THE CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM WORLD UNDER LIGHT OF PROPHETIC WAY OF LIFE

 REVITALIZATION OF FAITH

THE REAL NECESSARY PRECONDITION

TOWARDS THE ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE AND ENLIGHTENING OF

THE ISLAMIC STATE`S SOVEREIGNTY

IN THE CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM WORLDS

               Moderen rationalistic and pseudo-scientific interpretations of Islam are quite alien to Islam itself and lack a direct link with the original Prophetic mission. They are the void  of the spiriptual message that is the heart of the Quranic revelation. They fail to appreciate Islam as a spiritual and metaphysical tradition. But since Islam is essentially based on inward faith known in Arabic as Iman ,Islamic renaissance of it  can never be brought about without first reviving and indeed revitalizing  the faith of a large part of the Muslim community.

              There is no denying the importance of political freedom and the independence of  Muslim countries, and these have undoubtedly contributed to generate greater awareness of Islamic values and ideals. Similarly, the idea of an Islamic way of life and confidence in its superiority over other ideologies has been useful to a limited extent and deserves our praise.

                The movements wich have struggled hard in the past and are still engaged in advancing the case for this are in fact contributing partially and in their own way toward the revival of the Islamic message. But the most real and fundamental task in this regard still remains to be done. It is imperative for the intire intelligentsia of the Muslim World to pay attention to, and whosoever realizes its vital importance should strive for, the cardinal principle that  a forceful movement be launched for reviving and revitalizing the Iman most be transformed from mere verbal attession (qal) to an inward existential faith (hal).      

                 Iman is essentially attestion of, and inner faith is some metaphysical truths. The first step towards attaining this faith is to believe more firmly in soarme truths even though they are not observable or percebtible, and to hold the things heard by the ear. Believe in the unseen -Iman bil ghaib- is the first and foremost condition of iman, and this requiresa radical change in the thought system and in the point of view of the believer.

              According to this new perspective, the whole order of creation should be taken as nothing more than a fleeting appearance of  shadow, whereas the existence of God should be felt as an eternally living Reality. Contrary to the view that the universe is a chain to eternally present and uncreated causes and effects or the world of `natural` forces and rigid mechanical laws, the will of God and His design and purpose should be `seen` and felt in operation at all times and in all parts of the cosmos. Matter is looked upon as insignificant, and the soul is though to be man`s essence. The locution `insan` is not to be attributed to man`s animal and corporeal body, but to that divine spirit the presence of which makes man superior to angles.

              Worldly life should appear to be transitory and unreal, and life hereafter should alone be taken as real and ever-lasting. The pleasure of God should be held as more valuable than the attainment of all the riches of this world. And according to a Prophetic saying, the riches of this world should not be assigned more value than a mosquito`s wing deserves. Let it be clearly and distinctly understood that unless and until a major portion of the Muslim community really undergoes this profound transformation, the vision and the fond hope of an Islamic renaissance can never be realized.