Collective progress is neither a self-propelling endeavor nor a cyclic phenomenon but an innovation seeking undertaking, ever aided by element of rationalism. Regretfully the Muslims have stuck to the former state, negating the later. They fallaciously deem collective uplift, a cyclic occurrence, hence kept them waiting till onset of their turn. Drawing an erroneous finale from glorious past devoid of explicit stratagem and plan of execution can’t do away our miseries.
The dictum “wait and see” pursued by Muslims, has rendered their inherent capabilities, dysfunctional. Despite of being the richest, endless economical crisis, social degeneration and political turmoil depict their myopic state and dearth of spearheaded priority. In order to avert these downtrodden states, no implementable policy is framed and executed. Conflicts based on unfound truth serves to widen controversies; exploitative politics is carried forth to undermine the so called rivals; monarchism is wide practiced to protect the greater interests of minor ruling elites. Even, Al-Qaida and Taliban pursuing an ambiguous agenda are granted unconditional moral and financial support to exercise their evil practices, till establishment of independent state, on the grounds grave human rights violation.
The underlying problem is associated to fallaciously grasping the hardcore but undisclosed facts or natural truth that entangled them in the bottom of superiority complex; consequently stick to reasonless claims of owning and pioneering knowledge. Finding a matchless resemblance between the latest scientific invention and sacred religious teachings renders utmost justification to their prophecy, they own knowledge. The West, seemingly non-believers, acquire clues from sacred teachings of religion prior to a great discovery without taking into account that unearthing of universe renders man’s noblest deeds.
History assembled sufficient records of religion being misused airing inter-religious conflicts and antagonism that mainly served man’s interest than God. Whilst elucidating Muslims, more importantly, sticking to past glories made them illusive of getting advantage out of opportunities time has put forth to them. A timely rationalization drawn from secret scripture was not bothered instead greater emphasis was laid on rot learning of the wholly scriptures than understanding it. At this moment, can we term totalitarianism and dogmatism, the underlying problem of Muslims backwardness in the contemporary world?
This betraying course of superiority, made them bother not about their intellectual responsibilities whilst sticking to limiting believes and continuation of religious rituals, only assures them salvation. Such flawed disposition resulted distancing them from innovation and scientific outlook. Consequently, the irreversibly growing extremism, terrorism and bloodletting of fellow citizen until the establishment of Islamic Emirate an unjustifiable act on any human ground; must be disowned. It is height of time; we follow the course of reason, logic, science and technology not coercion and violence.
Muslims exert greater effort on preserving absolute religious dogmas, tradition without being contemplative to coincide it with demands of changing contemporary world. We draw distinction between God’s words and deeds. Religion has turned a collection of congested beliefs in which no timely and compatible interpretation stands permissible. Religion anchored on dogmatic interpretation annuls creativity and innovation and unswervingly dictates the political and social arena of our daily undertakings –thus completely restraining advancements with changing world and grooming circumstances; the Muslim society therefore could not prosper to date. The conservative elements have always taken measures to curtail the collective success and prosperity of the society terming the innovative developments anti-religion. They have always struck at emotional nerve of their adherents; intellectually kept in dark, denied access to scholarly approach thus made an unnatural bond to the forged prescription.
We could not draw a clear distinctive line between licit and illicit deeds. The plague of narrow-mindedness has worst affected us to the level that our ill deeds are fortified to the height of truth and others good deeds appears forged to us. The poison of biased understanding injected into the blood stream of society has maligned their moderate disposition to extreme one. Freedom of thought, providing a sound basis of intellectual progress is not only given the status of ill recognition but also un-Islamic.
The spectacular universe is the true manifestation of God’s artistic creation; if a person comments on any aspect of universe intelligibly – it is equated with disgrace to Allah’s creative abilities and the person is rendered liable of punishment. As a substitute it is not regarded a sincere addition to existing pile of knowledge. Galileo, the greatest scientist of renaissance, contradicted the idea of centrality of earth in solar system that differed church’s perspective, sentenced for no reason except church’s absolute thought was challenged. Laid at the depth of irrational and unreasonable congested beliefs, we draw prejudiced findings that dispose our ill motives.
The irrational discourse implied to every arena of human endeavor, equally plaguing them. The aristocratic, despotic regimes and absolute rule instilled in most of Muslim countries –the ruling class steers the fate of nation, consequently the pages of history is filled with blunders individuals committed and the nation is left to reap for generations the deeds of their incompetent leaders, devoid of any realization. Taliban despite having phony and misleading agendas are considered for political mileage shouldn’t be deemed strange.
Another pivotal problem –the fallacious and social structure enrooted on erroneous class system supporting proprietors, feudal lords and ruling elites. A superior ethno-political elite ruling for generations draws economic and political privileges. The lower class or ethnic groups are denied access to fundamental rights and necessities of life.
The system directly supporting, promoting and protecting injustices seem unlikely to extend space to talent, competence, capabilities, as an alternative recommendation, inducement and influential financial status help earning preferential societal position. The politically under-privileged ethnic group rendered vulnerable with increasing the sense of insecurity and should be given confidence. May the custodians of illusive slogans come forth to fight against all these social evils, injustices, biases and human rights violation?
The dreadful status quo can be reversed only when we pursue scientific and rational education given that education of worth is the worth of education. Modern era is pleading for education of worth, of which we are far away; our educational institutes till date are practicing outmoded discourse. Majority of international aids were disbursed aimlessly, without education given utmost importance. Great budgetary allocation in every fiscal year to great many fields devoid of education, might not leave us away from collective advancement, irrationalized education might.