by Samina Naseem
Interesting claim that han! Well, born in an orthodox Christian family, brought up in a very traditional system, going church regularly and o yes! Singing in choir and participating in Christmas and Easter programs as well. My parents were blessed Christians and wanted their children to be like them too. They struggled hard to be a role model for my siblings and me. I truly appreciate their efforts and acknowledge that they didn’t fail. All of us believe in the word of God and strive to live our lives accordingly. People belonging to various faiths who belief in oneness of God, have always been against idol worshipping and there are instances stated in the Holy Scriptures where God forbids us not to worship any idol. For instance, a major part of Christian faith is based on the Ten Commandments revealed to Hazrat Musa (Mosses) by the Almighty. The Bible clearly states, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (Exodus; 20:4). And I strongly believe in this commandment. Still I consider myself to be an idol worshiper. How? You will know as you read this article.
What is an idol? The three main web definitions are: 1) a material effigy that is worshipped- the religious one that I defined in the above paragraph; 2) someone who is adored blindly and excessively; and 3) paragon an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept. I would try to exemplify the second and third definition by saying that “Romanticizing places and people, materialism and loving someone” well-fit in these definitions. How these all fit to be idols? Simple none of these respond back as you expect them to. Have you ever observed anyone worshipping an idol? They just keep on sharing their wishes with the idol with a hope that it is listening and it will respond, but it doesn’t because it is an idol.
Let’s take all these things one by one. Before I do that, I think the third definition of idol is suitable for both romanticism and materialism because these both are ideal instances which we desire to have.
First, romanticizing places and people; is it idol worshipping? Yes, it is indeed. I spend so much of my valuable time thinking about the places where I have been with someone, just making myself happy about that particular time and wishing time to have stopped or may repeat it. I wish, value and pray at times more than those places, people or particular situation really require; which tends to make me forget that romanticism promotes impractical ideals and attitudes. What do I get? Hurtful memories, which many times increase my anxiety rather than comforting me. But romanticism doesn’t help and never responds because it is an idol and idols don’t wish and value what I wish and value.
Materialism, hmmm ! a desire to possess wealth and material with little interest in ethical and spiritual matters. What does this idol give me? A status quo- people in my community respect me because I have a social status, expensive car to drive, a large palace cum bungalow to live or I may end up in having nothing but some or many unfulfilled desires. Whole of my life is spent in worshipping materialism but what do I receive? A false respect that may end if I lose every material thing that I possess or a struggling life running after worldly desires. Does worshipping materialism help? No, because it is an idol and it doesn’t possess worldly desires as I do.
The last but not the least I hope; the person I love. Of course he is a human. No doubts about that. This idol fits the second definition that defines an idol to be adored blindly and excessively. I adore him and show care for him. He also likes spending time with me. I sent dozens of emails daily to tell him that I miss him and I have been thinking of him. I call him, send him text messages, and do many other things to show that I really care. But I am worshipping an idol. He never feels what I feel and he never does and says things that make me realize that he cares too. Why doesn’t that person respond? Because he is an idol and idols don’t feel and show care I as do.
I would like to share a Buddhist’s notion told by someone, not to proselytize but to support my argument. He said and I quote, “We are often the agents of our greatest misery.” Now I agree when I realize all these idols I have been worshipping and adding up to my misery.
We all have these idols in our lives and there could be many more besides these three. The reason I thought of discussing them explicitly in this article because we all need to realize that idols don’t respond no matter how much we worship them; it is a never-ending crave. We usually don’t realize the love of God for us and start worshipping idols who don’t have anything to offer in real sense. Their worship makes us more anxious and makes us realize what we don’t have rather than what we have. We can never show our gratitude to people that we have in our lives and materials that we possess. We tend to love all these idols unquestioningly and uncritically; deeply and excessively. What should we do??
While writing this article, I continuously thought about the last paragraph and what I would be doing after realizing my misery and anxiety. I am mature enough to understand all this stuff. To be honest, deep in my heart I know that I might not run after worldly materials but I would go back to that place where I dined or walked and romanticize it and I will still love that person, even though he might not respond. Believe me God knows His creation called Human well. He is gracious enough to over look our minor desires but yes, excessiveness of everything is usually damaging. Romanticizing places and people or situations or loving someone or even having desires for worldly things not necessarily add to my misery. They only do when I pay them attention more than they really deserve. WHY to pay them attention or romanticize? Because I am an idol worshipper not an idol; I have emotions and I respond.
The writer teaches at Fatima Jinnah Women Univerity, Rawalpindi and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Michigan State University, USA
Secular Pakistan 
Pierrel
January 29, 2011
what are your benefits of worshiping Idol?
Nadia
January 29, 2011
Nice and very deep reflections on the journey of worshipping. I hope to hear more from you.
