If you love your country, would you leave it? If you love your culture, would you give it up? We all know that thousands of migrants from war zones, fir example, pay thousands of dollars for boat trips to safe countries. But thousands of other migrants too pay thousands of dollars to smugglers and make harrowing and perilous journeys to distant destinations although they come from relatively safe countries.
In some places people don't feel safe because they fear floods. In other places
people don't feel safe because they fear drought. Yet, is safety always
physical? There are married people who don't feel safe about their marriage,
employed people who don't feel safe about their jobs, healthy people who don't
feel safe without proper health insurance, people who don't feel safe because
of their colour, “race” or religion; people who don't feel safe because they
are constantly being stereotyped, because other people are always judging them
by their look, by their cast, by their holidays...
You may probably have seen TV pictures of Chinese people traveling on jam-packed trains on the eve of major Chinese holidays. People who left their villages and hamlets to work in far-away towns and cities are pining for their families, to whom they are bringing money and gifts. Who needs the other? The migrant worker or his family back in the village? Who is in need of safety? Isn't loneliness a form of lack of safety? Isn't feeling of safety worth money and gifts?
My younger brother invited me one day to share Eed Al Adha (The Feast of
Sacrifice) with him in the Southern town of Essaouira. I went the day before
eed. I arrived at the Casablanca motor coach station late in the afternoon. But
I had to wait several hours for the Essaouira coach to leave the station. And I
didn't get bored with waiting. I was delighted to see how people struggled to
book their trips to nearly all places across the country. I saw several people
carry sheep on their shoulders, others hoist up the sheep onto the coach
roofs... And when our coach left Casablanca City, in the evening, a group of
passengers burst out singing, some in Arabic, others in Berber... They sang and
clapped their hands happily. They would have even danced had there been enough
space. The coach was running on four (rubber) wheels, at night, but everybody
felt so safe that many succumbed to sleep. Everybody put his trust in the coach
driver. In a way, we are all that little child that runs into his mother's arms
to feel safe.
For some people it's a quest for safety, for others a quest for happiness. Why
did the Romans come to my country, Morocco, North Africa? At that time
there were no Arabs, no Islam, in this country. But it was not a no man's land.
Volubilis, for example, the most famous Roman city in Morocco, was founded in
the third century BC. It was then the capital of Mauretania, an Amazigh
(Berber) territory. Also the Phoenicians had established their settlements on
our coasts around the 12th century BC. The Portuguese built their first colony
on our Atlantic coast in the early 16th. Then the Spanish and the French shared
our country between them in the early 20th century, but many other European
nations too wanted that privilege for themselves. Why? Well, they all saw
opportunities in this land; they all saw the means of attaining some kind of
happiness and prosperity for part of their respective populations. We all go
where we see the possibility of happiness.
Some people are concerned about another kind of safety and happiness. I have
listened to a few non-Muslim radio programmes in English. One frequently asked
question was: "If I do this or that, will I be saved?" Do all people
ask such questions?
When I lie on the grass in a beautiful park, in a wood, or in the greenery, I
may take it for granted. I may not even think about it. When I sit in the sun
and feel the sweet breeze I may take that for granted. When I have a glass of
water on a hot summer day I may take it for granted too. When I bite into an
apple I would also take that for granted.
I wonder whether you have ever seen a little child or teenager draw something
on an old copybook that he wouldn’t show to anybody. The copybook is full of
drawings of horses or pets or movie characters or imaginary or real persons
-why? You, who can’t draw, would say WOW! You are amazed at the child’s
creativity. But to him that’s quite normal, it’s natural. Even assuming that he
wanted to show his "work", who would be interested? Don’t you know of
painters/writers…who were recognized as such only after their death or very
late in their life? Don’t you know of artists who died poor whereas their work
brought lots of money to other people? Does such an artist necessarily have
someone in mind (an audience) when he creates something?
The other day I was walking in the nearby wood when suddenly my eyes fell on a
beautiful wild flower. As I was looking at that particular flower I noticed
other flowers just beside it -maybe much less beautiful, but each with a
different colour, each with a different shape. I was once leaving a school
where I gave evening classes when a 17-year-old female student of mine waved to
me and said in a voice filled with awe: "Teacher, look over there!"
