Experimenting with Truth

(The speech was delivered on 2^nd October, 2010 on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti in Cultural Hall, Maulana Azad Library, AMU. Other speakers included Emeritus Prof. Irfan Habib, Prof. Afzal from Deptt. Of Urdu, AMU and the function was presided by Vice chancellor, AMU)

Honourable Vice Chancellor, Esteem Dignitaries on the dice, Respected  Elders and my dear brothers and sisters.

I take the opportunity to talk about a man

-         who was awarded “Man of the Year” award in 1930 by Times Magazine

-         was Runner up for “Person of the Century” Award , 1999

-         14^th Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King, Ceaser Chavez,

Nelson Mandela, all claim themselves to be his children

-         on whose name several peace prizes are awarded throughout the world

-         on whose birth anniversary International Day of Non Violence in celebrated.

-         was nominated 5 times for Noble Peace Prize between 1937 - 1948         

-         whose greatest award is the title “Mahatma” awarded to him by masses.

Yes, I am talking about Mahatma Gandhi – The father of Nation. Today on his 141^st birth anniversary we are again meeting to remember his contribution to the world in general and to our country in particular. To throw light on the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Interestingly, the need to throw light on the life and teachings of Mohandas Karamchandra Gandhi makes it crystal clear that we have kept his teachings into the darkness. I mean to say that in theory we all speak in grandiloquence about his teachings but in practice we lack adherence.

Today, I would be utilizing these few minutes in introspecting our position with respect to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

The name to the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi is “My Experiments with Truth”; when he was asked why this name – he replied – “I simply want to tell the story of my numerous experiments with truth”. At another instance when he was asked about his aim. He replied – “I want to achieve self-realisation that is salvation”

Brother and Sisters, on the basis of these two statements we can summarise the life of Mahatma Gandhi in one, that is:

          “Mahatma Gandhi, throughout his lifetime was  striving for truth in order to achieve self-realisation that is salvation”.

          To unambiguously state the definition of truth he said and he writes in his autobiography:

          “Truth is the sovereign principle, which includes numerous other principles. This truth is not only truthfulness in words, but truthfulness in thought also, and not only relative truth of our conception, but the absolute truth, the external principle that is God”.

          Brothers and sisters, here is a point to introspect-

Are we striving for truth? Is our aim salvation? Do we pay heed to the absolute truth i.e. God?

          The answer to these questions in general is ‘No’. Today we all have got a new deception to follow, majority of us are following a new philosophy which stands contrary to the philosophy & teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and that is materialism. We have led our material desires to take over spirituality. Gandhiji throughout his lifetime was against materialism. We can talk as much as we can about truth, non-violence, peace, morality, ethics etc. but will see no change and there is no reason to think otherwise until and unless we shed our materialistic approach. The reason being Gandhiji was aware that:

·        A materialist man cannot strive for truth, because falsehood ensures material benefits.

·        A materialist man cannot be ethically conscious because ethical consciousness diminishes material benefits.

·        A materialist man cannot stand for peace, for peace needs sacrifice of material desires.

The reason why we are not able to inculcate the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi is that we have become materialistic in our approach.

Mahatma Gandhi used to fast, wear simple clothes and said- “One should be humbler than dust”. Why? Just to avoid and shed materialism. Today we are taking no such steps to shed materialism apart from few customary practices and that is the reason why we have failed to implement the teachings of the Father of Nation.

Last us understand this by a simple example:

If we want to grow a tree, we need to sow the seed first. To an extent the health of the tree would depend on the health of the seed. But we cannot grow a tree without sowing the seed.

Similarly, if we want to grow a tree of truth, peace, non-violence, a tree which symbolizes the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, we need to sow the seed first; we need to sow the seed of spirituality first. Then and only then the avenues for the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi would open. It is impossible to have a tree of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi without sowing the seed, that is, spirituality.

Gandhiji thought his lifetime was responsible for carrying on a dispassionate study of religions so as to create an environment of unity and brotherhood among masses. Today, we are not ready to spare time from our materialistic schedules to understand each other’s philosophy, beliefs, practices in order to create an environment of unity and brotherhood. If these all are not are practices then how can we claim ourselves to be the followers of Mahatma Gandhi? Thus, the need of the hour is to sow the seed of spirituality in ourselves and then we would be able to inculcate the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi in practice.

