More Need for Thought and Action Than Emotions

Emotions are secondary to thought and action

               Muhammad Qamaruzzaman Nadwi

In human nature, there exists a vast, deep, and undeniable element of emotions. Emotions are what prepare a person for action, spur them on, prepare them for sacrifice, and sometimes make the impossible possible. But when these same emotions are not subject to reason, wisdom, and awareness, they turn from a blessing into a burden.

Today, in our society, especially among the youth and in the political and activist arena, emotionalism has taken the form of an epidemic. People have begun to consider merely raising emotional slogans and making noise as action, instead of thinking, understanding, and maintaining balance.

The Islamic thinker, Hazrat Maulana Ali Mian Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him), long ago, while describing this worry and weakness of the nation and this ailment of the youth of the community, said:

"The third thing I want to say is that wherever a person lives, in whatever society, in whatever environment, they should use sound reason and realism. They should not be merely emotional. This weakness has been present in Muslims for a long time, that they are very quick to be swept away by the tide of emotions. Whoever raises a slogan, says harsh things, vents their anger, Muslims are very happy with them, and are ready to cross any hurdle. And if someone keeps things on a low flame, they are nothing. If someone explains that, look, brother, there should be reform, then a movement can arise, Muslims have no connection with that."

(Rudad-e-Chaman / 234)

Emotionalism, a motivator for action or a gateway to misguidance?

If emotions are subject to reason and awareness, they become the heat of faith and the determination to act. But when they are free from understanding and insight, they create narrow-mindedness, extremism, and division.

The biggest challenge facing today's youth is not to be swept away by the storm of emotions, but to chart a course with reason, knowledge, and insight.

An emotional decision may provide temporary satisfaction, but its outcome often results in regret and shame. The history of nations bears witness that movements based solely on enthusiasm do not last long. Lasting change always arises from awareness, understanding, discipline, and deliberation.

In the Holy Quran, it is stated:

(And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.)

This verse is an intellectual manifesto against emotionalism, that every word and deed should be based on knowledge, insight, and truth.

Personality worship, another name for intellectual slavery

The natural result of emotionalism is personality worship. When thinkers die out and only speakers remain, nations become captive to individuals.

Rather, as a parenthetical remark, it should be clarified that the teaching of Islam is that considering a great person as venerable does not necessarily mean that all their words should be imprinted in the heart and that every detail of theirs should be considered obligatory to accept. Rather, the belief should be that absolute and unconditional obedience is the exclusive right of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who is infallible.

In this light, personality worship is the intellectual death of any movement or group.

It is a state in which principles are left behind and individuals move forward.

People salute faces, not ideas.

This is the point where loyalty takes the place of truth, and the nation reaches the brink of intellectual decline, decay, and degradation.

A wise person certainly loves a leader, but not blindly. They see leaders as mirrors, where if the character is clear, the reflection is bright, and where there is fog, they raise questions.

The real essence of movements is the adherence to principles, not the worship of personalities.

In a nation where asking questions becomes a crime, thinking is also considered a sin.

Moderation, the balance of reason and action

The spirit of Islam is moderation. We are given the title of "Ummat-e-Wasat" (the moderate nation) for this reason, that we should neither be swept away by emotions nor become cold-hearted and insensitive.

In activist and political life, moderation means that we keep emotions subject to order, mold love into the mold of reason, and bring disagreement within the bounds of decency.

This meaning of moderation is not limited to behavior alone, but encompasses thought, speech, and character.

This is the path, the way, and the method by which nations acquire mature awareness.

Moderation does not mean that a person becomes weak, but rather that they become one who uses power with wisdom.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

(The best of deeds is that in which there is balance and moderation.)

A message of reason and insight for the youth

This is an era of emotionalism and noise, but my youth! You must raise the voice of wisdom and insight with sincerity, and always avoid emotionalism and negative reactions.

The destiny of nations is not made by enthusiasm and emotions alone, but by thought and character.

Your duty is to make emotions a driving force, but make decisions with knowledge and reason.

Love personalities, but remain loyal to principles instead of them.

May your movement be a caravan of wisdom and intellect, not of emotions.

May your politics be a mirror of ideology, not of slogans.

When the youth of a nation become an embodiment of moderation, understanding, and wisdom, nations emerge from decline and embark on the paths of progress and perfection, and success and glory become their destiny.

If emotionalism is not kept in check, it puts the nation into turmoil.

And if personality worship exceeds its limits, it buries principles.

The path to salvation lies only in moderation, balance, insight, and adherence to principles.

We must mold our activist and political life into the mold of reason, Sharia, and wisdom.

This is the path that can grant the Ummah unity, stability, and dignity.

Otherwise, slogans will change, faces will change, but the situation will remain the same.

The awakening of nations always comes from reason and knowledge, not from noise and uproar.

I will end today's gathering by saying one last thing, and this is not my saying, but the Islamic thinker Hazrat Maulana Ali Mian Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) often used to say in his gatherings and speeches and writings that

"You should make your mind collective, not just thinking about your own benefit, that we should benefit, whatever happens to the religion and the community, whatever happens to the Sharia, what can we think about everyone.

This mindset has caused great damage."

Maulana (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say that you should prove your positive abilities by living in India, wherever you live, you should have a message, your life should be distinct from the lives of others, it should be clearly visible, it should be visible with open eyes that you are a Muslim.

Today, the solution to the problem of India is that wherever you live, your character should be high, your morals should be distinct, your way of acting should be different, you should seem like coins minted in another mint, it should be known that yes, these are coins minted in the mint of Muhammad, you should consider lying as forbidden, you should consider deceiving as a great sin, you should consider breaking promises as a crime, no Muslim should be harmed by you, if our and your character is like this, then we cannot estimate how quickly Islam will spread in India.