The Condition of the ummah - Part 3

 

Seeking Allah’s Love in a World That Distracts

Death is the one truth we all know yet often ignore. No matter who you are, it will reach you. Still, many of us live as though this life is all there is — chasing wealth, status, and comfort, while forgetting the eternal home that awaits. Those who live to please Allah long for paradise, a place far beyond human imagination. But even with that knowledge, our hearts remain attached to the temporary — a love that fades, a life that ends.

This attachment isn’t limited to the ordinary person. It touches the rich, the powerful, and even, at times, religious leaders. The Prophet Muhammadﷺ reminded us that true love for Allah is shown by following him. Allah says in the Qur’an (3:31 – interpretation of the meaning):

“Say, [O Prophet], ‘If you truly love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”

Love is more than words — it’s obedience and devotion. When you love someone, you want to please them. Imagine that it is Allah who loves you — would you not strive to be on your best behaviour, to earn His pleasure every moment? Yet, look at our daily lives. How much of our time is spent away from His remembrance? How often do we choose careers or businesses that ignore His laws? Some seek profit at the cost of ethics, while others remain silent when truth must be spoken. Even leaders, who should uphold justice, often align themselves with those who oppose Islam. Who then truly loves Allah and seeks His love?

Of course, not everyone is the same. Each person’s love for Allah differs. But without actively seeking His love, we lose our purpose. We were created to call to good and forbid evil, to be agents of justice and peace. This mission begins at home — in our hearts, our families, and our communities. We don’t yet see it on the world stage.

Look at the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Their struggle reminds us that life is fragile and death certain. But it also exposes where our loyalties lie. Are we content to watch in silence as injustice is the order of the day, or will we turn inward and strive to become people whom Allah loves — those who bring change through faith, compassion, and action?

So don’t ask, “What difference can I make?” Ask instead, “Will this please Allah? Will He be pleased with me?” If each of us begins with sincere change within ourselves, Allah will raise true leaders who will bring justice and peace. You will need to move out of your comfort zone. The journey to paradise starts with a single step — the step toward Allah’s love.

See Part 2: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-condition-of-ummah-part-2.html

The Condition of the Ummah - Part 2

 

When you read the Qur’an, have you ever paused to reflect on its perfection? Every verse flows without error, for it is the word of the One who is perfect—Allah. This is Allah who created us and sent us guidance. He it is who created us, informing the angels of our role on earth when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and sanctify You?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.” [Quran 2:30]

This then is our role that we must implement the laws of Allah and establish His authority. This role is to call to good and to forbid the evil. The knowledge of what is right and wrong comes from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and every Muslim is required to live by that standard. The implementation is dependent on that knowledge. Knowledge, however, is not enough. What gives it life is sincerity—because actions are judged by intentions. When the heart is sincere, Allah opens the path to good. The fruits of your intention will certainly be exposed and will weigh heavily for you or against you. You are responsible for your flock, your household, and therein lies a test whether you are Allah-conscious or wavering on that front. The same measure applies to leaders and rulers.

You and your household must incline to Allah and ward off outside influences to do otherwise. Likewise, those in positions of authority must protect their people from harm and injustice. With the Qur’an and Sunnah in their care, they are entrusted to uphold fairness, defend rights, and preserve the freedom to worship Allah. They should be the protectors of the rights and freedoms of people just as you are responsible for the wellbeing of your family. These are matters that cannot be outsourced or ignored.

In conclusion: man was created to implement the authority of Allah on earth, and Muslims bear that responsibility because we submit to His laws. Falling short in protecting our families—or, on a broader scale, the Ummah—is a failure of duty. It reflects a weakness in sincerity and consciousness of Allah. Is it not time to renew our intentions, strengthen our faith, and act upon what we know to be true? If we begin with sincerity in our homes and hearts, imagine the impact on our communities, and on the oppressed people of Palestine. True change begins when we live by the guidance of Allah.

See Next Part: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-condition-of-ummah-part-3.html

See also part 1: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-condition-of-ummah-part-1.html

 

The Condition of the Ummah - Part 1

 

Are you a failure because you failed at something before — perhaps an exam or a marriage? For the believer, those are not failures, but tests, lessons, and reminders. You are not immune to shortcomings, for only Allah is perfect. He is the One who created everything, including you and me, and to Him we shall all return. He is the Most Merciful, and the believer does not despair in His mercy. Rather, he repents and returns to Allah, seeking closeness to Him and striving to earn His love.