Mahatma Gandhi was, in a greater sense, the leader of the tyrants. He always used to stand by the truth irrespective of the cost. Today we do not stand by truth, we do not stand by the side of tyrants but we stand by our ideology, by our family, by our religion, by our community, by our country. Mahatma Gandhi was not a jingoist but a rational supporter of the greater cause aiming peace through non-violence. The world used to follow us when we were the followers of Mahatma Gandhi. But today we are blindly following the world because of the renunciation of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, as is clear from our actions because actions speaks louder than words. Thus, from today we should start to support the cause of truth. Then and only then we would be eligible to claim ourselves to be the followers of Mahatma Gandhi and then there lies a possibility of nurturing young leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

Brothers and sisters, it would be unjustified on my part to leave the podium without discussing the concept of education as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi-

Mahatma Gandhi said, “An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad is a misnomer”.

Now, we should introspect; if our education does not teach us what is bad and what is good, we need to understand, it is a misnomer. We are running towards that education which can earn us more money, which can help us to attain high status. We have forgotten the concept of good and bad but we still want to be labeled as educated. Thus, we need to inculcate the concept of education as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi and then only education would prove to be fruitful to the society as a whole.

In the end I would like to conclude, that it’s high time for all of us to release our potential in order to inculcate the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi that I have discussed.   

How to read?

The word “read” means “look at and understand something written or printed”. There are several ways of reading, depending on the acumen of a person. In a universal perspective, there are few basic points to be remembered while endeavoring to read. Now here we are not confining to any one language rather our universal concepts include all languages, symbols and anything which could be understood. The first imperative to read is to have understanding of what is written. This means that one must be familiar with the desirable units of the language written. Take the example of English language; if one is unaware of the 26 letters, he would not be able to read.

          Soundly, to read one should have an understanding of the connectivity between words and the way context moves back and forth. This is important to decipher that correct meaning of the matter.

          In another context, “read” also signify “the art of speaking loudly the language written or printed”. For this, again, it is necessary to have an understanding of the letters of the language concerned so as to identify the words used. For reading, it is incumbent to be eloquent in speech, so that the purpose of lettering others know or listen gets fulfilled.    

My College Experience

Oscar Wilde said- “Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes “
Dear brothers and sisters, I feel privileged to share with you my college experience .As is clear from the proverb I quoted in the beginning , I would be discussing with you my college experience , that is, mistakes I committed in my college life. To some it may not sound appropriate and conventionally it may be unacceptable but that is how I see my experience.
I would start from the day I was admitted in college. Before taking admission, I was not confident of getting one but fortunately I landed on the moon though I never shot for the star. This moon was my college. Soon, I forgot the blessing and prerogative of studying in college with numerous facilities available at my disposal. This was my first experience and it took me time to realize when I saw poor people of my age working in unhygienic conditions for petty monetary gains insufficient for survival. I took the lesson that one should be contented and should thank GOD for his blessings.
As time passed, I got people by my side; yes I am talking of friends. My friend circle in college was surprisingly the most active group when it comes to things other than studies. I never paid heed to what I call as “sophisticated idiot boxes”, that are, BOOKS. The reason was the prejudice attitude of most authors. This was my second mistake and I realized after few years the importance of books. Through experience I was convinced that all writers are not bias and you need to know the wrong so as to reach to truth. Thus, all my friends started comparing contents of different books and helped me in getting the essence of education.
Samuel Taylor has rightly said- “The light which experience gives is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the waves behind us.”
Thus, all my college experience is now proving to be lantern on the stern. During my initial years of college I remember we used to celebrate get together with friends and classmates. Interestingly, I remember that the brotherhood and camaraderie seen in those parties was no match to other group events. There used to be no discrimination, unlike, the materialistic world we are living where“to discriminate is ones’ right” ideology is available at everyone’s doorstep. Therefore, I feel that college life has given me experience and lesson as well, that brotherhood among people create an environment needed for development. I would like to end by concluding my college experience in the following words---
“I learned…that one can ever go back, that one should not even try to go back- that the essence of college experience is going forward. Life is really a one way street”

The Importance of the Prohibition of Riba in Islam

Anas (RAA) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: "Among the signs of the Last Hour will be the removal of knowledge and the abundance of ignorance ..." (Bukhari, Muslim).
There is widespread ignorance amongst Muslims in this age concerning the subject of the prohibition of riba in Islam. And yet it appears to us from New York, the riba capital of the world, that there is, perhaps, no other subject more important than this to which Muslims should be directing urgent attention, for it is here that the fiercest attack of all has been launched by the enemies of Allah (SWT).The widespread ignorance concerning the prohibition of riba is most certainly a confirmation of that sign of the Last Hour spoken of by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Any attempt to demonstrate the importance of the prohibition of riba in Islam ought to be based upon the two basic sources of Islam, the word of Allah (SWT) and the word of the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet (SAW) had, earlier in the day of Friday the 9th, of Dhu al-Hijjah 10 A.H., delivered the khutbah al-wida´ in which, among other things, he enforced the prohibition of riba retroactively. He thus completed the process of the total eradication of riba from the economy and society over which Islam exercised control. Then, at about the time of asr of that same day, Allah (SWT) sent down the Revelation announcing the essential completion of the process of Revelation of Divine guidance to humanity:

