The Current Problems of
the Muslim Ummah and their Solution in Light of the Purified Seerah.
Author: The Noble Shaikh Dr. Suhaib Hasan (hafidhahullah)
The Problems of the
Muslim Ummah in Current Times and their Solution in Light of the Purified Life
of the Messenger (sallAllaahu ' alaihi wasallam)
A hundred years ago, the Muslim Ummah was a picture of subjugation under foreign rule, hopelessness and helplessness. Today in the form of 57 free
countries, despite having power, great numbers and abundance of natural resources, it is still standing in the same state of
humiliation, abasement and
destitution that it was in a hundred years ago. Starting from
the occupation
of Baitul Maqdas
(1967) to the invasion
of Kabul and Baghdad
by the enemies of Islam, this is a flagellation of the Muslims. Come let us examine those causes which have led to
this unspeakable state of affairs and then
let us illustrate the path that
takes us away from these shadowy streets of darkness towards light. Our discourse shall revolve within the boundaries of the Qur'aan and statements of the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) because according to the narration of Aaishah' (radhiyAllaahu 'anhaa) if you want to see the Prophet's (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) manners and character then look into the Qur'aan, The!Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) himself obtained guidance from the divine revelation and then was declared the "beautiful example" until the Day of Judgement.
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Mufammad
sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) you have an beautiful
example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting
with) Allah and the
Last Day and remembers Allah much." (Soorah Ahzaab B3:21)
Causes for the Decline of the Ummah
If one looks at the causes of the decline
then these
few truths cannot be ignored:
1 - It is a divine sunnah that opposition to
the commands of Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa, deviation from the instructions of the Prophet
(sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) and abundance of sins become a cause for the descent of afflictions.
In the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (sallAlIJahu 'alaihi wasallam) was present in person himself, yet despite this a battle already won turned into defeat. And that was because one command of the Prophet (saw) was opposed. He (sallAlaahu 'alaihiwasallam) had posted around 30 archers at a narrow pass at the rear of the mountain and instructed them that no matter what the situation of the battlefield, no matter what befalls the rest of us, you are not to move away from this pass in any circumstance. At the commencement of t~e battle when the Muslims gained the upper hand, a few of these archers requested from their amee 'Abdullaah bin lubair (radhiyAllaahu 'anhu) that they be allowed to go to the battlefield so that they could take possession of the booty of the retreating disbelievers. Their ameer reminded t!em of the instructions of the Prophet (sallAlaahu 'alaihiwasallam) however HUBBE AJALAl prevailed over
the majority of these warriors. As soon as they left the pass, Khalid bin Waleed iadhiyAllaahu 'anhu) launched
a surprise attack
for the disbelievers. He easily overwhelmed the few remaining archers and in this way by attacking the Prophet (sallAllaahu
'alaihi wasallam) from the rear, turned the battle already won into a
defeat for the Muslims.
The Muslims were shocked and
puzzled at
what had
happened! The answer was emphasized to them in the divine
revelation:
"And
Allah did indeed fulfil His Promise to you
when you were killing them (your enemy) with
His Permission; until (the moment) you lost
your courage and fell to disputing about
the order, and disobeyed after He showed you (of the booty) which you love, Among
you are some that desire this world and some that desire
the Hereafter, Then
He made you flee from them (your enemy), that He might test you, But surely, He forgave you,
and Allah is Most Gracious to the Believers. " I
(Soorah Aal-Imran 3: 152)
And He said:
"(What
is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say
(to them), "It is from yourselves (because of your
evil deeds). " And Allaah has power over all things." (Soorah Aal- Imran 3: 165)
It is this same divine sunnah that has been mentioned in these words in Soorah Shoora:
"And
whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned, And
He pardons much." (Soorah Shoora 42:30)
2
- It should be
considered that there is no such relationship between Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) and His Slaves that He must have partiality to them. And nor has Allah (Subhaanahu
wa Ta'aalaa) made any unconditional promise by which He is obliged to
Aid them. Any
such promise is conditional:
"0 you who believe! If you help
(the religion of) Allah, He will help
you, and make your foothold firm. " (Soorah Muhammad 47: 7)
"So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed
(true) believers. " (Soorah Aal-Imran 3: 139)
And the aayah from which it can be undlstood that His Aid
is binding, even
this is conditional upon imaan:
"And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to
help (them)." (Soorah Room 30:47)
Moreover it has been made clear that whatever reprimand or punishment descends due to sin and disobedience, becomes a general affliction.
