This article was published in the June, 2012 issue of The Rationale, Monthly. *
Immanuel Kant once said, “A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.” For a person who believes in reason, this objectivity is mostly based on his analytical mindset, which comprehends the situation, analyse the variables, calculate the impact of the thing he concludes and then states his conclusion. However, a difficult situation arises when others counter this conclusion without much thought just for the sake of defending their dogmas.
A friend of mine visited me some days back and from all the stuff we shared while sitting in a cozy restaurant, the discussion turned to politics. “I found the Khilafa as the only solution for the turmoil of this country.” He told me in a very intellectual style. “What? You mean Khilafat like the one by Taliban?” I was shocked to hear that from a person, who is a Regional Coordinator in an international NGO. The discussion followed as under,
He, “Yes, offcourse. More or less.”
Me, “Are you in your senses? That will be a worst imposition of a specific ideology on millions of people having variety of beliefs.”
He, “So what, they should either adjust or leave?”
Me, “What if some minority sect imposes the same on you?”
He, “How could they, they can’t, we are the only righteous.”
Me, “May be everyone thinks so.”
HE, “Do you think they are right? You think other sects are right.”
Me, “Yes, because you think you are right, so they can also say the same.”
He, “It seems like you have turned into a communist or possibly a heretic.”
Me, “How come you guess that?”
He, “Because, you are opposing the true faith.”
Me, “Look man, I am not opposing you, neither do I oppose anyone.”
He, “You should oppose others.”
Me, “Why should I? Why can’t we tolerate and respect others’ point of views, whether they be non-muslims or from other sects? We should respect humanity.”
He, “I do not endorse your western humanity concepts. Do you want to impose Communism in Pakistan?”
Me, “No, communism might be having its own flaws. What is wrong with democracy?”
He, “Not democracy, its demoncrazy.”
Me, “Look mate, don’t argue with me, if you don’t understand the things. These are social processes which are being evolved with time and should be adopted.”
He, “You have been brainwashed by Jewish lobby and you will be burnt in hell.”
Me, “Wow! What makes you think so? What blasphemy have I uttered now?”
He, “You are talking about humanity, demoncrazy and evolution. You have become westernized.”
Me, “This is just my analysis. If you find me wrong, you can point out the fallacy and give your own argument.”
He, “There is no argument in Deen.”
Me, “What? Who is talking about the deen?”
He, “You! You are disgracing it.”
Me, “For God sake man, just make a little sense. Please! And I really don’t want to talk with you anymore on this stuff.”
He, “OK leave. What about visiting to one of my friend’s place? We will have a party and will have some shots and some fun. What say?” He winked at me.
Me, “Sorry, I don’t drink. You just drop me off at my flat.”
He, “Okay man, chill out! You are such a boring buddy.” He blew cigarette smoke on my face.
And I kept wondering that if Khilafa will come, what will happen to this guy? All of my reason was failed and my mind was boiling after this 15 minutes conversation with him. I concluded three points from this discussion. Firstly, one should be honest to believe in reason. Secondly, one should not be arrogant to out rightly reject the reason due to some vested interests. Third and the most important one is that honesty and humbleness are the components of rationality and understanding. Although, I reminded myself of other similar incidents happened to me and I promised that I will never put myself in such a discussion again. However, I am passionately waiting for another one.
*(Don't confuse it with our upcoming The Rationalist, Quarterly which is an ezine, where the former where this article is published is a paper magazine)
A friend of mine visited me some days back and from all the stuff we shared while sitting in a cozy restaurant, the discussion turned to politics. “I found the Khilafa as the only solution for the turmoil of this country.” He told me in a very intellectual style. “What? You mean Khilafat like the one by Taliban?” I was shocked to hear that from a person, who is a Regional Coordinator in an international NGO. The discussion followed as under,
He, “Yes, offcourse. More or less.”
Me, “Are you in your senses? That will be a worst imposition of a specific ideology on millions of people having variety of beliefs.”
He, “So what, they should either adjust or leave?”
Me, “What if some minority sect imposes the same on you?”
He, “How could they, they can’t, we are the only righteous.”
Me, “May be everyone thinks so.”
HE, “Do you think they are right? You think other sects are right.”
Me, “Yes, because you think you are right, so they can also say the same.”
He, “It seems like you have turned into a communist or possibly a heretic.”
Me, “How come you guess that?”
He, “Because, you are opposing the true faith.”
Me, “Look man, I am not opposing you, neither do I oppose anyone.”
He, “You should oppose others.”
Me, “Why should I? Why can’t we tolerate and respect others’ point of views, whether they be non-muslims or from other sects? We should respect humanity.”
He, “I do not endorse your western humanity concepts. Do you want to impose Communism in Pakistan?”
Me, “No, communism might be having its own flaws. What is wrong with democracy?”
He, “Not democracy, its demoncrazy.”
Me, “Look mate, don’t argue with me, if you don’t understand the things. These are social processes which are being evolved with time and should be adopted.”
He, “You have been brainwashed by Jewish lobby and you will be burnt in hell.”
Me, “Wow! What makes you think so? What blasphemy have I uttered now?”
He, “You are talking about humanity, demoncrazy and evolution. You have become westernized.”
Me, “This is just my analysis. If you find me wrong, you can point out the fallacy and give your own argument.”
He, “There is no argument in Deen.”
Me, “What? Who is talking about the deen?”
He, “You! You are disgracing it.”
Me, “For God sake man, just make a little sense. Please! And I really don’t want to talk with you anymore on this stuff.”
He, “OK leave. What about visiting to one of my friend’s place? We will have a party and will have some shots and some fun. What say?” He winked at me.
Me, “Sorry, I don’t drink. You just drop me off at my flat.”
He, “Okay man, chill out! You are such a boring buddy.” He blew cigarette smoke on my face.
And I kept wondering that if Khilafa will come, what will happen to this guy? All of my reason was failed and my mind was boiling after this 15 minutes conversation with him. I concluded three points from this discussion. Firstly, one should be honest to believe in reason. Secondly, one should not be arrogant to out rightly reject the reason due to some vested interests. Third and the most important one is that honesty and humbleness are the components of rationality and understanding. Although, I reminded myself of other similar incidents happened to me and I promised that I will never put myself in such a discussion again. However, I am passionately waiting for another one.
*(Don't confuse it with our upcoming The Rationalist, Quarterly which is an ezine, where the former where this article is published is a paper magazine)
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