Reflecting over and Learning from Past Events

Shawwaal, 20, 1422 (January 4, 2002)

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.

Brethren In faith! Fear Allah as He should be feared, for whoever fears Him, He protects him and whoever turns to Him in repentance, He guides him and is pleased with him. Whoever humbles himself for His worship He honours him and whoever transacts with Him prospers.

Fellow Muslims! Trials and afflictions are made to awaken the affected nation to a serious and sincere review of its culture and civilization and a transparent assessment of its actions. For, it is civilization and culture that influence people’s behaviour and concerns. Yes, there is a need for this self-examination is order to identify causes of defects and weakness. Big challenges and crises awaken nations and constitute major turning points in their lives and spur them to work for their progress and development. Indeed, past failures do not in any form kill the future of the affected nation, it rather call its attention to its potentialities.

Allah says regarding the tribulation of the Battle of Badr,

“If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men in turns, that Allah may test those who believe and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrong-doers. And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers.” (Aal ‘Imraan 3:140-141)

When major incidences happen, it does not affect a nation alone but affects most nations of the world, for it generates a lot of religious, economical, social and political reactions. What is then deserving of the wise people of the affected nation is to review their policies and systems and the effects of these policies on nations and individuals. Also, contemporary principles, systems and policies of this age should be re-examined. There are however some good systems that are beneficial materially, technologically, medically, economically and educationally. But what is the effect of these useful systems on the men who propagate them? It seems as if the propagators of these systems are themselves devoid of all the meanings of humanity. They proclaim systems whose its implementation is biased. They speak of freedom, democracy and human rights but their actions negate that which they speak of. Contemporary history is full of arrogance, ostentation, dictatorship, humiliation, oppression of weaker nations and usurpation of their wealth. Justice and logic, therefore, demands that the affected nation should deal with other nations truthfully, wish them well and review its policies towards them and seriously think over those basic factors that caused people’s hatred for it.

What are the benefits of principles and systems that generate hatred and allows the humiliation of others? What is the benefit of a policy that encourages arrogance and haughtiness? Sincere reflection must be made on the waves of violence that takes place all over the world.

Let it be known that, if violence is allowed to prevail instead of dialogue and mutual understanding, no voice will be heard for the weak and justice will have no chance. Worse than these is that aggression and violence will become legalised. All types of aggression, hostility, hatred and racialism should therefore be brought to an end.

Among the issues that need urgent review are the wars that have characterised this generation and in which many innocent lives have been lost and in which destructive weapons, that not only kill but also cause harm and 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 Qur’aan about the purpose of fighting a war which says,

“And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors.” (Al-Baqarah 2:190)

Statistics speak of millions of casualties of these senseless wars all over the world. Therefore, 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.

Brethren in Faith! The philosophy and civilization of this contemporary time are built on materialism. Faith has been restricted to things that are only perceptible through the senses to the exclusion of the unseen things; the concern is only for this world and its pleasures and all the scientific discoveries are for the purpose of this mundane life alone. This sorry situation is accurately described by Allah says,

“They know only the outside appearance of the (i.e. the matters of their livelihood) and they are heedless of the Hereafter.” (Ar-Room 30:7)

No attention is therefore, paid to spiritual development. This clearly manifests in the excessive attention being given to sports, dancing, music, drama, etc. Religion has no impact on behaviours, policies and systems. Religion has become a mere ritual in their view and a war has being set up between it and the science and between body and soul. In these ideologies, there is no place for Allah; the only recognized deities are statues and shapes. When any of these people carries out any religious rites, it is to follow the customs and traditions and no more. It is in view of this that cruelty and violence became the order of the day because, many people no longer has any respect for Allah and have become heedless of the Hereafter.

Brethren in Islaam! It is incumbent on us to have a sincere and serious review of our own actions so that justice and truth may reign and falsehood may be annihilated. The world is in need of a merciful system and policy that will promote justice and eradicate all the weapons of mass destruction. It is in need of a policy that will have real respect for human rights and guarantees for all people the right of self-determination, freedom and tranquillity. It is in need of a system that will put an end to colonisation and all kinds of hegemony. It is in need of a system that will restore the rights of the oppressed and punish the oppressor appropriately, for fairness can not be achieved through injustice nor can security be achieved through fear. Sense of revenge should give way to dialogue and mutual understanding. World countries are in need of cooperation and unity in order to live in peace and this is what the wise and sincere people who want good for the humanity should call unto. If they fail to do so, the weak will continue to grow weaker. Nevertheless, history has shown us examples of nations and civilizations that have risen and fallen and the examples of communities that have persevered, resisted the aggression of devilish nations and finally survived, for all the affairs belong to Allah. He says,

“And those who do wrong will come to know what their end is going to be.” (Ash-Shu‘araa 26:227)

He also says,

“And indeed We have firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you and We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes) and hearts; but their ears, eyes and hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Aayaat (Allah’s Prophets and their prophethood, proofs, verses and revelations) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!” (Al-Ahqaaf 46:26)

When one reflects over the crises that Islaam has underwent in its long history, one will find out that, regardless of the civilization, light, justice and fairness that nations and communities had enjoyed under the rule of Islaam, these crises had significantly weakened the Islaamic civilization in a way that has been a cause of joy for its enemies. However, these crises has its positive impacts. It has reawaken the Muslims, afforded them the opportunity to examine themselves and created in them stronger determination and hope. Therefore, all kinds of persecutions that afflict the Muslims today are but harbingers of 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 says,

“Those who answered (the call of) Allah and the Messenger after been wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allah, there is a great reward. Those (believers) unto the people (hypocrites) said: ‘Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.’ But that only increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.’ So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty. It is only Satan who suggests to you the fear of his friends; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.” (Aal ‘Imraan 3:172-175)

Having agreed that what happen to the Muslims are results of their own deeds, there is certainty that they possess strong spiritual values that are embodied in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger in which they believe and upon which they stand. These two values are the criteria for identifying the points of deviation and it is by them that the Muslim nation will be able to rectify its situation and rise again against all odds Insha Allah.

The Islaamic law is the Muslim’s source of strength and immunity during ideological crises. Though, the invading modern trends achieved a great success all over the world, the Islaamic world and its societies in spite of all their sufferings are, by the will of Allah, united in resisting the invasion. Islaam is the religion of truth that is firmly rooted among the Muslim societies. Although, the Muslims do not reject the useful new things, they however, will not subscribe to the notion that these invading trends are the only ideal way of life that should be followed by all. Muslims are open-minded, welcome any progress that brings benefit for the mankind and are not enemies to science and useful civilization. Islaam will never accept being subordinate to or melt into any civilizations or cultures as many other religions and cultures have done, for Islaam is the protected and everlasting religion of Allah.

Moreover, it is a source of honour and pride that Islaam, through its creed, law and culture, has provided for mankind what other civilizations have never provided. Muslims are therefore capable of overcoming their problems and settling their differences with the help of Allah. They should therefore, strive to understand the reality of their religion and the nature of their message so as to be able to fulfil their responsibility towards themselves and the humanity in general, bearing in mind the saying of Allah,

“Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves.” (Ar-Ra‘d 13:11)

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