ISLAM AND THE CURRENT CHALLENGES

Shaikh Saalih Bin Humaid

Those who have fear of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) in thir hearts will surely receive His protection. Whosoever turns to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) in repentance will receive His guidance and pleasure. Whosoever humbles himself in worship of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) will be honored by Him. And whosoever transacts honorably with Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Him will prosper.

Trials and afflictions are sent to awaken the affected people, at individual and collective level, to a serious and sincere review of its culture and civilization, as well as a transparent assessment of its actions. This is because it is civilization and culture that influence people’s behavior and concerns. Indeed, there is a dire need for this self-examination in order to identify causes of weakness and defect. Monumental challenges and crises awaken nations and constitute major turning points in their history; they rouse them to strive hard for their progress and development.

The past failures, however, do not in any way kill the future of an afflicted nation. Rather, they draw its attention to its potential and capability. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says regarding the tribulation of the Battle of Uhad that which means:

“If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the (opposing) people a wound similar to it. And these days (of varying conditions) We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and (may) take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the wrongdoers - And that Allah may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers.” (Aale ‘Imraan:140-141)

Some such a major incident takes place; it does not affect a nation alone but affects most nations of the world, for they generate numerous religious, economic, social and political reactions. What is therefore expected of the intelligentsia of the affected nation is a fundamental review of its policies and systems as well as the effects of these on individuals and nations. Moreover, all contemporary principles, systems and policies of this age require scrutiny and re-examination.

There are indeed some current systems that are beneficial materially, technologically, medically and economically, but what effect have these useful systems had on those who propagate them? It seems as if the very propagators of these systems are themselves devoid of any compassion or mercy; they proclaim systems whose implementation is biased; they speak of freedom, democracy and human rights but their actions contradict their statements. Contemporary history is full of arrogance, ostentation, dictatorship, humiliation, oppression of weak nations and usurpation of their wealth. Justice and rationale, therefore, demand that the afflicted nation should deal with other nations honestly, wish them well and review its policies towards them as well as to seriously reflect upon the basic factors that have caused people’s hatred towards it.

What benefits are there of principles and systems that generate hatred and allow the humiliation of others? Of what use are policies that facilitate arrogance and haughtiness? Sincere reflection must be made upon the waves of violence that take place all over the world.

Let it be known that if violence is allowed to prevail instead of dialogue and mutual understanding, the voice of the weak will not be heard and justice will have no chance; and even worse than these is that aggression and violence will be legalized. It is, therefore, a must that all types of aggression, hostility, hatred and racism, be brought to an end.

Among the issues that need urgent review are the wars that have characterized this generation, in which many innocent lives have been lost and in which destructive weapons that not only kill but also cause impairment and chronic diseases to the living are wantonly used. What then is the benefit of a system which has as its product, aggressive and unjust wars that know no law or norms? Compare this to the injunction of the Quraan about the purpose of fighting a war which says that which means:

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not commit aggression. Indeed, Allah does not like aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah:190)

Statistics speak of millions of casualties of these senseless wars all over the world. Therefore, a careful and sincere review of these policies and systems in the light of their effects will go a long way in solving the problems at hand.

The contemporary civilization and philosophy are built on materialism. Faith has been restricted to things that are only perceptible to the senses to the exclusion of the all matters that are unseen. The concern is only for this world and its pleasures and all scientific discoveries are for the purpose of this mundane life alone. This pathetic situation is accurately described by Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) when He says that which means:

“They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.” (Ar-Room:7)

Therefore, no attention is paid to spiritual development. This clearly manifests itself in the excessive attention that is being given to sports, music, dancing, drama, etc. Religion has been restricted to such a narrow and isolated status that does not allow any impact on people’s individual behavior or on collective aspect of human society. Religion has been confined to mere rituals according to this contemporary civilization and war has been set up between it and worldly wisdom (characterized with human limitations), and between body (mundane in nature) and soul (with heavenly stature). In these ideologies, there is no place for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). When any of these people carry out religious rites, it is to follow prevalent customs and traditions and nothing more. It is in view of this that brutality and violence have become the order of the day because many people no longer have any respect for Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and have become heedless of the accountability in Aakhirah (Hereafter).

