Responsibility of Muslim Thinkers and Educationists (2/2)

Allah has also taught the human soul means that could lead him to impiety and means that could lead him to righteousness. He gave it necessary abilities and made it understand that it would be held accountable. He says:

“Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own self (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allah ordered, by following the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds). And indeed he fails who corrupts his own self (i.e. disobeys what Allah has ordered by rejecting the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism or by following polytheism or by doing every kind of evil wicked deeds).” (Surah Ash-Shams, 91:9-10)

He also says:

 “Surely, Allah wastes not the reward of the righteous.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:120)

And He is the One:

 “Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Mulk, 67:2)

He also says:

 “Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. (i.e. those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah's sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet (peace be upon him)) And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees.).” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:7-8)

“And say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) "Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:105)

“Work you, O family of Dawûd (David), with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful.” (Surah Saba’, 34:13)

“Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female.” (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:195)

“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:5)

It is pertinent to mention at the conclusion of this research that – without bringing back the Qur’an’s universal, civilizational vision, and without regaining unity of Islamic knowledge and sound mental educational methodologies –details, concepts and values of Islamic presentational approach would be like pieces of tools, which, in spite of their value in themselves, would remain useless as long as they are not properly arranged and assembled together in an orderly manner. The same applies to the Islamic Presentational Approach. Without the Qur’anic universal and civilizational vision, neither will the Muslim nor the Ummah would have any vision or impetus with which an entity could be built and through which the Muslim’s personality could be actualized.

On a final note, the Ummah has suffered – as is still suffering – from the muddle of Presentational Approach. However, it is frightening – as a result of circumstances of the clashes, schemes and crises that rock the boat of the Ummah in contemporary times – that some people with personal interests use the criticizing reform approach for goals other than the ones intended by the thinkers and reformers. The goals are intended to promote the Ummah’s reform, providing guidance for it and developing and replenishing its energies for the service of humanity. They are intended to correct the path of human civilization in the service of righteousness, justice, brotherhood and peace. This is an allusion for those who understand.

Likewise, it is important that the Ummah and its thinkers and reformers not leave any stone unturned in their action and reform. No one should sit idle or hesitate to act for fear of hue and cry. The reform efforts must come out of personal vision and conviction, carried out in a practical, effective and manner, with knowledge, well laid-out plan and a clear goal. The efforts should not be forced and neither should they be defensive or mere voices of entreat and justification in which the action is just a reaction and explosion that come after an incident or event. For, such reactions die down soon leaving behind no positive result – that neither drives away any enemy nor generates any strength. Therefore, the fruitful and well-planned action and reform – whatever the circumstances may be – should continue through perseverance and excellent design. There is no way out for this Ummah without courageous and serious reform.

Upon Allah is the direction of the right way. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.