Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani's Interview

The following interview of Maulana Da'mat Barakaatuhum was published in the latest issue of The Intellect magazine. I am posting it here on my blog verbatim. Each and every word is worth reading and reflecting upon. Do spare some time to read it and enlighten yourself.

A Rendezvous with Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Hafizahullah)

Sheikhul Hadeeth, reviver of faith and spiritual sciences in Islam, a personality who needs no introduction as the most revered scholar of the Muslim world, is who else but Hazrat Mufti Taqi Usmani Hafizahullah. So here we have Baber Zubairi bringing us an engaging interview with Hazrat and indeed, The Intellect is highly obliged to Hazrat for taking out time from his immensely busy and demanding schedule and give us this interview.

The Intellect: Our country is going through very turbulent and trying times. Please enlighten us with your insightful views on our country’s dismal state of affairs.

Mufti Taqi Usmani: Bismillah-i-Rehman-i-Raheem; Alhamdulillah-i-Rabb-il-Aalameen; Assalat wa Assalamu ‘ala Rasul-i-hil-Kareem wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Ashaabihi Ajmaeen; Amma Ba’ad

The current situation of our country carries with it a long history of troublesome and unruly episodes. In effect, the causes behind the present situation include both internal and external factors. As for the external factors, the problems started as soon as Pakistan was heralded on the map of the world in the name of Islam, becoming a potential target of the enemies of Islam since its very inception. These covetous people did not want any state to be established on the basis of Islam, particularly because the current and in-vogue system was that of secular democracy. Whereas an Islamic state is quite opposite to that concept where democracy itself is subjected to Divine commandments; the sovereignty of Allah SWT. So, it was never appreciated by anti-Islamic forces that Pakistan should exist and prosper and move on the precept of becoming a real Islamic state. Particularly so, when an Islamic constitution was adopted by the country and its subjugation to Allah’s sovereignty was recognised; it became even more disturbing for these forces when Pakistan became a nuclear power. Therefore, there are certain conspiracies going on against the very existence of Pakistan and to this end, different elements have been created to disrupt the country’s entire system. These, in a nutshell, are the external causal factors.

Coming to the internal factors, I believe that Islam and Muslims have never been defeated from outside. As long as we act suitably at the internal level and remain true to our beliefs and objectives, no matter how strong an external force, it cannot impose itself on us nor can it succeed in its conspiracies against us.  But, unfortunately, although it was declared in 1948 that Pakistan is governed by Allah’s sovereignty, it was never given that practical framework. It was recognised in our constitution that all laws should be brought in conformity with the Shariah, with the Holy Quran and Sunnah, but all these declarations remained mere words, without any spirit behind them and without any practical steps taken to achieve the goals outlined in them. Unfortunately, the political upheavals in the country attracted the attention of all concerned to stabilise the politics; all political parties, religious parties were concerned about stabilising the political situation in the country. But, no one except a few, tried to implement what was declared in our constitution. The governments have normally been secular minded; so, although they gave some lip service to Islam, but when it came to bringing it into an established system, they failed to do so. They were not mentally ready to do anything it.

I myself, on many occasions, warned the governments and many concerned at the top level, that if Shariah is not implemented in our country by peaceful and constitutional means, then it would make some extremists come forward and try to implement Shariah through forceful means, which will be very harmful for the country’s peace. And I said this many times, shared the same ideas with different Presidents and Prime Ministers. I asked them to try to implement Shariah through sincere and practical efforts otherwise some other people will come forward to do so. But the mentality of our government authorities have been such that they accepted the demands of those who came forward with arms in hand, with slogans and rallies, who created nuisance through forceful means, but never paid heed to people who approached them for dialogue, for negotiations in a calm and composed manner. This is the reason that our country has taken the present course of direction. I warned them before: if Islam was not implemented in its proper way through constitutional and peaceful means, then extremists will appear on the scene to do it. And these extremists, in my view, have also been exploited by anti-Pakistan forces to bring chaos into the country. They have succeeded to some extent.

TI: The onslaught on Islam from the media is enormous. What should Muslims do in order to fight back such oppression?

MTU: A concise answer to this question is that we should present Islam in letter and spirit, in its true form, with arguments, with logic, and show people what Islam really is.

TI: Why is it that our condition, as Muslims, has plunged into a bottomless pit of failure, defeat and inferiority in both religious and worldly spheres, when Allah SWT describes our status in a totally different manner?

MTU: Allah SWT has described us as a moderate Ummah, as a Khaira Ummah, the best Ummah. But it does not imply that you deserve this title of the best Ummah by merely labelling yourself with the name of Islam; it isn’t enough to just wish for those qualities; it isn’t enough to just tag yourself as a Muslim. You have to practise Islam in its true essence. Unless you do so, you are not entitled to get the honour of being called the best Ummah. This is the main reason. Since we have abandoned Islamic teachings in all walks of our lives, there is no rationale in declaring ourselves to be the best Ummah as described by the Holy Quran.

TI: How do you think we can engage the youth in fulfilling their religious obligations and actively participate in their purposeful pursuits as well?

MTU: The Muslim youth are the centre of hope for the whole Ummah because they are the future torch-bearers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to be very careful in their lives; devoting themselves to the cause of the Muslims, practising Islam in its true spirit, acting for the propagation of Islam and improving the conditions of our country.

TI: And how, in your opinion, should the youth propagate Islam and work towards the improvement of the country?

MTU: First of all they should learn about Islam and what Islam actually is. For this purpose they should join the Majalis of the Ulema, they should study authentic books written on Islam and  Islamic teachings, and once they are aware of what Islam asks of us humans, then they should convey it to others too; both by words and through writings.

TI: Mashallah, Allah SWT has chosen you to fulfil countless services for His Deen and you do all of them with utmost passion and in the best possible manner, so much so, that they become a benchmark for others. We would be highly obliged if you could share with us how one can develop such absolutely incredible time management skills.

MTU: I do not, in fact, believe that I am a benchmark for others; I am just a humble student of Islam. I pray that Allah SWT grants me the Taufeeq to act according to His pleasure. But one thing is very clear from the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet SAW, that every minute, every second of our life is immensely precious. We should not spend this wealth in something that does not bear fruit; neither here in this world or in the Hereafter. Therefore, one should be very careful in spending time and should use every moment of his life for either the (Halaal) benefit of this world or for the benefit of the Hereafter.

That is why Allah SWT has prohibited us from wishing for our death. Because whatever can be done by us, it can only be done here, in this world. If we are dead, we can no longer add any good to our book of deeds. Therefore, this is the best time to utilise our life in a constructive manner. So, one should appreciate that every minute of one’s life is very precious and therefore he should struggle towards spending it by means of an appropriate approach. And for that purpose the best way is to formulate for oneself a daily programme from early morning till night. This will show one what needs to be done precisely at what time. And once all of our time is arranged according to this schedule, we should follow it very strictly and should not falter in it. This is the paramount way of making optimum use of our time.