She pointed with an almost trembling hand at a car that was parked across the
street from the school. I saw the car: it was just marvelous. So I understood
why the girl was looking at it in such reverence. Well, I too went around in
that wood, walking slowly, going from path to path, looking with such wonder at
all those wild flowers, examining, like a passionate botanist, the shape, the
colour, the peculiarities of each flower. When you are in such a place, looking
with your heart rather than with your eyes, you can’t help asking: But why did
God make this flower grow here, at this particular place, where nobody would
see or care about it? How many people would come and spend half an hour going
from flower to flower and looking at their colours and shapes? Well, is the
number so important? Allah says in the Quran: "And though thou try much,
most men will not believe." (12.103) "And most of them believe not in
Allah except that they attribute partners (unto Him)." (12.106) "How
many a portent is there in the heavens and the earth which they pass by with
face averted!" (12.105) "None payeth heed save him who turneth (unto
Him) repentant." (40.13)
Imagine we just were not here. Imagine there were only dogs and pigs and
donkeys roaming about where we now study, work, play, live. Imagine there was
no such thing as the tele, the Smartphone, the car, the chair, the bed, the
glass, the cooking pot, the bike, the knife, the book, the garden, the asphalt
road, the neighbourhood, the people, the nation, the country, you name it.
Imagine there was no such thing as the eyes, the ears, the mouth, the nose, the
hands, the feet, the brain, the heart and all the rest. All the things we
take for granted. Imagine there were only dogs and pigs and donkeys in this
beautifj world. Our quest for spiritual security make us
think about this at one time or another.
Now, in what is spiritual safety so essential? At least kings, dignitaries and
rich people who lived 3,000 years ago had more wealth and comfort than many
smart university graduates of the 21st century. We, people of the 21st century,
have fast planes, gigantic ships, fairy-tale communication and transportation
systems. Artificial intelligence is being developed every single day. 5 G is no
longer a curiosity. Our present is for sure nothing compared to the future. But
the Babylonians, who lived 4,000 years ago, were no less smart than us, given
the means they had. The Maths of today owes so much to people who lived
thousands of years ago. And then you have the Pyramids in Egypt, Petra in
Jordan; you have Pythagore, Aristotle, Avicenne, Galileo and so on. And yet,
even today, we still ask questions that people asked 6,000 years ago.
Some birds have very beautiful feathers, very beautiful colours, very beautiful
twitters, which other birds don’t have. Why? Some people have all good and
beautiful things, which other people don’t have. Why?
Once you start questioning, well, you don't stop! Where should I stand between
the quest for meaning and the quest for pleasure? Should I be pleased,
satisfied or happy? Is happiness legitimate? Is pleasure legitimate? Can I be
happy alone, indepently of others? Can I be happy in the midst of unhappy
people? Can I be happy in the absence of a certain minimum of worldly things?
Can I be happy while suffering a loss or lack? Can I be happy whenever and
wherever I want without awaiting divine intervention all the time?
By asking such questions I may sound as if I am "judging" someone,
judging God, as though he were a "presidential candidate". And yet
the Quran, for example, gives me, as a curious person, the possibility of
asking, of thinking -as long as I am doing it in good faith. But the Quran too
has questions for me. The Quran calls on me to reflect. Allah said to
the Prophet (pbuh): "Thou askest them no fee for it. It is naught else
than a reminder unto the peoples." (12.104) "Thine is but conveyance
(of the message). Ours the reckoning." (13.40)
The Quran is now available free online. Who's gonna read it? How many people
are reading it online or on paper? Allah only knows. "The Beneficent
Hath made known the Qur'an." (55.1-2) For a believer, it's not from just
anybody, any content creator; it's from the Lord of the Worlds. "It is no
pleasantry." (86.14) "Nay, but it is a glorious Qur'an." (85.21)
Allah says: "If We had caused this Qur'an to descend upon a mountain, thou
(O Muhammad) verily hadst seen it humbled, rent asunder by the fear of Allah.
Such similitudes coin We for mankind that haply they may reflect." (59.21)
"Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its
Guardian." (15.9) "And in truth We have made the Qur'an easy to
remember; but is there any that remembereth?" (54.17) The Quran is now
there, and then everyone is free to read or not to read. Noah (pbuh) said to
his people: "O my people ! Bethink you, if I rely on a clear proof from my
Lord and there hath come unto me a mercy from His presence, and it hath been
made obscure to you, can we compel you to accept it when ye are averse
thereto?" (11.28)
What is certain, though, is that millions and millions of people have read the
Quran in the last 1,400 years in various parts of the world, in a number of
different languages.
