The Clay Bird - The Importance of Knowledge and Practice in Islam
Ibrahim:
What the Head Teacher said about elem (knowledge) and amal (practice) may be misleading to some of the students.... You see, Islam didn't spread in this country through the sword. It was only the selfless and swordless sufis and darvishes who went door to door to spread Islam's message of peace and equality among the poor and low caste Hindus. The lords and kings from Iran and Arabia conquered the land, but not the hearts of the people. It was the half naked fakirs who won their hearts. Only then the people embraced Islam. You cannot make Islam flourish with politics and force. It is only by disseminating elem that Islam will prosper.
Halim Mia:
So you want to say that our mission is to spread elem? Just elem for elem's sake?
Ibrahim:
Definitely not. What are we doing here? This is not just elem. This is amal also. You see, who comes to study in our madrasas? Many are orphans, of course. Also, parents who cannot feed and clothe their children, not to mention educate them, send their children here. Isn't this so? Our duty is to care for these children and make them into pure Muslims. This is our mission. Our amal. It's not fair to use these children for any political end.
Halim Mia:
But in the name of secularism, the pro-communists are endangering the very existence of Islam in this country. We need to confront them, don't we?
Ibrahim:
Then tell me, what is the difference between us and the communists?
Halim Mia:
How can you separate Islam from politics? Now the existence of Pakistan is at stake. And if Pakistan is torn apart, Islam will be destroyed as well.
Ibrahim:
Halim Miah, please tell me. Why do you think Islam will be endangered by the collapse of Pakistan? Did Pakistan strengthen Islam, or has it rather established military rule?
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