Book Review
Reviewer: Juneefa Bilal
Author: Moulana Moududi
Publisher: Islamic Publications, Lahore Pakistan
Pages: 111
Price: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Non-FictionISBN: N/A
Introduction:
Maulana Syed Abu 'Ala Maududi was one of the most prominent scholars of twentieth century. He was a prolific writer. Both Western and South Asian scholars regard him as one of the most powerful Islamic ideologue of the twentieth century whose ideas and writings influenced a vast number of Islamic Movements in the Muslim World. He was the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamic Organisation in Asia. His book “The Four Terminologies of the Qur'an” was originally written in Urdu under the title of “Qur'an ki Chaar Bunyadi Istilahein ". It originally appeared in his monthly magazine “Tarjuman-ul-Qur'an". The book consists of 4 chapters along with a preface.Motive of Maulana Maududi behind writing this book:
Maulana Maududi in the introduction of the book has quoted a number of verses from Qurán to acquaint the readers that the entire content of the Qur'an revolves round these four terms. He writes that the Qur'an will lose its whole meaning for a person who does not know the true meaning of Illah , Rabb, Ibadah and Deen. Maulana Maududi writes that misunderstanding has spread among the Ummah regarding the meaning of these four terms. While explaining the reason behind these misapprehensions he writes that Arabs were aware of the meaning of these four terms but gradually the meaning of these terms became limited. Gradual decline of interest in Arabic language is another reason behind these misapprehensions as per Maulana Maududi. The repercussion of these misunderstandings, according to Maulana Maududi, is that three-fouth of the teachings of the Qur'an have become obscured.Thus, the main motive of Maulana Maududi behind writing this book is to remove these vague concepts and misunderstandings in the minds of people concerning these basic four terms so that the real spirit of the Qur'an becomes clear to the Ummah.
Review:
Maulana Maududi starts his discussion by explaining the term Illah. After explaining at length the literary meaning ,it is implied by the author that word Illah includes capacities to help others, to provide them protection, to provide them peace mysteriously and also word Illah implies dominance, and power and authority to do all these things. Then, author discusses the view of pre-Islamic Arabia and the Qur'anic concept of Illah, and concludes that godhood and authority are interconnected and both signify the same thing in its meaning as well as in its spirit. It is emphasised that godhood includes monarchy and rulership and it is a necessary part of Tawheed that it must be believed that no one other than Almighty Allah possesses the authority and no one should be believed to have any share with Almighty Allah in this respect....the main motive of Maulana Maududi behind writing this book is to remove these vague concepts and misunderstandings in the minds of people concerning these basic four terms so that the real spirit of the Qur'an becomes clear to the UmmahWhile explaining the literary meaning of Rabb, the author implies that word connotes five meanings i.e., one who fosters, one who supervises, one who occupies a central position ,one who is obeyed along with acknowledging his supremacy and master. Then, Maulana Maududi examines the false notions which existed among the misguided tribes and people about Rabubiyah during pre-Islamic times. After mentioning a number of Qur'anic verses, Maulana Maududi concludes that Rabubiyah is exactly synonymous with sovereignty of Allah and He is the source of law and man can only enforce His law on land being his vicegerent and man himself can't frame any law or constitution. Allah is supreme authority and to Him belongs all power. He is the Absolute King of all the Universe and ruler of all creations. It is by virtue of this attribute of Allah that He alone is the worthy of worship and it is a necessary part of Tawheed that it must be believed that no one other than Almighty Allah is the sovereign power and supreme authority and no one should be believed to have any share with Almighty Allah in this respect.
Maulana Maududi concludes that Ibadah is used in three senses i.e., worship, bondage and submission. Thus, Ibadah doesn’t consist merely of performing acts of prayer and worship, it includes acceptance of Allah as the supreme object of loyalty and commitment to obey and follow His command and to do His will. Essentially, Allah alone has the right to give command, and to demand exclusive service and obedience from man. Thus, submission to man-made laws is blasphemy and Qur'an demands that Ibadah in whatever form it take should be reserved for Allah and obedience to taghoot should be forbeared.
While explaining the Qur'anic usage of term Deen, Maulana Maududi concludes that Deen is a comprehensive term which consists of composite parts as retribution meted out by authority, establishment of thought and action by authority, obedience and sovereignty. He believes that Islam covers all aspects of life. Man requires to submit to Almighty Allah not only in places of worship but at all places and at all times. Thus, Deen should be exclusively for Allah with no share of it for any constitution or for man-made laws.
Maulana Maududi puts forth a fact that the terms Illah, Rabb, Ibadah and Deen categorically assert that all the power and authority vests exclusively in hands of Almighty Allah .Everything that exists is subservient and submissive to him and nor does anyone have the least share in His Sovereignty and Authority.
The book has been criticized by Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi in his book ''Asr-e-Hazir mein Deen ki Tafheem aur Tashreeh''. Also, Maulana Wahidudin Khan has criticized this book in his book ''T'aebeer ki Ghalti''. Maulana Wahidudin Khan writes that Maulana Maududi is highly influenced by political philosophy and all his literature revolves round his political thought.Maulana Maududi impresses upon us to accept that Allah is the Rabb, and the Ilah ; No-one else possesses the qualities and attributes implied by these terms; therefore men should give their 'ibadah to Him and Him alone ;and one's deen should be exclusively for Him with no share of it for any other.
Criticism of the book:
This book has been criticized by Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi in his book ''Asr-e-Hazir mein Deen ki Tafheem aur Tashreeh''. He criticized Maulana Maududi for his interpretation of these four terms. He while criticising says that Maulana Maududi in his book ''The Four Terminologies ofthe Qur'an'' tries to claim that he himself is the only person who has understood the Qur'an in real sense in general and these four terms in particular and the rest of Ummah is ignorant about the real meaning of the Qur'an. He accuses Maulana Maududi of changing the meaning of these terms.Also, Maulana Wahidudin Khan has criticized this book in his book ''T'aebeer ki Ghalti''. In this book, Maulana Wahidudin Khan writes that Maulana Maududi is highly influenced by political philosophy and all his literature revolves round his political thought. He criticized Maulana Maududi for his book "The Four Terminologies of the Qur'an" on the ground that Maulana Maududi while explaining these terms has his political thought in his mind and he has tried to interpret these terms with respect to his political thought.
This book has been also criticized by Maulana Manzoor Naumani and Maulana Yousuf Ludhianvi.
Counter-arguments:
There have been counter arguments in favour of the book. e.g. Syed Hamid Ali’s book "Qur'ani Istilahaat aur Ulma-e- Salf-o-Khalf" explains the terminologies of the Qur'an ,along with these four main terms, in the light of Arabic lexicon ,the Qur'an and the Hadith. Besides, he also discusses what is the interpretation of these terms provided by the Salf-e-Saliheen. Also, the act of vindicating this book was done by Dr. Ubaidullah Fahad Falahi in his book "Ahay-e-Deen aur Hindustani Ullama''. He refutes the criticism of Maulana Manzoor Naumani , Abul Hassan Ali Nadvi and Maulana Wahidudin Khan.Conclusion:
I personally agree with the interpretation and understanding of Maulana Maududi as this is based entirely on the Qur'an and the Sunnah and the arabic language. Besides , this interpretation is in conformity with the interpretation of Salf-e-Saliheen.I would recommend the book to the serious readers and would suggest them to read the refutations and counter-refutations of the book with an open hear and mind.
About The Reviewer:
The author is a student of M.A. Islamic Studies at Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora Jammu & Kashmir and can be contacted at juneefabilaldeva@gmail.com.
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