The Virus in Pakhtun Society

[pir_Rokhan]

The internationalisation of Islam and its presentation as a system of life is a conspiracy of the clergy which could be understood once the history of the organised religion is studied. In every religion the religion beaureocracy has transformed some progressive concepts meant for the betterment of a certain nation into an organised relgion.Be it Judaism, Christianity or Islam or Jainsim, Buddhism or others. Vested interest and the greed for wealth and influence on the lives of others are so tempting instincts that it is difficult to avoid them.

More interestingly the clergy class has always made compromises with the power elite to have their share. Abdul Wahab Najdi was a prime example. His compromise with the monarchy and the current power structure of Al Saud having reigns of power and the Wahabis having control overt the faith and destiny of the ignorant masses is very vivid.Jeddah which is a versatile prostitution market under the veil for the royal family is a good amalgam of the religious bigotry of the clergy and the autocracy of the monarchy.

Another example from the past has been the deterministic ethics which were prevalent in the Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid Dynasties of Arabs. It was in those times that "Sufi" school of thought came into existence to institutionalise and intellectualise the oppressive concepts of religion into a system of thought.Individualism,Introspective and Introvert ode of life was glorified instead of emphasising on the collective and social aspects of life and the duties of the state (called sultanate at that time).

The same religeous concepts were raised to the zenith of human thought by the Indian intellect.Ashraf Ali Thanvi's concepts of religion and Sufism as presented in his books are the master pieces of such oppressed individualistic mentality. The same was preceded by Hafiz Shirazi of Iran.

The crux of the discourse is the immoral, unethical, non political, anti social and individualistic concepts of religion in Pakhtuns is a continuity of the same virus from which our societal structure is suffering and we are confused about our national interests as any struggle or fights for our rights is termed as an unholy war against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

[Roshina]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

So true! I especially agree with the part regarding the institutionalization of Sufism. Today, it's not accepted as an "Islamic" branch because of what Muslims in the 18th century, and a little before, said about Sufism. From the 12th century onward, Sufism bloomed throughout the Muslim world and more and more non-Muslims converted to Islam *because* of Sufi intellectuals. Unfortunately, by the 18th century, orthodox Muslims started rejecting Sufism. Followers of Abdul Wahab claimed that THEIR version of tawheed was the *only* correct one, and so they decided that all others who didn't agree with them were wrong and un-Islamic. Others, however, were like, "No, let's just RE-interpret Sufism," thus re-orienting some elements of the Sufi tradition.

When the Saudi monarchy compromised with Abdul Wahab to accept *his* brand of Islam as the only correct one, it was VERY unfortunate for Muslims. Today, we're mostly Wahabis; maybe not to the level of believing in terrorism as the best method of conveying the message of Islam, but thinking-wise, most Muslims are Wahabis. Abdul Wahab himself was SO against reason and intellect that he is now pretty much the main reason that Muslims today have forbidden themselves the right to use their brain.

(I'm not even exaggerating when I say this. I REALLY feel sorry for us Muslims because of the influence that folks like Wahab have had on us :? )

So, today, when someone calls something un-Islamic, I really wonder if they have even slightly studied Islamic history in particular and Islam in general at all. Chances are low that they have.

Also, I think that judging from Islamic history, it's prolly safe and fair to conclude that any intellectual Muslim group or organization is considered un-Islamic by the Muslim masses, and this includes Shiites. Take the Ismailis and Fatimids, for instance. Who built al-Azhar University? And for what purposes? The Fatimids established the city of Cairo (al-Qahira) in Egypt and built the al-Azhar Institution. I don't remember the exact date, but I WANNA say 910 C.E.

[wtfyo]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

Great post pir_Rokhan!

I agree with both of you. I was in Turkey recently, I would say the cultural aspect of sufism is still alive. Although everything sufi we encountered was done from a cultural perspective for tourists, no religious attachment at all. Later on it become obvious the Turkish government just like I all other Muslim governments rejects this brand of Islam. I really admired what they had to offer though (this is shocking as I'm not a religious person by any means), I can imagine how great it must've been when it was flourishing.

[shah nawaz]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

The internationalisation of Islam and its presentation as a system of life is a conspiracy of the clergy which could be understood once the history of the organised religion is studied. In every religion the religion beaureocracy has transformed some progressive concepts meant for the betterment of a certain nation into an organised relgion.Be it Judaism, Christianity or Islam or Jainsim, Buddhism or others. Vested interest and the greed for wealth and influence on the lives of others are so tempting instincts that it is difficult to avoid them.

More interestingly the clergy class has always made compromises with the power elite to have their share. Abdul Wahab Najdi was a prime example. His compromise with the monarchy and the current power structure of Al Saud having reigns of power and the Wahabis having control overt the faith and destiny of the ignorant masses is very vivid.Jeddah which is a versatile prostitution market under the veil for the royal family is a good amalgam of the religious bigotry of the clergy and the autocracy of the monarchy.

