Obedience to Allah & His Prophet (PBUH) central to Islamic teachings: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

MQI founding leader Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said Islam is a religion of peace and mercy. He said the invitation to Islam should be extended in a manner that makes people happy. He said the harshness of tone and tenor has a negative effect on human disposition and instead of the positive outcome, the result is often negative. He said that according to the Holy Quran, good manners is one of the signs of the believers. Allah Almighty described the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as excellent in manners.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said our lives are restless because we are intolerant and the relationships that are meant for peace and comfort have become the source of estrangement. He said it has become a common practice that a strong reaction is given without listening to others or understanding their point of view with the result that precious relations break in a moment. He said we would have to expel unwanted harshness, and bitterness, and ill-feelings from our lives.

Dr Qadri said when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would send the companions on Jihad or preaching, he (peace and blessings be upon him) would advise them to be tolerant and respectful towards the non-Muslims so that those receiving the message of Islam would be happy to get it and not be turned off by it. He said the negative attitudes have created differences among families. He said many problems can be resolved through dialogue but our excessive love for the worldly attractions and estrangement from religion has hardened our attitudes, stating that such temperaments are against the 'Sira' of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised the faithful to be soft even when they spoke to the enemies but contrarily, we consider politeness to be against our status while talking to our loved ones. He said this is the behavior of Pharaoh and those indulging in such behavior should also remember the fate he met.

Dr Qadri said we have not tried to understand the real teachings of Islam as a community and have normalized the spending of life against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunna. He said when violations increase manifold, nature springs into action, stating that an invisible, minuscule virus has snatched the peace of mind of all and sundry today. He said this pandemic also represents a warning for humanity to get to the right path.

MQI leader said the destroyed nations that the Holy Quran has mentioned are the ones that were disobedient. He said the Prophets of Allah would try to persuade the people to accept the truth through their excellent conduct and miracles but the latter would ridicule them. And at last, they were destroyed due to their stubbornness. He said the coronavirus should also be considered as a reminder from Allah Almighty and we should shun the life of disobedience and adopt the life of piety and obedience towards Allah and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).