"And fear the Fitnah (affliction and
trial, letc.) which affects not in particular (only)
those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people),
" (Soorah Anfaal 8:25) I
During calamitous times this divine sunnah, which is concealed from most people, should be kept in mind.
"See they not that they are tried once or twice
every year (with different kinds of
calamities, disease, famine, etc.)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they
learn a lesson (from it). " (Soorah At- Tawbah 9: 126)
Meaning that through trials
Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) constantly gives chances for repentance and acceptance of advice and admonition. However
if still no effort is
made to correct the situation, corruption
is not rectified and
evildoers are not
prevented, then complaints of adversity will never
be
beaten.
The Causes
of the Decline
of the Muslim
Ummah m Light of the Hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu
'alaihi wasallam):
Referring to
those who maintain Allah's (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) boundaries and prevent the evildoers, Allah's Messenger
(sallAllaahu 'alaihi
wasallam ) presents a parable. Nu'maan fun Basheer
(radhiyaAllaahu
'anhu) narrates that Allah's Messenger (sallAllaahu
'alaihi wasallam) said:
"The example of the person abiding by Allah's
order and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of those persons who drew lots for their places in a
boat. Some of them
got places on
the deck, and the others in the lower part. When
those in the lower level wanted to bring water, they had to
pass by the
ones on the deck. Because of this the ones on the deck said: “We do
not give you permission to keep bothering us." So the ones in the lower part said: "Why don't we make a hole in our part of the ship so that we don't have to bother the ones in the upper level?" If those on
the deck leave the others to implement their plan then all
of them will
be destroyed. If however
they prevent them, then all of them will be saved.”
3
- One portrayal of
the abject
state of the Muslim Ummah has been depicted
in the Hadeeth
narrated by Thawbaan,
in the end of which all the reasons are divulged that brought about
the current state of affairs. He (sallAllaahu 'alaihi
wasallam)
said:
"Soon a time
will come when
other nations will
gather
together and fall upon you like diners assail a table." Someone asked, "Will we be small in number at that time?" He (saw)
replied "No, your numbers will be great
but you will be like the scum on top of a flood,
Allah will remove fear of you from your enemies'
hearts and
will put Wahn in your hearts." It was asked, "0 Allah's Messenger what is this
Wahn?" He (saw) replied, "Love
of the dunya and fear of death
(i. e. Martyrdom).”
4 - If from
one angle the hadeeth
of Thawbaan portrays
a picture of
the Muslim
Ummah's weak state, then the same Thawbaan is also the narrator of
the hadeeth
that portrays honour
and glory of the Ummah. However, at the end, one such truth is expressed that has become a historical example. To stress the meaning
of this hadeeth we will present it partitioned
into sixteen phrases.
Allah's Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said:
Allah gathered the earth up for me
until I could see its
east and west. My Ummah will rule over the area that
was gathered up and shown to me. And I have been
given two treasures one red and one white. And
out of care for
my Ummah I asked my Lord that it not
be destroyed by famine And they not be overwhelmed by any outside enemy who would totally
uproot them. And my Lord said: 0 Muhammad! When I decide on a matter then it cannot
be overturned.
7. I have accepted your request
that your Ummah not
be destroyed
by famine. And that I will not allow them to be overwhelmed by an
enemy other than them who would totally
uproot them, even if the all the world's
people gathered against them.
9.
Instead they will kill each other and take each other prisoner." And I am afraid for my Ummah from misguided imams. And once the sword is unleashed against them it will not be raised until Qiyamah. And Qiyamah will not be
established up until one group of my Ummah will join the Mushriks. And until some groups of my Ummah begin to
worship idols. And among my Ummah there will be 30
liars each of whom will claim to be a prophet. And I am the last Prophet, there will be no prophet after me. And there will always remain a group of my Ummah who will remain steadfast upon the truth. And they will be victorious, those who abandon them and those who oppose them will not be able to harm them up until Allah's Decision comes.
At the time of the passing away of
Allah's
Messenger
(SallAlllahU 'alafhi wasallam) only the Arabian Peninsula was in the thrall of Islam. In the next fourteen centuries Islam reached every corner of the
world. And because Islam's rise is still continuing it is still to continue until it reaches Everywhere else
left for it to reach.
