We have gone too far in transgression and disobedience
Repentance is the only way out
Mubashir Hassan
Allah inflicts punishment on disobedient people so that they turn back to Him in repentance, “Whatever misfortune happens to you is because of the things your hands have wrought and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.” (Al Quran 42:30). If we think over our condition, we shall realize we are being punished for our own misdeeds. We, as a people, have gone too far in transgression and disobedience. If we care least for anything they are the commandments of Allah and Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W). Mention any sin or vice we will find it widespread in our land and committed remorselessly. We used to hear that in pre-Islamic Arabia, daughters used to be killed by their own parents and it would appear as some great; now we are ourselves witnesses to the phenomenon. Not only witnesses to the crime but partners of this very horrific crime. Female infanticide is the best example of this sin. Riba (usury) has become so commonplace that you would hardly find a street where you would not find a bank housed, hardly a household which is not indebted to them. The luxury cars, the spacious buildings all have been bought from bank loans. And the owners of these properties are haughty and assuming as if they have performed some great feat.
Despite our economic backwardness, we are not behind any one in fashion and fad. Our youth would not compromise with the brand of the shoes or that of the apparels, mobile phones and Tabs of high configuration. There is a mad rat race after pomp and show and everybody wants to excel his neighbour in worldly possessions. Music has become inseparable part of our lives; there are no checks over it. It has been institutionalized and we have even moved a few steps ahead of the west in this art. Useless customs are being observed, particularly with regard to marriages, which has given rise to other innumerable evils in the society. Leaving apart minor sins, major ones are being committed under one or the other pretext and ironically we are justifying them. We are argumentative, proud and arrogant but penniless, have little knowledge and nothing to offer. In religious matters, the pinnacle of our knowledge is to outdo those of other Schools of thought in arguments that appear to be the greatest service to cause of Islam. The sins have become so common that there is no shame in their commission. Corruption, greed, immorality, oppression on poor and deception, in short there is no vice which is not rampant in our society.
When the evil becomes so widespread in any society it is sure to be struck by some calamity. We have gone too far in sin and disobedience. We have forgotten the commandments of our lord. Yet we make great claims of being religious. We make big claims for the love of Prophet (S.A.W) but in practice there is open disobedience. Where is all this leading us to? We have before us the example of Bani Israel, who transgressed in the matter of Sabbath and Allah dealt with them harshly. These incidents have not been narrated to us purposelessly, but for our guidance.
In the same vein let us turn our gaze on our own condition. We see but distress and devastation. Last year we were devastated by the floods the like of which we have never seen. Our roads, hospitals, schools are in bad shape. Our economy is in shambles and deteriorating; unemployment rate is high, industries are in continued losses. The produce from our agriculture fields and even of our orchards is decreasing. The weather seems to be on war with us, always in the opposition to our requirements. Even The Economic Survey 2014-15 too has painted a grim picture of J&K Economy and no light is visible till far off.
It appears that the climate change has affected the Valley more than any other part of the world, as the seasons too appear to have changed their cycles. A single shower threatens us with flood, as the water level rises in the major river. Even in the month of March we had flood threat, going by the past records it was unusual. To cap it all, the recent news item that professor Roger Bilham of the university of Colorado has predicted an earthquake of the magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale that might hit this part of the world. We pray to Allah that it would never happen and it is also a fact that the science has not evolved to such a level that earthquakes could be predicted but who knows it might be true? God forbid if it happens, what would be the ultimate effects besides the immediate effects of death and devastation? Could we survive as an entity? All this devastation is not for of nothing: there is a message in it. May be in the prediction of the earthquake too there is a warning. “Take warning then O ye with eyes (to see)” (Al Quran 59: 2).
What is the remedy, how can we get rid of all this. Turning to Allah in repentance is the sole way out. “If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah We should indeed have opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth) and We brought them to book for their misdeeds. ” [Quran 7: 96]
The story of the people of Prophet Yunus (AS) has very important instruction for us. “Why was there not a single township (among those We warned) which believed so its Faith should have profited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed We removed from them the Penalty of Ignominy in the life of the Present and permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.” (Al Quran 10:98). When they, the people of Prophet Yunus (AS) observed that the Divine punishment was about to descend upon them, they all came out in open wept, wailed and begged Allah to forgive them. Allah forgive them and the warded off the punishment from them.
After the devastating floods of previous year, we had some congregations for Tauba but the resolutions taken were forgotten soon. Nobody remembered it any more. People went on with routine as before. The benefits of the congregational Tauba can’t be downplayed but one thing should be kept in mind that Tauba should not just be regarded as an external manifestation or as a ritual rather one has to change his own self, give up sins and to perform deeds which would bring him closer to Allah.
Let us perform such Tauba tul Nasuha, that we ask Allah to forgive our sins. We make firm resolution to refrain from the commission of sins. Tauba that develops in us feelings of humility and makes us realize our own insignificance and powerlessness before our lord, takes away all the pretences of show off, makes us to forget our own differences and to give up all the major sins we are involved individually as well as collectively.
Author can be mailed mubashir_07@rediffmail.com
