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A
Muslim should never be distracted by one concern or another; he should
instead string all concerns into a single thread making it a major
concern, namely, seeking the pleasure of Allah Almighty. All other
partial concerns should fall under this major concern, for this is the
only way through which the Muslim may accomplish his ultimate goal.
Enforcing truth, fighting falsehood, reestablishing the Islamic nation
and Islamic state, and so on, are all examples of these sub-concerns.
The
reader may be astonished, as I was, to know that Surat Ar-Rum was
revealed in Mecca, during the days of oppression and weakness before the
Immigration, surrounded by the walls of confinement in Abu Talib's
mountain pass!
Imagine
yourself being with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in
that mountain pass. The enemy is breathing down your neck and you are
liable to die of hunger, thirst or fatigue; and are unable to see beyond
your own palms in broad daylight because of extreme hunger and exertion.
In such a condition of weakness and oppression, these verses are
revealed: [Alif. Lam. Mim. The Romans have been defeated. In the
nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious within ten
years. Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter and
in that day believers will rejoice. In Allah's help to victory. He
helpeth to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful. It is a
promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise, but most of mankind
know not.] (Ar-Rum: 1-6)
What
is this? Were not the Muslims in a grave condition preoccupied with
fulfilling their basic needs of life? Were they not afraid even to
answer the call of nature alone?
The
answer is: Yes!
What
was the need then to talk about the major powers in the world at that
time? Why would they be concerned with that?
Astonishment
vanishes when you know that whenever a Muslim undertakes the mission of
calling to Islam, he is never satisfied with less than the highest of
ranks and Paradise.
Filled
with hope and confidence in Allah, such a Muslim is never content with
his current concerns but rather plans, while he is in the most
distressful conditions, for a bright future and a better world.
The
Qur'an brings up Muslims, from the very beginning, on foresight and
having a complete perception of the reality of the conflict between
Great Powers and possessing a distinguished ability to analyze events
and predict correctly, for these matters actually concern them.
Is
not Islam a universal religion? Is not Islam’s duty to send others the
message “If you become a Muslim, you will be safe.” Is not the
Muslim the vicegerent of Allah on this earth?
Yes..certainly
Yes!
Therefore,
incidental concerns of the Islamic world should not distract the Muslim
from his major aim and concern: spreading Islam all over the world and
taking the role of leadership.
While
being surrounded with concerns, the Muslim should observe the balances
of world powers and learn the lessons of history carefully. In fact, he
is supposed to assume the role of leadership, but though he is unable to
attain it today, he certainly will do so tomorrow. He will cry aloud to
all existence, [Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo!
falsehood is ever bound to vanish.] (Al-Israa’: 81)
No
wonder then that Surat Ar-Rum, whose name refers to the mightiest empire
at that time, would be revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) under such hard circumstances. When a greater concern is
mentioned, the smaller concern are forgotten.
Because
of my hope and trust in Allah, I believe that certain surahs and signs
descended on the Muslims bearing the following meaning: “Concern
yourselves with the propagation of My religion and seek to accomplish
the aims of truth with My Directions.” Thus, we find, for example, one
surah indicating how Islam will be victorious in the capitalist world,
and another one relating the plan of Islam’s victory in the
non-capitalist countries, and so on. Hope in Allah is great and all
praise be to Him.
A
Muslim is, after all, a Muslim, even if he is weak one day, and truth
is, after all, truth, even if shaken by storms of falsehood for a while.
Thus, one day truth must prevail and triumph. Falsehood is false after
all, it is destined to vanish and disappear. [Then, as for the foam,
it passeth away as scum upon the banks, while, as for that which is of
use to mankind, it remaineth in the earth.] (Ar-Ra`d: 17)
The
Muslim who undergoes oppression and subjugation today has a high
position in the Sight of Allah. He, with Allah's will, is apt to carry
the banner again, as long as his essence is noble, for a lion is still a
lion even if it is inside a cage.
Therefore,
never degrade yourself, O Muslim! Concern yourself with the most
important of matters, for you are fit and able to do this.
Your enemies want to distract you with the obstacles under your feet,
but you should overcome the obstacles and, at the same time, closely
observe the ongoing events on the world scene. Your enemies try their
best to distract you from this duty, but you, and you alone (with
Allah’s help), can foil their plans.
The
wonder of kings and presidents during the year 6 A.H. was great when
they received the letters and the ambassadors of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him), who expressed the universality of the Message,
and called them to Islam. They wondered how could a Bedouin say to each
one of them, “If you become a Muslim, you will be safe?” They asked
how such a man dares to address Caesar and Khosroes with such words. But
this vanity soon vanished, when they suddenly realized that the man
addressing them was not jesting.
Nevertheless,
their wonder, satisfaction and even their dissatisfaction does not
matter, for they never care for those below them in rank. What really
matters here is the Prophet’s high esteem for himself and his call,
his firm belief in its victory, and Allah’s support. At such a time,
the force of falsehood becomes insignificant because it is undoubtedly
bound to vanish. Thus, never lose confidence in yourself. [Faint not
nor grieve, for ye will overcome them if ye are (indeed) believers.]
(Aal-`Imran: 139)
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