Curing, Reviving, and Empowering the Muslim Ummah

This may be the most serious issue we need to address
April 08, 2007
Author: Anonymous

Note: This message was purposely made short, considering it may be less likely to have been read if lengthy. Long-term goals would include marketing this leaflet in video and email form in numerous languages. This leaflet is written by a man, imperfect, unlike the Holy Koran. It focuses on issues which I see are relevant to the Muslim world, and therefore may be biased. It should be revised from time-to-time with best intent. We ask Allah (SWT) to help us, guide us all.


Bism'Illah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem...
Assalamu-Alaikum (Peace Be Unto You)

This leaflet’s objective is to:

-Prompt Muslims to gravely contemplate their fate and what’s happening around them
-Unite a large number of Muslims towards one direction, putting aside our differences
-Encourage Muslims to spread proper knowledge of Islam within our communities and to non-Muslims, promoting world peace and prosperity, essentially restoring an influence of Islam in today’s world, God-Willing


ISSUES TO ADDRESS:

The Psychology of Muslims:

We must acknowledge and make aware to Muslims that we have a problem in order to seek a cure. This problem may worsen if we take no action. We are Muslims (Sunni), similar, yet we fight each other only weakening ourselves. Our purpose in life is to Worship our Creator. Let us reflect, on what is happening in the world and put aside seeking pleasures. Worship should entail a spiritual aspect as well as a socializing aspect. It includes, but it not limited to, understanding the Koran, and acting to have an impact on local and global communities. We must fear our Creator, remember the hereafter, and pray to Allah (SWT) protect and help us in this uphill battle.

We must be people of value; if we make no effort to act, a great tragedy may be inflicted upon us.

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and let not your works end in futility” (47:33)


Criticism:

It is not uncommon amongst Muslims to find the habit of criticising others. If we are not criticising Israel and America, we are criticising others in our community, yet we do not lift a finger. We blame the politicians or Imams, yet we do not lift a finger. The system can only be changed from the inside.


Balance:

Extremism is defined as something that is abnormal. We will define two types of Muslim extremists. One is secular, which is the type that wants the influence of Islam completely separate from the state and people. The other is a radical, prudent, perhaps to serve a political agenda or interpret Islam as s/he will. Both are ignorant and arrogant. Both are dangerous. But, both must empathise with the majority for righteousness and realize their tactics are ineffective. Never should Muslims force their views on others, such as the Turks for banning the head scarf in government buildings or radicals by violent acts.


Education:

Education is a universal key, without it are locked doors. Seeking education should never end after we complete a certificate from an institution. The process of learning should be an essential motivation amongst Muslims. We must excel in a diversity of fields such as Law, Commerce, History, and Political Science. We should never limit ourselves to certain fields. This is a great danger in that, because Muslims will then lack knowledge in areas which may in excel us. We must not be ignorant or arrogant.


Communication:

Wars sometimes occur because of misunderstandings or miscommunication. We must be proficient in our language(s), specifically public speaking and writing. Writing will enable us to publicly communicate our message to newspapers, journals, and will enable Muslims to gain recognition. Public speaking will accelerate us, and is essential to get the proper message of Islam in the media. We must be able to speak efficiently and enunciate clearly. If we lack communication skills, nobody will hear or listen to us. These skills are so important that I cannot even begin to stress. Muslims take their current speaking and writing skills for take granted, yet it is not enough. Perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. Only with listening will we be able to understand one another, and learn. Three rules to establish good communication are to listen, speak the truth at all times, and never assume. Making an assumption based on rumours instead of facts is like waging a war for no reason. If you have to assume, assume the best amongst your own. Muslims tend to be imbalanced. They are often too sceptical of one another, and hardly give each other the benefit of the doubt. This pamphlet is a type of communication, and may be perceived as negative if not interpreted correctly. I assure you, I have only the best intention. Understand that almost everything is subject to interpretation, even the way we see the world, which may not be correct. Our communication must be as clear as possible, only then will begin to truly understand.


Cause and Effect:

Are suicide bombings effective or productive? Can our energy be directed in other means? How many Muslims suffer as a result of our own attacks? Is there a gain or loss? One theory suggests that Muslims face an escalation of commitment. An escalation of commitment is the tendency to continue on a path which is posing a losing proposition, which may be influenced by effort already invested. We must stop making foolish decisions which result in only losses. Are we being efficient and productive? Do not be arrogant, we must constantly be critical of ourselves and ask ourselves questions. Who, what, where, why, when and how? A simple question may salvage us from a heavy mistake. We cannot afford to make more.


Ethics and Morals:

Three merchants provide their customers with a fair price for three different reasons: The first, because it’s better for business, the second, because it makes himself feel better, and the third, because he believes he has to follow a moral law. The third man is the best because his premise for doing an action is: following a moral law. While the others follow different premises by which then there is no excuse to practice evil deeds based on those premise(s). The third man is less likely to go astray because he always confirms with a moral law. In our case, our moral law is Islam. Help the less fortunate. Study Islam. Islam may be represented by the Koran and Hadiths, but bear in mind, our actions represent Islam as well. Even smiling and holding the door open for somebody is charity. We must take responsibility for our ethics, morals, and actions, for we will be questioned on the day of judgement.


The solution:

Conquer a problem from all sides. Remember to put all your options on the table before choosing the best. Think outside the box, and don’t be afraid to seek other methods. We must not criticize each other out of ego, but must constructively criticise each other for the better. Let us hold meetings, and not be afraid to address political issues, this is our duty. Some say the solution is to focus on your family and yourself first, others say to be proactive in society. While both argue their opinion, they are only bickering for no good. Truthfully, they are both right, and who is to say that taking care of you family and being proactive in society cannot be done at the same time? We do not Worship our Creator only by sitting in mosques, but we Worship also by being active outside the mosque. A problem in the Muslim community is that we tend to only consider options A or B, but never consider options A and B. There will always be differences amongst us, but we must put them aside, and aim for one and even many goals. 10 Muslims attacking a problem with 10 different methods is more efficient than 10 Muslims attacking one problem with 1 method, out of ignorance and arrogance.

'Whoever of you sees something wrong should change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest form of belief.'" [Muslim]

Even though this isn’t a specific solution to the problems Muslims face today, Inshalla it will provoke the thought of many. Remember we must be tolerant, and patient. There is not one universal equation to solve all our problems. The only thing perfect is the Koran. We are not, and we must be careful of our actions, how they are perceived, their intent, and impact. We must have faith, be balanced, and target this problem from all angles. If not, I fear a horrific infliction upon us.