YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The remedy for ignorance is asking questions. (Prophet Muhammad)
The spirit of enquiry is the hallmark of an open society and the above saying of the Prophet aptly illustrates this principle. A culture of curiosity and open-mindedness will foster development in any society by motivating its members to learn enthusiastically and enrich their knowledge. This is because awareness of one’s ignorance is half of knowledge, as it becomes a stepping-stone to seeking and finding answers. A questioning mind is like a flowing river that is replenished with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey.
What does Islam say about inherited religiosity?
Religion is a matter of free choice. One must adopt self-discovered religion rather than inherited religion.
In general, the present Muslims are following an inherited religion. But following this kind of religion is not enough. They must rediscover their religion by re-studying the Quran and Sunnah (practical model of the Prophet). This principle is given in the Quran in these words: “The Arabs of the desert say, ‘We have believed.’ Say to them, ‘You have not believed yet; say rather, “We have submitted,” for faith has not yet entered into your hearts.” (The Quran, 49:14)
What, according to you, are the reasons why people might believe in a religion simply because they are born into it?
This is due to conditioning. Everyone is born in a particular family, society or culture. One keeps getting conditioned in the environment in which one is born. It is a social phenomenon and perhaps no one is exempted from this social conditioning. This social phenomenon is referred to in the Quran in these words: When it is said to them, ‘Come to what God has sent down and to the Messenger.’ They reply, ‘The faith we have inherited from our fathers is sufficient for us'. (The Quran, 5:104)
What does this mean for the search for Truth and the purpose of life? Are these compatible with inherited religiosity?
It is common experience that every person applies his reason in matters related to him. For example, a person uses his reason to select the job or business best suitable for him. The same is required in the case of religion. Truth is the greatest concern of every human being. Every human being is born as a seeker of truth. A person who adopts his ancestral tradition and fails to apply his reason while doing so, leaves his natural spirit of enquiry unaddressed. Due to this failure one ends up living in dissatisfaction and despair because, it is impossible to have a peaceful mind without the self-discovery of truth.
Some people who are born into families that call themselves ‘Muslims’ may believe in, or have an emotional connection with, Islam simply because of being born and socialized in a ‘Muslim’ family, and not because of any inner realization, reflection, realization or comparative study.
What do you have to say about this khandani mazhabiyat or family- based religiosity of theirs?
These kind of emotions are community-related emotions, they are not Islamic emotions. These emotions are manifested only in cultural matters. I call it cultural religiosity. These people have never experienced love of God or fear of God. Their religion is community religion, and not divine religion.
What exactly do you mean by cultural religiosity?
By cultural religiosity, I mean that religion which is based on the culture of the community. Every religion begins as an ideology but after some generations it gets reduced to a culture, and this is the case of present Muslims. There may be some individual exceptions, but the masses are living on cultural religiosity.
How is this against true Islam?
True Islam is that which is discovered through the Quran and Sunnah. Cultural religiosity is that which one finds through community traditions. The first is based on intellectual discovery, while the second is based on community culture.
Is cultural religiosity adequate for salvation?
Not at all. Salvation is not a mysterious word. Salvation is based on tazkiya, that is, purification of one’s soul. It requires a purified soul to achieve salvation. No other thing can make one attain salvation.
Can you please share your thoughts on how the cultural religiosity approach makes Muslims confine their love and concerns only to fellow ‘Muslims’, and makes them indifferent, if not hostile, to the rest of humanity? How does this relate to the true teachings of Islam?
You are right. A verse in the Quran says: “God has not placed two hearts in any man’s body.” (The Quran, 33:4) This verse refers to an aspect of human psychology. If a person makes his community his concern, he won’t be able to make humankind his concern. When this happens, he will think on the lines of “Muslim empowerment” but will not be concerned about being well-wishers to the entire humankind.
Many of those who follow the ‘cultural religiosity’ understanding of Islam think non-Muslims are ‘enemies’ of Islam/Muslims. It views others as enemies who have to be defeated through polemics and even war, and not as potential friends who have to be reached out to with the message of love and respect. What do you have to say about this attitude?
This kind of mentality is quite un-Islamic. It is not acceptable to God or His Messenger. This kind of mentality develops false pride and there is no room for false pride in Islam. It is this that is mentioned in the Quran as amani, or wishful thinking. (The Quran, 2:111).
What dua (supplication) should a Muslim do for people of other faiths?
We should pray for all on an equal basis. The Quran refers to God as the “Lord of the Worlds” (The Quran, 1:2) and not as “God of Muslims”. This fact has been declared in the very first chapter of the Quran. Also, the Prophet is called in the Quran rahmatul lil-alamin (The Quran, 21:107), that is, a mercy for all humankind. The Quran doesn’t say that the Prophet is only “rahmat for Muslims”.
