‘May you live in interesting times’ is thought to be an ancient Chinese proverb used for the purpose of cursing. As Muslims we are forbidden to curse people. The prophet Muhammad, even after the cruel inhumane persecution he and his followers encountered during Islam’s infancy, never resorted to cursing his enemies.
When some of his companions asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, will you not supplicate against the disbelievers? Those who oppressed us, waged war against us, harmed us, and drove us away – will you not supplicate against them?” He replied, “Indeed, I was sent as a mercy and not as a curser!” (Sahih Muslim). He truly embodied the pinnacle of human excellence, always compassionate, forgiving and merciful.
It is the most difficult times that are the most interesting, and the most rewarding. Adversities and tests challenge us, and occasionally brings out the best in us. They make us stronger and more resolute in our thought and action. Therefore, the proverb on one hand was a blessing and on the other a curse.
The times in which we are living in are the most interesting and exciting times, to say the least. As Muslims it seems that the government is bombarding people with new laws and legislations only to suppress them and their faith. Those who are trying practice their religion and stand up for justice are labeled as extremists or ‘Islamists’, and the ones who deny many of fundamentals are portrayed as the ‘moderates’.
We see the brutal inhumane treatment of the Muslims all over the world and yet the so-called free world and the supposed beacons of justice and freedom observe and do nothing. Even some who overtly subscribe to faith and characterise themselves to be vanguards of truth and justice within our community have sold themselves and their faith for a measly pound or two.
Now, we have an announcement from the Government about introducing a board of scholars and academics to look at issues such as the veil and women’s rights. It’s too early to speculate which ‘scholar’ and what this board will come up with, but I don’t think it will help Islam or the Muslims in any way.
Imam Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain said, “This board has to be something owned by us, driven by us but supported by Government. We’ve made it clear that it’s not for Government to touch our theology or touch the way we train our people.” It is highly unlikely, in my estimation, that the government will allow the board to be free of any restraints.
There are immense changes taking place. From one angle we as Muslims are facing many problems and it seems that not a day goes by without our problems increasing and making our condition worse. However, this situation also presents us with many different opportunities to do good.
The early generations were great because they overcame and were triumphant over incredible difficulties and adversaries. They turned tragedies into opportunities and loss into profit. If we are to be glorious like them, become triumphant over our adversaries, and become ‘witnesses unto mankind’ and our fellow citizens, then we must face the difficulties united under Islam, with faith, confidence, intelligence and resolve, then – and only then we can live up to the excellence we as Muslims have been ordained to do.
Jazakallahu Khairan for your fantastic post. May Allah Bless You Akhi…Amin.
Great post! Bring on the challenges!
”When some of his companions asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, will you not supplicate against the disbelievers? Those who oppressed us, waged war against us, harmed us, and drove us away – will you not supplicate against them?” He replied, “Indeed, I was sent as a mercy and not as a curser!” (Sahih Muslim). He truly embodied the pinnacle of human excellence, always compassionate, forgiving and merciful”.
Beautiful, allahummah salli ala muhammad.
Having witnessed both here and our muslim countries – I think that it is only in these recent times have the Muslims here truly begun to feel harsher tests in their deen, (as opposed to being tested with ease and wealth)
These harsher tests in deen tend to purify the souls, and separate the righteous from the rotton
May Allah give support and victory to the Umma of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him)
Amin,
The key here dear brothers and sisters is UNITY. Islam has and continues to be a target of attack for the enemy in raising up old disputes and creating new ones amongst Muslims. It is evident that many catastrophes, crises, turmoil and disturbances are occurring in the Muslim world. From the massacres in Kosovo to the genocide in Iraq, the Ummah seems to be in a complete state of uncertainty and grief. Most Islamic scholars agree that all this is a direct consequence of disunity amongst Muslims, and a punishment from Allah:
“And those who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you (Muslims in the world) do not do so (become united) there will be fitnah (wars, battles) and oppression on earth, and a great mischief and corruption”.(8: 73)
Therefore, let us put aside our petty differences and unite against those who wish to extinguish the light of Allah.
Amin. May Allah give us the strength to uphold his deen and stand to face those who seek to change or obscure the truth. May Allah make us representatives of the deen in the best possible way, in the footsteps of our Beloved, Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be showered upon him. May we stay steadfast for the good and forbid the evil, may we become examples to our brethren and our non-Muslim community – with whome we will continue to do da’wah, so they may become our brothers and sisters inshaAllah.
May Allah give you all tawfeeq brothers and sisters, to whome I am most honoured to be with in this dunya. Amin.
Salam alaikum brothers,
Abdullah al-Hasan – definately we need unity
We have always known this – but unity based upon what we are against is not sufficient for true progress (such as against the media misrepresentation, against British foreign policy, against Ed….)
We also need to have unity upon something positive – so we need to explore what are those positive issues that we have to unite upon (and at the same time that will inform us of what we can leave to the side from our disagreements).
This current climate for example is teaching us slowly that we have to be united upon protecting our understanding of Shari’a – irrespective of our various fiqhi opinions within the legal boundaries.
If we could explore this more i think it would be of great benefit
wasalam
(ps. the against Ed was of course light-hearted, he pales into insignificance compared to the other issues confronting us)
Wassalam,
Jk brother Abu Abdullah for the comments. You are absolutely correct when you state that we need to unite in preserving and safeguarding the true comprehensive nature of the Shar’iah, and its place and relevance in the contemporary world. As you know my dear brother there is a concerted effort from some people to demolish the concept and reality of the Shari’ah governing all facets of our life. This also unfortunately has come from certain muslims who do not consider politics, for instance, to be part of shariah, and it is very regrettable to see that they are joining forces with the enemies of Islam to dismantle the comprehensive nature of the Shariah. By the way, i am not referring to Ed and the QF!
The problem is akhi, we muslims know we must unite and not bicker about issues that have been clarified by our masters in the past and present. However, the reality is that many muslims are still fighting in subsidiary and minor issues. We shun and label people by giving them derogatory names simply because he or she may differ with us on a fiqhi matter.
May Allah protect us
wallahu ‘alam
majid nawaz and his definition of islamism, ridiculous!!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/audio/2008/jul/21/butt.nawaz?gusrc=rss&feed=global
Dear Brothers,
I am further suprised. I was impressed by the blog of brother Azad Ali and now I am impressed with this one. I did not expect this.
I fear the tests that are about to come and feel quite alone in my community. Some people/leader in community think that they are smarter then the British establishment.