surging sexual hormones, seeking the intimacy of ‘union’. In every department of learning, the scholars of both secularism and Mullahism (bipartisan and sectarian religious school of thought) are engaged in constant conflict with each other. Both sides love to occupy their time in plotting, scheming, deceiving, complaining and slandering their opponents Generations of depressed and miserable-looking young students support the cause of ‘MUllahism’, whilst their fund-loving and easy-going comrades back the ideals of secularism.

The Muslim world has seen many ideological struggles in the last half century. Surprisingly, countries like Pakistan have witnessed both red (Communist) and green (Islamic) revolutions, yet both these colors have has little lasting impact in the Muslim world, and at least none in Pakistan. However, they did have a major impact on blurring the moral boundaries of people. Socialism and Communism attacked that part of the ethical and moral system which pertained to the relations between men and women. The dream of this social drama was a construct a society characterized by free mixing, freed from traditional social constraints, rebelling against chastity and the veil. They wanted to create a society which would allow one to gratify sensual desires without hindrance and promote gender equality. Besides the popularization of romantic fantasies and the odd ‘love marriage’ there was no other benefit for Muslim societies.

Under the influence of Western thought and culture several self-styled lecturers felt it their duty to popularize new notions of sexuality. Similar to the private life of the followers of Mullahism, the personal life of these liberated lecturers was based on laughing and joking, meaningless ‘blabber’ and carnal indulgences. Besides their ‘hefty’ and empty PhDs these ‘scholars’ added absolutely nothing to the field of research and investigation. Their intellectual and social capital was derived from their experiences of the lecture theatres of Europe. The defining feature of this experience was the deep-rooted inferiority complex which suffused all their ideas and theories. These members of the intelligentsia were more impressed with the social life style in the West than with education. Truth be told, these individuals are incapable and unworthy of acquiring knowledge. Consider for a moment a person who has no idea of how to utilize the knowledge he or she has acquired: what sort of student is this person likely to be?

The ‘Westoxicated’ professors of the East have rarely been capable of contributing to the advancement of knowledge in any field of learning. Instead, their names are used at wedding speeches, and to open beauty parlors and places of entertainment. When they leave for Europe or America they are ranked in the league of Mullahism. Their return, however, is marked by the donning of the cloak of secularism. It is astonishing that the use of English and American idioms is the only distinguishing feature of this ‘class’ of intellectuals. However, what is even more astonishing is that if these individuals were to deliver their message in Urdu, they would be indistinguishable from the traditional Mullah. Not interested in educational institutions or educational standards and values, they eagerly await the directions of their political masters.

The head and leaders favored by governments are carefully chosen to ensure that they do not include anyone who might encourage independent thinking. Even so called ‘Think Tanks’ are nothing more than hand picked people assembled to praise the official line and to ‘Rubber Stamp’ it. No matter what the issue the ourcome is always the same: the ‘Think Tank’ unreservedly acknowledges the superior intellectual capacities of their official ‘masters’, and proceeds to denigrate common sense points of view. The tongues of the ‘leaders’ of Islam are merely ballads sung in praise of governmental power and authority. Religious scholars will think nothing of rebelling against God, in order to acquire positions in religious courts and ministries. They are willing to change rulings and judgments-even the Sacred Law can be twisted and distorted. As for the boundaries and limits set by God, they too, can be repealed and abrogated. This is not to say that religious scholars have had no positive impact on society. Indeed, every so often and in various quarters we hear of the amazing oratory of a particular religious scholar. Thus the Mullah becomes another of a popular film: the booming and fiery voices of some Mullahs attain an almost celebrity status. The fame of the Mullah has spread far and wide. Despite this, it is sad and puzzling that not a single Mullah is famous for the purity of his heart or the quality of his character.

To be Continued with next mind opening chapter….. Self Delusion..

[usman.khawar]

Self Delusion 1/2

Not having knowledge is one thing, but formal education alone leads to delusions of grandeur. The mind at the threshold of discovery is tossed by waves of creativity and begins to fantasize about its superiority. It believes that its intellectual state is unique and therefore is deserving of recognition and praise. The lifestyle of such an individual changes to reflect the avant-garde style of his thinking. As a species it seems that we cannot cope with the thrill of our discoveries and insights. Once ordinary people, we become obsessed with establishing the uniqueness of our ideas.

We regard every thought as uniquely ours, though we are aware that, just like all other things, ideas are interconnected. They do not exist in a vacuum and are at the center of a web of thoughts. They have ‘ancestors and descendants’. It is possible to find out about the ‘relatives and family’ of a thought as soon as it is uttered. In other words, every thought builds on the intellectual inheritance of previous generations and the scholarly activity of contemporaries. It does not arise out of nothingness. The fantasies of the intellectual prevent him from acknowledgment this. He finds it difficult to survive the test of imagination, as there are no limits to the personal glory the mind’s eye can envisage. Nobody can survive this trial and remain sane without the love and fear of God.

The realms of thought, feelings and emotions are more intricate than the branches of science which study visible phenomena. We lay down our defenses when we are caught up in the trenches of the soul. Ideas have the ability to carve a place in our minds without any resistance. This is irrespective of the nature and type of thought; whether it is of greatness or inferiority, love or hatred, boldness of desire or the swelling of passion. The mind does not exercise discretion in selecting the thoughts it entertains. Having knowledge, then, is a kind of drunkenness we rush head over heels to experience. We regard it as a sign of high status-something we take pride in. for instance, when a man of letters produces a sentence of unsurpassed beauty which evokes an intense emotion, he finds himself indulging in the sweet deception of self-satisfaction. This leads him to believe that he is unique and his mind swells with feelings of greatness.

