Most Muslims would agree that we are living through a very
difficult and turbulent time in our history. The appalling upheaval has reached
epidemic levels and must now be seen for what it is; a systematic attempt to
implement a movement to destroy the very fabric of Islamic teachings and their
sublime values. What is most painful is that, in many cases, it is Muslims
themselves who have become the tools and are often providing the means to carry
out this agenda.
When I was refreshing my mind by reading the farewell sermon of
the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, in which he highlighted the
gist of the teachings of Islam to give Muslims bullet points of his Prophetic
Mission my eyes caught this warning from him: ‘O people! No Prophet or
Messenger will come after me and no new Faith will be born. Reason well,
therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving
you with the Book of Allah (the Quran) and my Sunnah. If you follow them, you
will never go astray’.
What a prophetic warning by a Prophet about whom the Quran says: ‘There
has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves, who is distressed by the
losses you sustain, who is ardently desirous of your welfare and is tender and
merciful to those that believe’, S9 V128
But, if people turn away from, or fail to heed the teachings of
such a compassionate prophet towards the welfare of people, the Quran seems to
say that there would be no hope for the salvation of those people and nothing
further can avail them. It says: ‘Yet, if they should turn away, then tell
them: ‘Allah is sufficient for me; there is no god but He. In Him I have put my
trust. He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.’ S9 V129
Muslims have a very distinct and precise Book for their guidance.
We call it the ‘Book of Allah’. Nothing has been removed from it or, more importantly,
nothing has been added to it. It has been transmitted to us in its precise
original form. With the revelation of the Quran completed, Allah sent down this
message to the believers: ‘This day have I perfected your religion for you,
completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion.’
S5 V3
With the above reassuring messages from Allah and from the
Prophet, what reasons can possibly justify many in the Muslim community for
being so heedless to such guidance or unwilling to change their ways and
extricate themselves from the mess they now find themselves in?
With every passing day, the crisis deepens and very little hope
appears on the horizon. We have no leadership capable of leading us out of the
crisis that is tearing us apart. One hears many fine and fiery speeches, filled
with empty promises but no one stands up with the guts to deliver anything to
minimise the suffering of our people.
Political enmity recognises no public interests and is, all too
often, used as the reason for unleashing destructive forces, destroying
everything and anybody that stands in their path, regardless of political,
social and religious outcomes. Mercenaries, who take money to go ‘on jihad’ and
fight for the interest of different countries, or those who are brainwashed by
different groups, go on a rampage, killing people or carrying out suicide
attacks whilst shouting ‘Allahu akbar’: all these have become the tools used to
destroy the fabric of the teachings of Islam. Allah’s teachings are free of any
blame for their acts.
We need to reflect. All of us! Both those in power and authority
and those who take their commands or receive a financial gain to carry out any
action ordered by them. Are any of our acts in violation of Allah’s teachings?
If so, are we willing to bear the responsibility and endure the terrible
consequences, in front of Allah, on the Day of Reckoning?
Many of the ‘small’ evil acts between people and groups have
become giant differences and sources for antagonism and animosity. The Prophet,
peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, reminded us in his sermon about obeying
Shaitan in even small matters. He said: ‘Beware of Shaitan, for the safety of
your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you
astray in big things, so be aware of following him in small things.’
Our evil acts destroy our religious values and the values of our
religion in both the sight of its followers and the non-believers.
Hajj is the most suitable time to remind ourselves of the values
of Islamic teachings. Surely the Prophet did, so why shouldn’t the community be
reminded of this noble sermon on this occasion? It is a beautiful sermon and it
shows humanity its rights and offers a future course for successful and
harmonious relationships.
These are its most important excerpts:
O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as
sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as sacred trust. Return
the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one
may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and that He will
indeed reckon your deeds.
Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all usury
obligation shall henceforth be waived.
O people! It is true that you have certain rights with regard to
your women, but they also have rights over you.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over
a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab. Also a white has no
superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by
piety and good deeds.
Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the
Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim
which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do
not therefore do injustice to yourselves.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and
those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than
those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed your
message to your people’.
The above are the direct teachings of Islam and we are reminded of
them by its last Prophet. One wonders why these words have no impact on our
hearts. They are clear messages, containing detailed guidance and aims with
which to create a sense of personal accountability.
However, the Quran also says: ‘The time of people’s reckoning has
drawn nearer, and yet they turn aside in heedlessness. Whenever a fresh
admonition comes to them from their Lord they barely heed it and remain
immersed in play; their hearts being set on other concerns…. S21 V1-3
