Akhlaq, Adab and Knowledge The Problems with Critics by Bani Mohamad Ali

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Muslim are taught to inculcate sincerity to such an extent that our Niyat (innermost intention) to seek knowledge must be totally pure, that is solely for the sake of obedience to Allahs command and His Messengers advice and being true to our nature as a human being. In fact this is being human (i.e. Akhlaq to maintain the goodness in human nature). This must be put in place first, in order to benefit whatever we do in life (i.e. Adab, to act in a correct and in righteousness manner). Basically the sequence or the correct order on how human live life, is first to Recognize, then to Acknowledge and then to Act in accordance to what has been acknowledged from what has been recognized. Thus, the starting point is - the search for knowledge, in order to recognize, in order to acknowledge and in order to act correctly - all connected in a sequence. Knowledge transcends from the Creator for human to gather and benefit from, which is vital for his life, as mentioned. Thus, the nature of knowledge is pure and so the seeker of knowledge must strive for purity and goodness in nature. So, knowledge has got to do with all that is virtuous and nothing to do with what is non-virtuous. To seek knowledge for the purpose of debating, accusing, alleging, or deceiving is totally wayward, far from the virtuous purpose. This is something that a person devoid of or lack of Akhlaq and Adab would do. Human need to ponder over these matters and rectify themselves prior to learning, engaging or interacting in life. Ignoring this, would result in confusion, chaos and ultimately failure in achieving goodness. The simple analogy is, before embarking on a journey, we need to make preparation. Knowledge devoid of Akhlaq and Adab is futile Critics existed since the days of the Prophets of Allah in the past. So if we study, we know that, this is all too common and too typical. The Satans way from the very beginning is to cast doubts and to shake up the believers Iman (Faith). It begins with enticement to engage with a thought provoking proposition and followed by deception, where the listener is fed with false assumptions not from sound knowledge. Taking lessons from the earliest story, we will find that Iblis is such an example. It all started when Allah decree, I am about to place a vicegerent on earth, (Al-Baqarah 2: 30) Adam was created for this purpose. Recall when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam"; all prostrated themselves save Iblis. He refused. Then We said: "Adam! He is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not drive both of you out of Paradise and plunge you into affliction, (for in Paradise) neither are you hungry nor naked, nor face thirst or scorching heat." But Satan seduced him, saying: "Adam! Shall I direct you to a tree of eternal life and an abiding kingdom?" Then the two of them ate the fruit of that tree and their shameful parts became revealed to each other, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves from the Garden. Thus Adam disobeyed his Lord and strayed into error. Thereafter his Lord exalted him, accepted his repentance and bestowed guidance upon him (Ta Ha 20: 116-122)

Akhlaq, Adab and Knowledge The Problems with Critics by Bani Mohamad Ali

Angels are pure being with intellect and capabilities, exemplified total obedience. While Iblis the Jinn, with intellect, capabilities and desire, exemplified disobedience. Whereas Adam, the human being with intellect, capabilities and desire, learnt from the whole episode. Adam and Eve were affluent from the start, with needs provided for, knowledge and lessons in being obedient shown and reminder to preserve innocence, all given by Allah. When Adam made a mistake, he reflected and recalled from what he had learnt, recognized his good Akhlaq and Adab in his nature and acknowledged it with the right course of action. Both cried out: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and do not have mercy on us, we shall surely be among the losers (Al-A`raf 7:23) Adam wished for goodness in life, so he chose to repent and seek forgiveness with hope in Allahs Rahmah (Infinite Mercy), and this was granted. What did Iblis choose? Given the chance to use his intellect, Iblis was questioned and subsequently gave his reason. Allah said: What prevented you from prostrating, when I commanded you to do so? He said: I am better than he. You created me from fire, and him You created from clay Allah said: Then get you down from here. It does not behove you to be arrogant here. So be gone. You will be among the humiliated. He (Iblis) replied: Give me respite till the Day they shall be raised. Allah said: You are granted respite. (Al-A`raf 7: 12-15) Clouded with superiority complex in his Akhlaq led him to be haughty, then he based on a false assumption that fire is better than clay. Thus he fell into error and contrary to Adam, Iblis chose to ask for respite in despair of Allahs Rahmah and Allah granted him respite. Iblis even though with intelligence failed to recognize and refused to acknowledge, the command of Allah, the position of Adam as Khalifah (Vicegerent) for the planet earth and the exemplary conduct of the Angels. Devoid of good Akhlaq and Adab, Iblis enjoined enmity and hatred, instead. Iblis chose to rebel and make Adam his enemy. No self-reflection, no consideration or remorse on his part, totally devoid of virtues, Iblis spearheaded adversity (what is Satanic) in his life, instead. What is happening today? There are those who start off with deliberately refusing and denying with justification, sounds familiar? From the lesson, we understand that this is a wrong sequence of action. The correct sequence is to purify our hearts with sincere intention, followed by ethical ways in learning for clarity, so that we can recognize and acknowledge correctly, and naturally the right action will follow, which will be a delight for the soul. On the other hand, erratic behaviour and actions are caused by wrong acknowledgement, because of the failure to recognize, which is caused by unethical way in learning which derives from a flawed Akhlaq and Adab. Now, can we recognize the characteristic and the way of the Satan? We said: Get you down from here, all of you, (Adam. Eve and Iblis) and guidance shall come to you from Me, then, whoever will follow My guidance need have no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Al-Baqarah 2: 38)

