Name: Interview Session with English — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Duration: 28 min 25 s
Channel: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Description: Read the full transcript of “Interview Session with English”, a lecture by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, with timestamps. Covers: From seeker to discovering Quran.

0:12 You are. What do you do, and why this commitment, this passion of you with your work? I have no job. You are. What do you do, and why this commitment, this passion of you with your work? I have no job.

0:23 I am a different kind of person. I was educated in some religious seminary, and also I learned English, and I educated all those other subjects I am a different kind of person. I was educated in some religious seminary, and also I learned English, and I educated all those other subjects

0:40 after completing my education in madrasa, that is, seminary. So I discovered for some time I was an agnostic person, agnostic. after completing my education in madrasa, that is, seminary. So I discovered for some time I was an agnostic person, agnostic.

0:58 I lose I'm not that kind of religious person. I lose I'm not that kind of religious person.

1:06 So after a long study, I rediscovered my faith, although I was born in a Muslim family, and also I was educated in some Arabic madrasa. So after a long study, I rediscovered my faith, although I was born in a Muslim family, and also I was educated in some Arabic madrasa.

1:21 But I felt that my nature is somewhat different. I wanted to know directly what is truth But I felt that my nature is somewhat different. I wanted to know directly what is truth

1:32 . Then after a long study, I discovered that what I'm seeking, that is, Qur'an. . Then after a long study, I discovered that what I'm seeking, that is, Qur'an.

1:41 In the Qur'an, I found the answers of my In the Qur'an, I found the answers of my

1:48 seeking. So basically, I was a seeker person, seeker. I started my life as a seeker. Then I discovered Qur'an as the truth. seeking. So basically, I was a seeker person, seeker. I started my life as a seeker. Then I discovered Qur'an as the truth.

1:59 So now I am So now I am

2:04 president of CPS and Islamic Center, and there are many, many persons who are with me in this mission. president of CPS and Islamic Center, and there are many, many persons who are with me in this mission.

2:17 So we are So we are

2:23 we try to we try to

2:28 make people believe that peace is the samambonam, and God-oriented life is must for you because God is our Creator. make people believe that peace is the samambonam, and God-oriented life is must for you because God is our Creator.

2:39 God is our Creator. So we have to make God our sole concern God is our Creator. So we have to make God our sole concern

2:46 . So at one aspect, my mission is God-oriented mission. In the other aspect, my mission is based on spirituality and peace. . So at one aspect, my mission is God-oriented mission. In the other aspect, my mission is based on spirituality and peace.

2:59 This is the brief description of my present situation. So by seeking, you find eventually, and as you said, you found some truth This is the brief description of my present situation. So by seeking, you find eventually, and as you said, you found some truth

3:12 . What has been for you the most important truth that you found about the reality of this life? That was Tawhid. . What has been for you the most important truth that you found about the reality of this life? That was Tawhid.

3:24 Tawhid means oneness of God. So God is my discovery. God is not only for me, God is not simply a traditional belief. Tawhid means oneness of God. So God is my discovery. God is not only for me, God is not simply a traditional belief.

3:38 God is my discovery. God is my discovery.

3:41 So I discovered that God is the Creator. God is the Sustainer. God is the Lord of the universe. So we have to make God our sole concern. So I discovered that God is the Creator. God is the Sustainer. God is the Lord of the universe. So we have to make God our sole concern.

3:54 This was my discovery. And God has revealed His word in the form of Qur'an. So Qur'an is the Qur'an is the book of reference This was my discovery. And God has revealed His word in the form of Qur'an. So Qur'an is the Qur'an is the book of reference

4:07 . If I want to know what is the what is the what is God's scheme, what is God's creation plan, so I can know all these things in the Qur'an. . If I want to know what is the what is the what is God's scheme, what is God's creation plan, so I can know all these things in the Qur'an.

4:28 So I discovered Qur'an as a book of reference in my life. So I discovered Qur'an as a book of reference in my life.

4:35 Then I started this mission, and I published several hundred books in different languages. Also, I published magazines. Then I started this mission, and I published several hundred books in different languages. Also, I published magazines.

4:49 All my books are in you can find it on the website, internet. All my books are in you can find it on the website, internet.

