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The world of Islam is passing through a crisis of confidence. However, unpalatable it may be the truth remains that the qualities of self-awareness and self-reliance are not the distinguishing features of Muslims in any part of the world today. Even those Muslim countries that are free (no matter whether they have been free for centuries or only recently attained freedom) are intellectually and educationally subservient to the West. The rulers of these countries often show commendable courage, even to the extent of incurring grave risks, in the political field but where the cultural, intellectual and educational spheres are concerned they betray an awful lack of self-confidence and freedom of judgment. It is an accepted fact that cultural and intellectual servility is much more harmful and degrading than political serfdom. Once a country has passed under the cultural and intellectual domination of another, it no longer becomes necessary for the latter to annex it politically. Further, since in the modern world the conquest and annexation of a country is no longer possible, superpowers are inclined to concentrate, more and more, on strengthening their cultural and intellectual hold over weaker nations instead of seeking their political subjugation.  Read more... (889 words, estimated 3:33 mins reading time)

Following, are a further few points of the deeper meaning of Haj. These I wish to outline merely as a specimen indicative of the many significance of Haj, similar to the two points of wisdom and virtue mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.

1. There are times when rulers, governors and kings call the various classes of their subjects together to discuss matters with them and receive reports. For this reason they are often made into various organizations; and each has its annual conference. This is what happens in Haj where representatives from all over the glove, from all spheres of life and from all ranks; gather at His House. Such is the Haj congregation.  Read more... (1922 words, estimated 7:41 mins reading time)

Fortunately, when the tongue will remember Him much, then naturally the heart too will be stirred in the same course. This will facilitate this heart to be undivided between what matters and what does not. At times a person is so embedded in the eventful, day-to-day grind of this life; be it at work or a classroom, he might be listening to the teacher’s lecture but his mind is engaged elsewhere. And more often than not, the thought that does not leave him is exactly what the focus of his life is. Likewise, in the villages, there are women who carry two, three water pots on their heads. Every so often even four. Their path is crooked, amid highs and lows, but they carry on; even talking and laughing with eachother as they tread along. Nonetheless, their hearts are well acquainted with the primary fact that there is water on their heads.  Read more... (256 words, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

The verses of the Quran quoted in the previous chapter, and the natural conclusions derived there from, arc sufficient to prove the authority of the ‘Sunnah’ of the Holy Prophet (SAWS). Its being a source of Islamic law stands proved on that score. Yet, the Holy Quran has not only stressed upon the ‘obedience of the Messenger’ as a general rule or principle; it has also highlighted the different shades of authority in order to explain the scope of his obedience, and the various spheres where it is to be applied.  Read more... (122 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)