Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| The Role of Muslims in the Modern Era - speech by Yusuf Islam |
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| amal |
| 01/14/02 at 18:01:00 |
| slm, The following is a speech by Yusuf Islam at a conference about islam titled 'Islam & Modernity: Compatability or Antagonism?' that was held in caen, France on December 22,2001. May Allah[swt] reward him for all the good he's done and continues to do. [color=black]The Role of Muslims in the Modern Era Why are Muslims presently being afflicted with disunity, trials and tribulations? Perhaps because there has been a misunderstanding of what is required from Muslims in this modern time and age. To solve modern day problems, Muslim scholars and leaders need to analyse the structures and strategies that are applicable for our time and age. Some say that in order to cope with the challenges of life in the Modern (Post Caliphate) Era we must agree that Muslims are living in a time which resembles the Makkan, early period of Islam, rather than Madinah and post Madinah, where Muslims were living under a unified governmental system with one single head of state. During the Makkan period, the basic environment was far from God-centred, it displayed many superstitious customs and was dominated by ignorance of God's Will. The term given to that period was 'jahiliyyah', Islam, of course, was seen as strange - another strong reason why it resembles times and conditions today. The main role of Muslims at that time was to call humanity to enter the state of inner-peace (Islam) and accept the existence of the One True God and believe in His messenger, Muhammad, peace be upon him. Therefore, for us at present, calling to belief in the One Transcendent God of all (Tawheed), similarly, becomes the first and foremost priority. Other than calling to God, many commands of Qur'an related to economics, law and International treaties, cannot be fulfilled in the absence of the Caliph and the Imam of the Believers being in place. Every Muslim who loves God (Allah) as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Prophet, wants to work and serve his faith. But how? Without the Caliph should we work for our national state, dedicate our time to a political party? Work for a Group or Movement? Build a Mosque or school? In the collection of the saying of the Last Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, by Imam Al-Bukhari, it is reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud: 'The people used to ask God's Messenger about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me….. I said, "Will there be any evil after that good?" He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O God's Messenger! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language." I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?" He said, "Adhere to the group of Muslims and their Imam." I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor an Imam (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet God while you are still in that state." ' In another saying collected by Imam Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurayrah: 'A Bedouin came to the Prophet and asked when the Hour will be. He told him when Trust (Amanah) is lost. He asked how would it be lost. The Prophet answered, "When authority comes into the hands of the unfit." ' Actually, the word 'modern' is a Latin word which means 'now'. So, in fact, Islam is the true Modern Religion for Mankind, because it is the form of Religion as God wishes it po be followed today. It confirms the permanent principles of Faith and Actions of all previous Divine Revelations sent to previous Prophets such as Jesus, Moses, David, Abraham, and also provides an intellectual basis for ijtihad, and the development of laws and customs suitable for any time and circumstance which believers may find themselves. Who knows, this maybe the time which was mentioned by the Messenger of God, when he prophesied about the trials in times to come and said, 'Be like the good son of Adam': "Kun ka-khayr-ibni Adam"[1] Meaning, there would come a time when it is better to be killed than to be condemned for killing. We are living in a time where perhaps our main task is to do as the first Muslim community did, to invite others to Islam. Being patient, strong in faith and of good morality, looking to improve the condition of humanity first and foremost. Unfortunately, most of our organizations and institutions are designed only to serve ourselves. But being ethno-centric, inward-looking, inhibits our contribution to society as a whole and it does not conform to the universal requirements of our message. "Wa maa 'alayna illa-l balaghu-l mubeen" (And nothing is required of us other than to convey the message, clearly) and "Wa ka dhalika ja'alna kum ummatan wasatan li takunu-sh-shuhada 'alan-nas…"(And thus have We made you a Middle Nation that you may be witnesses over mankind). The Prophet, peace be upon him, helped everyone, he did not restrict charity and words of guidance only to Muslims. Today there are millions of people who are still grossly ignorant of the teachings of Islam; surely we could use our time better by helping them to appreciate this perfect religion, rather than making them run away from it? And we know that in the UK and in many other countries, people are looking for guidance, looking for the truth, looking for justice, looking for peace. But as someone else once observed: Islam is being hidden by Muslims. The Prophet said, 'Give good news and do not make people run away.' My particular story, that of a Western 'Icon' discovering Islam, and joining the prayer line of fellow Muslim Believers is a microcosm of what can happen when the teachings of Islam are conveyed truly and without distortion or hindrance. However, nothing had prepared me for what I was about to discover in regards to the present state of Muslims globally. I did not realise the structure of Muslim life had been dismantled through the elimination of the Caliphate. I didn't realise the danger of nationlism, I just thought, 'How great to see so many colourful Muslim Flags!' As fortunate as I have been to discover Islam, I cannot express my gratitude to Allah Almighty enough for having guided me through the reading of the Glorious Qur'an first, the sayings of the Prophet second and the words of the scholars, third. A Wise Education, I believe, can provide the solution to the global community of Believers' (Ummah) present condition. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, 'To search for knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim (male or female).' He also said, 'Whenever Allah wishes good for a person he makes him understand the Religion.' Unfortunately, most Muslims today are born Muslims; looking back to the Glorious past of Muslim civilisation and trying to reclaim it by short cuts and quick fixes. Every attempt to establish a model Islamic State within the last hundred years has failed. Maybe the solution is that we all need to become new Muslims, like the first generation, where belief, seeking knowledge, good character, prayer and charity, identified who you were. Makkah was difficult: Muslims were persecuted and killed, but patience was the response from the Prophet and the community of believers. Never did they give up their call inviting people to the Oneness of Allah and the way to Paradise (Jannah). Even in the early days when a small group of weak Muslims were given permission to live in a Christian country so as to be free from persecution, they displayed exemplary moral behaviour, and gave the message of Islam with wisdom and courage. When Muslims of the Qur'anic generation moved into any new country, their attitude was always to behave as Muslims and to bring Islam to that country and help people to know and embrace Islam; to make that land, 'Dar as-Salam', a land of peace and justice. That is an objective, which we living in the West should all hold. In the Qur'an, God Almighty says, "And let there arise from among you a community enjoining what is reputable (Ma'ruf) and preventing what is immoral (Munkar)…" How many Muslims practice this today? Ma'ruf is universal, it stands for any humane and noble moral virtue. Also Munkar is not only practiced by non-Muslims. We must also be able to criticize our own selves if we are to be amongst the guided. The first place to start reformation is with yourself. "Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they change themselves. But when God wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back nor will they find besides Him any to protect." The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable (Ma'ruf) and forbid what is immoral (Munkar), or God will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer." So we can see that the solution to our situation is to develop our belief and actions first and then invite others, Muslims and non-Muslims to the Truth. In the Qur'an we read, "Verily! All mankind is in loss. Except those who believe and do good actions, and enjoin on one another the Truth and enjoin one another to be patient" The Qur'an is for all times. These days we need to understand it according to the time and circumstances we live in. Without the Caliph, we are orphans with only one guardian, God the Most Glorious, the Most High. This is the age of Islam. We should look to our responsibility in giving this beautiful message to the people who are ignorant of it, that includes Muslims as well as non-Muslims - Mankind all together. Allah will join us and bless us with unity and success if we fulfil our role and do not rush His Decree or be impatient. "Fastabiqul-khayrat ayna maa takunu ya'tibikumu-llahu jamee'an, inna-llaha 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer" (And strive all of you together in the race to good deeds, wherever you may be God will bring you together. Verily God has power over everything). [2] [1] Al Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud [2] Surah al Baqarah [/color] |
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