CENTRIFUGAL

(Markaz Gurez)

‘Why are the Muslims centrifugal’ is a question

that often springs to mind. This observation is based
on my previous experiences, especially because of
having studied in a madrasah. I have noticed that we
mostly think of an alternative system in a variety of
ways – away from the mainstream. Yes, the modern
educated among us want to join the mainstream life
– which is most welcome.

There isn’t much realization that we tend to move

away from the center (i.e. being centrifugal) because
of the prevalent thought patterns. However, we
lament on marginalization (which is a logical
outcome of the existing approach). Hence we keep
doing things which marginalize us and keep
lamenting for the same – persisting in a state of
continuous self-contradiction.

Another aspect of this ‘centrifugality’ (markaz

gureziyat) is that the problems of the homeland in
general are not our problems – generally speaking.
We fight for our rights and do not care much about
the plight of other weaker sections of society. I
wonder why don’t we think more in terms of serving
the nation rather than securing our own rights and
privileges. Why don’t we talk about our
responsibilities, too?

I wonder why the ones who believe in the Mercy for

Mankind (pbuh) think only of their benefits and do
not stress upon the benefit of others? This is truer of
our religious scholarship – strangely enough. They do
not think in the context of the whole country –
normally. We can see how much concern for the
country as a whole we find in the deliberations of our
scholars (‘ulama).

Please forgive me for this. But may be we need to

look at the things in a different manner. To me India
as a nation calls upon the Muslims (as they have the
most authentic and beautiful ideals) in the words of
Faiz Ahmad Faiz:

gulouN meiN ruNg bhar-e baad-e naw bahaar chalay

chalay bhee aa’o ke gulshan ka kaar-o baar chalay