The Churches’ message at Christmas

This year the churches’ Christmas messages focussed mainly on the acute social and economic problems in many people’s lives. Religious leaders renewed their commitments to their flocks, placing emphasis on the services offered to the needy and poor and reinforcing the need to bolster human engagement in alleviating their problems. 

Allah, the Creator, has provided sufficient resources in the world for all to enjoy a comfortable life and for that we should be grateful to Him. However, for many, the world is a miserable place in which to live; millions are subjected to abject poverty, inhuman living conditions and have no access to these God given riches.  The growing disparity between the rich and the poor in the world is shocking and has, in some places, become horrific!  This disparity is largely due to Governments, corporate companies and individuals taking ever greater control of the world’s resources and further marginalising the poor. It was, therefore, refreshing that the religious messages issued by church leaders appeared to contain kinder, more compassionate and more helpful methods of reducing poverty in the world.

When I reflect on the teaching of my own Faith, Islam, I find that service to Allah’s creation is a service to Allah Himself. Our own salvation in the Sight of Allah the almighty is designed around ‘who is better in deed’ and not in ritual performance, or the utterance of big and lofty words or the possession of immense wealth.

Allah, the Almighty, highlights this purpose for mankind in their lives in this verse: ‘Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion of the universe and Who has power over everything; Who created death and life that He might try you as to which of you is better in deed. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving.’ S67 V1-2

Those of us who believe that there is a divine purpose in the creation of life and accept that mankind’s thoughts, actions and deeds, are being continually tested by Him, must also believe that this also offers us the opportunity to alleviate suffering and make it a better world for all. Allah, subhanahu wa ta`ala, says: ‘O Prophet! Did you see him who turned away (from the path of Allah); who gave a little and then stopped? Does he have any knowledge of the world beyond the ken of sense-perception, and therefore, clearly sees (the truth)? Has he not been informed of what is in the Scrolls of Moses? And of Abraham, who lived up to the trust? That no bearer of a burden shall bear the burden of another, and that man shall have nothing but what he has striven for; and that (the result of) his striving shall soon be seen’. S53 V33-40

These verses, from the surah al-Najm, place a powerful spotlight on the personalities of many in our time. They are oblivious of the consequences of their actions, continue to selfishly hoard and manipulate the resources of this world only for themselves. Their lust for wealth and power has become all consuming!

The Quran mentions a story of a person from the time of Moses in the Surah Al-qasas saying: ‘Surely, Qarun (Korah) was one of Moses’ people, then he transgressed against them. We had bestowed on him such treasure that their very keys would have been raised with difficulty by a whole group of strong people. Once when his people said to him: ‘Do not exult, for Allah does not love those who exult (in their riches). Seek by means of the wealth that Allah has granted you the abode of the hereafter, but forget not your share in this world and do good as Allah has been good to you and do not strive to create mischief in the land, for Allah loves not those who create mischief. He replied: All this has been given to me on account of a certain knowledge that I have.’ Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him those who were stronger in might than he and were more numerous in multitude? The wicked are not asked about their acts of sin.’ S28 V76-78

These verses indicate, clearly, that the attitudes of many people deteriorate when they have acquired wealth and power in this world. It also warns them of the dire consequences if they persist.  When such people have wealth and control over resources or political power, most of their wealth is employed in retaining their power and wealth and in sustaining their corrupt way of life. However, when this structure finally crumbles, everything is reduced to ashes and they are left with nothing, in this life and the next.

If mankind could only recognise the fragile and vulnerable nature of their existence and realise that being in power is just a matter of rank and control, maybe they would also come to recognise the displeasure their actions afford God the Almighty.  Indeed, enjoying a position of power and great wealth is one of the most severe tests set by Him.  

Allah says in the Quran: ‘On that Day – the Day when they will behold angels – there will be no good news for those immersed in evil, and they will cry out: ‘We seek refuge (in Allah). And We shall turn to their deeds and shall reduce them to scattered dust’. S25 V22-23

All religious leaders, regardless of their religious affiliation, are called on by God to forgo their own comfortable lifestyles and do the bidding of God by serving humanity. This call, to create a kinder and compassionate world and to serve people, should also resonate throughout all mankind. Everyone should play their role by showing mutual compassion towards each other. The world has not been corrupted by just a few people and so it cannot be put right by few people, for we all suffer from greed and a greedy lifestyle, sometimes in the name of God. The Quran says: ‘Believers! Many of the rabbis and monks wrongly devour mankind’s possessions and hinder people from the Way of Allah. And there are those who amass gold and silver and do not spend it in the Way of Allah, announce to them the tidings of a painful chastisement. On a Day when they shall be heated up in the Fire of Hell, and their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it. (and they shall be told): ‘this is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Taste, then, the punishment for what you have hoarded.’ S9 V34-35

In conclusion; immense wealth and power and control lead us nowhere. The prestige and glory of power and wealth are waning and earn us no reward, unless and until they are put to the right cause. Our survival needs are limited and do not require us to plunder or hoard resources just to amass wealth. What we need for ourselves is little, but what finally goes to waste is all!