So why are some people interested and others in no way interested in the Quran?
Let's not talk of those who have never heard about it. Allah will not hold them
accountable for not reading it. "Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its
scope." (2.286) But what about those who have the intellectual possibility
of reading the Quran? It's to those people that Allah says : "O mankind!
Now hath a proof from your Lord come unto you, and We have sent down unto you a
clear light." (4.174) "Verily We have brought them a Scripture which
We expounded with knowledge, a guidance and a mercy for a people who
believe." (7.52) "If We willed, We could raise up a warner in every
village." (25.51 "Is it not enough for them that We have sent down
unto thee the Scripture which is read unto them? Lo! herein verily is mercy,
and a reminder for folk who believe." (29.51)
One may understandably question the veracity of the Quran as the Word of God.
But only an ignorant would cast doubts on the fact that people who believed in
the Quran as such did implement its teachings in the form of an undeniable
civilisation, the Islamic Civilisation, to which contributed various nations
over a number of centuries. Great Islamic empires were built on the basis of
Quranic teachings. In other words, the Quran is not just words. It's a source
of power and inspiration. If there's a problem, it's not with the Quran; it
must be with the way people deal with it. It's a fact, for example, that many
Muslims sold their souls to non-Muslim invaders and occupying forces, including
the Mongols and the Crusaders, in return for gold and power.
Now, how should one deal with the Quran? Allah says: "Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts?" (47.24) "And verily We have coined for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes, that haply they may reflect." (39.27) "Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity." (4.82) "Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it. (It is) a revelation from the Wise, the Owner of Praise." (41.42)
The Quran does not take the reader for an idiot. The Quran respects my
intelligence as a reader -be I a believer or not. All I have to do is be both
intelligent and honest, which means that I should first read and think before
arguing. Allah says : "And verily We have displayed for mankind in
this Qur'an all manner of similitudes, but man is more than anything
contentious." (18.54) "…but most of mankind refuse aught save
disbelief." (17.89) "In what statement, after this, will they
believe?" (77.50) "Lo! this is an Admonishment, that whosoever will
may choose a way unto his Lord." (76.29)
This is a serious matter. Believing means commitment. How can I make sacrifices
for something I'm not sure of? I have to have yaqeen (faith
which is sure). It is in this sense that Allah says in the Quran: "This is
a clear indication for mankind, and a guidance and a mercy for a folk whose
faith is sure." (45.20) "He detaileth the revelations, that haply ye
may be certain of the meeting with your Lord." (13.2) The Quran
speaks of "sure knowledge" (علم اليقين), "sure
vision" عين اليقين) ) (102.5-7) and
"certain truth" (حق اليقين) (56:95). It's only
when I have this yaqeen that I can hope to reap the fruit of
my belief. That's why the prophets were subjected to trial after trial until
they acquired/developed absolute yaqeen (unbreakable faith).
Allah says : "And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in
Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our
command." (32.24) If you are not sure yourself, how can you guide others?
Whether Muslim scientists in the early centuries of Islam invented things or just copied the Greeks and other nations, they were nonetheless aware of the limits of men’s science. They did their best; they contributed as much they could to the development of science while they remained humble in their relation to Allah. They believed their science was a provision from Allah and not only the objective fruit of their brain and sweat. Were they to live today, they wouldn’t be greatly impressed by something like Metaverse or a manned space station on Mars or even the best instant translator app. People who believe in the Quran believe that there were at least two peoples who reached the highest levels in science and in the end their science availed them nothing when Allah waned to wipe them out. Aad and Thamud may be too far away, but who would argue concerning the early Egyptians, for example? Even today’s scientists have failed to unravel the mystery of the Saqqara tunnels in Egypt.