I I
The red and white treasures were an indication towards the Roman and Persian empires coming under Muslim dominion, which was fulfilled in the time of Umar (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu). Then following a great many calamities this Ummah still remains and continues. It was not wiped out like the nations of Nuh (ulaihissalaam) or Aad and Thamud. Neither could the Tartars, Mongols and Crusaders
of the pulverise
it despite
all of their huge efforts, nor inshaAllah will the Genghises and Halakoos of today be able to destroy it.
Whereas the end of the Muslim rule in Spain, the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the current state of Palestine, the Iran-Iraq war and then the Iraqi incursion into Kuwait, and infighting are the result of lack of strategy and short-sightedness which is not concealed from those having insight.
The
predictions mentioned within this hadeeth have mostly been completed and the rest will come to pass.
5
- Moving on from the Hadeeth of Thawbaan (radhiyAllaahu 'anhu),
then in Surah
Noor the succession on the earth, establishment of the religion and state of security that has been promised to this Ummah. The condition at the
end of this ayah has been proven in the past and is a hope for the future. Soorah Noor 55 with translation
This
ayah has concealed within it great lessons which provide a guide for our conduct in current times and which if ignored cause us to move away from Allah's
(SWT) Aid.
Succession on the Earth ... Is A Reward from Allah not the Objective
1
- Succession on the Earth is Allah's promise which becomes mandatory on fulfilment of the conditions in this ayah but it is not the highest aim or objective. Mankind's highest aim is that which is mentioned at the end of that ayah and then explained clearly in these ayahs: Soorah Dhariyat 56-58 with translation
The
very first attestant to the Promise of Allah was Allah's Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam).
What comparison is there between when the son of Aminah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) was on
his own in the area of Makkah calling to the Oneness of Allah whilst the disbelievers bayed for his
blood, and between the great power he possessed when he passed away so much so that his
flag was uppermost in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. The religion of Islam had entered every home and the Arab lands had become the seat of peace and security.
The
second attesters to this were the truthful Companions who under the leadership of the Rightly Guided
Caliphs spread the call to truth from east to west. Who defeated two superpowers of their time Rome and Persia and filled the voids left by the Trinity and Magianism with
Islamic Monotheism.
This
was made possible because this lama'ah truly aimed to spread Allah's Tawheed and to
destroy the
fortresses
of Shirk. The metal gates of
Shirk proved to be walls of sand in front of the true intention and desire for
the Oneness and Worship of their Lord. Then the skies witnessed again and again
that whenever Muslims stood up with sincere trust in Allah against the enemies of Islam, success and victory came in their footsteps. Further proofs of this
truth are when SalahUddin Ayubi fought the Christians (Battle of Hitteen 1187), when Muhammad al-Fatih fought the Byzantines (Conquest of Constantinople 1451), Ahmad Shah Abdali vs Marhats (Battle of Panipat 1761) and countless other battles that
made the truth overcome disbelief.
6
- The implementation of divinely ordained Caliph ate is only a part of Islam's aggregated system not the objective itself. However the movements that have in this time taken the Caliphate to be the objective, have somewhere or other been forced to overlook or compromise with aspects of Shirk. As a result they lost out on both the Pleasure of Allah and what they left His Pleasure for.
Our
view is that the
objective should be kept as the objective and the promise as the promise.
The job of a student of
knowledge is to study very hard and to immerse himself in his books so that he may pass his exams. The teacher has promised a reward for the one who comes first, the student will attain it
if he makes himself worthy of it. However if he neither studies nor struggles in
revision for the exam, and instead concerns himself with the reward and tries to steals it from
the teacher's hand; even if in the world a student may be able to do so, it will not be seen as
a good thing. But to undeservedly obtain a reward from the Lord's Hand has never been in anyone's power and
nor will it ever be.