4:57 So we have a team, and this team is active everywhere in the world, not only in Delhi, in everywhere in the world. So we have a team, and this team is active everywhere in the world, not only in Delhi, in everywhere in the world.

5:11 What do you think is the biggest misconception about understanding God? Misconception? What do you think is the biggest misconception about understanding God? Misconception?

5:19 Yes. A lot of people sometimes have the wrong idea of what God is. What do you think it expresses? Yes. A lot of people sometimes have the wrong idea of what God is. What do you think it expresses?

5:27 What is the most important thing to realize about God? And what do you think is the relation between finally having peace in the world and everybody embracing God? What is the most important thing to realize about God? And what do you think is the relation between finally having peace in the world and everybody embracing God?

5:39 Is there a relation between accepting God and therefore being in peace Is there a relation between accepting God and therefore being in peace

5:46 with each other? According to my experience, the greatest source of misconception is that people fail to differentiate between with each other? According to my experience, the greatest source of misconception is that people fail to differentiate between

6:05 I'm saying about the Islam I'm saying about the Islam

6:10 . So about the Islam, the basic source of misconception is that people fail to differentiate between Muslims and Islam. . So about the Islam, the basic source of misconception is that people fail to differentiate between Muslims and Islam.

6:24 Islam is based on its scripture. Islam is an ideology. And Muslims are a group of people Islam is based on its scripture. Islam is an ideology. And Muslims are a group of people

6:35 . .

6:39 They are they are not the representative of Islam. The representative of Islam is its scripture. If you want to know what is Islam, you have to see the Qur'an. They are they are not the representative of Islam. The representative of Islam is its scripture. If you want to know what is Islam, you have to see the Qur'an.

6:51 But for example, in our present time, Muslims started But for example, in our present time, Muslims started

7:02 fighting. fighting.

7:04 They declared that this and that is our enemy. So we have to fight with these enemies. This is completely against the Islamic spirit because, you know, in the Islam, They declared that this and that is our enemy. So we have to fight with these enemies. This is completely against the Islamic spirit because, you know, in the Islam,

7:18 Islam differentiates between enemy and attacker. If there is attack, then you can go to war as a defens Islam differentiates between enemy and attacker. If there is attack, then you can go to war as a defens

7:33 e. But if there are some enemies, you have no reason to go to fight with these enemies. e. But if there are some enemies, you have no reason to go to fight with these enemies.

7:43 There's very clear words in the Qur'an: "Do good deed in return for bad deed." Then you will find that your enemy has become your dearest friend. There's very clear words in the Qur'an: "Do good deed in return for bad deed." Then you will find that your enemy has become your dearest friend.

7:54 So if there is some enemy, you have to enter into discussion, dialogue, and other peaceful means. So if there is some enemy, you have to enter into discussion, dialogue, and other peaceful means.

8:06 You are not allowed to go to fighting against enemies. In Islam, war is You are not allowed to go to fighting against enemies. In Islam, war is

8:18 specifically only for those who attack on your co specifically only for those who attack on your co

8:22 untry. And then only the state has theright to go to war, not the people. So I present all those activities that are people are engaged in the name of jihad. untry. And then only the state has theright to go to war, not the people. So I present all those activities that are people are engaged in the name of jihad.

8:37 They're not jihad because no state is involved. Everywhere in the in every in Kashmir, in Palestine, everywhere in the world, They're not jihad because no state is involved. Everywhere in the in every in Kashmir, in Palestine, everywhere in the world,

8:53 NGOs are involved in these violent activities, not the state. So it is un-Islamic completely. NGOs are involved in these violent activities, not the state. So it is un-Islamic completely.

9:03 Do you think that today, to solve that problem of peace, we need to find a way to reestablish a better justice between human beings and a notion of spreading more resources and putting more in common or richness instead of keeping it for ourselves like some countries do Do you think that today, to solve that problem of peace, we need to find a way to reestablish a better justice between human beings and a notion of spreading more resources and putting more in common or richness instead of keeping it for ourselves like some countries do

9:27 ? Especially, the Western world for many years has been a little bit arrogant and greedy and leading some war that are based on economy and not on faith, obviously. ? Especially, the Western world for many years has been a little bit arrogant and greedy and leading some war that are based on economy and not on faith, obviously.