Allah tells us in the Qur’an (39:53):

Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

The real failure is to not repent and seek the mercy of Allah.

Today, many are analysing the first phase of the peace agreement between the Palestinians of Gaza and the Zionists. Questions arise — some spoken, others unspoken — about the catalyst for the genocide that took place over the past two years. Various explanations will be offered, even drawing comparisons to the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. Yet the more serious question is: what about us? What role have we played, or failed to play? Before blaming others, introspection is needed. What will be our condition before Allah on the Day of Reckoning?

If we fail that test on that Day, then it may well be because of our condition right now. It is not enough to believe that we are “the best community raised for mankind” when we neglect what follows in the same ayah of the Qur’an.

Allah says in the Qur’an (3:110):

You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.

It is the responsibility of those who claim to belong to this best community to enjoin good and forbid evil. Collectively, are we not failing in this duty? And on an individual level, are we truly playing our role in being of that best community? Therein lies the measure of success or failure.

Is our failure to come to the aid of the Palestinians not, in reality, a consequence of our failure to live by the laws of Allah?

Before anyone — especially non-Muslims reading this — suggests that Sharee‘ah can be implemented fully in lands ruled by non-Muslims, that is not the point being made here. It is the responsibility of majority Muslim nations to implement Sharee‘ah. Nevertheless, each of us must strive to live according to it — following the Qur’an and Sunnah and advising others with goodness.

When we do so sincerely, we will earn the love and mercy of Allah. Success belongs to such people — both in this life and in the Hereafter.

To summarise: we failed the Palestinians because we failed ourselves. Yet this failure is only temporary — if we return to Allah in repentance. If we then live up to being the “best community for mankind,” we will improve our own condition, call others to good, and work to prevent evil.

 See part 2: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-condition-of-ummah-part-2.html

Also see: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-8.html

 

The Help of Allah is near - Part 8

 

The Nearness of Allah and the State of the Ummah

The revelation of the Qur’an and the Prophethood of our beloved leader, Muhammad ﷺ, marks the completion of Allah’s favour upon us. There will be no new message, no fresh revelation. Whatever answers we seek already lie in what has been revealed. The key is our nearness to Allah — for true understanding of the deen comes only to those who draw close to Him. If our current condition is any indication, it shows just how far we’ve drifted from that nearness.

Today, Islam and Muslims are blamed for much of what happens in the world. We are made scapegoats through propaganda and the dumbing down of the masses. Yet, amidst all the noise, there remains a glimmer of hope — ordinary people around the world have shown humanity in their response to the genocide in Gaza. Not necessarily the leaders, but the people. It’s a sign that truth still finds its way to hearts.

Now, as the world turns its eyes to the so-called “peace proposals” for Gaza, we pray that the Palestinians are not capitulating, but preparing for their victory parade. But what about the rest of the Muslims? Where do we stand? The truth is painful — many of us are in a state of heedlessness. While Allah has perfected our religion, our failure to live by the Qur’an and Sunnah reflects our ingratitude for His guidance.

Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:

“When will the help of Allah come? Indeed, the help of Allah is near.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)

This verse speaks to the test of the believers. The help of Allah is near — but it is not given freely. It is tied to faith, patience, and a heart set on paradise. And that is where we have faltered. Too many of us live as if paradise is a distant dream, not our ultimate goal. The love of this world has overtaken our hearts, and our children are being raised in that same distraction.

Do we even understand this heedlessness? The occupiers of Palestine struggled to contain the Sumud Flotilla — imagine if we had doubled that number of boats! Yet our energy is spent chasing comfort and recognition, not striving for Allah’s pleasure. To enter paradise, we must love Allah, and for Allah to love us, we must follow the example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The only way to do that is to seek — to ask at every turn: What does the Qur’an and Sunnah say about this?

The Palestinian struggle is not only about land; it reflects our own spiritual struggle. It shows how far we have turned away from the guidance of Allah. Still, there remain those who hold firmly to the rope of Allah — who seek His love, and through that, entry into paradise.