Samina Naseem
January 29, 2011
Dear Peirrel,
Well, the reader has to decide what s/he thinks about advantages and disadvantages. I’m no one to suggest any thing.
usman
January 29, 2011
well written
zainab
February 15, 2011
I could never fathom how self declared Pakistani “secularists” could revere someone like Jinnah who after all engineered a partition of a country along communal lines?
Seeing what’s become of Jinnah’s wet dream, I am thankful to my grand parents to have had the foresight to remain in India.
AngelicSinz
February 20, 2011
@Zainab – I assume you’re a muslim and don’t live in Indian Gujarat, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have been that thankful to your grandparents had you been subjected to the kind of torture those muslims went through.
InnocentHuman
January 10, 2012
I believe that you are simply hating in this sense since someone talked against your country. I am not like you so I won’t say anything bad about Pakistan. But I will try to defend my state through your baseless comment. If you take a look at the 50 million hindus living in gujarat, the number of people involved in the incidence you are referring to are 2000 people. Yes, that is 0.00004 percent of the population. I am not covering up the shameless acts performed by those humans through numbers but rather answering your question about happiness in Gujarat. Most gujaratis are followers of Gandhi and love all humans even across the border.
Bin Ismail
February 20, 2011
@ zainab
While on one hand, I would have to agree with AngelicSinz, might I also take the liberty of sharing with you my own perspective. Jinnah, in my opinion did not at all engineer any partition along communal lines. What Jinnah was advocating for the Muslim-majority states of India all along was simply greater autonomy. His original idea of “Pakistan” was little beyond a Muslim-majority India within India. When in 1946, the Cabinet Mission Plan came up and an opportunity for acquiring a little bit of more leg-room for the Muslim-majority states surfaced, Jinnah accepted it unconditionally. It was the Congress leadership that failed to offer similar commitment. This, as you would know, was the last chance to keep India undivided. Congress’ attitude led to the failure of the plan. There was no other plan on the table. Jinnah was an extremely pragmatic and practical person. He moved on. The only option he now had before him was the pursuance of an independent and sovereign Pakistan, which he rightfully did. So Pakistan was not made in the name of Islam nor exclusively for Muslims, but in pursuance of better economic and social conditions for all the inhabitants of the Muslim-majority states of undivided India.
anan
March 3, 2011
@ AngelicSinz
Stop hallucinating about Gujarat!
In post godhra riots if 700 muslims were killed ,more than 250 hindus were also killed . What about those who were brutally burnt alive in s-6 of sabarmati express, more than 50 people including women and children were killed , our sick Indian media flashes only the pictures of post godhra riots but forget that innocents who were burnt alive were equally beyond recognition.
Tell me what is happening to Hindus in Sindh province of Pakistan and other minorities?? ; why was Shabaaz Bhatti killed??
@Bin Ismail
But today Pakistan stands only for Islam ,Islam and Islam!
Nobody else is allowed.
yasser
March 14, 2011
much of balochistan is ungoverened atleast in the sense that there can be a distinct authority of government applying rules and laws. balochistan has been deprived of their share of respect, resources and attention. being from punjab, i can tell you; there’s no enimity of any provincial masses with any other (to the larger extent) except for the case of bugti tribe probably. now i need to clear two things here, why do claim of such brotherhood is due to the huge interaction of all provincial massess in punjab (holding majorly the economical opportunities unfortunately). i’ve met bugti family member and he didn’t seem bothered of any partition because of the neutral political information of people of north punjab being too much tangled in their economical affairs resulting across pakistan due to political extremes.
now the second thing that i need to explain is the reason of why am i telling you all this about pakistan
well, it was to compare gujrat and balochistan situation. now bugti getting foreign currencies + weapons mostly western and indian leaves us thinking of indian conspiracies. u can’t blame us for that partly because of the media evidences and partly because we share our ancesters with you making us somewhat second in the blame game. now please if u would understand; international intervention plus no governance means if u look at it logically absolutely no minorities in balochistan. thus there are friendly minority population there probably securing them, right? if that being situation in gujrat, by the way i am from gujrat pakistan (totally irrelavant, i apologize). u would know better, being an indian; about that gujrati hate group leaders in government and according to videos released by the indian media; they acclaiming of their wish to wipe out muslim population probably stopped by, and for the greater positive image of india.
i don’t mean to be offensive, but proving your and majority of indian’s disquality of being accusive. i thought i should speak out the bigger comparison of the two situations
Bin Ismail
March 4, 2011
@ anan
“…..@Bin Ismail…But today Pakistan stands only for Islam, Islam and Islam! Nobody else is allowed…..”
This is how it is being perceived. Whatever is going on in Pakistan has absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of the Quran or with the conduct of the Holy Prophet. What you witness today is a politicized version of Islam, a version created by the politically ambitious Mulla.