9:39 So do you think we need some sense of new leadership to have an air of justice and of putting in common all our resources? So do you think we need some sense of new leadership to have an air of justice and of putting in common all our resources?

9:53 If there is injustice, there is a problem. But injustice is not an excuse to go to war. If there is injustice, there is a problem. But injustice is not an excuse to go to war.

10:04 No. No.

10:07 According to my study, Qur'an does not allow to go to war simply to establish justice. According to my study, Qur'an does not allow to go to war simply to establish justice.

10:16 No. No.

10:17 If you want justice, you have to struggle peacefully, peacefully. War is allowed only when there is attack. If you want justice, you have to struggle peacefully, peacefully. War is allowed only when there is attack.

10:30 Otherwise, you have to stick to peaceful struggle. This is my study. Otherwise, you have to stick to peaceful struggle. This is my study.

10:41 according to my study, this is the position of Islam. According to my study, this is the position of Islam.

10:46 all those complaints against the west are unfounded. i don't believe about these complaints. All those complaints against the West are unfounded. I don't believe about these complaints.

10:59 i think that western people are not our enemies. they are human beings. I think that Western people are not our enemies. They are human beings.

11:09 if there are some complaints, so you have to go to dialogue. If there are some complaints, so you have to go to dialogue.

11:15 why fighting? why hate? so hate is not in the scheme of Islam. i'm quite against all those kinds of hate and violence and intolerance. Why fighting? Why hate? So hate is not in the scheme of Islam. I'm quite against all those kinds of hate and violence and intolerance.

11:27 for example, you know, there was in denmark, there was a in some paper, in some paper, there was a cartoon. For example, you know, there was in Denmark, there was a in some paper, in some paper, there was a cartoon.

11:42 so everywhere there was a huge cry. So everywhere there was a huge cry.

11:45 all these things were un-islamic. if some paper published a cartoon that is that you dislike, so you have to correspond. All these things were un-Islamic. If some paper published a cartoon that is that you dislike, so you have to correspond.

11:59 you have to publish articles. you have to go to dialogue. why violence? so all these activities, all these violent activities are quite un-islamic. You have to publish articles. You have to go to dialogue. Why violence? So all these activities, all these violent activities are quite un-Islamic.

12:15 what do you think we need to do to get to the next level of a more sustainable peace between us? pardon? What do you think we need to do to get to the next level of a more sustainable peace between us? Pardon?

12:24 what do you need what do you think we need to do to get to the next level of a more sustainable peace between all of us? What do you need what do you think we need to do to get to the next level of a more sustainable peace between all of us?

12:35 do you think we need new leadership? is it personal awakening, a combination of both Do you think we need new leadership? Is it personal awakening, a combination of both

12:45 ? how do we get to a more peaceful environment? what do we need to reach to the next level of sustainable peace? ? How do we get to a more peaceful environment? What do we need to reach to the next level of sustainable peace?

12:56 do you think that we need new leadership, or what is your opinion? fine. Do you think that we need new leadership, or what is your opinion? Fine.

13:06 if you want to establish peace, first of all, you have to be patient. patience is the first step. If you want to establish peace, first of all, you have to be patient. Patience is the first step.

13:18 without patient struggle, you cannot establish peace. Without patient struggle, you cannot establish peace.

13:25 and my formula, according to the qur'an, is that you have to avoid the problem, and you have to avail the opportunities. And my formula, according to the Qur'an, is that you have to avoid the problem, and you have to avail the opportunities.

13:36 by availing opportunities, you can establish peace, not by fighting. By availing opportunities, you can establish peace, not by fighting.

13:43 those people who are fighting in the name of peace, they are wrong. Those people who are fighting in the name of peace, they are wrong.

13:53 peace is the price of patience. and by patience, i mean that if there are some problems, you have to avoid that problem, and you have to avail those opportunities because, according to islam, according to the qur'an, Peace is the price of patience. And by patience, I mean that if there are some problems, you have to avoid that problem, and you have to avail those opportunities because, according to Islam, according to the Qur'an,

14:13 every time there are numerous opportunities. in namal usra isra, every time there are numerous opportunities. In Namal Usra Isra,

14:19 it means that when there are problems, there are opportunities. so the simple formula is that avoid the problem and avail the opportunities. it means that when there are problems, there are opportunities. So the simple formula is that avoid the problem and avail the opportunities.

