Assalamu’alaikum my dear fellow brothers and sisters in Islam. I would like to share something regarding the health of the ummah today. The Arabic word ummah refers to the meaning of a community or a nation. The context of ummah I’m addressing here would be the Ummah Islamiyyah, or rather, the Islamic Community.
"He who wants paradise should hold fast to the community.” –Sayyidina Umar Al-Khattab(ra)
You might be wondering why out of the many things I would want to share; I picked this particular subject to pondered upon. Many modern Muslims like us, find that the health of the ummah is a trivial matter, but in fact it is a key to either the rise or the downfall of our Islamic community. Before I continue, let’s look into what Allah has written in the Quran.
“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….” [3:110].
From this, we know that we are the best of mankind. Islam is the religion to master all in this world. Yet, people uses this verse against the Muslims that Islam is destructive and oppressive. Let us remind ourselves that Islam is perfect, Muslims aren’t. Over the millennia, our Ummah has slowly and gradually deteriorate from within. This is how we allow the disbelievers to attack Islam. They very well know that if the Ummah is strong and united, there is no way they can bring down Islam from the exterior. That is why they label Muslims as terrorists and make more vile propagandas throughout the world about Islam.
Ever wonder why are there so many wars and violence in the Middle East? Such is when the propagandas have succeeded. Muslims are killing their own fellow Muslims. Muslims creating sects in their own religion and then condemning other Muslims for what they follow.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (Sal-Allahu-alaihi-wassallam) said,
"Beware of suspicion. Suspicion is the most untrue speech. Do not spy and do not eavesdrop. Do not compete with each other and do not envy each other and do not hate each other and do not shun each other. Be slaves of Allah, brothers." - Hadith by Imam Muwatta
Look into a smaller scale. Our very own ambient community in the country for that matter. The sense of brotherhood and its virtues is slowly disappearing. Scary as it seems, it is even more upsetting when this matter is seen as trivial by Muslim youths. Did we forget about how Rasulullah S.A.W, his companions and the early Muslims strive to bring up Islam? How they are willing to be martyrs for Allah’s cause and Allah’s deen. They strived for this Ummah. This Ummah that has a privilege and status so high, even the Prophet Musa (May peace be upon him) wanted to become a part of this Ummah.
“We Muslims are the last to come, but the foremost on the day of resurrection, and the first people to enter paradise, although the former nations were given the scriptures before us and we after them….”
- Hadith by At-Tirmidhi
Muslims youths do not treasure the ukhuwah amongst the Ummah. Often having the “every man for himself” attitude meanwhile in the Quran it states the opposite in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 10
”The believers are like brothers to one another, so promote peace and reconciliation among them, and fear Allah that you may receive Mercy.” [49:10]
Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (Sal-Allahu-alaihi-wassallam) said, "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith; his blood, his wealth and his honour". - Sahih Hadith by Imam Muslim
Rejoice in the love of ukhuwah and we will find not only ourselves, but our community prospering in many aspects. Respect people’s opinions even if it contradicts yours. Spent time bonding with your family and friends for this strengthens the ukhuwah. Spare a thought for the needy and the poor. Be kind to your neighbours. Have meals together like how it’s said by Sayyidina Umar Al-Khattab, “Before Allah that is the best dinner which people eat together."
Go for congregational prayers at a mosque as and when we can. All these actions and many others can be an easy and small way that is in the capability of everyone to kick start this love for the Ummah. Lest, one day, we will find ourselves somewhat like the early Islamic state days, UNITED AND ONE. This is a reminder to me foremost, and to anyone who reads this. This topic can be very broad and long so the things I’ve shared here is more generalized and is only a portion of the issues regarding the Ummah.
As a last reminder, here is a Sahih hadith I would love to share.
“None of you is a believer until he loves for his brother (his fellow Muslims) what he loves for himself.”
- Sahih Hadith by Muslim
Wallahua’lam.
Walaikumsalam wr.br.
-YZ
0 comments:
Post a Comment