Pakistan is a classic case of “hijack”. It was meant to be a secular state, guaranteeing complete freedom and equality to all its citizens, regardless of their religion, caste or creed. Allow me to draw your kind attention to the following words of Jinnah the founder of Pakistan:
1. “Religion should not be allowed to come into Politics….Religion is merely a matter between man and God”. [Jinnah, Address to the Central Legislative Assembly, 7 February 1935]
2. “I am not fighting for Muslims, believe me, when I demand Pakistan.” [Jinnah, Press Conference, 14 November 1946]
3. “In any case Pakistan is NOT going to be a theocratic State – to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims – Hindus, Christians and Parsis – but they are ALL Pakistanis. They will enjoy the SAME rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.” [Jinnah, February 1948.Talk on Pakistan broadcast to the people of USA]
This is what Pakistan was meant to be.
samar
April 3, 2011
muslims are the best idol worshipers.
russianroullete2
April 9, 2011
What exactly is idolatry? To worship anything which is seen. The mullahs have successfully turned Islam into idol worship. Muslims instead of the worshipping an unseen god -are doing exactly the opposite.
The Koran cannot be touched by women who are menstruating, because they are supposed to be unclean. Texts from the Koran are written in plates or are put on frames and they are supposed to be something sacred, why?. When a new baby enters the house or a new couple enters a house the Koran is over their heads, Why?
Why do all the Muslims pray facing Kabaa -is that the Muslim God? Why do people the kiss rock there? What does any of that go to do with believing and worshipping an unseen god who happens to everywhere?. Why pray in the direction of the Kabaa? Why does a man have to circumcised in order to be Muslim? Why are infants circumcised? Does circumcision turn a bad person into a good one? [the only reason for circumcision is for great sex nothing else].
How strange men grow long ugly beards but shave their pubic hair and underarms. One Muslim sect encourages self-flagellation and wounding oneself – bleeding not for the unseen god but for someone who was killed centuries ago. So a person has been elevated to a status of a god and is worshipped. Islam is in the hands of those who preach idolatry.
Samina Naseem
April 13, 2011
When I was writing this article, I knew it is thought provoking and would raise number of concerns and issues related to religions and radical practices related to religions. When I see around, every religion is misinterpreted by its followers or being abused. The reason I found more convincing is that we all take teachings of religion described or proselytized by religious scholars, priests and molvis for granted. We never think of going beyond what is being taught in Sunday church sermons or Friday mosque khutbas.
My dad said that if a priest says something in a sermon, one should not follow it blindly or accept it. See what the Bible says about it. If you feel that the priest has interpreted the situation correctly, accept it, otherwise don’t. I think we need to be more critical to what is being taught and what is actually said or meant. If you believe in God, then remember you have the same right as priests and molvis have. HE is as much as yours as He is theirs. Request and seek guidance from Him. As I said before, He is gracious and understands His creation more than any religious scholar on this earth.
Bin Ismail correctly states what Pakistan meant to be. It is an Islamic country and will be ruled by the Muslims. We non-Muslims understand this. But we also need to think about the SAME rights as citizens of Pakistan. Has anyone heard of Tresler brothers and their achievements in Pak army? Has anyone read about Cecil Chaudhry and his contributions? Have anyone of us ever read about a single non-Muslims who had been awarded with some medal in army? What is being taught in textbooks? Where are the stories of non-Muslims who contributed in making of Pakistan? Pakistan’s fate in 1947 was decided by the vote of a Christian not by any Muslim. Have anyone of us read this in S.St or Pak. Studies? Think about the SAME rights by giving us space in textbooks so that new generation know that we are PAKISTANIS.
I have submitted another article. If it gets published, it would give another point to ponder.
Syed Qutub
June 25, 2021
I agree with you. The contributions of religious minorities in the development of Pakistan has never been acknowledged. Religious minorities are third class citizens of Pakistan.
Qasim
June 17, 2011
Ye dor apny Brahim ki talaash mein hai,
Sanam kada hai jahan La Ilaha IlAllah… (Iqbal)
Iqbal has also examplified the romnanticism and materialism with idols(sanam).But today we can’t have another Abraham(A.S.) but we can have faith like Abraham to get rid of this miserable situation for Islam and Pakistan.
Jo aaj bi ho Ibrahim kaa saa Emaan paida,
To aag kar sakti hai andaz e Gulistaan paida…
We ourselves have to prove by our characters and not only by statements that we being Pakistanis are like those True Muslims who have always protected the rights of minorties in the reigns of early Islamic rulers NOT like those who have snatched the rights of living not only from Minoriteis but from moderate Muslims as well under the umbrella of preaching and spreading the Islam.
May Allah help us….Aameen!
malikhumzayunasnandla
August 14, 2011
Really its very good and great worshiper i like it
MilesToGo
February 8, 2012
Everybody might not understand this video, but I thought it was relevant to the article –
MilesToGo
MilesToGo
February 8, 2012
Question is not why worship idols, questions why bother who worship idols and why break his idols?
By same token why not bomb Kabba?
MilesToGo