14:31 so by availing opportunities, you can establish peace. and when there is peace, there are so many there are many more opportunities. So by availing opportunities, you can establish peace. And when there is peace, there are so many there are many more opportunities.

14:47 so i don't believe that fighting is a way to establish justice. So I don't believe that fighting is a way to establish justice.

14:58 no. by fighting, you cannot establish justice. you have to avoid all those problems. No. By fighting, you cannot establish justice. You have to avoid all those problems.

15:08 In every country where Muslims are fighting, there are so many opportunities, but they are ignoring all these opportunities, and they are engaged in fighting, fighting, fighting. In every country where Muslims are fighting, there are so many opportunities, but they are ignoring all these opportunities, and they are engaged in fighting, fighting, fighting.

15:21 So this is not the Islamic way of working. So this is not the Islamic way of working.

15:28 When. Have to change states, or how? Just a second. Two times. When. Have to change states, or how? Just a second. Two times.

15:34 So I asked those people who are engaged in fighting, "Why are you fighting?" They said, "We want justice. Give us justice, and we will give you peace." This was their simple formula. So I asked those people who are engaged in fighting, "Why are you fighting?" They said, "We want justice. Give us justice, and we will give you peace." This was their simple formula.

15:49 "Give us justice, and we will give you peace." I said that this is not Islamic formula. No, not at all. "Give us justice, and we will give you peace." I said that this is not Islamic formula. No, not at all.

15:59 I said that justice is the outcome of your own struggle. I said that justice is the outcome of your own struggle.

16:04 Justice is not an outcome of peace. Peace gives you opportunity. So first of all, you have to establish peace. Justice is not an outcome of peace. Peace gives you opportunity. So first of all, you have to establish peace.

16:15 Then you have to avail the opportunities. And by availing those opportunities, you can. And justice. Then you have to avail the opportunities. And by availing those opportunities, you can. And justice.

16:24 So this formula, they call it Assalam Mal Adl, or peace with justice. So this formula, they call it Assalam Mal Adl, or peace with justice.

16:32 This is the wrong formul This is the wrong formul

16:34 a, not theright formula. I said that you have to follow the Islamic principle. According to Islam, it's very clear in the Qur'an that justice is the outcome of your own struggle. a, not theright formula. I said that you have to follow the Islamic principle. According to Islam, it's very clear in the Qur'an that justice is the outcome of your own struggle.

16:52 So first of all, you have to avoid all those problems to establish peace. And when there is peace, there are opportunities. So first of all, you have to avoid all those problems to establish peace. And when there is peace, there are opportunities.

17:03 So avail these opportunities, and then we'll find justice. So was the case of the Prophet of Islam. When the Prophet of Islam was in Mecca, he faced so many hostilities. So avail these opportunities, and then we'll find justice. So was the case of the Prophet of Islam. When the Prophet of Islam was in Mecca, he faced so many hostilities.

17:19 They became hostile. They wanted to kill the Prophet of Islam. So he migrated, and he settled in Medina. They became hostile. They wanted to kill the Prophet of Islam. So he migrated, and he settled in Medina.

17:30 But there was some attack from the Meccan side. So he wanted to establish peace. But there was some attack from the Meccan side. So he wanted to establish peace.

17:41 He started negotiation. So they insisted that the Prophet must accept their conditions. He started negotiation. So they insisted that the Prophet must accept their conditions.

17:52 The Prophet accepted their conditions. The Prophet accepted their conditions.

17:56 So he So he

18:00 established peace by accepting their conditions. It is called Hudaybiyah. Hudaybiyah was an agreement of peace. established peace by accepting their conditions. It is called Hudaybiyah. Hudaybiyah was an agreement of peace.

18:10 And this peace was obtained by accepting all those conditions of the other party. So the Prophet said that if there is peace, there are opportunities And this peace was obtained by accepting all those conditions of the other party. So the Prophet said that if there is peace, there are opportunities

18:23 . So first of all, we have to establish peace at any cost. Then we will avail the opportunities. This was the strategy of the Prophet of Islam. . So first of all, we have to establish peace at any cost. Then we will avail the opportunities. This was the strategy of the Prophet of Islam.

