The Condition of the Ummah - Part 6

 

When Every Voice Is Loud, Etiquette Becomes Silent

There is a reality we can no longer ignore: social media has amplified voices that were once kept behind closed doors. Some of these voices are sincere, some are misinformed, and some are simply loud. What troubles me most is not the ignorance of Islamophobes or those who deliberately stir hate—that noise has always existed. What concerns me more is how Muslims ourselves have begun to sound in these digital spaces.

Open any platform and you’ll see it. Posts filled with emotion but empty of etiquette. Arguments sparked in the name of defending Islam but fuelled more by ego than knowledge. It reminds me that social media does not create our character; it only magnifies what is already there. Even the quietest, most introverted person becomes bold when protected by a screen.

And while it is understandable that not every Muslim will have deep Islamic knowledge, the basics should never be missing. At the heart of these basics lies tarbiya—the process of nurturing, disciplining, and refining oneself. Knowledge may take years to acquire, but etiquette is something every believer is responsible for from day one.

Tarbiya teaches us how to speak, how to listen, how to respond, and even how to remain silent. It shapes the emotional and spiritual connection we build with Allah and with people. When you look at the five pillars of Islam, each one is built on discipline. Prayer, fasting, zakah, pilgrimage—all require consistency, humility, and self-control. These qualities should naturally reflect in how we behave online.

The foundation of everything is the declaration of faith and the commitment to follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His character was marked by calmness, dignity, and compassion—even when facing hostility. If we truly implemented even a fraction of his discipline, we would strengthen ourselves personally and uplift our communities globally.

And right now, the world needs that strength. Palestine, Sudan, Congo—these crises demand clarity, unity, and integrity from us, not chaotic public debates. This is not the time for Muslims to be found wanting in knowledge or behaviour.

So, the real question becomes: are we ready to unlearn the bad habits social media has normalised and return to the prophetic example that once shaped the greatest generation? His companions were the best of followers and the best of examples for us. And that is where our success begins.

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-condition-of-ummah-part-5.html

The Condition of the Ummah - Part 5

 

Living the Truth of Islam in an Age of Noise

There is no shortage of negative voices speaking about Islam today. We live in a world where deception often presents itself as truth, and where the media amplifies whatever narrative suits it. As a result, Islamophobia is not an accident—it is nurtured. Whether one is committed in worship or Muslim in name only, simply being Muslim is sometimes enough to be labelled an enemy.

Yet the heart of our identity remains the kalimah: Laa ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah ﷺ. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His final messenger. This truth alone unsettles those who prefer falsehood. Even in our current state of weakness, the ummah evokes fear. Allah reminds us in Surah al-Baqarah (2:217) that they will not stop trying to turn believers away from their faith. Strength or weakness does not change this reality.

Some believe that being a “moderate” Muslim makes them more acceptable. But the Qur’an teaches that their dissatisfaction lies not in our expression of faith, but in faith itself. The real lesson is not merely that opposition exists—it is that Muslims have not done enough to show the beauty of Islam. Instead, we have slowly absorbed the lifestyles around us, turning away from the values that once defined us.

Prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage, and modesty are now treated with suspicion, as though devotion is extremism. Yet these practices are the foundations of kindness, justice, community, and inner peace. Their purpose is to connect us to Allah while uplifting society. Still, there will always be people who oppose goodness simply because it exposes their deception.

The Qur’an speaks of such people: When they are told, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they reply, “We are only peacemakers!” Indeed, it is they who are the corruptors… (2:11–12). We have seen this pattern repeated—those who stoke conflict often blame Muslims for the fires they themselves ignite. Media bias reinforces these narratives, shaping public perception long before truth emerges.

But Islam remains a religion of peace. Peace does not mean silence in the face of injustice; it requires a foundation of fairness and truth. Only those who fear justice will fear Islam.

Some non-Muslims who read Qur’an selectively and out of context, will learn, through experience, the beauty and peace of Islam. For that to happen, does require that Muslims rise up to fulfil their responsibility. Just a cursory glance at the world, and the suffering in Palestine and Sudan, as examples, shows that Muslims have not fulfilled their responsibility.

Hatred toward Islam will not vanish simply because we wish to be accepted. But Allah’s help is near. To benefit from it, we must return to Him—repenting, learning, and living according to His guidance. When Muslims embody the message of Islam, truth becomes clearer than any propaganda.

Islam is peace, and peace begins with us.

See Next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-condition-of-ummah-part-6.html

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-condition-of-ummah-part-4.html