FROM MAULANA’S DESK

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been the establishment of worldwide peace. He has received the Padma Bhushan, the Demiurgus Peace International Award and Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Peace award for promoting peace in Muslim societies. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognized as one of its most influential Muslims . His books have been translated into sixteen languages and are part of university curricula in six countries. He is the founder of the Centre for Peace and Spirituality based in New Delhi.


POSITIVE ALWAYS

TOWARDS the end of December 2016, I happened to meet a Muslim youth of Indian origin in Delhi who had been living in the USA for several years. In the course of our conversation, I asked him to share some experiences of his life in the USA. He immediately replied that the most lamentable experience for him was Donald Trump’s election to the presidential seat of America and then openly declaring his dislike for Muslims living in the USA.

I told him his obsession with this point needed to be seen against the backdrop of historical record. The fact is that it is now the 21st century and we are living in the age of democracy. In the democratic culture, no political rule is permanent.


There can be no greater challenge to mankind than the challenge of Satan.

I Witness how at the time of the creation of man, Satan declared that he was the enemy of humanity. Apparently the expression of Satan’s intention signalled a permanent danger to humanity, but this Satanic declaration notwithstanding, man has never ceased to flourish on planet earth. Man has been able to create a model civilization. When it comes to human achievement, there can be no greater challenge to mankind than the challenge of Satan.

II reminded this Muslim youth that our world has been created by God Almighty. And, equally importantly, He is also its sole Sustainer and the Controller of its history. Hence, it is impossible that human history should be at variance with the creation plan of God. So, why was he so aghast at the results of the US elections? His future, was in the hands of God Almighty, and no human being has the power to alter the course of human history.

II also pointed out that when the Prophet of Islam started his mission in Arabia in the first quarter of the 7th century, God Almighty gave him a very important commandment in the Quran in these words: “O Prophet, do your work and shun misconduct (rujz)” (74: 5). What is misconduct (rujz)? It is negative behaviour towards others. The Prophet was told by God “During your work, you may face negative experiences and instead of reacting you should patiently keep to your peaceful mission with a positive mind.”


God Almighty has not only created the world, but He is also its sole Sustainer and the Controller of its history.

I said to this Muslim youngster that these teachings of the Quran are for all eternity. Therefore Muslims have to maintain their positivity in every situation. It is God who shapes human history, and not any political ruler. Muslims must always adopt the attitude of: Do your work, and be friendly in your behaviour towards others.

According to the creation plan of God as set forth in the Quran, there is no permanent enemy. Avoid negative reaction and you will find that your enemy has become your friend, the Quran (41: 34) teaches us. All people are potential friends. Act positively and you can turn this potential into actuality. And then you will see that for you, the whole world has become a friendly place.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
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