Whenever jihad in the path of Allah is performed with the Oneness of Allah and His true worship and in the absence
of any impediments (MUWANAH????) then surely Allah's Promise will come true. These impediments (???) will be discussed later. One shining example of this is the movement of rectification and revival that was started 200 years ago by Shaikh
Muhammad bin 'Abdul Wahhab (1792 eEl 1206 AH).Which aimed to raise pure Tawheed and to destroy Shirk. Allah SWT aided and gave victory to this movement such that now 200 years later its blessed effects can be seen in Saudi Arabia.In which the??? of safety and security and establishment of religion (i.e. Implementation of Sharia) and
there is no doubt that this reward will remain as long as Tawheed of Allah and the pure Religion
are practised there. Along with the ayah of Istikhlaf, one should bear in mind the
Prophet's (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) glad tidings in the hadeeth of Ubayy
bin Ka'b (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu):
"Give glad tidings to this Ummah of being raised in dignity and a high status and religion and victory and success and TAMKEEN in the earth. However anyone amongst them who does an act of the Hereafter for the World then he will have no part in the Hereafter/"
The Reason for Succession in the Earth and the Purified Seerah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam).
After these introductory explanations let us make an analysis of the practices that not only became the basis for victory, success and TAMKEEN in the earth during the time of the Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihi was all am) but also in successive periods were reasons for glory. And to which adherence can become the means for safety today. In summary, these are the four practices
(1) Faith as the foundation, (2) the Sources of power (3) Management of the ranks (4) and Jihad
Iman: Includes creed, worship, establishment of righteous s society and enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.
Power: Includes science, technology and acquiring up-to-date weaponry.
Management
of the rows: includes unity in foreign affairs, preventing dissension and disorder, and outward unity.
Jihad:
Includes Calling to Allah and fighting.
So
there are ten detailed practices of which an explanation follows:
1
- Correctness and Steadfastness of Aqeedah
The basis of any movement is its creed, upon which its building stands. The belief of the Mushrikeen that "" --- (Soorah Jathiyah 24 translation) influenced their expenditures, fighting, debating and interactions. (PERSIAN POETRY????)
They regarded life as like a tree, which grows out of the earth as a shoot, and then looks like a plant before becoming a strong tree. It produces leaves and branches, if it produces fruit then it benefits the world, if it has thick foliage then it provides shade, in spring it blossoms and is beautiful, in autumn it becomes weak and bland, if its trunk is strong it can withstand the buffeting of storms and strong winds but for how long! A day comes when its leaves dry up and then with a small nudge it falls to
the ground and its life and death is under the passage of time. Neither does it have reward or punishment, nor any arising of divine pleasure or rule of heavenly punishment. They could appreciate the biological similarities between human life and botanical life but they failed to see the moral rules which differentiate between Muslims and disbelievers.
To
call upon Allah Alone is the call of man's fitrah (innate nature) and to call upon other than Allah is thus a rebellion against this. The coming to Islam of Ikrimah (radhiyAllaah 'anhu) bin Abu Jahl was to be under this rule of fitrah. At the conquest of Makkah, Ikrimah's name was amongst the eight men about whom the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) had said that their life was not to be spared even if they were found clinging to the covers of the Ka'aba. Ikrimah escaped to
the coast and boarded the first ship which was departing to Ethiopia. Also on board were many Arab polytheists. As the ship rode on the waves into the heart of the sea, a storm blew and the waves began to crash violently i.nto it. Ikrimah saw, that tho e Arabs who used not to tire of calling upon Lat, Hibl and Manat were now DIHAI with Allah's name. They were saying to one another:
"Call (upon Allah) with sincerity because your gods can not help you here at all."
Upon
this Ikrimah proclaimed, "By Allah! If sincerity alone can save one at sea, then sincerity alone
can save one upon dry land also. 0 Allah! I make a covenant with you that if you remove this calamity from me, then I will go to SAYYIDUHA??? Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alaihi was all am) and put my hand in his hand, he will surely pardon me."
Then this is what occurred and he went to the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) and became Muslim
The
Qur'an expounds Ikrimah's experience in this way: ((SOORAH
YOUNUS 22-2))
2
-
Performing the worship of Allah.
A
Muslim society that is deserving of Allah's Help and Aid is that society that makes worship specific for Allah Alone. The meaning of worship is not limited only to the five daily prayers, fasting, Zakat and Hajj. Rather the HAYIAT of prayer such as binding the hands during qiyam, bowing and prostrating, dua, MUAWARIL ASBAAB seeking help and calling upon, swearing by, taking oaths and sacrifice are all included in it too. From the actions of the heart, KHASHIAT, RUHBAT, fear, TAQWA, hope and RAJAA are also related to worship. Every Muslim understands well the five pillars of Islam and offers them only for Allah. However in other areas of worship those who show off are great in number.