18:33 So I said that you have to live with Jews peacefully. Why not? So I said that you have to live with Jews peacefully. Why not?

18:44 At present, there are so many opportunities in Israel. At present, there are so many opportunities in Israel.

18:49 Israel is a country of opportunities, even for Arabs. So I said that you have to stop fighting, and you have to establish peace. Israel is a country of opportunities, even for Arabs. So I said that you have to stop fighting, and you have to establish peace.

19:04 And then you have to avail those opportunities. This is theright way to find your justice. This is my formula, according to the Islamic teachings. And then you have to avail those opportunities. This is theright way to find your justice. This is my formula, according to the Islamic teachings.

19:22 By listening to you, I've come to a realization that to have peace, we need to make peace first, and then we can talk about it. By listening to you, I've come to a realization that to have peace, we need to make peace first, and then we can talk about it.

19:34 This is my. We need to surrender, and then we can talk about it. Is it one of This is my. We need to surrender, and then we can talk about it. Is it one of

19:41 these points where, basically, we need to act first and make peace, and then we can figure out things together and make justice together? these points where, basically, we need to act first and make peace, and then we can figure out things together and make justice together?

19:53 It does surrender. It is submisse, patience. It does surrender. It does surrender. It is submisse, patience. It does surrender.

20:02 You have to keep patience in every aspect of life, even in the family, in society. You have to keep patience in every aspect of life, even in the family, in society.

20:13 The peace is bust every time. So it's not a surrender. It is to keep patience so that you may be able to avail those opportunities The peace is bust every time. So it's not a surrender. It is to keep patience so that you may be able to avail those opportunities

20:28 . Without patience, you cannot avail those opportunities. So it is not surrender. It is sabr or patience. . Without patience, you cannot avail those opportunities. So it is not surrender. It is sabr or patience.

20:38 In other words, you can say that it is wisdom, wisdom of life. I call it wisdom rather than surrender. Is there something else very important that you learn from life beyond patience? In other words, you can say that it is wisdom, wisdom of life. I call it wisdom rather than surrender. Is there something else very important that you learn from life beyond patience?

20:54 Is there something more important Is there something more important

20:56 ? According to my experience, ? According to my experience,

21:01 patience is the summum bonum. Patience is the summum bonum. This, the Prophet of Islam, has said that, patience is the summum bonum. Patience is the summum bonum. This, the Prophet of Islam, has said that,

21:16 "Patience is the key to all success." Patience is the key to success. Without patience, there is no success. "Patience is the key to all success." Patience is the key to success. Without patience, there is no success.

21:27 And I would like to add that patience is not a negative thing. And I would like to add that patience is not a negative thing.

21:36 It is completely a positive thing. Why? Because in this world, you are living with other people. It is completely a positive thing. Why? Because in this world, you are living with other people.

21:46 Their tastes are different. Their interest is different. But there are some unpleasant situations every time. Their tastes are different. Their interest is different. But there are some unpleasant situations every time.

21:56 You cannot find a nervous situation every time. So what to do? The only way to live in this world successfully is by keeping patience. You cannot find a nervous situation every time. So what to do? The only way to live in this world successfully is by keeping patience.

22:16 You cannot stop other people who think according to their own. Everybody is free. You cannot stop other people who think according to their own. Everybody is free.

22:25 So how can we abolish that freedom? God gave them freedom. Freedom is theirright. So how can we abolish that freedom? God gave them freedom. Freedom is theirright.

22:34 So we cannot abolish that freedom. So we have to be tolerant. You have to be patient. So patience means wisdom of lif So we cannot abolish that freedom. So we have to be tolerant. You have to be patient. So patience means wisdom of lif

22:46 e. In a world where everybody is free, everybody e. In a world where everybody is free, everybody

22:56 is striving for his own interests, in such a world, there is no way except patience because we cannot abolish their freedom. is striving for his own interests, in such a world, there is no way except patience because we cannot abolish their freedom.

23:08 Everybody is free. Everybody is free.

23:10 So it is the greatest wisdom to keep patience so that you will be able to work peacefully. So it is the greatest wisdom to keep patience so that you will be able to work peacefully.

