My writings on Islam and Muslims evoke strong reactions; many appreciate them, whilst many others do not. I shall not ask you to do either. I simply ask you to read and verify. You may hurl abuse at me—I do not mind. My solitary request is that you cross-reference, cross-check, and ponder. Let me reiterate: without Iqra (reading/learning), Tadabbur (contemplation), and Tafakkur (reflection), there is no deliverance for us. I have initiated this series to assist both myself and everyone else in that very pursuit.
My dear practicing Muslim brothers and sisters,
I am not your adversary. There is no need to harbor such hostility towards me. Rather, consider me the final glimmer of light for your failing sight. You can choose to seek treatment here and heal your eyes, or you can gouge them out, destroy that final glimmer, and embrace eternal blindness.
Allow me to share my own journey today. Perhaps then you will comprehend why I speak the way I do. I have traversed a path of immense internal torment to arrive here.
Many of you may know that from my childhood, I was a devout Muslim who constantly wore a jubbah and prayer cap. I studied at a madrasah. I frequented religious mahfils (spiritual gatherings). I used to give the adhan (call to prayer) in the mosque, and I have even led the congregation as an Imam. Yet, from that very background, I abandoned Islam during my youth. At the time, skepticism felt like the only resolution. After wandering down many paths, however, I eventually returned to the fold of Islam.
I did not abandon Islam because I found the faith itself deficient; rather, I left because of the utter hypocrisy and extravagance of the charlatans masquerading as Islamic scholars (Ulema). At the time, my youthful mind was rebellious, searching for truth, and demanding immediate resolutions. When I questioned these clerics, I received no answers. They would never clarify whether they simply did not know or deliberately chose not to answer.
There was a profound disconnect between what these clerics preached and what they practiced. As human beings, citizens, neighbors, or teachers, they did not come anywhere near the true ideals of Islam. Conversely, they harbored intense disdain for those who genuinely practiced the faith, encouraged deep scriptural study, and opposed blind dogma. They eagerly enjoyed every luxury offered by modern science and technology, yet they despised scientific education. While their problems were entirely of their own making, they spent their days baselessly vilifying people of other faiths. They were quick to highlight grievances but never offered a clear path toward a resolution. Despite Islam containing vast messages of peace, they selectively chose to preach discord and agitation.
During those days, a question constantly consumed me: If God exists, why are these clerics not punished for their unrighteousness? Why do they not suddenly wake up crippled, paralyzed, or mute as divine retribution for misleading so many souls? This frustration turned into anger, and that anger curdled into hatred. My contempt for those clerics eventually manifested as resentment toward Islam itself. Yet, even though I walked away from the faith, I never abandoned my quest for knowledge about it. I continued to read and learn as much as I possibly could.
As I matured, I gradually came to understand that abandoning Islam out of hatred for a cleric was utterly illogical. Islam is not the personal fiefdom of any cleric. By walking away in anger, I had essentially surrendered my own birthright to them; I had inadvertently validated their absolute authority over the religion. With this realization, I intensified my research. I began engaging in dialogue with various religious scholars. Before long, I developed a keen intuition—after just a few words, I could discern the true caliber of any cleric.
During that period, I encountered a few genuine scholars who encouraged me to read, to question, and to think deeply. Rather than styling themselves as “scholars of the faith” (Ulema-e-Deen), they preferred to be called “seekers of knowledge” (Talib-e-Ilm). Energized by their encouragement, I began to study systematically. I immersed myself in Tadabbur and Tafakkur. I unlearned the dogmatic narrative that pits science and the Creator against each other. I began to view Almighty Allah not as a distant object of terror, but as an intimate, personal presence.
I turned my focus with immense curiosity toward Muslim history—which we commonly refer to as Islamic history. I became well-acquainted with both the illustrious and the infamous figures of history and examined their deeds. By juxtaposing Muslim history with broader world history, I gained an objective, external perspective. It allowed me to connect textual decrees (Text) with their historical realities (Context). I learned to distinguish between the legitimate tenets of faith and the illegitimate fabrications that have been gradually hoisted onto the back of Islam. I witnessed how Islam was used to elevate human morality, to instill discipline, to educate, and to civilize. Conversely, I also saw how it was manipulated to mislead, to deceive, and to incite warfare.