The kind of standing that is done in front of religious leaders or kings has been declared impermissible, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said:
"Do not stand for me as the non-Arabs stand for their kings.,,
Bowing upon greeting, the bowing of a member of parliament in front of the speaker, has been disallowed due to its resemblance with rukoo'. To put forehead on the ground for any created being is in contradiction to sajdah being only Allah's Right.
"Seek help from each other with secrecy for fulfilling your needs, as the one who has a blessing becomes an object of envy,,
By saying this, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) gave permission for seeking assistance limited to asbaab (effectual means), from one another for one's needs.
And Allah's Statement:
"YouAlone We Askfor Help." (AI-Fatiha 1:5)
Clearly declared the forbiddance of seeking MUAWARILASBAAB from other than Allah.
«AL
QASAS 15»
Shows the acceptability of requesting from person who is present and close. And on the night of Badr, the Messenger of Allah's (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) imploring of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'alaa) mentioned in the ayah:
((ALANFAAL 9))
Showed that
MUAWARIL ASBAAB can only be sought from Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'alaa). Without a doubt
after MAHAYA MAADI
ASBAAB for MUARKA BADR, and bring his JAAN NISAROUN from Madinah to Badr, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) raised his hands and in front of Allah and sought that Aid that only Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'alaa) can give.
Swearing by something
has also been made specific
for Allah Alone. He (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said,
"Whoever wants to swear by something, then let him swear by Allah or remain silent."lO
Taking oaths has also been made specific for Allaah's
Sake Alone.
He (sallA 'alaihi wasallam) said.
"Whoever took
an oath to obey Allah, then let him obey Allah (complete the oath). And whoever took an oath
to disobey Allah, then he should not disobey Him. ,,11
The mention of sacrifice alongside prayer has left no IBHAM:
((SOORAH AL KAWTHAR»
From the actions of the heart, KHASHIYA:
AYAH?? (page 13)
fear: AYAH??
RUHBAT and TAQWA: AYAH??
Hope and RAJAA': AYAH??
Clarifies the real
nature of them as
being connected to Allah
(Subhanahu wa
Ta'alaa).
The door to compromise in
the fundamentals
of the Religion has
been firmly
closed:
((AL QALAM 9»
When the delegation of Thaqif came to Madinah in the rule
of Abd Yalail, they were made guests in the masjid
so that they could see
Islam from up close. Because the
whole of Arabia was
entering into Islam in crowds upon crowds, Thaqif's hopes were also coming close
to the reality
of Islam. However thinking the religion’s injunctions
to be burdensome Thaqif's chief Abd Yalail was seeking
some concessions. He said to
the Messenger
of Allah (sallaahu 'alaihi wasallam),
"Taifs main produce is grapes, whose main use is in
making wine, what do you say about that?"
He (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) replied by reciting the ayah:
He (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) replied by reciting the ayah:
((AL MAIDAH 90»
He then asked, "We give and take interest, which is a part of our trade."
He (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) recited the ayah:
«AL
BAQARAH 275»
Then
he asked,
"In the
course of fighting we stay away from home for months, will we have permission for (sexual) relations with impermissible women?"
He (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) recited the ayah:
«BANI ISRAIL 23))
The last thing he asked was, "The five daily prayers are burdensome, can you reduce them for us?" He (sallAllahu 'alaihiwasallam) replied, "There is no good in this religion
without having bowing (in prayer) in it."
They requested "0 Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) do not knock down this idol for a few more months"!!! But the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) did not accept this request either. He sent Mughirah bin Shu'bah (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu) to Ta'if for this purpose. When he went forward to attack Al-Lat the people of Ta'if had gathered in large numbers, they were having difficulty accepting that their old
idol could be harmed. Mughirah (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu) came running and then slipped and fell, the people of Ta'if screamed out in astonishment. Mughirah (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu) got up again, took his axe and then ripped out the idol
from its foundations. Shirk is similar to a thorny tree, if one wants to remove it then the best way is to uproot it.
When
the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) sent 'Ali (radhiyaAllaahu 'anhu) on a mission, he commanded that, "If you see any statue then destroy it, and if you see any raised grave then level it.,,13 Showing the way to close the doors to Shirk.
