By TCN News
The Gymnasium Ground of Millat Nagar, Andheri played host to scholars from the Muslim community along with almost two thousand men and women from the western suburbs who had gathered there to seek guidance on how they could be better Muslims at the individual and the community level. This was the third of three public addresses organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Mumbai as part of the state-wide ‘Social Reformation & Conservation of Shariyah Campaign’ this week.
The program began with the recitation of a passage from the Qur’an enlisting the qualities of a true devout. Thereafter, Rashid Khan delivered his inaugural address wherein he emphasized upon the importance of rectifying the self before seeking faults with others. This should then naturally lead to a better family structure and a better society at large.
The Chief Guest for the evening, Maulana Abu Zafar Hassaan Nadvi Azhari averred that selflessly living for others is the central idea of Islam and it is this virtue that makes a person trustworthy and honourable in society. The learned speaker sought to remind the audience the Prophetic qualities of speaking the truth, strengthening family ties, feeding people and shouldering their burdens. ‘Islam has come to give, not to take’ said he. Maulana also reasoned that the law and wisdom handed over to Muslims cannot be conserved merely by safeguarding it in books and vaults, but by practically implementing it in our lives and thus discharging this responsibility due upon us.
Maulana Shameem Akhtar Nadvi from the Palghar unit of Jamiat-ul-Ulema Hind expounded upon marital relations and the ways and means to resolve tensions therein in light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. He touched upon questions like what are the qualities to be sought in a bride, what is expected of a married couple and what should the couple and their families do when there are marital discords between the two.
Next to grace the lectern was Maulana Abdul Qawi Falahi who had come all the way from Aurangabad to discuss the burning issues plaguing the society today like saffronisation of education, the lure of the internet and restricting Islam to some specific rituals instead of treating it as a holistic way of life. He advised the audience to adopt a correct understanding of Islamic values and make it a habit to self-introspect.
In his presidential address, the Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Rafiq Qasmi encouraged the audience to make the Qur’an their guidebook. He did not mince his words when he said that Muslims have no right to accuse the establishment of interfering with their Personal Law when the Muslims are themselves guilty of violating it. Instead of petitioning the authorities to grant them concessions with their Shariyah, the Muslims should demonstrate to the world the beauty and fragrance Shariyah holds by inculcating its teachings in their lives and presenting it as an attractive example for others to follow.