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The
Muslim world is undergoing a critical situation; its sacred places are
being violated, Muslims’ blood is being shed, innocent children are
being killed, aged women are being displaced and humiliated. The attacks
are launched against the nation systematically and continuously.
However, these afflictions are not the end of the world, rather, they
should awaken the Muslims and direct their attention to the urgent need
to reform themselves. Further, they should bear in mind important points
that include:
First:
Muslims
should put their confidence in Allah, believing that whatever happens
in this world is decreed by Him, the Almighty. Thus, Muslims must be
sure that afflictions and hardship will be followed with victory and
might.
This
conviction and confidence bring about much-needed bravery, valor, and
submission to the decrees of Allah. And it is through this
consciousness that those who fervently defend their religion voice
their opposition against the powers of evil and injustice telling
them, [Naught
befalleth us save that which Allah hath decreed for us. He is our
Protecting Helper. In Allah let believers put their trust!]
(At-Tawbah 9:51) The companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) set a great example in this respect, which deserved to be
appreciated and mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah says [Those
unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you,
therefore fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of
them and they cried: Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He
in Whom we trust! So they returned with grace and favor from Allah,
and no harm touched them. They followed the good pleasure of Allah,
and Allah is of infinite bounty]
(Aal `Imran 3:173-174)
Second:
Muslims
should work diligently to unite their ranks and jointly follow the
only source of its religion, namely the Qur’an and the Sunnah, if
they really want salvation.
Third:
Muslims
should be resolute in rejecting the slogans of partisanship. They should
be ready to admit their mistakes including their negligence in their
duties towards Allah and the marginalizing of the everlasting law of
Allah in their practical life.
Fourth:
Muslims
should realize that mere lamentation and condemnation are useless. We
should cease crying over spilled milk and undertake constructive and
productive effort. Allah says, [And
say (unto them): Act! Allah will behold your actions, and (so will) His
Messenger and the believers, and ye will be brought back to the Knower
of the invisible and the visible, and He will tell you what ye used to
do] (At-Tawbah
9:105)
Fifth:
Muslims
should be sure that they will be rewarded if they are patient and
hardworking. The Messenger of Allah said, “A believer does not
receive (the trouble) of being pricked by a thorn or more than that but
Allah elevates him in rank or effaces his sins because of that. þ”
In
this context, Allah says: [Say:
Can ye await for us aught save one of two good things (martyrdom or
victory in Allah's way )?]
(At-Tawbah 9:52)
The
powers of evil are destined to loss; either they gain victory against
Muslims or they are defeated. They are in-between two punishments: that
of this world and that of the Hereafter. Emphasizing this fact, Allah
orders the believers to say: [...we
await for you that Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him or at our
hands. Await then! Lo! we are awaiting with you]
(At-Tawbah 9:52)
Sixth:
Victory
and defeat are not reserved for certain people. Nations witness periods
of weakness and strength, and sway between victory and defeat. This is
one of the laws enforced by Allah in this universe. Thus, the gloomy
circumstances engulfing our nation should not make Muslims despair or
lose heart. Allah says, [If
ye have received a blow, the (disbelieving) people have received a blow
the like thereof: These are (only) the vicissitudes which We cause to
follow one another for mankind, to the end that Allah may know those who
believe and may choose witnesses from among you; and Allah loveth not
wrong doers. And that Allah may prove those who believe, and may blight
the disbelievers]
(Aal `Imran 3:140-141)
Taking
some Muslims as martyrs is a blessing from Allah- a fact fully
understood and clearly expressed by `Umar (may Allah be pleased with
him) in his debate with Abu Sufyan following the battle of Uhud. On that
occasion `Umar said, “They (the dead among the believers and the
unbelievers) are not equal; our martyrs will be in Paradise while your
dead will be in Hell.”
Seventh:
Muslims
should understand very well that all tyrants and oppressors share the
same views and follow the same methods. The policy of Pharaoh is
rekindled throughout the ages over and over again. Nowadays,
oppressors and tyrants disguise themselves as advocators of freedom
and human rights while their hands are stained with the blood of
innocent people. Allah says, [As
for the disbelievers, whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it
is all one for them; they believe not]
(Al-Baqarah 2:6) [And when it is said unto
them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers
only. Are not they indeed the mischief makers? But they perceive not]
(Al-Baqarah 2:11-12)
Now,
where is the liberation that Iraq was promised? What kind of
prosperity are the people of Iraq and Palestine supposed to gain while
their cities and villages are constantly bombarded by artillery fire?
The advocates of liberty and human rights recall the claims of Pharaoh
when he said, [I
do but show you what I think, and I do but guide you to wise policy]
(Ghafir 40:29)
Finally,
our only responsibility is to fulfill the requirements of Allah's
victory, for people that know none but Allah can never be overcome by
those who do not know Him, and people who know nothing but the truth can
never be defeated by those who know nothing but falsehood. [Lo!
those who oppose Allah and His messenger, they will be among the lowest.
Allah hath decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and My messengers. Lo!
Allah is Strong, Almighty]
(Al-Mujadilah 58:20-21)
*
Based on a Friday sermon delivered by Sheikh Sa`ud Ash-Shuraim, the Imam
of the Holy Mosque in Makkah.
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