Muslims in the West: Challenges and Opportunities
Interview with Shaykh Khalil al-Rahman Sajjad Nomani Nadwi
[Maulana Khalil al-Rahman Sajjad Nomani Nadwi is from Lucknow, India and is a
prolific scholar and thinker of Islam.]
What advice would you give to Muslims in the West following the events of September
11, 2001?
Transforming challenges into opportunities is a Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet
Muhammad, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam. All Islamic progress has been made when
challenges have been transformed into opportunities.
One positive aspect of the global situation is that the whole world is now discussing
Islam. People are more willing to understand Islam. This is therefore an ideal
opportunity to promote and propagate Islam, which can be done by practical example
through one's behavior. At the same time try to dispel and allay fears and misconceptions
about the religion.
In order to avail of this opportunity, a balanced psyche is needed. One should
avoid being reactionary and adopt a positive approach. Otherwise there is the
danger of being swept aside by the tide of hatred and extremism. There are greater
harms than benefits of this to Islam. If we can transform the challenges that
face us into opportunities, then ultimately we are going to prevail.
What advice would you give to Muslims regarding Dawah in the West?
Open up. Find opportunities and seize chances to convey the message of Islam
to others. Create chances and try to invite people, whether at home or in public
places. Try your best to allay fear and clarify any misunderstanding about Islam.
All attempts should be made to remove doubts and misgivings about Islam.
Muslims also need to learn how to share their values, which they have been concealing
for the last several decades. They had done this at the time as a precautionary
measure to preserve their identity and this was considered necessary too. However,
we can no longer afford to live in an isolationist manner. It is imperative
to share your ideals with people. You need to discuss and explain your beliefs
in schools, colleges, factories, offices etc. Wherever possible you need to
promote a true understanding of Islam and Muslims. For this purpose people should
take time off work if necessary. The media should be used appropriately in disseminating
the true message of Islam. Proper use should also be made of the Mosques. The
methodology of Masjidun Nabi will instruct us in this matter. Non-Muslims, including
women visitors, would visit the Masjid and the Prophet would welcome them earnestly.
Bear in mind that those people who have not yet accepted Islam are not bound
by its rules and regulations, for example the rules of purity and cleanliness
do not apply to them. Of course these rules only apply once someone accepts
Islam. By understanding this delicate point it will become easy to open our
Mosques to non-Muslims.
We should thereby draw public opinion more favorably towards Islam. We have
to make the point clear that there is some Satanic force at work which, for
its own vested interest, is creating unfounded hatred and misgivings about Islam
and Muslims. It is creating a mutual hostility between Muslims and the rest
of the world. We must be vigilant about this, and not let them succeed.
What advice would you offer to the Ulama, professionals and Muslims masses living
in the West?
I would humbly request the religious scholars - as a friend and colleague -
that they have so far succeeded quite admirably in preserving Islam among Muslims
in the western world. Their sermons, advices and admonitions have made this
achievement possible. When I visit western countries I am reminded about the
Qur'anic Verse: "And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you
to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between the refuse and the
blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers." (Surah 14: 66). There is a parable
in this verse in which Almighty Allah illustrates His signs by drawing pure
milk between waste and blood. Similarly, you are living in an environment of
immorality in the West yet preserving the spirit of purity and faith. This is
highly commendable.
The next stage of our endeavor has begun, although somewhat belatedly. This
relates to shifting from an attitude of preserving ones faith to actually propagating
it to non-Muslims. If this opportunity is lost then future generations may not
be so fortunate. It is my humble request, especially to the Ulama, to use whatever
means to increase efforts in this regard. Please try to avoid and overlook differences,
especially finer points stemming from the teachings of different schools of
thought. Our challenge at this time is not against any school of thought, but
against global satanic forces. Our attention should be focused in that direction.
I can say no more to the Ulama but to remind them of the approach of Shah Waliullah,
Rahmatullahi Alayh (1703-1762). He was born at a time when Kufr was in the ascendancy.
