FROM THE DEPTH OF THE HEART
... 1/3
by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali
Nadwi (Marhoom)
Brothers and Sisters,
It makes me very happy to be with you here in Washington,
the capital city of the United States of America, which may be
described as the hub of the world. Today its influence is felt
everywhere, and in all spheres of life, social, political and
economic. We may like it or not, but no one can deny it.
What is lacking here?
How did America acquire that position and what part has the
skill, industry, unity of interests and capacity to organise
and act jointly with one another of the American people, and
their scientific, industrial and technological progress played
in it, and how much of it is due to our own negligence and
shortcomings is a very complex question, and I am sure, you
will agree that it will be out of place to try to discuss it
here. Thinkers, political scientists and historians have
analysed it from various angles and offered their
explanations.
From the material point of view, this country is a paradise
on earth, and, excuse me, this is what has brought you to it
from your native lands, India, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt. Saudi
Arabia, and, so on. There is no harm in it either, for don't
the pieces of iron collect around the magnet or the thirsty
people rush to the place where water is found? I have seen
America from coast to coast, both as an ordinary tourist and a
student of the Quran and history, and the thing I have found
wanting here is exactly what has been alluded to in the
Quranic Verses we have just heard.
May God bless the learned friend who recited the verses
from Sura-i-Kahf and reward him bounteously in both the
worlds. He has brought us face to face with a world of truths
and realities, and, at least, rendered a great service to me.
I was wondering what I was going to say at this meeting. There
are, of course, so many things one can talk about, but the
difficulty lies in the choice. I was thinking what message
could I deliver to you in the States, what would you like to
hear from me that, suddenly, the Quran came to my rescue as it
always does, and I felt that a wonderful portrait of the
Modern Age, which had reached the pinnacle of material
development, had been drawn in these verses.
‘For one of them We provided two gardens of
grapevines. Both the gardens gave their fruit and withheld
naught thereof. And We caused a river to gush forth therein.
And he had fruit. And he said unto his comrade, when he
spoke with him: I am more than thee in wealth and stronger
in respect of men.’ (XVIII : 33-35)
Can a better portrait be possible of modern America?
Gardens of grape-vines! Take any part of this great land and
does it not present a spectacle of luxuriance and plentitude?
What is lacking in it'? What fruit is not found here? All the
gifts of the Lord are abundantly available in this country.
Still there is something that is sadly wanting and to which
attention has been drawn by the thoughtful and believing
friend in these words:
‘When thou entered the garden, why did thou not say:
That which Allah willeth (will come to pass)! There is no
strength save in Allah!’ (XVIII : 40)
Only Masha Allah, laa quwata illa billaah (that
which Allah willeth: there is no power but in God) is missing.
This Masha Allah, laa quwata illa billaah can turn the
dust into gold, elevate materialism into worship of the
highest order, and tame the rebellious horse of the carnal
self so that it became a blessed mode of transport for taking
man to his destination. It is the master-key that can open any
lock. If the Western World does not possess anything, it is
this. On the face of it, these are just a few words which we
utter frequently in everyday life. Masha Allah, when
did you come? Masha Allah, when you had this new suit
made? And, so on.
In fact, we have lost appreciation of the ocean of
eloquence and profundity that is contained in this short,
pithy expression and the marvellous power it possesses of
subduing the materialistic aspirations and conceit of man that
lead him into the deception that whatever is happening around
him is of his own choice and making. That is why, we utter it
mechanically, without the faintest idea of its intrinsic
significance. What Masha Allah denotes, in sum, is that
whatever takes place in the world is at the command of God and
by His power and authority; the credit for it does not go to
man, nor does praise belong to him.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. (1:1)
And:
‘But His command, when He intendeth a thing, is only
that He saith unto it: Be! and it is.’ (XXXVI: 81)
What has been set forth in
the two aforementioned verses and the supremeness that has
been affirmed in Allah is He who raised the heavens without
any pillars, (XIII: 2) have got compressed into the single
phrase of Masha Allah, laa quwata illa billaah. Only
that which Allah willeth will happen. He is the Author of all
things, the Creator of all things. There is no power save in
Allah.
Today, America is a living
example of He hath loaded you with His favours both without
and within, (XXXI:20), and Abundantly supplied with
sustenance from every place. (XVI:112). Wealth is
springing here from the earth and pouring down from the
heavens. Then, why is it not giving the message of peace, good
understanding and security to the world
Last modified:
July 19, 2007
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