Chapter 1  

 
Acknowledging The Truth

 

 

The first reaction the title of this book may generate in the mind of a reader would embody these questions: What?? How can a Divine discipline be related with MATERIALISM? How can Quranic exegesis be secularized by manipulating its own text? …… How can a Divine Scripture, and its “so-called” translation, be exploited as a tool for disseminating secularist convictions …..and for discarding its own pristine “ethical/spiritual values and ideals”? …..How can a heathen philosophy be interpolated in the Divine Injunctions? How can a Systematic propagation of Atheism be unleashed using a Book of unquestionable monotheism? ……No way! .....Utterly impossible!

 

But, dear Readers, the present age is that of turning impossibilities into realizable possibilities.  Man‟s freedom of action stays “absolute” and, by virtue of that freedom, he can‟t be prevented from indulging in deceptive ideologies and subversive undertakings.  He is often seen easily tempted into criminal or destructive ventures, individually, collectively or on a national level, by promises or prospects of lucrative returns.  And the proof of this fact is evident from the performance of a so-called “Quranist Group” amongst us that has taken up the responsibility of executing the vicious project of humiliating and downgrading the human species, blessed admittedly with high moral values and a self-conscious existence, to the lower and unenviable stage of pure animal living, and to the selfish satisfaction of its instinctive pleasures alone.

 

Obviously, the execution of this project was not possible without a careful planning aiming at manipulating and twisting the true essence of Divine teachings.  Therefore, strictly following that manipulative methodology, this nefarious mission refuses to accept the Divine source of Revelation; denies the physical existence of Messengers; declares the Creator‘s existence as a farce; denies life after death; advocates free sex in the Islamic society; propagates the deceptive western terminology of―human rights; and insists on the rebuttal of every universal value and truth that cannot be made visible in material form, or which cannot produce a physical proof of its existence.  And this whole process is being carried out by twisting and distorting the Quranic translations in such a way as to represent most of the Quranic interpretations in the garb of the Western Philosophy of Materialism.

 

The relevant details are submitted for your kind perusal in proper sequence.  It was deemed a foremost duty to forewarn the Muslim intelligentsia about this sinister menace, which is fulfilled to the best of this humble writer's capacity, with the request that this Group's true identity be exposed within your circles of influence and acquaintance.  Writings may also be undertaken in an effective way in order to forestall the impending threat.

 

Materialism‘s founding father was the Greek Philosopher Democritus (470 BC).  In the later years, many philosophers followed his school of thought and defined materialism in their own individual way.  In brief this philosophy preaches:-

 

1. that materialism does not recognize super natural powers.
Whatever takes place in this world is the result of interaction of nature‟s elements;

 

2. that the state of the universe at a given time is an essential result of the earlier interaction and division of natures' powers.  Therefore, it implies that no new element or power emerges in the universe, nor some element or power enters the universe from outside.  What we name as a new element is actually a new arrangement of the present elements.  This claim of the materialists is called Determinism, or Mechanism, or Mechanistic Determinism.

 

3. that whatever exists in this universe, is originally matter and there is nothing beyond matter.

 

The Quranic translations undertaken by the “Quranic Group” under investigation, revolve essentially under the three points elaborated above.

 

In spite of radical changes taking place in the basic theories of Science with the passage of time, the fact remains that the element of materialism embodied in the western thought continued to acquire strength.  In spite of the rebuttal of objections raised against religion by the older science and rationalism, the new Science has consistently maintained its hostile stance against the truth of the Divine doctrines.  The caravan of Western thought and vision still follows the path of materialism and of a gross repulsion of theistic philosophies.  This ideological direction is doubtlessly dictated by the legacy of religious coercion and barbarism the European nations have suffered for long centuries, with the result that a revenge psychology against religion has become an integral part of their mindset.

 

Allama Iqbal had realized that the Muslim is influenced by materialistic western civilization and its various manifestations; so he tried to offset its effects from the Muslim mind with a faithful attack on its philosophy.  He assured the Muslims that this civilization is doomed and can‟t be rescued.  The foundations of sciences and the ideals propagated by the materialistic/atheistic civilizations were severely criticized by Iqbal and the whole doctrine of immorality was condemned.  On behalf of Lenin, Iqbal speaks:-

 

Yeh „ilm, yeh hikmat, yeh tadabbur, yeh hukoomat
Peetay hain lahu, daitay hain ta‟leem-e-masawaat
Bekaari-o-„uryaani-o-mekhwari-o-aflaas
Kya kum hain farangi madniyyat ki futoohaat
Woh qaum keh faizaan-e-samaawi se ho mehroom
Had uss kay kamaalaat ki hay barq-o-bukharaat
Hay dil ke liye maut mashinon ki hukoomat
Ehsaas-e-murawwat ko kuchal daitay hain aalaat

