QR-1 : Blind Following - Part 1

Allah says in Quran “O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves” (5:105); meaning, each one of us will have to take responsibility for whatsoever we follow in the religion. So, this is our job is to learn the religion properly and put the right effort to find the right practices as much as we can, because no excuses will be acceptable otherwise.

Look at the verse right before (5:106), Allah says -

And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allāh has revealed and to the Messenger," they say, "Sufficient for us is that upon which we found our fathers." Even though their fathers knew nothing, nor were they guided? (5:106) ; meaning these people used to give an excuse of following their forefathers in the religion and were satisfied in that following as well. So what about the things and people we follow today just by looking at their trends, culture and traditions? Did we check those traditions and cultures validity to Allah? Are we using our intellect or merely following those trends and traditions like a mindless blind man as Allah questions such peoples’ intellect saying “And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allāh has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? (2:170).

Dear Muslims, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (sunan ibn majah).

Are we fulfilling this obligation that is the base of every other obligations in the religion. If not, then our practices of the religions will be questioned and we will not have any escape from the verse we stated in the beginning – “O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves” (5:105);

An important Question:

If you are a muslim, why are you a muslim? Just because your forefathers are muslim or you really used your intellect to find out the right religion, hence you are a muslim. Otherwise, if the reason of being a muslim is just a mindless blind following of your family cultures and traditions, then what’s the difference between you worshipping allah and an hindu worshipping his idols? Why this thought is important? When you know why you are a muslim through your intellect, that knowledge will help you to be a true worshipper of Allah or else, everything will remain as a physical rituals for rest of your life. And when you can find the truth and follow it in the midst of everyone following the wrong path, Allah says nothing else can harm you – “O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allāh is your return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do(5:105).