MODERNITY AND IMITATION

The imitation - individually and socially - of the Western mode of life by Muslims is undoubtedly the greatest danger for the existence, or rather: the revival of Islamic civilisation. The origin of this cultural malady, dates several decades back and is connected with despair of Muslims who saw the material power and progress of the West and contrasted it with the deplorable state of their own society, out of Muslim ignorance of the true teachings of Islam.

The Muslims feel that they can cope with the rest of the world unless they adopt the social and economic rules of the West. Many Muslims come to the very superficial conclusion that the Islamic system of Society and economics is not agreeable with the requirement of progress, and should, therefore, be modified on western lines.

It is futile to argue, as many of the Muslim "intelligentsia" do, that it is of no spiritual consequence whatsoever whether we live in this or that way, whether we put on European or our father's dress, whether we are conservative in ones customs or not. Islam concedes to man a very wide range of possibilities so long as he does not act in contradiction to religious commands. For example imitating the Western social-structure as the free intermingling of the sexes and dressing.

If a Muslim imitates the manners and the mode of life of Europe, he betrays his preference for European civilisation, whatever else his avowed pretensions be. It is practically impossible to imitate a foreign civilisation in its intellectual and aesthetic design without appreciating its spirit. And it is equally impossible to appreciate the spirit of a civilisation which is opposed to a religious outlook on life, and yet remain a good Muslim.

The tendency to imitate a foreign civilisation is the outcome of a feeling of inferiority. This and nothing else, is the matter with the Muslims who imitate Western civilisation. They contrast its power and technical skill and brilliant surface with the sad misery of the world of Islam: and they begin to believe that in our time there is no way but the Western way. To blame Islam for our own shortcomings is the fashion of the day. At best, our so-called intellectuals adopt an apologetic attitude and try to convince themselves and others that Islam is compatible with Western civilisation.

In order to achieve the regeneration of Islam, the Muslim must, before adopting any measures of reform, free themselves entirely from the spirit of apology for their religion. A Muslim must live with his head lifted up. He must realise that he is distinct and different from the rest of the world, and he must learn to be proud. This being different. He should endeavour to preserve this difference as a precious quality, and pronounce it boldly to the world - instead of apologising for it and trying to merge into other cultural circles. This does not mean that Muslims should seclude themselves from the voices coming from without. One may always receive new, positive influences from a foreign civilisation without necessarily destroying his own.

For example Europe accepted Arab influences in the matter and method of learning, but it never imitated the outward appearance and the spirit of Arabian culture, and never sacrificed its own intellectual and aesthetic independence. It used the Arab influences only as a fertiliser upon its own soul. But the world of Islam, with its growing tendency to imitate Europe and to assimilate Western ideas and ideals, is gradually cutting away the bonds which link it with its past, and is loosing therefore not only its cultural but also its spiritual ground. It resembles a tree that was strong as long as it was deeply rooted in the soil. But the mountain torrent of Western civilisation has washed those roots bare: and the tree slowly decays for want of nourishment. Its leaves fall, its branches wither away. At the end the trunk itself stands in danger of collapsing.

Western civilisation, then cannot be the right means of reviving the Islamic world from the mental and social stupor caused by the degeneration of practical religion into a mere custom without life and moral urge in it. Where else then, Muslims look for the spiritual and intellectual impetus so badly needed in these days? The answer is as simple as the question; indeed, it is already contained in the question. Islam as, has been pointed out many times before, is not only a "belief of heart" but also a very clearly defined programme of individual and social life. It can be destroyed by being assimilated to a foreign culture which has essentially different moral foundations. Equally, it can be regenerated the moment it is brought back to its own reality and given the value of a factor determining and shaping our personal and social existence in all its aspects.

Under the impact of new ideas and conflicting cultural currents, so characteristic of the period in which we are living. Islam can no longer afford to remain an empty form.

Its magic sleep of centuries is broken; it has to rise or to die. The problem facing the Muslims today is the problem of the traveller who has come to crossroads. He can remain standing where he is; but that would mean death of starvation. He can choose the road bearing the sign "Towards Western Civilisation"; but then he would have to say good-bye to his past for ever. Or he can choose the other road, the one over which is written: "Towards the Reality of Islam." It is this road alone which can appeal to those who believe in their past and in the possibility of its transformation into a living future.

Islamic Info - Miscellaneous