It is now our turn. Each of us must set our goal and return to Allah. Victory will surely come to the believers. The only question is: will we be part of that victory parade, or will we still be busy hustling for our share of this fleeting world?

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-7.html

The Help of Allah is near - Part 7

 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned that the thing he fears for his ummah is that the riches of the world will open to them, they will compete for it and it will destroy them.

Amr ibn Awf reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but rather I fear you will be given the wealth of the world, just as it was given to those before you. You will compete for it just as they competed for it, and it will ruin you just as it ruined them.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

Is it not true that many Muslim nations, blessed with wealth, still struggle to uplift their people? Is it not true that Muslims, in general, have inclined to the comforts of this world, showing greater inclination to competing than to uplift?

It is easy to point fingers at wealthy Arab nations and ask, ‘Why are our brothers and sisters in Gaza still starving when feeding the hungry is among the best of deeds?’ Yet, we must also look inward. What about our own communities? Have we truly done enough to lift the burdens around us? In Cape Town, as an example, crime is high. Perhaps, the gang wars are rather dangerous. But how is it that we do not do enough crime prevention in our communities in general? How is it that businesses do not forge a plan to protect themselves and their customers? What if Muslim business leaders in Cape Town united for safety initiatives? Wouldn’t that be a small reflection of the unity we call for regarding Palestine? Have we forgotten the reason and purpose of creation? Is it merely to traverse the earth and accumulate wealth that is temporary anyway?

The reason for alluding to this local problem while the focus is still Palestine and Aqsa, is that there is a pattern in the behaviour of the Muslims. We have become weak or maybe careless. How much of our principles have we forsaken so that we may earn that extra dollar or hold onto a position of relative power or status? Just like we let the robber steal from our neighbour in broad daylight, the Zionist warplanes cross over our airspace to bomb a neighbouring country. Our strength has never been in copying foreign ideologies. It has always been in holding firmly to the Qur’an and Sunnah. That’s where our true dignity lies. Qatar was dealt a blow by the Zionist bombing. The Palestinians gained a victory. Yet, the response to being attacked will be telling as to our reliance upon Allah. Will we, the Muslim ummah, be the recipients of Allah’s pleasure or will we be questioned for our apathy?

Muslims have a duty to command with good and to prevent the evil. It is not merely policy but needs action. Had we that strong inclination to be the “khalifah” as Allah described us to the angels, we will act in the ideal manner to bring betterment to society and the world at large.

 The help of Allah is near. Call on Him sincerely!

 

See Next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-8.html

See Previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-6.html

Picture courtesy: https://www.aljazeera.com

The Help of Allah is near - Part 6

 

We have previously mentioned that the new caliphate will be established in Jerusalem. While there is no exact known timeline for this, the latest threat from the Zionists in occupying Gaza, does not bode well for the region, meaning “will this hasten the implementation of the caliphate?”. Their approach is basically an all or nothing approach. The question that arises now is if it is even a possibility, and if it is one, then what is the probability. But before we get there (perhaps in the next post), to better understand the nature of divine justice, we can reflect on the story of Prophet Yousuf (AS).

The Quran dedicates an entire chapter to his story. In summary, the Qur'an mentions that his brothers plotted to kill him, but an inkling of humanity led them instead to throw him into a well — alive. The voice of humanity is causing a trickle of aid to get into Gaza. Their ill-feeling towards him caused them to plot to get rid of him. They threw him into the well in the hope that some traders might pick him up and take him to distant lands. This indeed happened. Now look at the Zionists: they would like to get rid of the Palestinians. They have killed many and would not mind that the survivors go to neighbouring countries. In Egypt, Yousuf (peace be upon him) is wrongly accused and ends up in prison. Are not the people of Palestine labelled as terrorists, wrongly, because they seek their freedom in their homeland? Are not the people of Gaza living in an open-air prison?  Eventually, though, Allah caused that he, Yousuf, rise in rank in Egypt. His brothers, initially unaware of his newfound status, were forced to come to him for aid. He granted them aid and forgave them for what the harm they inflicted on him. Will Allah perhaps likewise cause the people of Palestine to rise above their oppressors, forcing the perpetrators of this genocide to face justice?