23:26 And as I already said, according to the law of nature, every time there are opportunities, enormous opportunities, opportunities are an integral part of life. And as I already said, according to the law of nature, every time there are opportunities, enormous opportunities, opportunities are an integral part of life.

23:43 No one can abolish those opportunities. So this wisdom of life is to avoid the problem and to avail those opportunities. No one can abolish those opportunities. So this wisdom of life is to avoid the problem and to avail those opportunities.

23:53 By availing those opportunities, we can gain everything. In every country, not only in USA or Britain, even in Israel, By availing those opportunities, we can gain everything. In every country, not only in USA or Britain, even in Israel,

24:08 even in Kashmir, there are enormous opportunities. So why are you fighting? Why these fightings? I visited Kashmir. even in Kashmir, there are enormous opportunities. So why are you fighting? Why these fightings? I visited Kashmir.

24:21 They are fighting against the Indian Army. I said that, "Why are you fighting?" The Indian Army is your friend. They are fighting against the Indian Army. I said that, "Why are you fighting?" The Indian Army is your friend.

24:33 They are mankind like you. So They are mankind like you. So

24:42 try to live with them normally. Why are you fighting? Why this hate? try to live with them normally. Why are you fighting? Why this hate?

24:52 I have no hate against anyone. I believe in I have no hate against anyone. I believe in

25:01 the Christians' saying that, "Love your enemy." So I really love my enemy, if there is any enemy. I don't think that anyone is an enemy, but I love all. the Christians' saying that, "Love your enemy." So I really love my enemy, if there is any enemy. I don't think that anyone is an enemy, but I love all.

25:16 So love is the greatest power for mine, not fighting. So love is the greatest power for mine, not fighting.

25:26 Yesterday, I read an article in the English paper that the USA is losing its superiority. Yesterday, I read an article in the English paper that the USA is losing its superiority.

25:39 Why? Because it spent $5 trillion in the Iraq War. So what he gained Why? Because it spent $5 trillion in the Iraq War. So what he gained

25:49 ? I don't think that anyone can gain anything from war. I think that ? I don't think that anyone can gain anything from war. I think that

26:02 every victory is a trick victory. In this world, every victory is a trick victory. By defeat, you can find more opportunities than by victory. every victory is a trick victory. In this world, every victory is a trick victory. By defeat, you can find more opportunities than by victory.

26:17 So the greatest wisdom of life is patience and love. Love. Last question. The reason why I called my movie The Invocation is because, in English, the word God comes from an etymology of a verb that means to invoke. So the greatest wisdom of life is patience and love. Love. Last question. The reason why I called my movie The Invocation is because, in English, the word God comes from an etymology of a verb that means to invoke.

26:41 And to invoke means to summon, to ask, to call And to invoke means to summon, to ask, to call

26:45 . What would be today your invocation to the planet? What would you like to invoke? My message is the same which this guy has said. . What would be today your invocation to the planet? What would you like to invoke? My message is the same which this guy has said.

27:01 Love your enemy. Love your enemy means love all, including your enemy. This is my religion. Love your enemy. Love your enemy means love all, including your enemy. This is my religion.

27:15 Love your enemy means love all, including your enemy. This is the most beautiful formula of life. Through this Love your enemy means love all, including your enemy. This is the most beautiful formula of life. Through this

27:28 kind of love, you can gain everything. First of all, you will preserve your positivity. kind of love, you can gain everything. First of all, you will preserve your positivity.

27:40 When you hate, then you lose your positivity. When you hate, then you lose your positivity.

27:44 And according to my experience, the greatest thing we can achieve in this world is positivity, positive thinking. So at any cost, you have to preserve your positivity. And according to my experience, the greatest thing we can achieve in this world is positivity, positive thinking. So at any cost, you have to preserve your positivity.

27:58 And this is the best formula: love all, including your enemy. This is the best formula to keep yourself positive in every situation, every situation. And this is the best formula: love all, including your enemy. This is the best formula to keep yourself positive in every situation, every situation.

28:13 So according to my opinion, positive thinking is the greatest achievement for anyone in this world. So according to my opinion, positive thinking is the greatest achievement for anyone in this world.

28:24 And this can be achieved only through this formula: love all, including your enemy. Thank you. Thank you. And this can be achieved only through this formula: love all, including your enemy. Thank you. Thank you.

Interview Session with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan English