Challenging Islam

The Indo-Pak and Bangladeshi understanding of Islam is diametrically opposite to the western understanding of Islam. The subcontinental understanding of Islam is much of a rigid structure which cannot be understood by everyone expect a few clergymen who think Islam is their property and gives their understanding based on their subjective interpretation and which suits them best for their interest. The clergy of Islam sits on the Prophet's pulpit to give the image of Islam as a doctrine prescribing its followers to master rigorous daily rituals to avail paradise. A tiny portion of Islamic injunctions is preached in a way like this is all Islam is. The holistic paradigm of Islam is reduced to mere pieces which satisfy different sectarian groups. 

The Western understanding of Islam is inclusive and more matured. The west is more skeptical and it questions everything and when truth becomes clear to them they don't hesitate to embrace. Islam is analysed in every sphere of life and the followers become intellectually satisfied by its truthfulness. It creates a space for dialogue between conflicting worldviews. Without interactive discussion how can we spread the message of truth?

The problem with subcontinental clergy and culturally religious people is that they don't want to come out of their dogma and just try to impose thier worldview on others without giving a thought on this Qur'anic verse:

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. 

Surah Aali Imran : 159

The cultural inheritance of this religion restricts the broader picture of it.

The ideology which is acquired just by seeing the daily rituals or uncritically following the clerical understanding of it without knowing the purpose and philosophy behind it or whether it is actually true is bound to collapse like the sand castle. In common cases the followers of that kind of ideology become rigid and fanaticized in their approach which results in intellectual paralysis. 

The Qur'an shatters the blind following of ancestors by this verse:

And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?

Surah Al-Baqarah : 170

For instance, some uncritical notions which is heard from childhood in traditional households which are common are like Qur'an cannot be touched and read without being in the state of ablution (Wazu) , the female on her monthly cycle is inherently impure for that period of time, the ununderstood recitation of Qur'an is enough for the redemption of sins and a direct trip to heaven, the person not agreeing with the other on ambiguous religious topics is deemed as heretic, whatever the local Imam says is true and cannot be challenged, the only style of praying is correct is that on which my parents and local Imam prays and other styles of praying is deviation from ancestors path.

Despite having the best leader and his entire methodology of tackling each and every problem whether it be on an individual level or a state level. We have all those prescriptions well preserved and we proudly boast about it. Then why on earth we cannot come out of that nostalgia and start to work according to that book whose purpose was to give life to lifeless.

In view of this, the Muslims need to come out of the blind following of Islam preached by clergy to the Islam preached by Allah and his Messenger.

In conclusion, Islam is the name of a religion or an ideology or a philosophy or a worldview or a system which is much more advanced than any other idea. It liberates human beings from the mental slavery of established dogma. Its weltanschauung is not limited to area , time or people. It offers real solutions to the problems faced by any group of people not just its followers. Therefore the need of the hour is to understand what is the need of the hour and to effectively work on the contemporary problems because as Allah says: 

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.

[Surah Ar-Ra’d : 11]