Your Questions Answered
Queries
(Answered under the supervision of the Editor)
Islam and Tasawwuff
Question: Please write for me a detailed note on what is the concept of Tasawwuff (mysticism) in Islam. I would really appreciate it if your response includes references to the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith literature.
Answer: First of all, we should know that Tasawwuff has nothing to do with Islam; I therefore am afraid that my response will be devoid of any reference to the Qur’an and the Hadith literature. Tasawwuff is in fact a philosophy which revolves around the concept that we are but a part of God and ultimately we shall merge with Him. God is not a physical entity; therefore we need to transform ourselves into beings which are devoid of physical attributes and transcend flesh and matter. In other words, we should emancipate our souls from the desires of flesh and the yokes of whatever is material. For this purpose, the mystics have designed some exercises which vary from nation to nation, religion to religion and individual to individual.
The followers of almost all religions have borrowed this philosophy from the Hellenic schools originally and have adapted it according to their taste, circumstances and local conditions. Similarly, the mystics, who present themselves as followers of Islam, have produced plenty of literature on Tasawwuff and innovated beliefs as well as practices to accomplish their self-perceived goal. However, the point to note is that their notions have nothing to do with—rather are contrary to—the real teachings of Islam based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
The underlying objective of Islam is purification of the soul. To achieve this objective, Islam has already given certain guidelines. Its followers therefore need not tread the path of Tasawwuff for salvation, if salvation is what they yearn for.
Conflict between Mother and Wife
Question: I have a question regarding family matters. There is a continuous tussle between my mother and wife regarding the distribution of work in the house. My mother has burdened my wife with every single house chore. My family consists of more than 13 members, who must be catered for by my wife. She, because of me, follows my mother’s instructions. But of course one should no go beyond limits. Burdening someone with more than their capacity and responsibility is unjust. My mother belongs to a traditional class of women; she believes that all the work should be done by the Bahu (daughter in law). I want to know what Islam says in this regard. Does it really oblige a Muslim lady to take care of not only her husband but also her in laws?
Answer: Justice is the basic value and requirement of our religion, which should not be dispensed with under any circumstances. What you should do is to ascertain, with utmost care and honesty, who is at fault: you should see whether there is an exaggeration on the part of your wife. I mean since you stand at a crucial place in your family, you should not be too rash or emotional to decide the matter in question. It is often because of the fault at both ends that a situation becomes worse. After an objective analysis of the circumstances you can only be in a position to decide what you should do. In other words, you should see which of the two ladies needs to be advised about her inappropriate stance; it may be your mother and nothing precludes the possibility that it is your wife as well. Whoever is at fault, you should affectionately talk to her and help her see what consequences may arise if the situation prevails. Drastic decisions should essentially be avoided unless you have done everything you sincerely feel you should have in order to mend the adverse situation.
You have alluded to the traditional behavior of your mother regarding her daughter in law. Sadly, this behaviour seems to be inherent in our culture. Since it directly contradicts the norms of justice, it should be done away with. However, it requires a rational approach to deal with. One should wisely undo the knots, which are too cruelly tied and moreover revered. At the same time, we should not also let anyone take advantage of the situation under the pretext of ‘unjust traditional practices’.
Negative Thoughts
Question: This is a question from a twenty-year-old boy. I have a problem that there are often bad thoughts in my mind—thoughts which compel me to commit sins which I cannot explain. I am very much concerned about resolving this problem. Please tell me how I should change my mindset.
Answer: Your concerns about your moral being and cleansing your mind of bad thoughts are commendable. I would suggest a three-fold strategy for the purpose.
What you want to do depends upon your inner strength. You need to nourish your will power, which you can employ to achieve whatever noble task you want to accomplish. Being a Muslim, you should know that the purpose of your creation is nothing but submission to God. Committing sins amounts to denying this submission. This is what will deprive a person of the immense reward which Allah has prepared for the purified souls. Our ultimate destination and eternal abode is Jannah (Paradise). You should explain to yourself that you have a great goal before you. And those who strive for nobler ideals overcome each and every obstacle that comes their way: be great as your goal is great.
You need to convince yourself that you are a strong boy and not someone who is as fragile as to give in to trying circumstances in no time. Strong people fight till they achieve what they strive for or they give their life for their objectives.
You also need to explain to yourself that your Creator knows what you do; He also knows what notions are whispered into your heart by Satan. He will obviously not hold you accountable for what you are not responsible in your capacity as individual. We however must always bear in mind that we are not allowed to dwell on and entertain these thoughts. We do not commit sins in public because we know people are watching us and they may thus rebuke us. We need to remember that the Lord is always with us; we should therefore refrain from whatever is low; we should be fearful of Him in order to avoid risking His wrath.
You should introspect and determine the reason why you resort to sins. For pleasure? Nay! You should tell yourself that worldly pleasures are transitory in nature as the world itself is. It is only prudent to renounce what is transitory and illegitimate for that is what is permanent and sublime.
‘Alaminand Extraterrestrial Species
Question: There is a verse in the Holy Qur’ran about which I would request you to enlighten me. It reads:
We did not send you but as a mercy to ‘A%lamin(worlds). (21:107)
What does this word, ‘Alamin, refer to? Is there any possibility of being extraterrestrial species on some other planet, which pray, praise and obey Allah and accept Muhammad (sws) as their Prophet and idealise him as a sublime example to follow.
Answer: ‘A%laminshould be understood in the particular style and diction of the Qur’an. This word does not always imply a plurality as to mean the worlds, that is, other planets like this earth which sustains life and accommodates beings like humans. The Qur’an, often, uses this word for expressing ‘totality’, ‘magnitude’, ‘expanse’ of this world and of those who subsist in it. It is this implication that is the purport of the verse in question. It therefore means that the Holy Prophet (sws) is a blessing for whole mankind. You can see various examples of this usage in the Qur’an. I quote:
O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to ‘A%lamin(all mankind). (2:47)
Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ‘Imran above ‘A%lamin(all mankind). (3:33)
And when the angels said O Mary Lo! Allah has chosen you and made you pure and preferred you above all the women of ‘A%lamin(this world). (3:42)
As for the possibility of being extraterrestrial species on some other planet in addition to this world, we need to bear in mind that this has nothing to do with the theme of the Holy Qur’an. I do not think it is appropriate to extrapolate on the basis of the allusions made in the Holy Qur’an in order to formulate scientific notions. There are established scientific techniques to figure out the nature and form of this universe and we had better confine ourselves to these techniques. Hence, we neither affirm nor rebut the notion of extraterrestrial beings.
One thing that should remain crystal clear in our mind is that the Qur’an has its own style and diction. This can only be properly understood and appreciated if we interpret it keeping in view its particular characteristics.