TRUE FACE

Two representations

IT is said that a Jewish man used to live in the neighbourhood of Sufi saint, Shaikh Bayazid Bustami. When Shaikh Bustami died, the Jew was asked, ‘Why don’t you accept Islam?’

The Jew replied, ‘How can I accept Islam? If Islam is the religion that Shaikh Bayazid Bustami followed, then it is beyond my capabilities, and if Islam is the religion that I see among common Muslims, then I feel ashamed of such an Islam.'

What does a non-Muslim, like this Jew, see in the religion of a venerable Sufi like Shaikh Bustami? He sees a religion that calls for a person to renounce the world and live as an ascetic. He sees a person who prays all night, who completes reading the Quran several times each day and one who fasts for the whole year. He sees a person, who, when he goes on the Haj, offers extra prayers at every step, who has memorized some words to remember God, repeating them several thousand times every day etc.

On the other hand, what is the ‘Islam’ that is prevalent among the masses? It is to take the name of Islam but to actually follow one’s own whims and fancies. It is to prostrate before God and show arrogance and pride in front of others. It is to recite the Quran ritualistically, whilst ignoring its commands in life. It is to take great pride in Islam as a 'complete religion' and at the same time not to follow even a part of it. It is to champion the name of Islam to gain personal benefit and to sever one’s connection with Islam when there appears to be none. It is to follow the cultural version of the religion and at the same time label it as the religion of God.

Islam is a simple and natural religion. It has an endless appeal for human nature. Due to this natural attraction, Islam spread far and wide in its early history. But in the later periods, different fabricated versions of Islam appeared which resulted in Islam losing its appeal to man.

Islam is a religion preserved in its original sources. In actual fact, even today it possesses a natural attraction. If all the artificial veils are lifted and Islam’s true face is seen, it will be recognized as the voice of human nature.