It is incumbent upon us to have a sincere and serious review of our own actions so that justice and truth will reign and falsehood be annihilated. The world is in need of a merciful system and policies that will promote justice and eradicate all weapons of mass destruction. It is in need of a structure that will have real respect for human rights and will guarantee for all people the right of self-determination, freedom and tranquility. It is in need of a system that will put an end to colonization and all types of hegemony and subjugation. It is in need of a system that will restore the rights of the oppressed and punish the oppressor appropriately, for fairness cannot be achieved through injustice nor can security be achieved through fear. The sense of revenge must give way to dialogue and mutual understanding. The countries of the world are in dire need of cooperation and unity in order to reside in peace and this is what the wise and sincere, who want the best for humanity, should call unto. If they fail to do so, then the weak will only continue to weaken further.

Nevertheless, history has shown us examples of civilizations and nations that have risen and fallen as well as that of communities that have persevered, resisted the aggression of devilish nations and therefore survived and flourished, for all affairs belong to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). He says that which means:

“… And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.” (Ash-Shu‘araa:227)

And also He says:

“And We had certainly established them in such as We have not established you, and We made for them hearing and vision and hearts (i.e., intellect). But their hearing and vision and hearts availed them not from anything (of the punishment) when they were (continually) rejecting the signs of Allah; and they were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.” (Al-Ahqaaf:26)

When one reflects over the crises that Muslims have undergone throughout their long history, it will be clear that despite the civilization, light, justice and fairness that nations and communities enjoyed under their rule, these crises significantly weakened the civilization of Muslims in a way that has been a cause of joy for its enemies. However, these crises do have positive aspects; they have re-awakened the Muslims, afforded them the opportunity to examine themselves and created in them stronger determination and hope. Therefore, the multitudes of persecutions that afflict the Muslims today are but harbingers of a bright future for them. An example of this was what happened to the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. It is in this regard that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says that which means:

“Those (believers) who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allah is a great reward – Those to whom people (i.e., hypocrites) said: ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But it (merely) increased them in faith, and they said: ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and (He is) the best Disposer of affairs.’ So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens (you) of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (indeed) believers.” (Aale ‘Imraan:172-175)

Having established that whatever evil has afflicted the Muslims is the result of their own deeds, there is certainty that they possess strong spiritual values that are embodied in the Book of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and the Sunnah of His Messenger, Hadhrat Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) in which they believe and upon which they stand. These two measures are the criteria for identifying all points of deviation and it is by them that the Muslim nation will be able to rectify its situation and rise again against all the odds – by the will of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).

The Islamic Law is the Muslim’s source of strength and immunity during ideological crises. Despite the fact that invading modern trends have achieved great success worldwide, the Muslim world, regardless of all their sufferings, are by the will of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) united in resisting this invasion. Islam is the religion of truth and is firmly rooted among the many many Muslim.

Although, the Muslims do not reject anything new which is beneficial, they refuse to subscribe to the notion that these invading trends are the ideal way of life that must be universally adhered to. Muslims are open-minded people who welcome any progress that brings benefit for mankind; they are not enemies of technology or progress. However, a true Muslim will never accept being subordinate to or melt into any other cultures or civilizations as the followers of many other religions and cultures have done, for Islam is the protected and everlasting religion of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).

Moreover, it is a source of honor and pride that Islam, through its creed, law and culture, has provided for mankind that which other civilizations have failed to. Muslims are, therefore, capable of overcoming their problems and settling their differences with the help of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). They should, therefore, strive to understand the reality of their religion and the nature of their message so as to be able to fulfill their responsibility towards themselves and humanity in general, bearing in mind the saying of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) which means:

“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (Ar-Ra‘d:11).