Mirza Shahnawaz Agha
DEBATING the existence of society the Creator figures centre-stage indispensably planted as a factor non compromise able! The reason is simple, because we do not know what He has laid out for us at inception. From denial we seem moving to belief in an evolutionary spiral. The more we learn ratifying the knowledge base divulged the more civilised we get but ironically not more close to belief. The rebellion within us is the ‘nature of the beast’ which is surprisingly also the sacred tool that carries man to rise from denial of the truth to the ethos of belief. The chosen few that were made privy to the reality of creation are indeed the witnesses of the whole truth and are therefore infallible, at peace, alive and from amongst us to trust, venerate, follow and understand. This tussle between disbelief and denial though essential for inquisition is a journey called life. For us ordinary mortals it seems that inquisition for contributing to research for the truth is an act of nobility and deliberate resistance an evil act as it hurts creation and our own kind.
Religion therefore is a social science to keep societies in peace and harmony, with the act of research educating ourselves, as the predominant indulgence and the principal obligation of creation ordained. One cannot remain in greater awe when one observes this phenomena. Any other doctrine would render human society to be one with the psyche of pirates worshipping ‘id’ in denial of all or any form of ‘ego’. The Scripture is fraught with the law of evidence and for all that is created and manifest. He in His Divine mercy and ultimate wisdom has provided a witness and one that lives in time. As we evolve in our research we see, experience and feel the presence and Majesty of this prime witness the Last Prophet (PBUH) and all those in his visage that bore witness after him with their words, deeds, writings and life. Imam Hussain A.S. after the Prophet (PBUH) is indeed the greatest witness evidencing the existence of that one Creator Allah. Mixing apples with oranges has not helped the human race in this journey of (truth seeking) life and therefore man-made doctrines like ‘isms’ of sorts have died at the alters of inadequacy and justice. Social and material justice could not and has not found a place comparable to the frame-work order prescribed in the Quran. Being a believer in rituals in essence is not therefore in consonance with the practice of Islam, as is remaining in the search of the truth.
In my opinion, and Allah knows best, there are only two religions to follow – Monotheism and Polytheism. In Monotheism the only route to take is to remain in the search of the truth and on finding it to defend the same. To bear witness is the ultimate obligation and the apex to the act is by the giving of blood should that be warranted. Visiting Imam Hussain at Karbala in Iraq is epoch making. One understands that Hadees : ‘Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain’. Clearly Last Prophet (PBUH) is that supreme witness who has established distinctively the divide between truth and falsehood and with finality for the existence of Allah. In the visage of Last Prophet (PBUH) we see Imam Hussain A.S. who in return of his act of bearing witness with his blood has earned continuity of life, clearly evidenced on earth and the leadership of all in Jannah (Paradise). This is no small reward for the enormity of his commitment to the belief that establishes with finality the existence of a Creator and His attributes. He has established without ambiguity the insignificance of death and the great significance of defending belief for life in perpetuity.
It is not religion that is responsible for bloodshed on the planet, it is economic usurpation that denies religion and the equity therein to prevail. This economic lust causes bloodshed, injustice and disparity in societies which become the hidden reason for war and other social evils. The Quran asserts that ‘all which is just is good and what is not good is evil’! The role of the official clergy therefore is one that dilutes the limitation of laws in the religion and makes provisions for economic inequity in societies, allowing and accommodating economic usurpers to be unjust. Together both institutions, that of economic usurpers and the clerics have promoted religion to be the condemnable faith amongst people. Ritualised religion is a narcotic and people fear this intoxication as it is addictive and biased to the exercise of free-will and the development of all human faculties that can and do bring about social recognition. This social recognition again, is as important to the human species as is water, air and food which is why one can see the worst in the knowledge base with the clerics. In the same analogy we can see the worst in Nation States seeking to be Super Powers and therefore militant oppressors. In their effort to achieve social recognition the institution of the official clerics struggle to uphold rituals to defend their economic turf and screen off their ignorance and oppression both. Multiplicity of disciplines is a taboo with them and they are indeed responsible for having curtailed the large, open and simple message of the Creator to their preferred list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ .
When I hear that chant of ‘Labaik Ya Hussain” (Responding to your call O’ Hussain with a yes) I can acknowledge and recognise the sway of human instinct that is struggling to lean on the truth; I can feel the power of love over hate; I can see a cry for liberation from economic usurpers and their protectors the clerics. I can most, however witness salutation to valour, courage and steadfastness for the personage of Imam Hussain as the defender of the whole basic truth in the message of Allah. There is no faith, morality, courage, valour, justice, bravery, aristocracy, nobility, compassion, knowledge, patience and the ethos of Jihad without Imam Hussain A.S. He is the hallmark and the benchmark both, of all that is complete and an ideal creation of Allah that could possibly be, for us to follow and celebrate.
— The writer is an entrepreneur and author based in Karachi.