Our fascination with our own ideas disconnects us from reality. We see moderation as an ordinary response and reject it in favor of outrageousness. Poets, novelists and artists regard the golden mean as an unworthy maxim. This encourages these individuals to deviate from the natural balanced way of life in favor of practices which gain them publicity but which cause immense damage to the fabric of society. Ordinary people who are swayed by the media tend to follow suit and start imitating these celebrities, whom they regard as idols. This drunken madness tramples over all ethical principles including those which ensured the survival of the human race from the time that mankind lived in caves till the urbanization of modern times. We are on the brink of social collapse. Anarchy is the result of ill informed and scattered ideas. It is the rejection of fundamental priorities and an attempt to force society to conform to individual tastes. Freedom of expression is being exploited by those wanting to transform society into anarchy governed by basic animal instincts. All humans are susceptible to the influence of the Nafs (Self). It is only the ethical ideals and awareness of a Prophet which are immune from its effects. The mind of a Prophet is a repository of the highest intellect of the age.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I'm pretty sure there are rules against blatant promotion of one religion or another . . . which is exactly what this seems to be.

[usman.khawar]

I'm pretty sure there are rules against blatant promotion of one religion or another . . . which is exactly what this seems to be.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, Dude

[billl]

If you take the Koran out of it, you end up with stuff that all sorts of mystics (and gurus, etc.) are interested in. It's basically Eckhart Tolle saying that we should amputate the hands of thieves and hit women with a bath towel when they don't listen.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, Dude

I really need to change my signature, because that keeps happening.

[usman.khawar]

Self Delusion 2/2

It is the Prophet who comprehends the effects of the reptilian Self on the individual and society. He understands how it may lead some people to distort the meanings of divine scripture for their own ends. In particular those who aspire to greatness use their powerful intellects to create a hall of mirrors. This results in the complete perversion of human thought, a matrix from which very few escape. In some ways this explains the fact that to this day the human intellect has failed to provide a system of ethics and morality which safeguards the interests of all nations and communities. These intellectuals succeed in undermining the framework of ethics by spreading the virus of immorality in the name of freedom and celebrity. Some of the most despicable acts of deviancy have been institutionalized.

There is nothing wrong with the desire to become cultured. But when you reflect on the concepts being promoted today in the name of culture, you are struck by their backwardness. Humanity has struggled for centuries to develop control over the reptilian self, yet we are being invited to take a retrograde step and revert back to the moral framework of cave dwellers. Nations who succumbed to this level perished. The thinkers and philosophers of today are the intellectual inheritors of the failed and devastated nations whose archaeological ruins are scattered all over the world. These people long for eternity and for their names to live on forever. When one ponders on the ruins of Babylon, the destruction of Pompeii, the archaeological remains of Mohenjo Daro and Harpa, one asks if the intellectuals and men of letters do not live on. Surely, these societies had such figures in their midst. Is it not ironical that the parchment of a poet, the words of a wordsmith or the name or wisdom of a philosopher did not come to light in the dart cities, the devastated homes, the abandoned dwellings and the dried up wells. Although that was the past, modern Man is not much different. Instead of taking heed from the destruction of these nations he takes their archaeological remains as artifacts to adorn his home or museum.

The ridiculing of the inheritors of sound and balanced reasoning, that is the Prophets, is not a new phenomenon: every Prophet suffered from derision and revilement, deceit and deception. Some were put to the sword by the ignorance of the worldly scholars, while attempts were made to take the life of others. However, the interesting thing is that except for the time of the Prophet Yahya (Known as John the Baptist in the Bible. Muslims believe that he was a righteous prophet) when self-purification and perseverance where revered, society as a whole has always given priority in their cultural life to immoral and lewd actions. The mind of Man was diverted from finding a solution to the question of human happiness. The intellect has not eased Man’s existential concerns or given him any real benefit in life apart from traffic laws!

The mind intoxicated itself and deprived humanity from achieving success and salvation by utilizing the only tool at its disposal, that is, the intellect. It caused more damage by providing the blueprint for an impetuous, visionless and unashamed society. Driven by the stirrings of its animal instincts, it stripped human society of its past, of its sleep, of its peace and security, its satisfaction and tranquility. Intellectual movements diverted mankind from its foremost priority. It seems that the entire human race is in a state of drunkenness and forgotten its destination towards which they are headed.

Like inevitable fate, all sorts of ill-considered ideas have come to dominate the minds of men who inhabit a universe of facts and figures, blind to the purpose of human existence. This is a catastrophe which has come about because people are imposing the intellectual leadership of these ideas on themselves. There is no room for God in this paradigm. He is the specter that that continuous to haunt the intellect of the present age. No matter how hard he tries, Man shudders in terror and dread when he contemplates his end. If death was the end of our existence and there was nothing after that, no life, no accountability, no punishment, then we would be truly free to do what we like. This bay be the case, but we not certain. The possibility of life after death cannot objectively be discounted. No living creature can escape the shadow of death. The demon of the intoxicated intellect is slowly pushing Man over the edge into the ocean of despair and regret. From time to time a flash of lightening illuminates the way for the seafarer, travelling in a wrecked vessel about to sink, and he perceives the light of religion, but then the light vanishes and he in once again surrounded by the same terrifying ocean, the same intense darkness, and the same horrifying waves.

To be continued with the next chapter opening the greatest veil of intellect.