Akhlaq, Adab and Knowledge The Problems with Critics by Bani Mohamad Ali

A chance and reminder was given, while Adam was responsible and reminded his progeny, Iblis vowed - Since You have led me astray, I shall surely sit in ambush for them on Your Straight Path. Then I will come upon them from the front and from the rear, and from their right and from their left. And You will not find most of them thankful. (Al-A`raf 7: 12-15) Today, we can see the effect of History; some of us are with Adam being true to his nature, thus benefitting from Akhlaq, Adab and intellect. But some of us are adverse and relentless in its pursuit (of adversity), like Iblis. The Problem with Critics There are humans who follow these traits and this is the same nature of the typical anti-Islam polemics. The belligerent Orientalists since colonial times are other such examples. This is very old method of malice, still kept alive by people who ignored the goodness in human nature and ethics. Muslims scholars have soundly refuted all criticisms ever since. But criticisms are being recycled and today there is an Industry publishing books critical of Islam. What triggered such behaviour, envy, prejudice, bigotry, Islamaphobia or xenophobia? Whatever it is, these are all diseases that corrupt the goodness in human nature. Without or before enjoining righteous conduct in seeking knowledge, they embarked on criticism, doing research and picking up points to be used in refutations. They didnt study the Qur`an, but simply pick verses from the English translation of the Qur`an, to suit their argument. Basically what they do is cut and paste from Qur`an, Hadith, Writings of Muslim Scholars, without learning extensively. While some studied extensively but with ill-intent, with vested interest or hidden agenda. In any case, they spent a great deal of time and effort to produce something malicious. Alas, there is nothing to benefit from such efforts, because there is no increase in knowledge and understanding but rather an increase in the prowess to criticize blatantly, to incite, to irritate and to upset which amounted to hate-mongering. Did the Critics bother to look at Akhlaq, and Adab in learning that is to recognize, acknowledge and act in accordance? So why should Muslims bother listening to the uncouth, the unethical, the uneducated and the unqualified? Muslims do not have to take the cut and paste work seriously, because it is not of intellectual value. This is one example of intelligence devoid of Akhlaq and Adab, which is lame. This is the crux of the problem, not the issues or questions they raised. What Muslims should do? Critics of Islam are generally devoid of Akhlaq and Adab, therefore the knowledge they possess are fragmented information and thus, far from even understanding. So Muslims should not distress themselves with criticisms coming from such people. As Muslim, we should fine a better way, and not get drawn into a futile debate, rather refresh and restart by addressing the core issues Akhlaq, Adab and Knowledge. Seeking knowledge ethically is by listening, reading thoroughly and extensively from references that is to take all things in context, not out of context, to engage in Q&A for clarification etc. This is nothing new, as we went through education from primary, secondary, tertiary and advance. Thus the same principle applies in the study of Islam. Muslim must act with justice as for himself and to others.

Akhlaq, Adab and Knowledge The Problems with Critics by Bani Mohamad Ali

For example, a person who is sober should not debate with the drunkard, a person who is mature and of sound mind should not argue with the immature or the mentally challenged. Why is this so? Because there would be injustice to both! O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal unjustly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. (Al-Maa`idah 5:8) So Muslims should refrain from arguing with Critics of Islam but rather invite them to learn, this is priority - Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious (An-Nahl 16:125) In conclusion Muslims are to live life with a peaceful state of mind and one way to achieve this, is to shun polemics for reasons already elaborated. It all boils down to a simple either or question. Let us look at the two sides - Adam represents good Akhlaq, Adab, intelligence, faith and hope, while Iblis represents adversity, flawed intellect and disparity. Who should we emulate, Adam or Iblis? The choice is obvious - Humanity must stand together with Adam in enjoining and upholding goodness and to be aware of discord and hatred advocated by the adversary. Muslims should continue to invite others to an intellectual discussion. Lastly, I humbly put forward for the sake of goodness in humanity There are two types of people living on this planet, those who benefit from knowledge through good Akhlaq and Adab and those who do not. By the time! Lo! Mankind is in a state of loss; save those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and counsel each other to hold on to truth and counsel each other to be steadfast. (Al-Asr 103: 1-3)

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