 

تاومساِتعلیمہیںیتےد،لہوہیںپیتے تحافتوکینیتمدنگیفرہیںکمکیا تاربخاوؼبرہےکیتلاکماکےساحد
تلاآہیںیتےدکچلکوتومرسحساا

متحکویہ،برتدیہ،حکمتیہ،علمیہ سفلاا و یرامیخوو نییعرو یربیکا
ؾومحرہوسےیوسماؿفیضاکہؾقوہو

متحکوکیںمشینوتمولیےکےؽدہے

 

As a matter of fact, the materialists keep engaged in the fruitless struggle of discounting the non-material reality that man, in his creative process, has been blessed with a constant inherent urge to seek knowledge.  He seeks to know his self– he looks for an inspiring entity that he can follow as an ideal for his own self.  This is the probe that eventually grants man the consciousness and identity of his self.  This is the stage of consciousness that helps man to evolve within the parameters of his creative plan, determined by the Creator, and draw closer to his destiny.  As soon as he enters the elementary stage of mental maturity, his search takes start and then, as his consciousness continues to evolve, continues in the direction of higher goals.  This search does not end with his physical death, because its basic ingredients, viz., knowledge, thought, feelings, acts, remain well preserved in his unconscious mind till the last moment of his physical life.  This preserved record is a manifest evidence of the eternal reality that life continues beyond physical death of organism.  When life enters the higher conscious stage, this legacy of previous record helps it as a means of sustenance on its journey ahead.  It makes its next stage of evolutionary process fruitful, and affords ease and enlightenment.  I think, in this perspective, in the light of Divine guidance and modern knowledge, man‟s speculation comes to its end at this point.  Apparently, to apprise us of the form of life in the Hereafter, at the present stage of our consciousness, was not stipulated in the manifesto of Creator‟s exalted wisdom.  Only the verbal confirmation of the phenomenal existence of the Hereafter was thought enough to satisfy our constant urge to know.  The knowledge about the form of our post-death existence was declared as “Ilm-e- Ghayib” (the Knowledge of the Unknown), which is known only to that Eternal Being (6/59).

 

Dear Readers, it was this natural urge of knowing which kept this humble student too constantly wandering around.  To know the eternal truth of life he joined eventually, after scanning through major known schools of thought, the almost exclusive Quranic groups one by one.  Whatever research material was encountered in this voyage of discovery was thoroughly studied and its quintessential fully digested.  In the context of this ceaseless quest, there lies a lengthy tale of life‟s unbridled ride, of which a very brief reflection is presented through this verse :-

 

Rau men hay rakhsh-e-Umar, kahaan daikhye thamay
Nay haath baag per hay nah paa hay rakaab men

 

میںبکارہےپانہہےپرگباتھہانے

تھمےیکھیےدںکہا،عمرِخشرہےمیںور

 

But after going through all the exigencies of life, if this fragile being may venture to claim that, at the cross roads of the age of reason, it now stands face to face with this situation:-

 

Tamaam dafter-e-hikmat ulat gayaa hoon men
Magar khula na abhi tak kahaan hoon men

 

میںںہوںکہاتکبھیانہکھلامگر

میںںہوگیالٹاحکمتِفتردؾتما

 

it would still be an erroneous assessment; because when one starts claiming that one knows whatever could possibly be known, one becomes obstinately immovable – the state of “Jaheem”; and to explore all the treasures of wisdom, in true sense of the word, many life-times may prove grossly insufficient.  On the other hand, one devoting his entire life in a sincere pursuit, is often granted, under nature's benevolent process, a worthwhile success in achievement of one's goals.  At least, one is enabled to identify and realize his humble standing in the arena of learning.

 

Hence, the mystery of life disclosed itself to the writer in the sense that though man, in his long journey of evolution, has indeed witnessed his much coveted ideal in vibrant physical existence, in the exalted persons of Divine Emissaries, but in acquiring the exalted attributes of that ideal, the temptations of life‟s material aspects, arising out of animal instincts, create countless obstacles in his way by overpowering the opposite urges of his higher conscious self.  When the lower materialistic ideals dominate the higher conscious values, man, who still is passing through his evolutionary process, stumbles and recedes to inferior levels in spite of his academic achievements and divine virtues endowed by the Creator.  In spite of all the valuable acquisitions in the benevolent company of contemporary scholars, this humble student had to sustain unexpected shocks in the course of learning and research at one point or another.  These were the teachers who, from a distance, exuded an aura of brilliance and ingenuity, looking like lofty cedars in their fields of expertise.  This humble student, acknowledging his own meager heritage of knowledge and aware of his humble capacities, still wandering around seeking the Abstract Truth and the Spirit of Divine Guidance, always felt a sense of pride in surrendering to their scholarly prowess.  From close observation, the ultimate realization came to light that we follow an intrinsic tendency to go after appearances that always prove deceptive.  The conclusion thus arrived at can be interpreted through this verse:-

