What makes a great nation? What defines a great civilization? Is it mere power and wealth, or is it a force that transcends these materialistic spheres? What role do youth play in the aggrandization of a nation?

We live in a time when we are apologetic about our faith and too apathetic to restore glory to our beautiful deen. We bemoan the fate that has befallen us but are too spineless to make a change. We have been conditioned to think of Islam as being a religion just like Christianity and Judaism. But isn't Islam far more than that?

Islam is not a dogma — it is a way of life. Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) exhorted us to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. Baghdad and Damascus were once the world's greatest seats of learning. There was a time when the greatest scholars of the world — mathematicians, philosophers, scientists, saints, physicians, and orators — were Muslim. Alas, that time is no more.

Today, al-hamdu lillah, education is easy to obtain. Young Muslim men and women attend universities in droves and qualify as doctors, accountants, psychologists, teachers, engineers, and more. But what do we do with this education? Do we use it to advance the cause of Muslims as a whole? No! We use it to advance our own materialistic desires. An education is only seen as a passport to a luxurious lifestyle.

We admire the Richard Bransons and Bill Gates of this world, but only for their wealth, not their vision. It is unfortunate that many of us are utterly oblivious to the identities of great Muslims. Are we aware that there is an institute named after Ibn Khaldun based in California? Do we know that Imam Abu Hanifah was not only a brilliant scholar of Islam, but a mathematician too. Do we care?

We lack the vision to create our own empires — Islamic empires. Why can't we produce products of high quality, be it electronics or foodstuff. Why are we content to possess only a degree on a piece of paper and live in our little narrow-minded boxes. Why don't we want to explore beyond these boxes? Are we so thoroughly lacking in self-esteem that we can only be big in our communities, but not in the world? What are we afraid of, failure or success?

Today, Muslims are focused only on individualism. We shut ourselves off from secular advancement and focus only on spiritual enlightenment. We strive to perfect our faith, seeking Jannah as our prize. Yet, in doing so, we forget that Islam is a complete way of life. Did Muslims at the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) only uphold the five pillars? No, they engaged in every aspect that would strengthen them. We have betrayed the legacy of those who passed before us.
Why is it that although we are individually strong, the body that is the Muslim Ummah is so weak? The Muslim world is under attack. We cannot fight back with our voices because our voice has been annihilated by the Western-controlled media. We cannot fight back with superior technology, because we regard this hostile territory. We cannot join hands with political allies, for we have distanced ourselves from politics. We find it difficult to retaliate by boycotting their products, for we have none to match theirs. We are weak — socially, economically, politically, and sadly, spiritually too.
The West has barricaded us in our self-made prisons of freedom. We are limited by the captivity of our own freedom. Why are we afraid to lead?
Allah has blessed many Muslims with superior intellect and skills. Why aren't we utilizing these blessings from Allah? Why are we allowing them to rot away in the recesses of our beings? Won't we be questioned by Allah on the Day of Judgment for failing to utilize our intellect to strengthen the Muslim world? Why do we lack initiative? Why are we afraid to lead?

The West has built its success on the foundations laid by the Muslim scholars of the past. It has wiped out our past glory, replacing it with their own achievements. The West has divorced itself from ethics in its quest for power. Let us enter the global arena with a new vision. Let us add a moral and ethical dimension as we seek to conquer new territory in science and technology, literature and art, medicine, and media. Let us extend Islamic civilization to all four corners of the world. Let us educate ourselves in a beneficial manner, with the intention to benefit mankind and Islam, and not merely ourselves.
Knowledge is the lost property of Muslims. Let us search for it and advance it. Let our knowledge make us grateful to Allah. Let us strive for excellence. It is our time to lead! Why are we afraid to lead?