Fame, Media, and Dangers: Has the Alarm Bell Rung for Mufti Shamael?
Hazrat Maulana Abdullah Hasani (may Allah have mercy on him) often used to say that when fame kisses a person's feet, it brings with it a whole caravan of trials and tribulations. He believed that in a land like India, the method of invitation should not be one of noise and announcement, but of silence, wisdom, and patience. This country is known for its cultural delicacy, religious pluralism, and mutual respect; here, it is not the loudness of the voice that is heard, but the depth of character.
When Dr. Zakir Naik started preaching Islam and gained extraordinary fame very quickly, one of his prominent styles was to publicly recite the Kalima. Seeing this behavior, Hazrat Maulana Abdullah Hasani (may Allah have mercy on him) used to be very worried. He used to say that introducing Islam to the countrymen is certainly a noble and blessed act, but displaying those who recite the Kalima publicly in this way could cause serious problems in the future. And then time proved that the apprehension that was being expressed became a reality. When the BJP government came to power, Dr. Zakir Naik had to leave the country, his properties were confiscated, and government agencies went after him, until migration became his compulsion.
He used to express the same concern about Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui. He clearly said that even if someone converts to Islam, their conversion to Islam should not be flaunted in processions and gatherings, nor should it be confined to the covers of books. Books like "Naseem-e-Hidayat Ke Jhonke" (Breezes of Guidance), which consist of several volumes and contain detailed mentions of those who converted to Islam, were, in Maulana's view, a harbinger of future troubles. Unfortunately, the same thing happened to Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui that was feared, and today he and many of his companions are spending their lives behind bars, serving life sentences. Thus, Maulana's foresight proved correct once again.
Hazrat Maulana Abdullah Hasani (may Allah have mercy on him) had a very deep concern in this matter. His dream was to prepare a generation that, living within India, would carry out the work of invitation with silence and dignity—without noise and without conflict. A formal educational plan was drawn up for this purpose. The students who graduated under his supervision were trained by expert teachers. They were taught the answer to every possible question related to Islam—questions that might arise in the field from non-Muslims, Christians, or atheists. The aim was that when these young people entered the practical field, they should not be afraid of any objection or debate, but should converse with knowledge, wisdom, and high morals.
One thing Hazrat Maulana Abdullah Hasani (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say is particularly noteworthy. He used to say that when you talk about the oneness of God, no one will deny it—whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Christian, or Buddhist—except for atheists, because every religion has a concept of God in some form or another. Disagreement and objection begin when the discussion comes to prophethood. Here, everyone stands with the argument of their own religion, and at this stage, it is not possible to convince anyone merely through debate, because believing in prophethood is a matter of the heart and an act of faith, not a result of debate.
In the light of these principles, if we review the famous debate of the present era—the debate between Mufti Shamael Sahib and Javed Akhtar Sahib—several questions arise. Undoubtedly, this debate gained extraordinary fame and was also praised in Islamic circles, but the fact remains that the number of atheists in India is less than one percent. In such a situation, the debate with a well-known personality like Javed Akhtar unnecessarily subjected the matter to media hype. If the same debate had taken place with an unknown person, it would not have received so much fame, nor would so much noise have been created.
The reality is that this debate did not benefit as much as it emotionally confused a section of the public. Media sensationalism, podcasts, and constant discussion—all of this can cause trouble in the future. The situation reached a point where some people were planning to hold a press conference for Mufti Shamael Sahib at the Clark Awadh Hotel in Lucknow, as if not a scholarly dialogue but a political campaign was about to begin. Thanks to Allah that the officials of Nadwa understood the delicacy of the situation and dismissed him with the morning flight.
The truth is that the style of invitation is different and the temperament of debate is different. Mixing these two is not better for the religion nor for the country.
Keeping in view the delicacy of the current situation and the experiences of the preachers of the past, it is very important that Mufti Shamael Sahib seriously consider his preaching style for the future and formulate a clear plan. Today, the conditions of the country are not the same as before, nor are there any significant signs of improvement in the next few years. The current government is going after such people and putting them in jails. Although you feel somewhat safe due to your stay in Kolkata, the changing course of events cannot be ignored. Therefore, the need of the hour is that Mufti Shamael Sahib prepare himself according to the circumstances.
Finally, this is a sincere request to the young people who are acquiring Islamic education that they should define their own mission. In whichever field you want to step into, establish a strong connection with the experts in that field. If the work of invitation is intended, then learn from the experts in this art and arrange special classes for it, so that the students are fully prepared for the practical field. Recognize your abilities, work within that circle, and remember: the most effective invitation in this land is the one that silently reaches hearts.
Muhammad Aslam Nadwi
'Advocate High Court Lucknow,