Research on Akhlaq Development: The Standard Character and its Development in Muslim Living

Knowledge without its moral disposition is of no benefit. The virtues of knowledge without hidāyat are useless and vice versa. Man is advised to control his behavior as he will be questioned for his deeds. Faith is not a matter of words but of accepting Allah’s will and striving in his cause. Every soul shall have a taste of death and on the Day of Judgment will be paid full recompense for his deeds. The one who is admitted to heaven would attain the object of life. This object is achieved by moral character. It shapes an individual in a way conducive to the unfettered growth of good, virtue and truth in every sphere of life. It gives full play to the forces of going in all directions. Also it removes all impediments in the path of virtue. It eradicates evils from social plan by prohibiting the causes of its appearance and growth, by closing the inlets through which it creeps into a society. It saves from all sorts of human weaknesses and counsels of pseudo-wisdom, self respect that keeps breaking-in and resists all evils. This is attained by exercising highest patience and self restraint. It signifies the entire scheme of life and not any isolated part or parts thereof. Akhlāq develops an attitude in a person by which every moral valuation, every decision as to the practical course for whatever the individual would prefer in his life to take for ultimate success.

Mysticism of Rahman Baba and its Educational Implications

Islam has produced great scholars, philosophers and mystics, who were / are the custodians and promoters of the Islamic culture and its values in the world. The teachings of all these legends are capable of pulling our own and our succeeding generations from the inferiority complexes and put them on the path to God. Rahman Baba is one amongst them and the reason for my selection of the Mysticism of Rahman Baba and Its Educational Implications for my Ph. D research study is that I have studied this mystic poet of Pashto literature and can say that his poetry is an introduction to the fundamentals of human nature. He addresses to man irrespective of his origin. He makes an irresistible appeal to all, irrespective of their caste, colour and creed. His ideas are ever fresh and new and are a guiding light for seekers of the truth. Baba is a Mystic who leads life according to Islamic Shariah. To study him is helpful in understanding the aim of life and the true meanings of Islam. God made man superior to the entire creature but he does not know his true self and behaves like animals. Man should have tolerance in his self; should be kind and compassionate to others as this is the best way to get nearness to God. Man is naturally the lover of God. To love God means to obey His commands and serve the humanity without expecting any financial reward. Real richness is the richness of heart, which comes through the remembrance of God. Man is a humble slave of God and by stretching hand before the slaves; man becomes slave of the slaves, which is quite astonishing and Baba dislikes it. He is of the opinion that man should have the knowledge of his own self, his Creator, the universe that surrounds him and the aim for which he has been created. He advises the ulama (the scholars) to become practical because the scholar (A''alim) is not scholar until he is practical. Knowledge turned into practice opens the eyes of man and introduces him to God and man starts to obey His commands without any hesitation. Baba lays stress on the character building of the individuals in order to make them capable of facing the hardships that may come in his way while following the injunctions of God and His Prophet (S A W). The teachings of Rahman Baba can purify man''s heart from the evils & can bring him closer to God and when man gets closer to God, he gets courage to fight against the evils both inside him and outside him i.e. in the society. There will be justice everywhere iv and this will bring peace in the surroundings and the society will become a truly human society. Baba addresses to men and wants them to be true human beings, something that is becoming a rarity in modern days. Baba''s teachings are about all the aspects of human life and are based on "To enjoin Good and forbid Evil and eventually work for the establishment of a just socio - moral order in the world." He strongly advocates justice and considers it necessary for peace and unity. His courage and conviction and his humanity are exemplary. He is God fearing and knows the art of living on the earth as a true human being. In short, the researcher, after studying Rahman Baba, is of the opinion that the teachings of Baba can help us to build an exemplary society and if we apply his teachings in our education, we can prepare morally and religiously strong & well-rounded individuals, which is an urgent need of our society.