3
- Establishment of a Righteous Society
This world has good and bad
mixed in it,
truth and falsehood are always clashing. However the Jama'ah of truth has an obligation to uphold good and to oppose Shirk. Wherever Muslims might be living, the Masjid is their centre and focal point. The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) commenced the Madinan period of his life with the establishment of the Masjid, and then wherever they went the Muslims continued to practise this Prophetic Sunnah.
Establishing the Masjid paves the way for the establishment of the prayers, lays the foundations for collective NAZAM, gives rise to obedience towards the ruler, and brings about unity amongst the ranks. It also affects the Muslim households producing love and tenderness therein, fellow feeling and sympathy.
The first house established for the worship of Allah in Makkah was called The House of Allah, and from this association every Masjid was attributed to Allah.
Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) himself praised those who maintain these houses. (AYAH)
And
then promised them a great reward:
((AN
NOOR 36-3)) (same as above reference??)
One
of the signs
of a
righteous society is the filling of
the mosques
and their
connection with them from the rulers down to the paupers. Wherever this connection is lost, Allah's Mercy will be further away.
The
observance of prayers and attendance at mosques are that indicator for the Muslim Ummah that show the pleasure of and closeness to Allah. Unfortunately this indicator is largely ignored. Causes for failure are often enumerated; however this important cause is not contemplated.
4
- Enjoining the Good and
Forbidding the
Evil
It
is necessary for Muslim society to make goodness prevail, sinners and transgressors are present in all times, yet despite their presence the Muslims have
achieved great and glorious victories. Meaning that despite sin and transgression, Allah's Mercy and Aid has continued to descend and the main reason for this has been the Muslims' concern for enjoying the good and forbidding the evil:
one to do), and forbid
(people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam
has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and
obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All- Wise.
"
(Soorat
At- Tawbah 9:71)
This Ummah has been given the title "The Best of Peoples" on the basis of three characteristics:
Enjoining the good, forbidding the evil and faith in Allah. He (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) said:
“You [true believers in
Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah
(legal ways, etc.)]
are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al- Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic
Monotheism
and all that
Islam has
ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism,
disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. " (SoorahAal-'Imran 3:110)
«SoorahAl
Ma'idah 5: 79»
This is why the majority of them have been called sinners:
“And had the people of the
Scripture (Jesus and Christians) believed, it would have been better
for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to
Allah - and rebellious against Allah's Command). "
for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to
Allah - and rebellious against Allah's Command). "
(SoorahAal-'Imran 3:110) I
Most of them were also called sinners in Soorah al-Hadeed verses 16,26 and 27.
If
the sin and transgression of the AhI-ul~Kitab prevented them from becoming the carriers of Allah's last
testament,
then "The Best of peoples" should also beware lest sin and transgression drowns them. I
'Munkar' (evil) is all those things that a righteous natural disposition (fitrah) deems offensive. Whether it be oppression, or bribery and corruption, or immodesty and immorality in the name of 'art' or 'entertainment'. Whether it be in MEY KHANA or QUHBA KHANA, MARKAZE QAMAR (night club) or racecourse, MARDOOZAN KE LIYE BE
MAHABA IKHTILAAT KE KALB HOUN YA RAQS GHAYIAN. All of these things are
offensive to the Islamic inclination
and if 'munkar' gains power and control, and
the general masses
being to see it as good, then such a society is destroyed because of its sins:
"And when we
decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allah
and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first)
increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of
this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is
justified against it (them). Then We destroy
it with complete destruction. " (Soorah Bani - Israil 17: 16)
"And thus we do
make the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.) Auliya' (supporters
and helpers) one to another (in committing crimes etc.}, because of that which they used to earn. " (SooratAl-An'aam 6:129)
It was under this divine practice that the oppressors of Washington were
pitted against
the oppressors of
Iraq. Both were devoid
of correct faith, this is why the strong power overcame the weaker power, whereas Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) grants the people of Iman prevalence
despite
being less in number:
((AL BAQARAH: 249»
5 - The Accumulation of Power and Strength
The people of Iman have been commanded to keep themselves prepared to face the
enemies of Islam and they have been obliged to
prepare. In this time the instructions of Soorah al Hadeed and Soorah al Anfaal are MASHOOL RAH for the people of Islam:
((ALHADEED
25»
Shaikh 'AbdurRahmaan
bin Naasir Sa'adi
(rahimahullah) said
in explanation of this verse:
"It is one of the signs of Allah's
(Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) Power and ITIZAZ that he sent down iron from which strong weapons are made. Another sign of His Power
and ITIZAZ
is that he is Qaadir
over taking revenge on his enemies. However He clashes His awliya (friends) against
His enemies so that it becomes known who
helps His Cause in the Unseen. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) mentioned
the Book and
iron together
because Allah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) aids the religion and raises His word. The Book by what it contains of evidences and clear proofs and
the sword by the aid it brings by Allah's Permission.
