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

 

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.