LIFE

Islam means submitting to Allah. Our will precedes and determines our actions. To submit ourselves to Allah, we need to will submission to Allah. The Islamic Studies / Islamiyat curriculum in Pakistan is not designed for this. Its focus is on imparting knowledge whose reflection in actions shows submission to Allah but what will cause this submission is completely ignored. This fundamental flaw in the Islamic studies / Islamiyat curriculum must be removed if we want learners to benefit from this subject. This is of utmost importance as Allah reveals through the Quran: Verily, this (Verse of the Qur’ân) is an admonition, so whosoever wills, let him take a Path to his Rabb (Allâh).  But you cannot will, unless Allâh wills. Verily, Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.  (Al-Quran 76:29-30) To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.  And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allâh wills - the Rabb of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists) (Al-Quran 81...

It is a fact that individuals with strong abstract thinking abilities are creative and better problem solvers. Similarly, individuals who behave in a socially responsible way perform better in academics and in the workplace . The challenge being faced by the present education system is the effective development of abstract thinking abilities and performance of socially responsible behaviour.  The most effective way of achieving this is by focusing on the category of knowledge that engages children's abstract thinking from an early stage and also aids in behaving in a socially responsible way . The category of knowledge that makes this happen is “tenets of emaan”. Firstly, it is abstract , and secondly, it plays a pivotal role in the development of spiritual competency that aids in intending actions for Allah, nurtures state of Ihsan and provides the strength and resolve to behave in a socially responsible way.  Allah reveals through the Quran the critical role of tenets o...

Submitting our will to Allah has never been easy despite Islam being the religion that caters to the human fitrah. Why is it like this? How can it become easy? In my opinion, it is by making Islam relevant. People need to be convinced that success and resolution of problems can be achieved by implementing deen-e-Islam in their life. People also need to see Muslims adding value to the society in all fields through creativity, innovation, policies and socially responsible behavior. Fact is that Allah has perfected Islam as deen for us. Allah says in the Quran: ....This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...(Al-Quran 5:3) Allah also reminds us that Islam caters to the human fitrah: So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation ...

Our belief influences our behavior. Can we nurture belief in a way that not only do we behave in a socially responsible way, we also add value to society through creativity, innovation and wise policies? Obviously we can, because if this wasn't possible then the whole framework of accountability in the afterlife and subjugation of worldly resources for mankind by Allah loses relevance. So what type of belief should be nurtured? As Muslims it is belief based on tenets of emaan. Is there any specific benefit of actually believing in the tenets of emaan? Yes there is. It develops the potential in individual to behave like a socially responsible, intelligent and creative human being.  Allah says in the Quran: So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah . That is the correct reli...

How do we evolve a society that is tolerant, progressive, caring, wise and creative in an environment that: a. Rewards immoral behavior b. Supports the corrupt c. Is intolerant to debate d. Promotes Intellectually dishonesty e. Fuels hatred for opposing religious views f.  Fails to give exemplary punishments to the rich and the powerful g. Usurps the right of the weak and poor h. Has an extremely corrupt and outdated education system i.  Promotes religious ignorance j.  Can easily be considered as dysfunctional It is actually simple. The reason why I say this is that societal pressures in reality only influence behavior (our will in action) when the belief is weak or uncertain. When the belief is strong, societal pressures fail to make a lasting impact. Another reason why the solution is simple, actionable, achievable is because Allah has ingrained in all of us the capacity to do good. Allah reveals through the Quran: So direct your face toward ...