THE CONDITION OF UMMAH
 CAUSE & CURES

Shaikh Abdur Rahman Alhuzaifi   

Fear Allah to hold fast unto Islam. That is the most trustworthy handhold. It is the fear of Allah that sets the matters of one’s life and Hereafter right. Know also that the Sunnah of Allah (His rules on His creatures) in this universe never changes. Allah says what translates as, “No change will you find in Allah’s Sunnah (way of dealing) and no turning off will you find in Allah’s Sunnah.”  (Faatir: 43)

It is in the Sunnah of Allah that whoever sows good will harvest good and that whoever sows evil will harvest evil. He says, “Whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it.” (Az-Zalzalah: 7-8)

It is a rule of Allah over His creatures that whoever takes the way that leads to the success of his life of this world and its pleasure shall attain whatever Allah has destined for him of this world and whoever takes the way that leads to the success of his hereafter and the Paradise, Allah will make him reach his goal. Also, whoever takes the way that leads to the success of both this world and the Hereafter, obeys Allah and abstain from sins, he will attain the success of this both this world and the Hereafter. Allah says what translates as, “Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (far away from Allah’s Mercy). And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it, then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated. On each - these as well as those - We bestow from the Bounties of your Lord. And the Bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden.” (Al-Israa’: 18-20)

It is also of the rule of Allah to test His slaves with the good and evil. He says what translates as, “We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned.” (Al-Anbiyaa’: 35)

As for the Muslim, whenever any good affects him he knows that it is a favour from his Lord, for he knows that he deserves nothing from Allah by right and this belief will make him thank his Lord and praise Him. Also, if any evil afflicts him he perseveres and seeks the reward of his Lord, for he knows that, that is the result of a sin he has committed or that Allah wants to elevate his rank in the Hereafter. Allah says what translates as, “And whatever of misfortune that befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Ash-Shooraa: 30)

The Muslim examines himself, review his deeds and repents for every sin he commits. As for the disbeliever, if any favour comes his way, he becomes insolent and arrogant and starts transgressing. And when any calamity afflicts him he despairs and becomes impatient. This world is his Paradise and his lord is his desires.

Muslims, these days, are afflicted with many calamities. Many causes have however been given for these tribulations. Some say that they are a result of the evil plan of the enemies; some say they are the result of our economic recession and some say they are the result of the Muslim’s industrial and technological backwardness etc. All this are just symptoms of the ailment. The real cause of this sorry situation is the Muslim’s negligence of their religion individually and collectively. Allah says what translates as, “(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 Allah has power over all things.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 165)

He also says what translates as, “Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their own individual state themselves.” (Ar-Ra‘d: 11)

Muslims in their history have passed through some periods which were more severe than the present one in afflictions and in which their enemies subjected them to persecutions. But then they made a sincere return to their religion with knowledge and Faith. They therefore, attained security and regained their honour, unity and well being under the shade of Islam. The injury was healed and their condition became better. In this age, the calamity is actually great for the Muslim nation, but it remains and indisputable fact that the affairs of the latter generation of the Muslim nation will never be set aright except by that which set right the affairs of their predecessors. So, blaming the enemies of Islam for these calamities does not in any way absolve the Muslims from being responsible for their own woes, for how will the Muslims expect the unbelievers to solve their problems for them if they themselves fail to do so through the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of his Prophet (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and in the light of their interests and those of their coming generations? The solution to Muslims’ problems, therefore, lies with Allah and then with themselves to know all that is good, practicing the good avoiding all that is evil as far as matters of their religion and life is concerned. This is a great responsibility that requires strong will and sincerity. The responsibility for encouraging the Muslims to adopt the right solution lies with every member of Muslim, generally, but with Muslim scholars and rulers, specially.

Whenever a calamity afflicts a community, the first step to take is to have a sincere repentance. Allah says what translates as, “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful.” (An-Noor: 31)

Every Muslim needs to have a sincere repentance. If anyone however says, ‘What is the relevance of my personal repentance to the rectification of the Muslims’ condition?’ He should be told that the cause of all good in this world and the Hereafter is the obedience to Allah and the cause of evil retribution is to disobey Him. He should also be told that, the repentance of every individual brings greater good and reduces calamities on the Muslims.

Further, past nations were destroyed because of the existence of many sinners and fewness of righteous people. The sin of a single individual may destroy a whole nation. Allah caused the people of Thamood to perish because one of them killed the camel. He caused epidemics to spread among the children of Israel - even in the presence of Moosaa and Haaroon because some of them committed adultery. Allah says about some of the destroyed nations, “So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were those on whom We sent a violent wind with shower of stones, of them there were those who were overtaken by awful cry, of them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow and of them were those whom We drowned. It was not Allah who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.” (Al-‘Ankaboot: 40)

Hadhrat Zainab bint Jahsh narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Woe unto the Arabs because of an impending calamity. Today the debris of the Gog and Magog has been opened to this extent. And he demonstrated that extent by making  a circle with his index finger and the thumb.’ Hadhrat Zainab said, ‘I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Are we going to be destroyed while there are righteous people among us? The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Yes, when immorality and alcoholic drinking have become widespread.” Do not, therefore, treat the matter of repentance lightly for it is the way out of all hardships. Hold fast unto the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam), for they are the light and guidance that save from darkness and error.

The religion of Islam commands the Muslims to be united and forbade them from disunity. Allah says what translates as, “And hold fast unto the Rope of Allah (the Quraan) and do not be divided among yourselves.” (Aal-‘Imraan: 103)

He also says what translates as, “And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength departs, and be patient.” (Al-Anfaal: 46)

The religion of Islam while enjoining unity among Muslims, does not however, mean that the non-Muslims who are innocents and are not the cause of inflicts on Muslims, can be attacked or denied their rights which they enjoy under the Islam. If non-Muslims understand the justice of Islam and its beauties, they would embrace Islam and would not have blamed it for wrongful acts if few of the Muslims do it. Allah says what translates as, “Say (O Muhammad to the people)! ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him, be good and dutiful to your parents, kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them, come not near the shameful sins, whether committed openly or secretly and kill not any one whom Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic teachings). This He has commanded you that you may understand.” (Al-An‘aam: 151)

So, fear Allah as He should be feared, seek nearness to Him through righteous deeds and abstain from sins. Send forward good deeds before you meet Him and make good use of your life. Allah says what translates as, “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. Let every soul look for what he has sent forth for the morrow and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (Al-Hashr: 18)

Provide for yourselves answers that will save you from the hardship of the Day of Resurrection. The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The foot of man will not slip on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked of his life as to how he has lived it, of his youth as to how he has used it, of his wealth as to how he got it and in what he spent it and about his knowledge as to what he did with it.”

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