The Soft Underbelly

 

Can you imagine what paradise is like? Do you take time out to imagine you being in paradise? To reach paradise you must die a worldly death to attain the everlasting pleasure of paradise. And what better death than being a martyr.

We are present in this holy month which witnessed the Battle of Badr but who of us would have been in the company of the Muslims during that battle, had we lived then? Of course, Allah designed and decreed that we live in this era, the here and now. We are armchair spectators to one of the worst, if not the worst, atrocity in the history of mankind. It is the life of today to be spectators. Everything around us creates the atmosphere for “viewing” and little about taking action. Islam has never been a religion of inaction and passiveness. Rather, Islam is built on faith and action. The bare minimum is to carry out the five pillars of Islam, viz. To bear testimony in the worship of Allah alone and that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His final messenger. But your faith will never be complete unless you love for your Muslim brother what you love for yourself. Your faith will never be complete when his pain is not also your pain. So, when you see a wrong, you change it with your hands, and if you are unable, then with your speech and if you are unable, then with your heart (in prayer) but the latter is the weakest form of faith (as per the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)¹. Of course, justice is not reserved for Muslims and Muslims are obligated to ensure justice for all.  There is always a group that are downright sell-outs and then there is the majority that believe battles are won with slogans, petitions and court-cases. Yes, we must speak out. Yes, we must make dua. But more than that we must act. The weakness in our words and prayers strongly suggest we must reform. Perhaps in our reformation to the pristine Islam taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and practised by the first three generations, we will be favoured with being part of the solution and victory. Victory is inevitable, it is just whether we are part of it.

Everybody is good at so many things, but not so good at proclaiming the religion of Allah, Islam. And not so good at making meaningful changes in their lives and to implement the changes which will augment the fight for justice and rid the world of evil and oppression.

1.      Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 49]

 

You need to also read:

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/03/your-honour.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/03/iftar-at-third-haram.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/02/wars-and-scores.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/02/red-heifer.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/01/why-its-trump.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2023/03/suicide-at-cape.html

 

Picture courtesy of https://www.powerthesaurus.org

 

Can you see the victory soon

It is common in ageing to experience physical weakness and perhaps an ailment or two. Weakness of memory is fairly common. Islam has been around for many a century, but it is not Islam that is showing the signs of ageing, especially weakness, but Muslims in general. Islam is the religion and way of life ordained by Allah, the All-Powerful, the All-wise.

The world is facing many a crisis and Muslims are entirely caught up in it. Yet, except for pockets of excellence, pockets of resistance against tyranny and a small group clinging steadfastly to Quran and Sunnah, Muslims are not the dynamic ummah they ought to be. The fi li steeni issue shows some form of unity of Muslims, but without any leadership. Delving a little deeper, then the singularity of purpose, “this brotherhood of yours is one brotherhood” is tested. Muslims must be bonded under the banner of the kalima “laa ilaaha illallah Muhammad-ur-rasoolullah” but Muslims continue to look for credibility, support and legitimacy from outside. Every issue of injustice is a Muslim issue for which the ummah needs to rise and rectify. Muslims, though, continue to shout slogans and invoke the assistance of other than Allah. The discussion, debates and arguments, on the issue of the Filisteeni, in Muslim circles reflect the level of the ummah. Years of indoctrination has paid off as Muslims can, at best, shout slogans. No longer do the enemy fear the Muslims because Allah is not placed uppermost in the approach. The history of ‘Aad, Thamud and Pharoah is either forgotten or there is total ignorance on the matter. While Muslims celebrate and commemorate so many things, if they were to commemorate anything, then certainly the Battle of Badr should be on top of the list. Was it not this battle before which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ pleaded with Allah for victory?

“O Allaah, grant me what You have promised me, O Allaah, give me what You have promised me. O Allaah, if this small band of Muslims perishes, You will not be worshipped on earth.” [Sahih Muslim]

Muslims have the solution and rightly claim to have it. Yet, what they have is in books while the understanding and execution of important solution are lacking. Concentrating on matters of numbers and size of gatherings without quality and wisdom is childish and lacks maturity. That people incline to such leadership is testament to their weakness. Had they stuck to the guidance of Allah, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise, then their faith will increase tremendously and be a part of the solution. The solution can entail physical involvement or supplication and pray, both fully immersed in the complete faith they have in Allah.