Positive actions that Muslims can take regarding their current conditions

17/01/2009| IslamWeb

Question:

I'm a university student. I find myself pretty confused in the present situation, with the conditions of the Muslims. I feel that the people who are adhering to the Shari'ah are not taking any action and the people who are taking action against non-Muslims are people who lack Islamic knowledge. Am I just aimlessly running, trying to do things as per Sunnah and in the long run I'm not getting anything done. There was a demonstration in my university for the Palestinians, although I really wanted to participate but I didn't because of the Fataaw given by some Sheikhs. If we can't do demonstrations, what can we general people do? Muslims in my university also want to write letters to the US president and I personally don't feel good about it. I feel that we are asking help from Kuffaar and not relying on Allah. My mind is really confused. Could you please help me out? Clarify these issues.

 

Fatwa:

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

No doubt, the present situation of Muslims, especially in Palestine, is very painful for all Muslims. Every Muslim's heart is full of sorrow for what is happening. So, there is no astonishment if you are confused. The only solution to get out of this hard situation is to sincerely follow the Shari'ah. The basic reason for the disrespect and humiliation of the Muslim Ummah is the neglect of the religion. Imaam Abu Dawood and others narrated from Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him,that the Prophet said: "When you enter into the 'Eenah transaction (kind of forbidden usurious transaction), hold the tails of cows (and oxen) are pleased with agriculture (i.e. being engaged with worldly matters), and give up conducting Jihaad. Allah will make disgrace prevail over you, and will not withdraw it until you return to your religion faithfully".

 

Imaam Abu Dawood also narrated from Thawbaan, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: "The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time, but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and put Wahn (enervation) into your hearts. Someone asked: What is 'Wahn', O Apostle of Allah? He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death".

The whole Ummah should return to its religion in order to be honored. This task would be achieved only by intense struggle and making all possible efforts in order to raise and train individuals of this Ummah in all required fields. Indeed, on the one hand, this training needs good planning and, on the other hand, acting according to achieve the goals.

After planning and setting good aims, it is compulsory to have a strategy to achieve those aims. In fact, the talk about this matter takes time and is a long subject.
There are many good efforts made by Muslim reformers and callers to Islam; surely they will be fruitful after a while.

As for demonstration, it is permissible; it may be a way to force the oppressor to stop his bad practice. It is also an indication of condemning what is taking place and expressing support for the oppressed. Even though some scholars believe that it is not lawful based on their Ijtihaad (legal opinion) while others do not agree with them. Each group will be rewarded by Allah since the Prophet said: "If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. agrees with Allah and His Apostle's verdict) he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, (i.e. against that of Allah and His Apostle ) even then he will get a reward" .

As for your question, what can we do? There are many things we can do; some of them are as follows:

· First of all we should correct ourselves.      
· Then we should correct our families.
· We should correct our relatives and neighbours.
· We should try our best to correct the Muslims.
· We have to carry out the job of enjoining good and forbidding evil.
· We should acquire the Islamic knowledge and spread it.
· We should support the Muslims in Palestine and everywhere with our money.
· We should raise our hands towards Allah with full humility to change the Muslims' situation for the better and to help the weak Muslims.
Indeed, there are many other acts one can do.

As for sending a letter to US president, we advise you not to ask for assistance from him even though it is permissible since the Prophet said: "Indeed Allah may support this religion (i.e. Islam) even with a disobedient man." [Reported by Imaams al-Bukhari and Muslim].

They always try to disturb Muslims, and they were and are with Jews. They equally support each other in their mischief.

We ask Allah to drive away the worries of Muslims, protect us from the mischief of mischief-makers through anything He wants. We make Allah our refuge against them, seeking His protection from their harms. He is sufficient for us. There is no shelter and protection except by Him.

 

Allah Knows best.

 

Fatwa answered by:The Fatwa Center at Islamweb