The stories of the Qur'an are not mere history — they are timeless lessons for our lives today. This is not intended as a tafsir, and may Allah protect me from error, but as a reminder that Allah never abandons His servants. Just as He raised Yousuf (AS) from the depths of the well to a position of honour, He can raise the people of Palestine from their trials to victory and dignity. In the previous post we did mention the hadith relating to the people living in the precincts of Jerusalem.  

And Allah knows Best

See Next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-7.html

See Previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-5.html

Picture courtesy:  https://www.dws.gov.za/

The Help of Allah is near - Part 5

 

We are all in need of motivational reminders, and the ongoing events in Palestine highlight our greater responsibilities as Muslims, as well as the signs of the end times. The prophecy of end times is universally accepted in Islam. There is mention of end times in Jewish and Christian scriptures. There are differences between the Islamic viewpoint and those of the other two religions. The reference here to end times will focus on Bilad-ash-Shaam which includes Palestine. We will confine ourselves to the Islamic viewpoint and examine, briefly, the fact that Muslims will be uppermost and the caliphate will be established from Jerusalem. Furthermore, Eesa bin Maryam (peace be upon him) will descend to affirm his prophethood and resolve the dispute regarding his divinity.

Proof, not only of the return of the caliphate, but indeed that caliphate will be in Jerusalem is found in a mawquf* hadith reported by Ibn Asakir, where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“This matter (the Caliphate) will be after me in Madinah, then in Al-Sham, then in the Peninsula, then in Iraq, then in the City, then in Bait ul-Maqdis. If it is in Bait ul-Maqdis, its home country is there, and no people will be able to remove it, so it will return to them forever.” Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashiq 368

This hadith, although mawquf, is considered hasan with a sound chain of narrators.

Reference to “The City” in the hadith refers to Constantinople. The last caliphate was in Istanbul (Constantinople). There has not been a caliph/ate since 1924CE. The hadith points to a caliphate in Bait ul Maqdis. Bait ul Maqdis is Jerusalem. Therefore, that is the understanding that the future caliphate will be in Jerusalem because it has not been there before. This is the understanding based on hadith interpretations by scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah. For that to happen, Muslims must be in control of Jerusalem again. Therein lies the hope that victory will be soon. However, “soon” is relative as this is part of knowledge of the unseen – meaning knowledge which is with Allah and which He has not given to us. Thus no one can rightly pinpoint the exact time. Scholars have considered that we are nearing the time for the major signs which will happen after the appearance of Imam Mahdi. Furthermore, the Mahdi, who will be a caliph, will not be the first one in the new caliphate. It is already testing times, and should the Mahdi appear, then it means Ad-dajjal (antichrist) is close. Therein lies a loose reference to the current reality that the Jews are preparing for his arrival.

The current genocide in Gaza and the general oppression of the people of Palestine is a heart-wrenching matter. There is some comfort of the quality of people of Palestine as related in an authentic hadith reported in Musnad Ahmad, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“A group among my Ummah will continue to uphold the truth and will prevail, and those who oppose them will not harm them until the decree of Allah comes. They will be in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) and its surroundings.”

. Victory is near because the people of Palestine will stand strong. Muslims should hold firm onto their faith. We are not freed of our obligation to assist as much as we can. Each will be judged according to his/her ability and how you have carried out your duty in this regard. While martyrdom is something magnanimous, it does not absolve us from assisting the Palestinians and saving lives for saving lives is a great deed. Allah decides who dies a martyr or not but imagine the martyr takes from your deeds because of your indifference in standing for justice or, worse still, your aiding and abetting a genocide.

Once the Mahdi has appeared, then soon Eesa bin Maryam will appear. The hadith describing the appearance of Eesa bin Maryam is lengthy, and beyond the scope of this piece. We may discuss it in detail another time.". Suffice for now, that this is the viewpoint of Ahlus-sunnah wa-l-Jama’ah.

In conclusion, the hadith indicates that the Caliphate will eventually be restored, with its seat in Jerusalem. The people of Palestine will continue to endure immense trials — including oppression and starvation — with unwavering resilience. They are indeed a special people, honoured for their steadfastness. We support them not to deny them the honour of martyrdom, but because our test lies in preserving life, and in establishing peace and justice where we can. Theirs and our reward is with Allah.

see next: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: The Help of Allah is near - Part 6

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-4.html