1-It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. so good tidings for the stranger.” [1]
This reality is evident to us, whether among the Muslims we encounter or those we know from distant regions, or through news reaching us from far away.
Islamic rulings in any Islamic country are considered strange to some, who are surprised when reminded of their truths and principles. If you tell them that believers are brethren, they find it astonishing, questioning how some among them can adopt deviant opinions and accuse those who denounce them.
If you explain that Muhammad (ﷺ) called for these principles as a message from his Lord, responding to His command, “O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. (Al-Mai’dah: 67). They respond accusingly, “How can you apply to us principles decreed fourteen centuries ago? Islam must be modernized to align with the principles and regulations of our era!”
If you assert that the people of today must adhere to Islamic rulings because it is a governor not governed, the law of Allah and His governance, and He is the best of judges, they then call you backward, accusing you of regressing humanity fourteen centuries back, “That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way.” (Al-Ahzab: 4)
This is because they are driven by desires and lust, they have lost humane values, and materialism has dominated them. They derive their logic from the rule of materialism, justifying every corruption as long as it emanates from a materialistically strong state or powerful people.
2- This situation persisted until the advisors started doubting their own advice, and the truths became belittled by those who spoke them. Speaking the truth became feared or hesitated, with speakers either scared to be criticized or stigmatized. Meanwhile, those who uttered falsehood, masked by religion and disguised as scholars, were praised and applauded, as renewer and insightful, by those who followed their desires, causing confusion and obscuring the truths in a maze of delusion and misguidance.
It is fitting to say that knowledge has been snatched away from the hearts of scholars. As narrated by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), “Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.” [2]
This is the state of scholars who give rulings, gain access to public platforms in some countries, and receive recognition from those who empower them and those who are deceived by them!
It is unjust to claim that all scholars in Arab countries, or some of them, apply to this. Indeed, there are those who are unlike them and disagree with them. However, they remain silent, content with silent disapproval. Some express their objection in private gatherings, while others refrain from speaking out openly for fear of slander—that hypocrites might defame their views and fabricate lies about them, while the first group incites against them without any religious justification. Thus, they are not considered the believers described by Allah, whom He has chosen for the truth in times of entrenched weakness. Allah says, “O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, - those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and they bow down (submit themselves with obedience to Allah in prayer). And whosoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and those who have believed, as Protectors, then the party of Allah will be the victorious.” (Al-Ma’idah: 54-56)
If these ayahs do not clearly apply in our time, they will undoubtedly be fulfilled, and Allah's promise will be realized. At that time, we’ll resonate with what the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to say that goodness will remain in the Islamic Ummah till the Day of Judgment. [3]
The goodness in this hadith lies in the believers, so there must be among them those who speak the truth when needed. The lessons are sufficient for us to contemplate, and the conditions are ripe for us to seize. Surely, the victory of Allah is near, if He wills.
Every Blessing Carries a Responsibility
3- The veil of gloom may seem firmly entrenched within ourselves now, but it will eventually fade away. The Islamic nations must awaken, and when they do, if they distance themselves from the path of luxury and indulgence, they will remove obstacles and pave the way for truth. The people of faith will walk this path, seeking only the pleasures of Allah. We should not despair of Allah's mercy, for only the disbelievers despair of Allah’s mercy.
Indeed, Allah tests people to know who strives and who is patient. Hardships refine souls and expose them. Allah has promised victory after severe trials, as He says, “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, 'When is the help of Allah?' Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” (Al-Baqarah: 214).
If Allah's decree has been fulfilled in us and we are being tested by the corrupt among us, He has guided us to sharpen our resolve and restrain our desires. We must remind ourselves of our higher purpose, treat our souls from their ailments, and when the illness source is recognized, the cure becomes apparent, and it becomes easier to avoid with true faith and strong resolve. Allah says, “And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.” (An-Nahl: 112)
Indeed, the gravest disbelief is to misuse the bounties of Allah for our whims and desires. Every blessing carries a responsibility, every gift from Allah necessitates gratitude, and every provision from Allah requires obedience.
The Victory Test
We, as Muslims, are now in the midst of the most testing times, with blessings and trials alike. Blessings are a great test that requires patience; whoever realizes their true value, Allah will increase them in abundance. Patience in blessings requires effort no less than patience in times of adversity. Allah, in His wisdom, has decreed, “And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful. But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, 'Bad times have left me.' Indeed, he is exultant and boastful. Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.” (Hud: 9-11)
Allah has tested us; divisions and differences emerged among us. Whenever we sought unity, the gap among us widened, and divisions deepened. No disease afflicts nations more severely than the disease of division.
As mentioned in the Quran, “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]. And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” (Aal-Imran: 102-104)
This noble ayah shows us the way to restore the truth to its rightful place and to remove the estrangement that Islam has fallen into. Those who deviate become unaware of it, and those who know it and mention it do not speak the truth or guide people to the path of light. The first step on this path is to fear Allah, remembering Him all the time, in private or in public. We should love for the sake of Allah alone, be angry for His sake alone, and rid ourselves of any inclinations toward evil. Our desires should align with the teachings of our Prophet (ﷺ), as he said, “None of you [truly] believes until his desires are subservient to that which I have brought.” [4] This means submitting our desires to the commands and prohibitions of Allah, not twisting His laws to fit our desires.
The second point is to hold fast to the rope of Allah, which is the Quran. It is our stronghold and refuge when matters become turbulent, clouded by darkness, desires, and temptations.
Forbidding Evil: A Feature of Virtuous Societies
Our unity and strength will not be achieved unless we gather around the Quran, recite it with reverence, reflect upon it, and fully implement its commands without any compromise. For if we do so, we will unite in the fear and satisfaction of Allah, but if we fail to do so, discord and division will prevail, leading us to failure. Allah says, “And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And Allah is encompassing of what they do.” (Al-Anfal: 46-47)
The third point is enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, which is something that distinct Islam, if the path to fulfilling this duty is clear and free from obstacles and won’t subject to punishment or rejection. The Mufassirun (Qur'anic Interpreters) says in the tafseer of this ayah: “And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” (Aal-Imran: 104), you have to be an Ummah that enjoins good and forbids evil, and this ayah aligns with, “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” (Aal-Imran: 110)
Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong is the merit of virtuous societies, and Islamic society, in particular, has called to virtue and urged it. Therefore, Islam emphasizes enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. When this merit was neglected, morals deteriorated, Islam became sidelined, along with its facts and principles, virtue diminished, corruption and immorality spread among those who called themselves Muslims, for they drink alcohol and find ways to evade the laws that prohibit it in some societies. Hearts have become barren, souls have denied their Lord's command, and Islam has become estranged.
Will the souls then repent and submit to their Lord’s will? Time will tell! [5]
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[1] Sahih Muslim, no. 145.
[2] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, no. 100 and by Muslim, no. 2673 with slight variation.
[3] We don't know of a hadith with this exact wording, but the meaning is correct, as it aligns with the Quranic ayah: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind.” (Aal-Imran: 110). Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There will never cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest upon the truth.”
[4] Reported by Ibn Abi 'Asim in (Al-Sunnah) (15), and Al-Khatib in (Tarikh Baghdad) (4/368), and the wording is from them.
[5] This article was published in the fifth issue, on 8-2-1390 AH - 14-4-1970 CE.
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