Page 110 - Quranic Wisdom - New.indd

The Prophet-s Life wasan Open Book

the living ideology of Islam and to re-awaken their minds along
the lines which were followed by the Prophet and his companions.
It is this act which is called in the Hadith (saying of the Prophet)
tajdeed, or revival.
The process of tajdeed cannot be successful if the reformers
want simply to revive the ritualistic form of Islam. The above
example of the barren land tells us that the starting point for
reform is intellectual awakening and not simply the revival of
ritualistic practices.
Moreover, the task of revival needs a creative approach
entailing the use of the contemporary idiom; reformers should
try to sense their listeners’ moods and preach in such a manner
that their minds may be addressed. If people’s minds are not
addressed, then no reform movement will yield any positive
results.

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The Prophet s Life was

an Open Book

ccording to the Quran, the Prophet of Islam lived an
Aexemplary life. Different aspects of the prophetic character
are described in the Quran, one of which is alluded to in the
chapter Yunus (Jonah). The translation of the relevant verse is as
follows:

Say, ‘If God had so wished, I would not have recited
it to you, nor would He have brought it to your
knowledge. Indeed, I have spent a whole lifetime
among you before it came to me. How can you not
use your reason?’ (10:16)

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