If only we pay attention….

Some time ago I introduced myself to a Malaysian lady, “I am from Pakistan”. The lady responded “Oh gosh Pakistan! You have lots of bombing. I know your country I heard it on the news”.

Embarrassed as I was, but couldn’t say anything except of changing the subject. Regrettably Pakistan is now synonymous with bombs and even more regrettably Islam is synonymous with extremism and terrorism.

Then adding fuel to fire, in the garb of freedom of expression certain sections of foreign intellectuals freely exhibit their disrespect towards our sacred and revered Religious Personalities.

Misinformation or lack of information, further fueled by bias, leads to disastrous results and this is what exactly happened in the case of  Islam and especially our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). 

I wish, I have the caliber to explain Prophet Muhammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) teachings. However, if we only take a look at his last sermon which he gave on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 10 AH (9 March 632) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat, during the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj, we can understand his personality a great deal better. 

In his last sermon Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) gives his kindness, love, grace and wisdom not only to Muslims but to every living human being…

“….. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor for the white over the black nor for the black over the white except in God-consciousness.

These are the teachings that many other well-respected human right activists including Martin Luther King Jr. believed in, which allowed African Americans to have the life of dignity, recognition and respect as their birth right. If only we pay attention….

 Behold! All practice of the days of ignorance are now under my feet. The blood revenges of the days of ignorance are remitted.

Islam and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) strictly discarded all practices of blood revenge, honor killings and hatred.

He crushed illiteracy and frivolous customs; in one of his teachings Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said “Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China, for seeking knowledge is a duty on every Muslim”. If only we pay attention….

O’ People, Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.

What else can I add to the above? There is no other passage I have found in any book of literature that explains and emphasized Women’s Rights in such concise and compact manner like Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) did. If only we pay attention….

All debts must be repaid, all borrowed property must be returned, gifts should be reciprocated and a surety must make good the loss to the assured.

These two lines have summed up the entire banking and financial structure in such easy words. If only we pay attention….

Nothing of his brother is lawful for a Muslim except what he himself gives willingly. So do not wrong yourselves.

These days Courts are over flowing with property cases where families are tearing each other apart; brothers and sisters are fighting tooth and nail. However, if we acknowledge our rights and obligations towards one and another, as taught by  Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and as explained in Quran, there will be no element of greed, and everyone shall have their fair share. If only we pay attention….

O’ People! Every Muslim is the brother of every other Muslim, and all the Muslims form one brotherhood.

Equality, Justice, Tolerance, Understanding & Unity. So much inter-faith conflicts causing bloodshed and religious terrorism could be stopped once we truly realize that Every Muslim is the brother of every other Muslim. Alas! If only we pay attention….

And your slaves; see that you feed them with such food as you eat yourselves, and clothe them with the clothes that you yourselves wear.

Although concept of slavery was prevalent in pre-Islam society but if we incorporate these simple yet powerful teachings in today’s labour system and human resources management then most of our economic imbalances could be cured. If only we pay attention….

Take heed not to go astray after me and strike one another’s necks.

And beware of transgressing the limits set in the matters of religion, for it is transgression of (the proper bounds of) religion that brought destruction to many people before you.

After these directions from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) there can be no further justifications behind any act of terrorism. If only we pay attention….

These are the teachings that should be engraved on the heart and mind of every Muslim, this is where a true Muslim comes from. This should be in our core, the blue print of our souls.

On the contrary, we as Muslims have categorically either disobeyed or disregarded these immaculate teachings. And consequently, all this hatred, destruction and opprobrium from everyone around the world has become the fate of Muslim Umma. If only we pay attention….

May the Divine light of peace and wisdom shine on us.

Sonya Syed. (Day 514)