Should Clerics Dominate The Nation’s Muslim Leadership?

Whenever I look up the news reports on the issues and problems of the Muslim community, I find that often the Muslim leaders addressing these matters are clerics. The question arises, why is the politics of the Muslim community in India dominated by clerics, many of whom are not even Islamic scholars? Why is the proportion of the community’s leaders from the Muslim intelligentsia so small?

Obviously when the topics are religious issues of the Muslim community, for instance interpretation of Sharia laws or Hadeeth or Fatwas or Personal laws or matters dealing with madrasas, the leadership belongs in the hands of the clerics and religious organizations. But when issues are of a non-religious nature, for instance Muslim educational institutions, or reservation for Muslims in educational institutions and jobs, or the need to address the community’s socioeconomic and educational uplift, or the political situation of the community, or the civil liberties, or the situation of Muslim women, the primary leadership role belongs to the Muslim intelligentsia and Muslim political leaders.

Firstly, most clerics’ background in subjects like economics, law, sociology and technology is not up to date for today’s issues. Secondly, because of their background, most of the clerics often look at even non-religious issues from a religious perspective. Thirdly, most of them are not very proficient in English language usage and oral communications with modern electronic media journalists. Altogether it reinforces in the minds of the mainstream media and the nation at large a stereotypical image of the entire Muslim community and its mindset as overtly religious. Often the entire politics of the Muslim community is painted as a mirror image of the BJP style religion-oriented politics.

The fact that a majority of non-religious issues of the Muslim community are being addressed by clerics has skewed the perspective of the community, and has created a stereotypical picture of the Muslims in the minds of mainstream Indians, the Indian media and the majority Hindu community. The mainstream’s perception is that the Muslim community is obsessed with religion and looks at most issues from a religious angle. Compare that to the Hindu community and you find a stark contrast. The number of mahants, sadhus, and Hindu clerics in the leadership of the Hindu community is rather small. Hindu clerics come in the picture when issues are related to Hindu temples, seminaries, places of pilgrimage or religious trusts. Otherwise most Hindu community leaders are from the intelligentsia and political background. This is true of even the BJP which is a Hindu fundamentalist party.

In contrast the Muslim intelligentsia in the country often remains invisible on the core socio-economic-educational-political issues of the community. With their broader and more pluralistic background the intelligentsia has a distinctly different perspective on issues, which should be the dominant perspective on mainstream issues, if the Muslim community wants to claim its due place in today’s resurgent and modernizing India. Often when the media wants an opinion on the issues of the Muslim community, it turns to the clerics. The result is frequent not- well- informed opinions communicated in a manner that creates a stereotypical image of the community. Whereas on the whole despite large number of Muslims being depressed in education and economic status, the community is reasonably vibrant, has a broad perspective, and is trying to move ahead in the nation’s mainstream.

I recall that after the demolition of the Babri mosque the Muslim intellegentsia held a well attended conference in New Delhi in 1993 where they pledged to take more active role in the political and socioeconomic affairs of the community. But after a few meetings they stepped back and left a vacuum in the leadership arena at a critical time for the community. The over all foot-dragging of the Muslim intelligentsia to get involved with the affairs of the community at the grassroots level is alienating them from large segments of Muslim masses.

Most Muslim intelligentsia comprises of practicing Muslims who have a healthy respect for Islamic scholars and learned clerics. Yet there is a communication gap between these two sections of the community that must be bridged. The need of the hour is not a leadership contest between the intelligentsia and the clerics, but cooperation and utilizing the strengths of both sections. The intelligentsia can guide the clerics on how to present Islamic elements in more acceptable modern jargon. The clergy can assist the intelligentsia with their grassroots contacts at the street level.

If we look at the leadership in various Muslim countries or Muslim communities in Western countries, we find that most leaders are from the intelligentsia or political background. Clerics assume leadership role only when issues are of a religious nature. So why should the situation in India be different?

Prostration

Prostration

Your Body receives a huge amount of Electromagnetic waves daily!

You get these Electromagnetic waves through the Electrical Equipments that you use and the various equipments which you can not leave!

Also, through the electrical lights which can not be switched off in certain cases for even an hour!

You are a source which receives huge amounts of Electromagnetic waves! In other words, you are charged with electromagnetic waves without realizing it!

You have headache! You feel uncomfortable!

Laziness, in action and pain in different places!

Do not forget this when you feel some of these symptoms!

What is the solution from all this??!!

A non Muslim Scientist (From Europe) made a research from which he concluded that the best way for the body to remove the positive Electromagnetic charges which hurts the body is:

• By putting your forehead on the ground more than once, so that the ground will discharge the positive harmful Electromagnetic charges!

• This is similar to the grounding of the buildings where any positive electrical signals (Like thunders) would be discharged through the ground.

• So, put your forehead on the ground to discharge the positive electrical signals!

What makes this research more amazing is that:

• The best way is to put your forehead on the ground while you are positioned to the centre of the Earth! Since you will be able to discharge the Electromagnetic signals in a better and more efficient way!

And it becomes more amazing that:

• The best is to put your forehead on the sand

And you will be amazed when you know that Mecca is scientifically proven to be the centre of the Earth!

And that Kaa’ba is the exact centre of the Earth!

So, “Prostration” in your prayers is:

• The best way to discharge the harmful electromagnetic signals from your body!

• It is also the ideal way to be very close from the Almighty who created this universe in such a creative way!

Allah Almighty will always ask us to do things because they are helpful and useful for us!

There are cases when we won’t know the reason for a certain act, but sooner or later, you might be able to find the reason!

In any case, you should trust the Almighty Allah and know that whatever you do for Him, is the best for you!

We do not prostrate to discharge the electromagnetic waves, but to obey the Almighty Allah! We trust that in His commands, there is always a wisdom! Our trust is because He is the Creator, He knows everything!

However, since a scientific reason is available, it was essential to show it to the people so that they can see that whatever Muslims do, is good for them!