QURAN SPEAKS INTERVIEWS DR WAJID AKHTER: WHY ISLAMIC HISTORY MATTERS
Dr. Wajid Akhter, an MD by profession, is also a passionate historian of Islam. He talks to us about the state of Islamic History and why it is so important.
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Precious moments
At-Tanookhi gave the account of a governor in Baghdad who usurped the wealth of an old lady in his province. He took away all of her rights and confiscated her property. She went to him, wept before him, and complained of his oppression and wrongdoing. He was neither regretful nor ashamed of what he had done. In a fit of anger, she said, “I will pray against you.” He laughed at her in mockery and said, “Then you should pray in the last third of the night.” His arrogance had made him say this to her. She went away, and in accordance with the governor’s mock-advice she was steadfast in praying during the last third of the night. It was only a matter of days before he was violently removed from office. As a reward for his tyranny, his properties were seized, and he was publicly whipped. After the whipping, the old lady passed by him and said, “You did well! You advised me to pray in the last third of the night and I found the results to be most favorable.”
A handicap in one area can be compensated for by excellence in another
(Consider it not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. (Qur’an 24: 11)
Most people who are remembered today for their greatness had to overcome many obstacles on their path: their perseverance was akin to obstinacy. They felt a weakness in one faculty or area that required compensation in another. Many great scholars of Islam were actually freed slaves, such as `Ataa, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, Qatada, Bukhari, Tirmidhi and Abu Hanifah. Read more ›
The Mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you
The Mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you. (Qur’an 102: 1) Read more ›
Gentleness helps you achieve your goals
In previous chapters, I quoted revealed texts to illustrate the importance of being gentle; here we expand on the same theme by mentioning some examples. Imagine yourself driving a car on an extremely narrow road that is enclosed on either side by a wall. There is no way for a car to pass except with a great deal of care, gentleness, and caution. However, if a driver attempted to go through this street at a high speed, he would constantly crash into the wall on the right, and then into the one on the left, eventually causing his car to break down. In both of these instances ___________that of driving carefully and that of driving recklessly at a high speed – the street is the same and the car is the same, but the way of driving is different. Read more ›
Signposts on the seeker’s highway
If one wants to know whether one is climbing upwards toward success, there are certain signs and indications that can help him to determine his progress.
1. As one becomes more knowledgeable, one becomes more humble and merciful to others. Think of an expensive pearl: the more heavy and valuable it is, the deeper it is in the ocean. A wise person knows that though knowledge is a gift, Allah tests the one whom He gives it to. When one is thankful for the gift of knowledge, one will be raised in ranking.
Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge. (Qur’an 58: 11) Read more ›
Be content with that which Allah has given you and you will be the richest of people
Wealth, appearance, children, house, and talents you must be content with your share in these things:
So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful. (Qur’an 7: 144) Read more ›
Blessings in disguise
And indeed we have destroyed towns [populations] round about you. (Qur’an 46:27)
There is the tragic example of the Barmak family, a family that lived a life of opulence, comfort, and extravagance. Their end, however, has served as a lesson and example for all Arabs who came after them. Haroon ar-Rasheed, the ruler during their period, ordered an unexpected attack on the Barmak family and on their possessions. Allah’s decree came to pass over them in the morning at the hands of the closest person to them: he destroyed their homes, took possession of their slaves, and shed their blood. Their loved ones and children wept at their disgrace. There is none worthy of worship except Allah; those who know the story should especially appreciate the transitory nature of power and wealth in this world:
Then take admonition, O’ you with eyes [to see]. (Qur’an 59: 2) Read more ›
An obsession for revenge is poison that flows through a diseased soul
The Crucified Ones in History is a book full of stories about revenge-seekers who inflicted harsh punishments on their enemies. What one realizes as one reads this book (which is probably what the author wants us to realize) is that killing their enemies was not enough to quench their thirst for revenge. The irony that the author conveys is that the crucified person, for instance, ceases to feel pain after his soul departs from his body. Meanwhile, the revenge-seeking killer will never find peace or happiness because the fire of revenge has engrossed, or rather taken over, his entire being. Read more ›
Faith in Allah is the way to salvation
And my affair I leave it to Allah. (Qur’an 40: 44)
No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Divine Pre-ordainments] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true faith with certainty]… (Qur ‘an 64: 11)