We feel angry and frustrated about the problems that the Ummah faces, and often complain about them. Nobody listens, which leads to yet more frustration.

But to complain alone is a mistake. To solve a problem, we must not stop at pointing it out. Rather, we should offer a solution and work on it. Thus the following is a humble attempt at offering such a solution, based on the advice found within the Qur’an and Sunnah.

The future of the Ummah? [Source: dlemieux]

Help Thyself

“God helps those who help themselves.” - an English proverb.

No other society is going to help us either (besides, what can they avail us, without Allah’s help?). It is a difficult world, and we have to emerge from it triumphant without becoming cruel.

The best way to begin helping others is by helping oneself. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“A person who teaches others while neglecting his own soul is like an oil lamp, which illuminates others while burning itself out.”

[Source: Sheikhy Notes]

Let us try and become the best in our field. Allah says in the Qur’an:

So lose not heart,
Nor fall into despair;
For ye must gain mastery
If ye are true in faith

[Meaning of the Holy Qur’an 3:139, Yusuf Ali]

Allah will help us if we try, insha’Allah. He knows what is in our hearts, and takes our intention into account. Even if we fail, our sincere effort will certainly be recognized - a beautiful loan lent to Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala.

The Ummah is a single body: if one part of a body becomes wounded, and does not heal, it loses blood. The body needs to cure itself; we need to take care of the needy and the sick amongst us. Who knows when we may fall into poverty? What goes around, comes around.

We should live in proximity to others in the Ummah, in order to be aware of the needs of those close by. One cannot achieve a great deal when living far away from those who need help, which is why the order of rights first belongs to our family and relatives, then to our neighbours, and then to the rest of the Ummah.

The Goal is to serve, not to be admired

The intention for any charitable act should be to serve Allah by serving the Ummah; it should not be for one’s ego or any worldly interest.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold of a time when the nations will try to devour the Muslims. The reason, he said, will be that we shall fear death, and we find in the Qur’an about those who fear death:

But they will never seek for death,
on account of the (sins)
Which their hands have sent on
Before them.

[Meaning of the Holy Qur’an 2:95, Yusuf Ali]

This verse was originally revealed in relation to the Jews of Madina, but it has general implications. We are afraid of death when we know in our hearts that we are committing crimes; when we have become too attached to the material world; when the true Goal has become blurred.

Give the Benefit of the Doubt

Trust is essential for unity of the Ummah.

I read a beautiful Hadith the other day:

Someone gave the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) honey; he asked Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) what it was. He said, “Honey, O’ Messenger of Allah.” He asked Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) [the same question], he said, “Honey, O’ Messenger of Allah.” Then he asked Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), who tasted some and then said, “It is honey, O’ Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon be him) said, “The one who tastes, knows.”

In other words, the one who verifies, knows. We forget that. We hear something about somebody, and immediately believe in it.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) discouraged dispensing punishment before a crime has been proven beyond doubt. Unless we have clear proof, we do not know. Therefore it is better to make excuses for the brother/sister, or at the least, avoid passing negative judgement.

Let us also start being Muslim. Allah wants us to be Muslim, and not a Sunni, a Shi’a or a Sufi. We may have different opinions, but please, please do not let these differences become “tribal”. We only stand to lose from that.

There is no “Quick Fix”

As Yasir Qadhi said at the Texas Dawah Convention: we must not expect to change everything in a second. We must not hope that people will accept what we say the moment that we say it. We have to be patient: with them, and with ourselves.

Do not be bogged down by pessimism

We have a decent life to lead, and a lot to look forward to; let not the disturbances spoil our day.

In addition, when we witness a misrepresentation of Islam, we must not only stop at saying: “this portrayal of Muslims is wrong.” We should go on to point out how we want to be perceived: as kind, generous and honest people, who have the courage to stand up for justice and equality. And most important of all: we must go on to really behave in that manner, in order to please Allah, and for the benefit of all of mankind.

To close, I shall quote Shaykh ibn Ahmed Darqawi:

“If you want to treat your enemy with what is duly deserving for him, preoccupy yourself with the love of the Beloved, for if you preoccupy yourself with hate and enmity then the enemy gets from you what he wanted and you have the lost opportunity to love the Beloved.”

[From his Epistles, 13th Century]

With Allah’s help, we shall succeed.

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