On one hand, I saw true scholars bleed—their blood spilt at the hands of another faction who merely claimed the title of scholars. I watched some scholars lay down their very lives for progress, truth, and justice. On the other hand, I saw certain clerics take the lives of others to secure their own vested interests. Just as some scholars spent their entire lives striving to propel Muslims forward, others continuously acted as hurdles to Muslim advancement. Tragically, in the vast majority of cases, ordinary Muslims failed to recognize these true scholars during their lifetimes.
It is from the crucible of that experience that I speak to you today: I wish to pull you away from the ideologies and clerics that mislead you. I want to guide you toward the knowledge and personalities that offer genuine enlightenment. I want you to become contemporary, forward-thinking Muslims. I want you to learn to value the core ideals of Islam above all else. My objective is to see us transition from an uneducated, impoverished, intensely emotional, and dogmatic collective into an educated, affluent, rational, and visionary nation.
You must prioritize core principles over mere outward show and ritualism. Before accepting any doctrine blindly in the name of religion, investigate it thoroughly and weigh it with reason. Do not rely on hearsay; learn your faith by reading the Qur’an, precisely as Almighty Allah commanded. Engage in debates rooted in logic and intellect—discussions that culminate in enlightenment, rather than petty squabbles that leave you bruised and bitter. As human beings, you should radiate light and diffuse a beautiful fragrance. People should not be driven to Islam out of fear; they should be drawn to it by the fragrance of your personality and the light of your character. To this end, I shall continuously present historical facts, evidence, and documentation before you—so that your inner vision may be illuminated.
I have never demanded that anyone believe my words blindly or show me gratitude. On the contrary, I maintain that you do not need to believe me; instead, take your time to examine the evidence. I advise you not to take anyone’s word at face value—scrutinize all the documentation yourself. Utilize the greatest gift Almighty Allah has bestowed upon you: your intellect. Dedicate time to reflect deeply, and only then reach a conclusion. I do not possess absolute knowledge; I am merely a fellow seeker on this quest. If I am mistaken, correct me. I undertake this endeavor out of a deep sense of Islamic responsibility.
Yes, I am involved in politics, and faith naturally intersects with that path. However, I never exploit Islam for political mileage. I never offer distorted interpretations of Islam to serve political interests (on occasion, for the sake of deconstructing an argument, I may reference their distorted interpretations, but I do so strictly to expose the fallacy, never to endorse it as truth). Assuredly, Allah knows best what resides within my heart. If I am engaging in deception, let Him grant me the ultimate punishment.
#MyIslam #MySharia
I shall endeavor to catalog the links to this series and related essays below:
- Why Are Muslims Lagging Behind in Science and Knowledge?
- The “Golden Age of Islam”: What, Why, and How?
- Racism or the Caste System in Islam, the Struggle for Freedom, and Our Secular Bangladesh
- Is Preserving and Enforcing the Qur’an a Human Responsibility?
- The Islamic Debate Surrounding Festivals: Chasing Mirages—An Unrealistic War on the Same Road and with the Same Methods
- This Constant Back-and-Forth is Our Strange, Cursed Cycle | The Islam and Muslims Series
- How Much More Must We Pay for the Establishment of Political Islam? | The Islam and Muslims Series
- Maulana Maududi and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Concept of the State | The Islam and Muslims Series
- The Ideological Hypocrisy of Jamaat-e-Islami: History, Politics, and Double Standards
- Ponder This for Once: In This Game of ‘Hefazat’ (Protection)—What Was Protected, and What Was Betrayed?
- If the Islam of the Jamaat-Shibir Doctrine Is So Sublime, Why Is Its Fruit So Poisonous? | The Islam and Muslims Series
- Secularism and Secularisation: What, Why, and How?
Note: I may not find the time to link every single essay here. Therefore, to read all the articles belonging to this series, please click on the series tag.