Muslim Degradation & its Prevention

Muhammad Shameem Hussain

1. Introduction:

"O Muslim! there must be a group among you who would invite people towards righteousness and would command them to do good deeds and would prevent them from forbidden things; and these are the people who will attain salvation." (1)

Allah Subhanahu -Wa- Ta'ala (SWT) has clearly commanded the Muslims to prepare a group which would preach Islam through the world. The act of preaching is a very important type of worship of Allah (SWT) and it amounts to a blessing of high order. The task of Tabligh was the sole mission and aim in life of the Holy prophet (Sallallahu-Aalaihi-Wasallam). The lineage of (prophet hood) and apostle hood had been terminated. And the duties that were formerly discharged exclusively by the prophets had devolved as a collective mission upon the Muslims. Besides. Almighty Allah has selected this Ummah of Muhammad (SAW) especially for the supreme purpose of "Tabligh". In every religion there are some people who try their best to preach and spread their own religion day and night. For instance, parties of Christian missionaries are especially assigned to propagate their religion in the whole world. But alas! We Muslims are totally apathetic and indifferent to "Tabligh" which is really and truly the life-blood of Islam.

2 . Muslim in the world civilization:

Muhammad (SAW) guide for the whole mankind, came to the world's womb (in the rugged lands of Makkah) with a light of true knowledge and guidance about fourteen and a half centuries ago when the earth was sunk in the grave darkness of ignorance, sin, idiocy and impiety. The rays of light spread to every nook and corner of the world and within the shortest period of 23 years, the way was paved through that light for the human being to move to such heights of pomp and glory as had never been attained before. It enlightened Muslims and created in them the great yearning for taking the right counsel, which would ultimately bring them their salvation. The Muslims moved from success to success and attained the highest pinnacle of glory in history by following the right path and the guidance emanating from that light. For centuries they ruled on this earth with such grandeur and strength that no contemporary power had the courage to challenge them and if someone dared to do so, he did that at the risk of being annihilated. This is the historical truth and admitted on all hand.

Alas! Today this fact of history has only become a myth, an ancient story : The present day life of the Muslims is a blot on the brilliant performance and achievements of their ancestors.

3. Disease of the present Muslims:

History reveals that once the Muslims were the sole possessors of honour, power, dignity and grandeur. But when anyone turns his eyes away from the pages of the history books, and looks at the Muslims of today, he sees the picture of a quite different manner. They have wondered away so far from the path of Islam and the enemies of Islam talk and discuss their affairs with delight, contempt and ridicule; many of them have been affected and influenced by the so-called modern trend or the western way of life. One fails to find any sign in them of those noble deeds, which at one time used to be the symbol of each and every Muslim. One would become astonished at such behavior and finds that a people, who once quenched the thirst of the entire mankind, are now dying of thirst. Those who had once taught the world the golden lessons of etiquette and culture are today found wanting in these very adornments and are dependent on others. But why is this grave degeneration?

4. previous suggestions to reform Muslim:

Many distinguished thinkers and personalities of the world have been seriously pondering over the unfortunate plight of the Muslims and striving hard to reform them for a long time. But alas! The treatment is only aggravating the disease. The learned have assigned several causes to this degradation and have adopted numerous measures for arresting the rot, but unfortunately all efforts so far have only brought further frustration.

5 . Right suggestion lies in the Noble Qur'an & the Hadiths:

Islam is the complete and eternal constitution for the whole mankind. "Shariat-e- Muhammadiah" assures its followers their spiritual and material well-being and advancement for their whole life in all situations right up to the last day of life on this earth. Therefore, it would be futile to look for the cause and the cure for the prevailing degradation outside the dictates of "Shariat". That's why, we need to look closely into the "Holy Qur'an" which is the main source of "Shariat" and of all knowledge and guidance for the whole of mankind. Let's see and search for the right solution to the prevailing situation in the Noble Qur'an and the Hadiths.

5.1. Verses from the Holy Qur'an:

1) The Creator of the universe. Allah (SWT), avowedly commits that the kingdom and His vicegerency on earth are only meant for the true Muslim (Mumineen). This is evident from the following verse:

"Allah has promised to those from amongst you who believe (Imandar) and do righteous deeds that He would surely make them His vicegerents on earth." (2)

2) Omnipotent Lford has also given the assurances that true believers (Imandar) will always dominate over non-believers and that non-believers will be left without any friend; as is clear from the following verse:

"And of these non-believers had given you a battle, they were sure to turn on their heels, and they would have found no protector and no helper" (3)

3) Almighty Allah's own obligation is to grant every help to the true Muslims and it is also His promise that such people will always remain exalted and glorious. This is borne out by the following verses:

"And it is our bounden duty to render succor to the true believers (Mumineen)." (4) ?

4) "And do not give way to despair. And never grieve, and you only shall dominate, if you are true believers (Imander)." (5) ?

5) "And honour is only for Allah, His prophets and those who believe (Mumineen)." (6)

6) "And let time be witness: verily man is in a great loss except, of course, those who believe (Imander) and do righteous deeds and who enjoin truth and enjoin patience." (7