NOOR-I-KIRAN HARIS

RESPONSE PAPER.

What is the importance of intention while pursuing the path of sacred knowledge?

Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, Actions are judged by intentions. Hence this clearly tells us to keep our intentions for everything and everyone around us pious as if to please Allah . If we have good intention for something and in the way, unknowingly something evil happens,it will be judged like a good deed due to good intention. Similarly ,a good deed can be taken as evil one if the intention behind it is bad. Hence in pursuing the path of sacred knowledge,if the intention is to please ALLAH ,then it would be rewarded as such In Sha ALLAh but if the intention is to get praise from other people around oneself ,then this deed will be regarded as bad and evil. So much is the importance of having good intention is that Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, God has written good and evil deeds, then rendered them clear; anyone who intends a good deed but does not perform it, God records it as one good deed, whereas should he intend and then perform it, God records it as ten good deeds, up to seven hundred fold,

and to yet more multiplications. If he intends an evil deed and does nor do it, God records ir as one full good deed; if he intends and then does it, God records it as one evil deed.

How do the inner and outer dimensions of Islam inter-relate to one another?

It is a well known fact that the skin glows if the general health of the person is optimum.Similarly when it comes to religion and spirituality,the way a person is from inside,and the way his soul is pure,it will no doubt reflect on the outward appearance of the person.

It is like as every soul is born innocent and pure,but as a child grows,the contamination of the worldly stuff ,put impurities in his soul and it reflects on his personality and appearance as a whole.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, 'ln the body there lies a small piece of flesh;when it is good the rest of the body is good also, and when it is corrupt the rest of the body becomes corrupt also: it is the heart.

Hence it is important to protect the heart from becoming impure in order to protect ones deen as well as ones outward appearance.

What role can a revival of Islamic Spirituality play in light of the challenges faced by the modern Muslim and/or society?

A good society is the one that is well organized ,disciplined with rules and regulations clearly laid down to follow.Islam is a complete code of

life,meaning it provides guidance regarding spiritual,physical,social,political aspects of a human life.This guidance comes in the form of the QURAN and SUNNAH to us. The modern muslim society faces pressure from the world in all aspects of life in this day and age.Note that Quran is a universal revelation,meaning that the principles laid down in it are applicable to present and future generations as well like it was applicable to people 1400 years ago. It is this FAITH that Quran has remained unchanged and is universal book that is required to be in every muslims heart.Once this faith is established,the next step is to EDUCATE people around regarding teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah and strive to make our lives according to the injunctions of Islam. This self-awareness can come from with in us and also from the muslim scholars,hence highlighting the importance of having righteous,selfless muslim scholars to guide the muslim community.