What is lacking inside...

Finally! A forum designed for the intellectuals-at-heart, the

well-read, the forward thinking! Privately I rejoice at the idea, but

for some reason, I feel somewhat disappointed after reading some of the

articles posted here. The essays here are creative and interesting, but

somehow, they seem to miss the larger point:

The reason for discussion is to try and improve the human condition.

Beginning with yourself.

The mind can only dally with wit and fun for so long, before it grows

stagnant. As a person who grew up in the US, I feel lucky to have

matured without the cultural baggage that burdens a "confused South

Asian immersed in Western culture". That's not to say that I haven't

struggled with the same issues, that I have ever denied my SA culture

(actually, far from it--I'm a huge advocate), or I haven't taken

advantage of my western education, but I feel that one topic has become

taboo in this day and age: RELIGION.

Oh sure, we talk and politicize about this and that issue afflicting our

people, but what about the deeper issues afflicting the soul? What is at

the heart of the matter? Because, if you really think about it, it's

the few religious thinkers/prophets of the past that truly changed human

history, not the many Marxist-like philosophers (who feel that "religion

is the opiate of the masses"). Wouldn't you rather understand the

wisdom moving Gandhi than the sweet nothings of Lord Byron?

As I see it, the world is composed of the many, outnumbered by the few.

I don't purport to be one of the "few"! But this has set me

thinking....

I'm tired of the self-righteous khateeb blasting from the pulpit. But

I'm tired of the angry or indifferent cynic too. Is there a voice of

moderation to speak on this issue, with an answer (not just

equivocation)??

Unfortunately, in our "modern age", religion has become an anathema for

all that seems progressive. Fundamentalists and mullahs beware, because

I am not talking to you--I have no need for your radically backward

interpretations. Agnostics and hypocrites beware, because I have no

hope for you, either--why are you being so short-minded, wrapped in your

egotistical reasonings for self-justification? Rather, it's that group

of people in between--that gray zone--who sway to and from "the

religious issue" in their personal and political lives. People like me.

Why do people fear religion?

I think Muhammad Iqbal said it best: "Religion without power is mere

philosophy."

And what we have here, in many of our discussions, is mere

fluff--philosophy. Like many before me, I have wrestled with "THE

QUESTION", (is there a God?), and I know that each person who truly

considers him/herself an intelligent/sentient being needs to do so at

some point in time. I have no idea what you might decide.

And although I now feel assured in my answer to the question (having

struggled with it), I still realize that the rest of my life will be a

further struggle in how to approach "The Answer" that I have found. I

believe in Allah, though I know why some people don't.

The discovery of such an awesome power, I've found, means freedom from

mundane views, but also added responsibilities and self-discipline.

It's sort of like becoming a Jedi Knight: everyone wants to be one, not

everyone can become one, but only those who discover how to "use the

unseen force" and not always rely on their tactile senses will soon

discover a potential that they never realized. Ironically, this is not

the stuff of movies.

Those who don't believe in God do so for a number of reasons

(non-exhaustive list):

1. Ignored the question (scared at what they might find?)

2. Have had a bad experience in the past with it

3. Have never had a chance to decide for themselves (eg parents)

4. Imitate the West (even though they think they are being

progressivebut in fact believe that nothing is greater than themselves,

which is part of the arrogance found in western culture)

5. Don't understand true deen, having never studied it properly and

with an open heart.

6. Are weak of flesh, & have no support system

7. Have never faced their own mortality (especially the young, and

those who believe that religion is for the elderly)

At the same time, those who blindly follow religion do so because they:

1. Have no ability to reason for themselves (just follow culture etc)

2. Feel limited and deprived (nihilistic?), knowing that they are just

a speck in the cosmic scheme, and therefore "invent" something greater

than themselves to feel connected to.

I'm sure both lists go on and on. The relationship of reason and faith

makes for curious bedfellows--in some eyes, they re-inforce each other,

and in other eyes, they clash. In my view, a person's approach to

religion really depends on his/her hidden agenda for broaching the

topic--is it to discover some sort of real truth (and possibly change),

or just to "band-aid" a wound that is growing unnoticeably within the

soul?

Religion therefore, is not saying insha'allah or ma'shallah and then

slipping off to the bar to grab a drink! Whatever system of belief you

ultimately choose to follow, at least let there be consistency in your

actions before you cast it off as not useful!!

A religion, like Islam, needs to be defined by first-hand reading of the

primary text, like the Quran--and not the second-hand experience of

other pathetic Muslims or the apologetic readings from world

newspapers. It needs to be re-defined by young people who actually give

a damn about the world, not just themselves.

What if you were to combine 'the forward thinking of Western

intellectualism' with 'the spiritual discipline of a religious soul'?

To me, that would be philosophy + power. To me, that represents a

person that we have all forgotten, especially the young like myself.

Education can empower us, but it can blind you too...suspend your

self-doubts, and take a headlong look at the question. Not a discussion

late at night with your roommates every once in a while.I mean a

life-long conversation with yourself and your inner sensibilities.

You may be surprised, like me, at what you find.

To quote Iqbal in a poem:

"Reason is ruthless;

Love is even more,

Purer, and nimbler, and more unafraid.

Lost in the maze of cause and effect

Is Reason; Love strikes boldly in the field

Of Action. Crafty Reason sets a snare;

Love overthrows the prey with strong right arm.

Reason is rich in fear and doubt; but Love

has firm resolve, faith indissouluble.

Reason constructs, to make a wilderness;

Love lays wide waste, to build all up anew.

Reason is cheap, and plentiful as air;

Love is most scarce to find, and of great price.

Reason stands firm upon phenomena,

But Love is naked of material robes.

Reason says, "Thrust thyself into the fore";

Love answers, "Try thy heart, and prove thyself."

Reason by acquisition is informed

Of other; Love is born of inward grace

And makes account with Self. Reason declares,

"Be happy, and be prosperous"; Love replies,

"Become a servant, that thou mayest be free."

Freedom brings full contentment to Love's soul."