But we can draw valuable lessons and wisdom from his methodology and efforts
in uniting people of different affiliations. He managed to unite Muslims and
confront the inherent dangers posed by the forces of Kufr. This resulted in
the great movement of Syed Ahmed Shahid, Rahmatullahi Alayh (1786-1831), and
later Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, Rahmatullahi Alayh.
As far as professionals are concerned, I would ask them to use their position
and power not only for the advancement of their careers but also for Muslims
and humanity at large.
Regarding the Muslim masses, I would request them to become true Muslims and
persuade as many people as possible towards Islam. If you do this collectively
then a noticeable difference can be made. Everybody should contribute in this
noble effort - males and females, young and old.
Finally and very importantly, don't become despondent. Don't become irritated
or vexatious by world events. Try to understand that after every difficulty
there is ease. The Qur'an alludes to this by saying: "Verily then along with
every hardship is ease. Verily along with every hardship is ease." (Surah 94:
5-6). All nations have to go through these cycles. A human also goes through
various phases, for example sometimes he is happy, sometimes he is sad. Nations
too must go through different circumstances. If we become afraid then our recovery
is hampered. It is therefore necessary to sustain ones will-power and self-confidence.
May Almighty Allah grant the whole Ummah the understanding not to be despondent,
irritated or vexatious but to channel their energies towards finding solutions,
instead of creating problems.
What involvement should Muslims have in the political process to redress injustices
in the world?
Islam has been ordained to establish justice on earth. The Qur'an refers to
the mission of the Prophets, Alayhis Salam, saying: "Indeed We have sent Our
Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance
(justice) that mankind may keep up justice " (Surah 57:25). All efforts should
be made, bearing in mind the political situation of a particular country, to
ensure full participation in the political process. This is an absolute necessity.
Muslims should not be reticent about their involvement in this regard. Rather,
they should make progress in this matter. Obviously they do not have the ideal
political process yet, as this can only happen when injustice is totally eliminated.
We can however draw valuable guidance from the life and teachings of Rasulullah,
Sallaho Alayhi Wasallam. He established alliances with various non-Muslim groups
and signed treaties. These alliances were made with a view to combating the
major evil. Keep this in mind and, whilst exercising caution and prudence, ensure
your active participation in nation-building and social work. Only then will
we be able to attract positive comments about our character. Otherwise, it is
unreal to expect people to understand Islam simply by visiting our Mosques and
reading Islamic books.
What can Muslims do to draw attention of the world to human rights abuses against
minorities in India?
International politics has a bearing on the domestic life of any country. There
is no doubt about this. Therefore you should try to galvanize international
opinion regarding minority persecution in India through all means at your disposal,
including the media. If there are any legal steps you can take under international
law then these should be initiated. In this way considerable pressure can be
exercised. The Indian government should be made accountable and reminded of
its humanitarian obligations under the United Nations Geneva Convention of 1949.
You efforts in this regard will certainly have a bearing on the situation in
India.
What lessons can be drawn from the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat, India?
What happened in Gujarat was a direct result of the extremist ideology of the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - and its sister organizations - Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). For a long time they had identified
Gujarat as a laboratory for experimenting their evil ideology. This fact was
never hidden. Their public slogan had always been "Gujarat Today, India Tomorrow!"
They have always professed the Hindu state they ultimately envisage would first
be experimented in Gujarat. For this reason the responsibilities of Gujarati
Muslims were always great. They should have remained vigilant from earlier on.
It is a matter of profound regret that, despite many laudable qualities of Gujarati
Muslims, the absence of political awareness has been their fundamental shortcoming.
The Gujarat genocide has been a wake-up call. The Ulama and masses in Gujarat
now realize they have made mistakes, especially in their dealings with lower
caste Hindus. These lower caste Hindus are no intellectuals. They have been
bribed with petty financial inducements by the Hindu extremists, who in turn
have preached and indoctrinated them with hate and rancor against Muslims. I
am confident that the Gujarat genocide will serve as a form of awakening, and
Indian Muslims generally will realize their shortcomings and plan for the future
in a united way.
The above was translated and transcribed from Urdu into English by Sulaiman
Kazi.