Now that I am convinced, how can the Quran be useful to me? Allah says:
"Lo! this Qur'an guideth unto that which is straightest, and giveth
tidings unto the believers who do good works that theirs will be a great
reward." (17.9) "This is a declaration for mankind, a guidance and an
admonition unto those who ward off (evil)" (3.38) "And lo! it is a
guidance and a mercy for believers." (27.77) "And We reveal of the
Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy for believers." (17.82)
So if I am not a believer I cannot hope to get "a healing and a
mercy" from Allah. But would this be enough for me as a reward if I
believe? In other words, wouldn't I really need a healing and a mercy in a time
of crisis? Can anyone other than Allah grant me a healing and a mercy in a time
when nobody really feels safe?
But how can I believe? What should I
believe?
First thing, I should believe that the Quran is the Word of Allah. Then, I
believe that Allah is God. Then, I believe in Allah's promises and warnings.
The Quran says it's Allah who created the world. A scientific person may want
material evidence that it's actually Allah who created the world. Therefore,
Allah talks in the Quran about the earth, the sky, the mountains, the sea, the
rain, the winds, and so on and so forth.
But why should a non-scientific person believe in all this? Allah created the world, and that's it. No. We are not made like this. We are forgetful. When we go to market to buy fruits and vegetables we think about prices, not about Allah who created them. We look inside our fridge with our stomach, not with our hearts and souls. When we open our wardrobe we don't think about (Allah who created) the wool, the cotton, the silk, etc. We don't think about our vision and hearing until our eyes and ears ache. We don't think about our heart until we are sick. So we need to be reminded again and again. We need to remember that Allah has something to do with our life and death. Forest fires need water to be put out. Only Allah can help us with rainfall -even though some wildfires are started by humans. Drought, which can also be caused by human activities, kills humans, animals and harvests. Only Allah can give or withhold the rain. Allah is present in every aspect of our individual and collective lives. Our livelihood depends on Allah. So we must listen to what Allah has to say to us about our world and ourselves. And all that is in the Quran.
In the end, it's a matter of choice. "Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve." (18.29) "Lo! this is an Admonishment, that whosoever will may choose a way unto his Lord. Yet ye will not, unless Allah willeth. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise. He maketh whom He will to enter His mercy." (76.29-31) "Hath there come upon man (ever) any period of time in which he was a thing unremembered? Lo! We create man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him; so We make him hearing, knowing. Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving." (76.1-3) "Say: Believe therein or believe not, lo! those who were given knowledge before it, when it is read unto them, fall down prostrate on their faces, adoring. Saying: Glory to our Lord! Verily the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled. They fall down on their faces, weeping, and it increaseth humility in them. Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same)." (17.107-111)
If I have to choose, I choose what exactly? Well, I have to choose between the way of Allah which is to say that there are two lives, actually: this one on earth and another one after death. I have to make a choice, because only those who believe and follow the way of Allah will be admitted into Paradise, the others will go to hell. There's no other possibility.
For there to be a Paradise, logically, there should be a life after death. In the Quran we are told: "Or (bethink thee of) the like of him who, passing by a township which had fallen into utter ruin, exclaimed: How shall Allah give this township life after its death? And Allah made him die a hundred years, then brought him back to life. He said: How long hast thou tarried? (The man) said: I have tarried a day or part of a day. (He) said: Nay, but thou hast tarried for a hundred years. Just look at thy food and drink which have not rotted! Look at thine ass! And, that We may make thee a token unto mankind, look at the bones, how We adjust them and then cover them with flesh ! And when (the matter) became clear unto him, he said: I know now that Allah is Able to do all things. And when Abraham said (unto his Lord): My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead, He said: Dost thou not believe? Abraham said: Yea, but (I ask) in order that my heart may be at ease. (His Lord) said: Take four of the birds and cause them to incline unto thee, then place a part of them on each hill, then call them, they will come to thee in haste, and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise." (2.259-260)
It wouldn’t be a problem for a good believer to believe this But a non-believer
might not be satisfied with such words. He would ask for something concrete. He
would like to see in order to believe. So the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to
enlighten us all, believers and non-believers, on this, by saying:
"Everything of the human body will perish except the last coccyx bone (end
part of the spinal cord), and from that bone Allah will reconstruct the whole
body. Then Allah will send down water from the sky and people will grow like
green vegetables'."
We need to be reminded so as to calm our nerves in hard times like these. In the Quran we read: "Those who disbelieve say: If only a portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Say: Lo! Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth unto Himself all who turn (unto Him), Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!" (13.27-28)
