Where have we gone wrong?

The Muslim Ummah today is approximately fourteen centuries old. We number over a billion, we attest to a Message which is the fastest growing faith in the world currently, far outstripping even the rate of spread of other faiths. But really, where do we stand today? Are we, as Muslims, at all satisfied with our current situation and stature?

It is a question which goes through the mind of every conscious Muslim often. We look at the current position of the world, the ongoing wars, oppression, suppression, human rights’ violations, economic backwardness, illiteracy, aggressiveness, poverty, crime, ignorance and wonder… what went wrong?

“You are the best of people ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin good (Al-Ma’ruf) and forbid evil (Al Munkar) and you believe in Allah…” (3:110)

Allah declared in the Quran that we were the best people on earth, the reformers, the ones who had the responsibility of leading the human race out of darkness into peace and tranquility. And yet, we Muslims seem to be the lowest of the low, as role-models and guides today.

The answer to this question is difficult for many Muslims, partly because they are so detached from the Quran and the Prophet (pbuh)’s Sunnah that they have little knowledge of their faith to begin with. Similar to the opinion of many Non-Muslims who are unaware of Islam’s Message, these people feel Islam itself is the ‘cause’ of the problem… it is like blaming the car and not the inexperienced driver for crashing into a tree. In fact, the answer to our confusions lies within the Deen itself! If we just open that Book, wrapped in silk, resting on the top shelf of the bookrack, gathering dust… if we just read the translation with an open mind, that answer is written all over!

                                                                                               

“And all that we relate to you (O Muhammad [saw]) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this has come to you the truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers.” (11:120)

The Quran presents reminders, warnings and admonitions to its readers. In the manner that our loving parents teach us to protect us, Allah describes the best way for mankind to lead their lives, what to avoid lest we may be harmed and what to adopt. To make it simple and drive the message home, the examples of past nations are presented, for us to learn our lesson well. With such clear hazard signs and boards along the highway, how have we managed to land in this gaping ditch?

The problem lies in our approach to the Deen. How many Muslims read the Quran with understanding, even one verse each day? Each week? And many of those who do read it pass over it as if none of the warnings apply to them. The narrations of the punishments meted out to disobedient and transgressing nations before our time, the superpowers of their times, remain to us like ‘tales of the ancient’. It’s easy for us to shake our head and say, “Tsk tsk! What an evil people! They deserved what they got. Just look at us Muslims, pious, not worshipping idols… heaven is all for us!” That defeats the whole purpose of the Quran. When we do not even consider the warnings in the Quran as being addressed to us, despite being stated clearly so, we are bound to derive no benefit from it.

The Ummah has fallen into all sorts of destructive deeds because of losing contact with its own identity, with the great wealth of knowledge and wisdom in the Quran and Sunnah. And it is warned in these sources of Islam, that we would definitely fail if we do not adhere to the commandments of the One Who created us. It is very easy to blame the leadership for everything but they are not responsible for what goes on in our home and in our neighborhoods. When indecency and all kinds of crimes have become manifest in society, there is just a tiny bit of protest from a section of the people but what about the rest? Why is there an eerie quiet?

It is time to ponder in ourselves what the solution to this crisis should be. Educating the masses? Eradicating poverty? Preaching tolerance? All these and other facets of reform are taught by the Quran and Sunnah in the best manner, and it is our duty to convey the Message to people around us. Reform begins from ourselves and our close ones, then spreads to larger circles in the community. This is the only way out, the only way that is approved and supported by Allah. It is only through a return to the basic principles of lifestyle outlined in our Deen that we can effect a real, positive and lasting change in society, both at the individual and spiritual level and at the national level. Astounding as it might seem, as we all consider ourselves modern and liberated, we will inevitably have to look back and learn from the wayward and decadent Arabs who became great models of piety and high morals. They became the shining light for others to follow, within a short span of twenty-three years, progressing in the spirit of Islam.

                                           

In making such a move, there will always be some retaliation and opposition. Many people today scoff at such efforts, considering them all in vain. If someone starts reading the Quran and advising their friends or relatives about lying or backbiting for example, he/she is considered a ‘wet blanket’, a backward person. This will all be put into perspective if we examine the lives of the Prophets passed before us – were they not subjected to great ridicule and oppression in their work as reformers? Did not the superpowers of their times call them backward and seek to degrade their soul? But they pressed on, and as in the case of Nuh (as), convinced just a handful of people in nine-hundred years of hard work.

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” (2:214)

The task must have been enormous but these role-models and reformers appointed and taught by Allah, did not let anything guide them except the optimism, faith and firm conviction in the Help of Allah.

Good news and encouragement comes also from looking at contemporary Muslim scholars around the world, many of whom are seen countering all sorts of negative propaganda and exhorting people to break free of their miseries. They are assisted by conscientious new Muslims who have recently entered into the fold of Islam. These people are playing their part, in different societies. We, as people born into Muslim families, must not feel ourselves absolved of any duty to our fellow Muslims in this time of test and need in the Ummah. Burning down properties in protest, burning effigies of authors and politicians, having useless and fiery arguments about “how evil those Jews are, let’s hate them” are what many think to be great services to the cause of Islam. They are certainly not, they are a misguidance. We need to focus our energies where they are really needed, where we know we must strive hardest – within ourselves, on the individual and on the collective level. After all, it takes great courage and a high character, individual or national, to inspire… to lead. In fulfilling this responsibility and duty, we can seek help from no one but the Exalted and Mighty, our Creator. He, the Exalted, rightly says:

“O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” (47:7)