Another example from the past has been the deterministic ethics which were prevalent in the Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid Dynasties of Arabs. It was in those times that "Sufi" school of thought came into existence to institutionalise and intellectualise the oppressive concepts of religion into a system of thought.Individualism,Introspective and Introvert ode of life was glorified instead of emphasising on the collective and social aspects of life and the duties of the state (called sultanate at that time).

The same religeous concepts were raised to the zenith of human thought by the Indian intellect.Ashraf Ali Thanvi's concepts of religion and Sufism as presented in his books are the master pieces of such oppressed individualistic mentality. The same was preceded by Hafiz Shirazi of Iran.

The crux of the discourse is the immoral, unethical, non political, anti social and individualistic concepts of religion in Pakhtuns is a continuity of the same virus from which our societal structure is suffering and we are confused about our national interests as any struggle or fights for our rights is termed as an unholy war against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

What is your view of Pakistan? What is your opinion of the Pashtun nation?

[pir_Rokhan]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

What is your view of Pakistan? What is your opinion of the Pashtun nation?

Pakistan was the product of British diplomatic wisdom to prevent the creation of a future Afghan dynasty and Indian economic power coupled with the fear of Punjabis and safeguarding the interests of elite muslim capitalist class.

[pir_Rokhan]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

What is your view of Sufism?

Sufism was the tool to justify and intellectulise the monarchy of the Arab rulers.It was later made a philosophy of life by personalities like Ibne Arabi and Ghazali.The "Futoohate Makkiyah" and "Fusus ul Hukam" of Ibne Arabi and "Kitab Ur Rooh" of Ghazali were the intellectual efforts to instituionalise sufisim as an intellectual school of thought.The two school which emrged out of it were called Wahdatul wajoor (Ibne Arabi)and wahdatul shahood (shaikh sirhindi aka mujadad alf thani).Later the two schools were reconciled by Shah waliullah.

In Pakhtuns Rehman baba,Hamza baba and Ghani khan represent a class which is comparable with the intellectual level of the sufi thought.

However the nature of Pakhtuns ,like Arabs,is more extrovert and hence more practical than an introvert one,which is the type of mentality and behaviour which suits sufism.

[pir_Rokhan]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

Interesting read I must say.

James you got taste in this typa stuff?

[pir_Rokhan]

Re: The Virus in Pakhtun Society

Interesting read I must say.

James you got taste in this typa stuff?

I usually just read what I see, I Initially came here and people here helped me out with my research paper on Pashtuns a while ago and that is about it, so I am very grateful of the level of hospitality I have received here on PashtunForums so I decided to stay and I try to post frequently.

What research are you doing?.Would you mind giving us a brief?

[شمله ور خراساني]

The internationalisation of Islam and its presentation as a system of life is a conspiracy of the clergy which could be understood once the history of the organised religion is studied. In every religion the religion beaureocracy has transformed some progressive concepts meant for the betterment of a certain nation into an organised relgion.Be it Judaism, Christianity or Islam or Jainsim, Buddhism or others. Vested interest and the greed for wealth and influence on the lives of others are so tempting instincts that it is difficult to avoid them.

More interestingly the clergy class has always made compromises with the power elite to have their share. Abdul Wahab Najdi was a prime example. His compromise with the monarchy and the current power structure of Al Saud having reigns of power and the Wahabis having control overt the faith and destiny of the ignorant masses is very vivid.Jeddah which is a versatile prostitution market under the veil for the royal family is a good amalgam of the religious bigotry of the clergy and the autocracy of the monarchy.

Another example from the past has been the deterministic ethics which were prevalent in the Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid Dynasties of Arabs. It was in those times that "Sufi" school of thought came into existence to institutionalise and intellectualise the oppressive concepts of religion into a system of thought.Individualism,Introspective and Introvert ode of life was glorified instead of emphasising on the collective and social aspects of life and the duties of the state (called sultanate at that time).

The same religeous concepts were raised to the zenith of human thought by the Indian intellect.Ashraf Ali Thanvi's concepts of religion and Sufism as presented in his books are the master pieces of such oppressed individualistic mentality. The same was preceded by Hafiz Shirazi of Iran.

The crux of the discourse is the immoral, unethical, non political, anti social and individualistic concepts of religion in Pakhtuns is a continuity of the same virus from which our societal structure is suffering and we are confused about our national interests as any struggle or fights for our rights is termed as an unholy war against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Pir Rokhan was a heretic and a member of a secret society.

Therefore it is not surprising to see people using his name as nickname preaching nonsense and trying to deviate young Muslims from Islam.