Islam and Intellect
AAIIL(UK) Bulletin, May 1989 Issue (p. 3)
After the conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) sent missionaries to other parts of Arabia for the propagation of Islam. Muaz bin Jabal was a young man who was among those chosen for this noble task. His destination was Yemen. When Muaz was ready to leave, he came to say farewell to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet went some distance with Muaz to see him off. As he walked along the mount, the Holy Prophet instructed Muaz about his mission.
“First, teach them that there is only one God,”
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) instructed Mauz,
“after they are convinced of this sublime Truth, only then tell them about His Prophet Muhammad and his teachings.”
(These were Hazrat Maulana Nur-ud-Din’s instructions to Hazrat Khawaja Kamal-ud-Din when Hazrat Khawaja set up the Woking Muslim Mission)
The Holy Prophet then instructed Muaz to render justice and mercy. He then quizzed Muaz about the authority on which he will base his actions and decisions.
“I shall follow the Book of Allah”,
replied Muaz. The Holy Prophet then asked Muaz what he will do if he did not find the solution in the Holy Quran.
“I shall then follow the Sunnah of the Prophet,”
answered the man. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) then asked Muaz what he will do if he could not find a solution in either of these sources.
“Then,”
replied Muaz,
“I shall use my own judgement.”
The Holy Prophet was pleased with this reply and sent Muaz off advising him to fear Allah and to seek Divine Guidance whenever he had a problem.
The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam has followed this advice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We believe that Muslims do not have to look back to former glories. Every discovery, each advance in knowledge shall unfold new beauties hidden in the Holy Quran. It is for the Muslims to push the frontiers of knowledge. It is also for them to prove that the solution to all problems created by such advance lies in following the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. It was this message that prompted brilliant men like Dr. Abdullah to join this organisation.