 

“Ker sakte thay jo apney zamaanay ki imaamat
Wo kohna dimaagh apnay zamaanay ke hain pairu”

 

وپیرہیںکےنےمازپنےاغمادکہنہہو

 

متمااکینےمازپنےاجوتھےسکتےکر

 

Though opportunities of learning were seized upon relentlessly, and for that, this humble student remains full of gratitude, with his gaze sticking to the ground in respect, still, the ultimate loyalty of a Quranist must rest with the Quran. Loyalty to mortals and earthlings may leave men poor and debased, but allegiance to the “Super Companion” will enable them to form characters after the divine similitude.  To differ from his teachers is man's right and is a proof of his individual freedom.  Unwavering faith is liable to the Creator alone and is embodied in an endless affiliation with His Book over and above all other worldly considerations.  When the sacred injunctions of the same Exalted Companion were seen slaughtered on the altar of materialistic philosophy, this writer felt compelled to embark upon their defense and retaliatory measures.  So here he stands, in earnest faith, taking this opportunity of presenting to you, in total sincerity, whatever he deemed right on this important issue.  Your wise attention will be a source of honor and pride.

 

The last learning companionship was with Lahore‟s “Silsila-e-Da‟wat-e- Qurani” (Aastana).  Joining them, after having graduated from Allama Pervaiz‟ school of thought, looked, initially, like entering a senior grade in the same field of specialization.  It looked like the quest of knowledge finally acquired its so-coveted destination.  Like one suffering from incessantly burning passion, at long last found soothing solace.  Like a new, vast field of endeavor opened its wide arms in a warm welcome.  But after a few years of research, a chain of discoveries started coming up by which it transpired that there was much more concealed below the surface than visible.  The whole biographical episode can be explained metaphorically in these few verses :-

 

Apni jaulaan-gaah zair-e-aasmaan samjha tha men
Kis rabaat-e-kuhnah ko apna jahaan samjha tha men
„Arsa-e-mahshar men mery khoob ruswaa‟i hui
Dawar-e-mahshar ko apna raazdaan samjha tha men
Thi who ik darmaandah rehroo ki sadaa-e-dardnaak
Jis ko aawaaz-e-raheel-e-kaarwaan samjha tha men

 

میںتھاسمجھاںجہاپنااکوکہنہطبارکس میں تھا سمجھاںادزار پنااکومحشررواد
میں تھا سمجھاںاوررکا حیلرزاوآکوجس

میں تھاسمجھاںسماآِیرز ہگاؿلاجوپنیا ئیہوئیاسوربخویمیرمیںمحشرِصہعر
کنادردئےاصدکیوہررہندمارد کاہوتھی

 

Consequently, the final conclusion of this humble student‟s life long research and experience on the existing state of the human race currently occupying the benevolent mother earth is presented most respectfully to you through these verses, as the Acknowledgement of Truth:-

 

Ab tak bazm-e-johol men hay nadaan data huwa
Ab tak hay ilm-o-aql-o-hunar men ghataa huwa
Ab tak libaas-e-zehn-o-zakaa hay phhata huwa
Ab tak hay khaak men insaan ataa huwa
Har chand keh khaak-e-teerah se baalaa hay aadmi

 

اہو گھٹامیںہنروعقلوعلمہےتکبا

اہوٹاڈںادناہےمیںجہلؾبزتکبا

اہو ٹاا ؿنساامیںکخا ہےتک با

اہوپھٹاہےءکاذ و ہنذسلباتکبا

میدآہےلاباسےہتیرکخاکہچندہر

 

There is no remedy for those who have established firm convictions on the basis of wishful translations, by going against Arabic lexicons, Grammar rules and structures of sentences.  The core issue, however, constitutes upon the basic concepts the contender has cultivated about the Divinity and Divine guidance, and upon the status he has awarded to its eternal injunctions; or, in some cases, upon the secret targets concealed behind his entire maneuvering.

 

May this humble writer‟s fears and apprehensions prove unrealistic, or, may the All-Knowing Allah transform the evil designs into good intentions.

 

Let us go through briefly the formidable historical context of this most important topic.