The establishment of these two
things is only possible with justice and fairness which serves as a proof of the Lord's (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa) Wisdom, Perfection and the perfection of the Shariah sent down via His messengers."
A second Ayah
continues with
this theme:
((ANFAAL60))
1 - It has
not been said
to prepare as much in strength as the
enemies of Islam have,
moreover as much
as you are able to. This includes personal strength as well
as weaponry of warfare.
2
- When speaking about 'Quwah' the Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihiwasallam) said: "Beware strength consists in archery, beware strength consists in archery.
Meaning
that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) made mention of the power that
was common in his time. In later times, Muslims made use of catapults, cannons and other
ordnance. The meaning of this is that power is whatever provides a country with military power in those times. Whether that be in the form of science
and technology,
the
development of atomic capabilities, or in the form of LARAKA
TIYARON,
JANGI
BERON AUR ABDOZON, tanks or armoured cars, or missiles - the attainment of all of these is necessary.
3-
The preparation of RIBAAT AL KHAIL
(DUSTOUN of
horses) has also been ordered. If in the time of Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) horses were used for military purposes and activities, then today every such
motor vehicle (whose engine pmrer even today is measured in horse power)
that is used for this purpose and upon which one can take part in battle, comes under the
ruling of RIBAAT AL KHAIL. Meaning that alongside accumulation of power, the apparatuses that aid in the usage of this power are also intended. I
4
- The accumulation of power is also required in times of peace so that the enemies can be kept in awe. Remaining unaware of the preparations of the enemies up until the embarrassment of a sudden unexpected attack is not befitting a Muslim.
The
excursion to Tabook of the
Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) himself along with the
Islamic forces, to pre-empt an expected attack by the
Romans, was for this exact reason. The expedition of the Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) to the limits of the Islamic empire served to undermine the enemy's courage and they did not even have the nerve to attack.
5-
Any wealth that is expended in the accumulation of power comes under the ruling of being for the sake of Allaah whose reward is the responsibility of Allaah (Ta'aalaa).
Along
with these points a few verses of Soorah Anfaal are presented in the consideration of power of numbers and
military:
«ANFAAL 65»
"0 Prophet, urge the
believers to battle. If there are among you twenty [who are} steadfast, they will overcome two hundred.
And if there
are among you one hundred [who are} steadfast, they will overcome a
thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand.
"
Due
to the fact that running away from the battlefield is one of the seven deadly sins about which a severe warning has been given'"
the limit of steadfastness against the enemy was made clear. This verse is from the
beginning of Islam when the strength of faith was at its peak but Muslims were small in terms of numbers. That is why permission was not granted to falter when facing enemies ten times greater in number, but rather engaging fearlessly was commanded. Later when the numbers of Muslims increased this commandment was lightened:
«ANFAAL
66» I
"Now, Allah has lightened
[the hardship} for you, and He knows that among you is weakness. So if there are from you one
hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you a thousand, they will overcome two thousand
by permission of Allah . And Allah is with the steadfast. "
Meaning
that if the enemy are double in numbers then facing them is obligatory, fleeing is not allowed.
It is also clear from these verses that the aforementioned quantities are
inextricably linked to steadfastness. Groups of timorous, cowardly and
abject youth are not intended
here. Secondly, the enemy before which it was commanded to remain standing had more or less the same weaponry as
the Muslims. In Badr and Uhud the enemy had swords, arrows, javelins and other hand-held weapons along with
horses and camels as vehicles, the Muslims had the same albeit in different quantities. This is why it
can be said with certainty that in present times Muslims should also be armed with the same weapons that are utilised by the
enemies of Islam. Indeed any deficiency in quantity can be made up by the
weapons of faith and steadfastness and this is what Allah has commanded saying;
((AL
BAQARAH 153»
"0 you who have believed, seek help through patience and
prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. "
In
the expedition of Mu'tah (8 AH) the number of Muslims was three thousand
whereas the number of Caesar's deputy Balqan's forces numbered one hundred
thousand, meaning that the ratio
was not one to ten but one to thirty three. Despite this the Mujahidin of Islam established legends of SARFAROSHEE.