This day have those who disbelieve given up hope of (destroying) your Deen. So fear them not. Rather fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your Deen, and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as your Deen al-Islam (i.e., submission to the Supreme Will of Allah).(Al-Maa´ida 5:3)

It certainly appeared as though the process of Divine Revelation of the verses of the Qur´an had come to an end. And yet this was not so. Some eighty-one days after the Revelation of the above verse the Prophet (SAW) died. Shortly before his death, however, Allah (SWT) sent down the last Revelation with which He completed the Revelation of the Qur´an. In fact that last Revelation also terminated the process of the Revelation of Divine guidance which had commenced with our father Adam (AS), and had lasted for thousands of years. There can be no doubt that the topic chosen for the last Revelation must be one of supreme importance. What was the last Revelation?

The Last Revelation
In the last Revelation Allah (SWT), the Wise, chose to return to a subject which had already been dealt with in earlier Revelations — in the Qur´an as well as in the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel — namely the subject of the prohibition of riba.
On the authority of ahadith received from both Ibn Abbas (RAA) and from Umar (RAA), we know that the last Revelation received by the blessed Prophet (SAW), shortly before his death, was the passage in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:278-281) which dealt with riba:
Umar Ibn Khattab (RAA) said: "The last verse to be revealed was on riba, but Allah´s Messenger (SAW) was taken without having expounded it to us; so give up not only riba but also reebah (whatever raise doubts in the mind about its rightfulness). (Ibn Majah, Darimi)
"O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from riba (from now onwards) if you are indeed believers ... (up to) And none shall be dealt with unjustly. (Al-Baqarah 2:278-281) Ibn Abbas (RAA) said: "This was the last verse revealed to the Prophet (SAW)." (Bukhari)
That last Revelation confirmed the Prophet´s retroactive enforcement of the legislation prohibiting riba in the khutba al-wida from Arafat. The last Revelation is to be found in this passage from the Qur´an. We quote the entire passage with explanatory comments:
Those who spend their wealth by day and by night, secretly and openly, for such there will be reward with their Lord, nor will they have cause for fear, nor will they grieve. Those (on the other hand) who consume riba will not stand (before Allah on the Last Day) except as though Satan has driven them to madness with his touch (this can also mean that riba will so corrupt the market and the economy that it will assume the appearance of a market of mad dogs); that is because they say, "buying and selling is similar to taking riba." But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden riba. And so, anyone who receives (this) warning from his Lord and thereupon desists (from riba) may keep his past gains (i.e., the riba he previously accepted), and his affair rests with Allah (i.e., it will be for Allah to judge him. He will not be forced by the Islamic State to return the riba he had taken). But as for those who return to it (i.e., persist in riba by way of lending money on interest, for example), they are destined for the fire, therein to abide forever! (And with this) Allah eradicates riba, whereas He blesses charitable deeds with manifold increase (because the essence of riba is to "take" and to "give" nothing in return, while the essence of charity is to "give" and "take" nothing in return). And Allah does not love anyone who is stubbornly ingrate and who persists in sin (with particular reference to the sin of consuming riba). Verily, those who have attained to faith and do good works, and are constant in prayer, and dispense charity, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.
O you who have attained to faith, remain conscious of Allah and give up all the riba which is outstanding (i.e., which you still claim to be due to you) if you are truly believers. If you do not do so (i.e., if you do not give up outstanding riba) then take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger (i.e., take notice of an ultimatum of war for the liberation of all those who are oppressed because of riba). If you turn away (i.e., if you give up riba) then you shall have (i.e., you will be entitled to reclaim) only your principal sums (which you had lent on the basis of riba, i.e., you may have only the principal, not the principal plus a reasonable amount of interest, not even a service charge). Deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly. (This might more properly be translated as follows: In accepting the return of only the capital sum lent you shall not be inflicting injustice on anyone, and in giving up the interest which was due to you, you will not, yourself, be subjected to any form of injustice). And if the debtor is in difficulty, grant him time until it is easy for him to repay. But if you remit it (i.e., if you write off the debt) by way of charity, that will be best for you, if you only knew.
And fear the Day in which you (i.e., all of mankind including you who consume riba) will be brought back to Allah, then every human being will receive what it earned, and none shall be wronged." (Al-Baqarah 2:274-281)