Solutions to our problems are what we are all looking for.

Solutions are what we are all fervently seeking for our problems. Every nation in the world has, or has had, their own great scholars, prophets, messengers and sages. Their philosophies, combined with ideas garnered from grandiose governmental schemes, public and private institutions, cultures and religions, have all had either a beneficial or detrimental influence on human happiness or misery. They have also, to this day, continually played a role in conflict resolution.

The prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, was one of them, chosen by God, the Almighty, to receive the greatest wisdom to guide humanity towards solving their problems, not only in this world but also in the afterlife and the hereafter.

Prophet Mohammad was also a leader, a world class leader,  not thinking and caring for just the welfare of a narrow group of people, region or just about his followers. Instead, in his teachings, he embraces all humanity, including the peoples of his time and beyond, into the near and far future, until the last day of human existence. When we read his guidance it is always relevant and timely, guiding us towards what is best for humanity.

The Quran is a revelation from Allah and not the words of the Prophet Mohammad. When the Quran addresses people, it addresses both his followers and humanity in general. For example, it says in the Surah 49 V13: ‘Human beings, we created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the Sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’

This Quranic verse both highlights and reconciles our differences and combines them into a human relationship. No other kind of leadership or human philosophy envisages this as possible. This verse also provides all the reasons why people should not enter into conflict. On the contrary it demonstrates the warmth and closeness necessary if people are to be bound together, equally, into the Creator’s eternal bondage.

That is the leadership given to and shown by Islam at a time when the world was literally tribal and everyone served only their own interests. It addressed and continues to address human beings in general. It contains a global message about global concerns and provides a global solution for human conflict.

Let us now look at a hadith which provides the underlying solution for human suffering. It addresses each and every son of Adam, covers every individual and provides far reaching effects to bring changes to all mankind.

It says: ‘O son of Adam! If you spends the surplus that would be better for you. And if you keep that that is bad for you. You will never be blamed for your necessity. You should start with your immediate dependents. The upper hand is better than the lower hand’.

The hoarding of wealth, goods, property and chattels is of no use to us whatsoever if they cannot be used for the welfare of humanity, but our greed continually whispers to us that we should have more of everything, because we are afraid of poverty. This demonstrates forcefully our often less than complete belief in the mercy and destined provision from Allah.

The Quran explains this saying: ‘Satan frightens you with poverty and bids you to commit indecency whereas Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounty. Allah is munificent, All Knowing’. Surah 2 Verse 268

How many of the global problems of hunger, poverty and bad infrastructure, could be resolved by the distribution of all those surpluses that are sitting in people’s hoards? But, unfortunately, most people are reluctant to share anything in the cause of humanity, because of their innate greed and fear of poverty.

The Prophet taught us that the upper hand is better than the lower hand and Islamic teachings encourage contributions for people’s welfare. This means that we must desire to serve and to please Allah, our Creator the Almighty. It is better to be a contributing hand than a recipient hand. This also encourages those who have less to contribute to serve in the cause of Allah.

In a hadith the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him says: ‘the best charity is the effort of a less fortunate’.

The Muslim world is obliged to become a contributing hand; the hand that gives and solves people’s sufferings can never become itself a tool of suffering. Islam is a guidance for conflict resolution and for the spreading of peace and harmony in the world.

Islam has become dogmatic and we continually become entangled in a few issues which can have little or no spiritual effect on any of them. We need to radically change our mindset regarding Islam’s priorities towards humanity and remember how the Prophet won people’s hearts and minds by his service and dealings with them.

Unfortunately we lack scholarly leadership as to who could deliver us to the land of tranquillity. A land that is not isolated from the rest of the world or isolates us from the teachings of social justice and service to humanity.

It requires the quality of leadership that we have seen in the person of our Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. This is what the Quran indicated to in these following verses. It says in the Surah68 V4: ‘and you are certainly on the most exalted standard of moral excellence’.

Further it said: ‘Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much’. Surah33 Verse 21

These two verses highlight the importance of high quality leadership in the Muslim community that would reposition us all on the contributing side of humanity. Allah is the Most High and His messages contain guidance of the highest purpose. We Muslims sit on a mountain of extremely high responsibility and if we fail to understand our place in the world and among the people we will inevitably topple. The Quran reminds us of this responsibility by saying: ‘you are (now) the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.’ S3 V110

Problem diagnosis and problem solving tools are placed in front of us and are plain to see. We just need to find the will to use them and change our destiny!