Individuals with high verbal IQs and a borderline or below average functional IQ make great priests. Since these individuals are dysfunctional and nonproductive members of the society, they are unable to even financially support themselves for their basic needs. Hence Churches and Mosques thrive on charities and donations. The issues of low self-esteem which manifests in an eternal desire to be treated with special respects. Hence the titles of The Reverend, The Holy, The Ayatollah, The Maulana Sahib, Pundit Ji. As long as this internal turmoil stays dormant it bears a false smile and the world smiles back at them. Their volcanic state is visible only in fiery sermons. They are like time bombs ready to explode at any moment. When this volcano erupts its perils are limitless.
Long before William James, The Quran beautifully describes the intellectual misery of the Religious Fundamentalists. The following is a conceptual translation from the first chapter of The Quran, Al’Baqqara, from the very first few pages.
[Inn nallazeena kafaru sawa un elay him aa anzartahum umlum tunzir hum la yuminoon’]
Know this with absolute certainty that those that choose to disregard The Laws of Allah and instead engage in magical thinking, [the religious fundamentalists = Al Kafiroon] whether you warn them or caution them of the dangerous consequences of their magical thinking, they can never have an ability to appreciate an ideology of life based upon rational thinking leading to a program for a peaceful life for all mankind. [Al Iman] 2:6
[khattamallah ho ala qalloobeyhim wa ala sammeyhim wa ala absaareyhim gheshawatun walahum azzabun azeem ]
Allah certifies and endorses that these religious fundamentalists have a mentality that shuts their faculties to perceive and determine. They have
limited intellectual capacities and indeed are in the worst form of misery. 2:7
[wa minnun naasey mai’yn yaqqolo aa manna billa hey wa bil yaum mil aakheratey wama hum bey momineen.]
Amongst the mankind are persons that claim to be the genuine promoters of peace in the world, and believers in Allah or God, and in the hereafter. They (The Fundamentalists) are certainly not the true peace-givers or The Momins. 2:8
[ yukhadeyoon nallaha walazeena aamino wama yakhda’oona ila anfusah hum wa ma yash oroon ]
Dear Doctor Asarulislam Syed Sahib
As-salam-mu-laikum: You wrote: “Did you know that first Islamic State, founded by Muhammad, was based on the same ideals of equality and justice, on which a thousand years later, The United States of America was founded?”
And I completely endorse it, and the explanations you have given, to understand Quranic facts have given me great hope once again. I have only recently read your articles, and message, and endorse your approach and mission and say : Jazak Allah may Allah Bless you-Ameen
I too want to understand and become a part of the Muslim Renaissance today, by understanding the rise of Islam in the 7/8/9th centuries, it is one of the most important events in world history. As it led to the development of the modern day world.
Once Muslims scholars understood the value of research, and invented & understood the fundamentals of the universe. But perhaps most important of all they pursued the cause of knowledge, translating and preserving the works of the ancients and building the world’s largest libraries – their quest for knowledge by questioning known as the ‘houses of wisdom’ laid the foundation for Oxford and Cambridge Universities. I believe this started the Age of Christian or Western Renaissance.
ASARULISLAM’S COMMENT: Thanks Ms. Shahida Mazhar Sahiba.
Aik ik kar ke hua jaatey hain tarey Raushan
Teri Manzil ki taraf mere Qadam Aatey hein
Islam’s final message was the redemption of all earlier messages, through Muhammad [SAW]’s recorded in the Quran. But today the Muslims themselves have hijacked Muhammad [SAW]’s Islam, and made it into a priesthood.
I have been protesting against it, I read the Quran, and it reaffirms, the fact, that Muhammad [SAW]’s mission was to revolt against priesthood, of mecca, 14,00nyears ago.
It was a revolt against prevalent traditions, and liberated the human spirit, and addressed Men and Women simultaneously. The last sermon of Hajj further strengthens your topic ‘Liberating the Hijacked Islam’
ASARULISLAM’S COMMENT: Thanks Ms. Shahida Mazhar Sahiba.
Aik ik kar ke hua jaatey hain tarey Raushan
Teri Manzil ki taraf mere Qadam Aatey hein
Surah Ra’ad
“God will not change the condition of a people
until they first change what is wrong in their hearts”
Look at history, and learn from previous ideas even questioning them, if those ideas/theories were true than questioning them would not change anything as the truth can stand any questions.
For example Galileo came up with the truth, because he questioned the ideas of authority, but Newton a great scientist, questioned Galileo, but Newton’s ideas were questioned by Einstein.
Similarly all the Prophets questioned oppressive authority of their times. Quran is full of their examples; let’s take a look at how Abraham [pboh] questioned the prevalent ideas of his forefathers:
Al Quran: 6 -76 -79: “When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, He said: ‘I love not those that set. ‘When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when the moon set, He said: ‘unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray. ‘When he saw the sun set he said: O my people I am indeed free from your [guilt] of giving partners to Allah. For me, I have set my face firmly and truly, towards him, who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah”