The
approach to the problems of life of living nations is that when
ever any scheme does not fulfill its purpose or any efforts falls
or in a way even an insignificant number of soldiers are defeated,
committees are set up to investigate the reason for failure and
commissions are formed and millions of rupees are spent so that
in future nothing of the same nature takes place, but our way
to t thinking regarding such problems of life and death for the
nation is that nothing is done either on international plane or
national scale. We spend lakhs or rupees in pursuit of pleasure,
songs and dances and also in celebrating religious function. People
are made a weep and laugh in such gatherings. There are discussions
and debates in learned associations, papers are read; in poets
meeting there are thunderous applause, but have you ever heard
in any of such gatherings what are the reasons for our downfall
and decadence and in what ways can we regain our lost glory and
place in the comity of nations?
When ever the question is raised to individuals, the reply comes
from every corner of the Muslim world that it is because we have
left acting upon the teaching of the Holy Quran. This reply is
hundred percent correct, but it is so brief that it does not give
any particular help to the listener particularly when every body
things that he and his sect alone, so far the acting upon the
teachings of Holy Quran is concerned, is of a pucca Musalman and
all others are erring. The Holy Quran is not only concerned with
prayers and orders related to it, it a complete code of life,
that is, what ever concerns human problems. Allah has given complete
instructions in it and has shown the way in it so that man can
spend peaceful and happy life. As man’s life has several
facets only to say that “ the reason for our downfall is
that we have left acting upon the instruction laid down in the
Holy Quran” is not sufficient, but we have to see in every
walks of life how much and to what extent we are acting upon the
instruction of the Holy Quran. It is apparent that this cannot
be described even in a voluminous book in all its details and
explanation not to speak of in few lines. But is it better to
do something than not to do anything at all. Hence in the following
pages, I have tried in my own humble way to answer the question.
This should have been answered by the really learned people of
the Islamic world. They would have penned their opinion on each
facet of the Islamic life in detail and the reasons for the downfall
of the Islamic Millat. But unfortunately this has not taken place
or so far I know nothing positive has been done in this direction.
Therefore, though not fully competent for the job, but as a matter
of duty I have tried to pen them down Allah only knows how far
I have succeeded in my efforts and whether the Millat will be
benefited at all by this book or not. But I expect this much after
seeing my humble efforts, those competent to do it will be attracted
towards it and will produce valuable books and literature on this
subject and complete the job which is laying unattended sine centuries.
In any part of the world however affluent and prosperous may be
its inhabitants individually, they can not prosper and nourish
as a nation unless they form themselves into a society of well
knit and coherent group and learn to sacrifice their property
for the collective benefit and can not save themselves from the
onslaughts of organized and powerful nation. Therefore I have,
first of all, describe those principles of the Holy Quran concerning
collective prosperity which led to the splendid rise to the followers
of the Holy Prophet in the shortest possible time whose example
is not available in the history of the nations of the world. Then
I have described the reason for our preset day degeneration due
to neglect of the principles of Islam. After this I have describe
Islamic faith, prayers and mutual dealings, that is, rights and
morals and behaviors. Islamic faith and belief have their origin
in unseen and Allah has ordered to believe in them without seeing
them. But there are people who want to believe them after seeing
them or after having their manifestation and reflection and as
it pertains to mysticism hence I have also dealt with it in this
book. I have described in detail the difference between modern
mysticism and real Islamic mysticism what does the Holy Quran
say about mysticism? What did the Holy Prophet teach about it?
What did the exalted and pious people of olden days and mystics
do in order to convert the un believers into Islam and engrain
in them perfect faith and true Islamic character and what role
has been played by Sufis and those pretenders of Sufism who followed
them and how they have ruined and soiled mysticism and have done
harm to the Muslim society.
