Everything comes into existence from three different steps or processes: assumption, claim, and reality.
Assumptions may not be required to share with someone else. Claims
may include presentation or proof, which have to be shared with other
people. But reality requires acceptance from the masses
(viewers, listeners, and readers).
Assumptions and claims are the easiest steps to do, while reality is
not as easy. For example, I may assume or claim that I am the best
singer but the reality is that it is up to the listener who
has the power to honors or reject my claim. Unfortunately as
Muslims, we are living in the first two steps. We assume and claim that
we are the best and the most beloved faithful of God, and all
his blessings are for us and the heaven is created only for us. But
my belief may not have any value or importance to other non-Muslims
because my claim is the reflection of my actions in every
day of my life. I cannot dictate my belief or claim to other because
good deeds or actions do not require to be dictated, but rather they
are accepted due to actions. Religion is not an exact
science; it is mostly belief which is based on individual logic.
Religion has a very close relationship with emotions and sentiments,
and therefore a large number of followers of any religion are very
sensitive about their belief and they cannot accept
anything against it. Every religion has its followers who have a
firm belief in some of their practices which cannot be ignored because
of my likes and dislikes.
Nothing is for granted in religion. I cannot say that if I do this
then I will definitely go to heaven. Similarly, it is not necessary that
because I am a born or converted Muslim, I will go to
heaven. All will be decided on the Day of Judgment. I may assume
that my good actions may be accepted which may take me to heaven.
However, we need to bear in mind that there are many parallels
between our thinking as Muslims, and those of other faiths.
We may assume and claim that all the Muslims are brothers and
sisters, but the reality is this: none of the Muslim countries allow the
citizen of other Muslim countries into their country without
a valid visa. But Americans and Europeans have less restrictions and
more flexibility than us. Some of the Arab countries do allow entry of
each other’s citizens without a visa but that is not
based on religions, but rather it is based on the geopolitical and
cultural environments.
We have boycotted Danish products as a protest in retaliation to
caricature of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). But can we afford to boycott
the USA, Europe, China, or Russia? Of course not, because
99% of our lives depend on their products.
The American attack on Iraq drew a lot of anger around the Muslim
world, but the reality is that the biggest protest rallies were held in
Europe, not in the Muslim world. The truth is this –
relying solely on condemnation, protest, denouncing, and blaming
others or the West will not do anything good for the Muslim world.
Claim has no value until it is proven. All production creates an end
product. We are the end product of our religion, Islam. If we are not
what we are supposed to be, then there must be something
wrong in the conveyor belt of the production line. We need to think,
why do a huge number of Muslims wish to migrate to the West, and why no
one from the West wishes to settle in the Muslim
World?
Until and unless we do not leave our world of assumption and claim,
and recognize and accept the reality, we will not be able to lead the
world.