Zaid bin Harithah, Ja'far bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin Rawahah (radhiAllahu 'anhum)
were martyred one after another and then Khalid bin Walid (radhiAllahu 'anhu) with amazing
acumen successfully extracted the remainders of the wearied army.17
The
accumulation of power alone should not be sufficed with, instead the weapons of faith and steadfastness should
be instilled in the hearts:
((AL- IMRAN 13))
"So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be
superior if you are [true]
believers."
Is
it not true that if a man picks up a sword but he is so cowardly that he cannot use it, then this sword is of
no use? If such Muslims have the latest technology but are petrified at any flutter of the enemy
then what is gained by this technology? As the poet has said:
((ARABIC
POETRY))
(A
wife says to her husband :) "(You are) a lion against me but an ostrich in the battlefield, when the slightest
clamour makes your heart jump into your throat."
Technology is connected
to knowledge. As many universities as possible should be established in the Muslim world in
order to obtain this modem knowledge, however the Seerah and scientific miracles of Islam must form a
part of the syllabus so that alongside the usual studies, faith can be revitalised.
By
'scientific miracles' we mean that in the Qur'an and Hadeeth there are many
pointers that reveal scientific truths. At the head office of Rabitah Alami Islami in Makkah, they
have a faculty dedicated to the scientific miracles of Islam in which good work has been done
on this subject.
This lead of theirs should be followed. Furthermore, such teachers should be chosen who whilst teaching science can also ignite the sparks of faith in their students.
Today how many of our intelligent and skilled people are seeking scientific knowledge in the West. And how many have attained this knowledge but due to being cultivated by the atheist minds of the West have fallen prey to the love of this world, and instead of strengthening the Islamic world they are aiding others. How many of our generals received training in Western military academies and then in the battle between Kufr and Iman, due to their irreligious beliefs, weak faith and cowardice, ceded to the enemies. The occupations of Baitul Maqdas, Dhaka and now Baghdad are the visible results of the iniquities of these generals.
6
- Management of the Ranks and Efforts for Internal Unity
Today
the Muslim Ummah holds political superiority in 57 countries and an established presence in most countries. Every Muslim
country is a unit that could join with other units to form
a great alliance, however first each unit needs to be strengthened.
It
is necessary to eradicate all notions that seek to cleave oneness and unity. The priorities among them are the tribalism, ethnocentrism, nationalism and sectarianism. If one looks at any Muslim country, the evils of partisanship can be seen to be sowing seeds of enmity and hatred even between brothers. The belligerency between north and south in Somalia, the medley of Shia-Sunni and provincial partisanship in Pakistan, the state of ostentation between Sylhets and non-Sylhets in Bangladesh, the animosity between Pashtuns, Uzbeks and Tajiks in Afghanistan which was made manifest at the time of the American attack, are a few apparent illustrations of this matter.
The community which the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) established in Madinah had its foundations laid with brotherhood, love and kindred between the Muhajirs (emigrants) and Ansar (helpers). Both respected titles Muhajir and Ansar found a place in the divine revelation due to their own laudable characteristics.
«AT-TAWBAH
100))
However when two individuals from each of these same two groups began to fight over drawing water from a well, and the Muhajir called for the Muhajirs and the Ansari called for the Ansar; the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alaihi wasallam) dropped what he was doing and hurried to the place of the dispute, and declared with BABANG DOHL: "((HADEETH»" "Do you proclaim the calls of Jahiliyyah whilst I am still among you?
In
other words, the esteemed titles that have great respect and reverence due to the Hijrah (the migration) and Nusrah (the hospitality of the Ansar) that were used to cause a fight between two groups was declared a proclamation of Jahiliyyah, it is interpreted as that Jahiliyyah which existed in the pre- Islamic era.
A very well written article. Much appreciated :)
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