Stand Tall

FOR the past month or so my private thoughts ruminate about the global Muslim Ummah and I try to outline factors that are contributing to our emasculation or ineffectiveness on both spiritual and political spheres. I am sure that readers will think about other factors as well.

The prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) is reported to have said that the nations of the earth will gather against the Muslims like hungry people going to sit down to a table of food. This will occur when the Muslims are in large numbers, like “foam of the sea”. My knowledge permits me to assert here that one salient miracle of Allah (SWT) is that He appointed prophets among different peoples. Their sole mission was to proclaim that Allah (SWT) is without partners and affirm, through miracles permitted by Allah (SWT), that mankind should worship Him Alone. Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny), the Seal of the prophets, with Allah’s (SWT) Permission, infused both spiritual and political realms so that Muslims emulate his conduct with the sole purpose of reforming themselves and those around them.

Now, more than ever before, Muslims are aware that massive geo-political rifts, promulgated by European and American political thought – representative democracy, if you will, along with cherished ideals of social pluralism – has somehow paralyzed of not sapped our spiritual endeavors. Muslims find it difficult to renew their faith these days. Why?

For the past five years or so my columns have focused exclusively on external factors that somehow wraps Muslims in a straightjacket. First, there is the “war on terror”, now rephrased as “a global struggle against extremism” – a clear reference to disassociate “Islamo-fascists” from “moderate Muslims” who, despite their political minority status, respect the law of the land. Second, we are witnessing “extraordinary renditions”, whereby nation-states are flexing their political muscles through protecting their citizens by exiling “potential terrorists” originating from Arab lands. We protest that those being exiled are innocent Muslims; most of the time we are correct. Third, we are witnessing clear discrepancies between immigrant and indigenous Muslims in the United States in their aims and objectives. Fourth, we witness a clear indication that the U.S government is engaged in a project to alter the “hearts and minds” of Muslims whose allegiances may fall into the hands of extremists. The battle-lines are drawn between this government and those harboring “ideologies of hate”.

Muslims, in my humble opinion, are at a crossroads. Either Muslims remain paralyzed by focusing extensively on external factors such as the issues outlined above, or we continue to renew our faith and reform the societies of which we are a part; for even though Muslims are enfeebled politically, our faith is unquestioningly a mosaic through which social reform is possible. And even though we live in a representative democracy, we must not wait for representation. Indigenous Muslims have learned that they could not wait for representation, and many social reforms combating religious discrimination practices became a reality.

Time after time, khutbah after khutbah, I’ve witnessed apathy and resignation within the congregation, and I wonder what is going on. Is it true that Muslims are losing their identity? Are we ashamed to be Muslims? One thing is and will always be clear: any level of passive resignation on our part will never be sufficient for effecting change within our selves and within the society. There is much room for social reform, even though government apologists maintain that this effort entails a radical opposition to the nation’s laws and cherished ideals. For democratic societies often stagnate and social ills predominate because no zeal for religious virtues permeates it. Muslims must position themselves in this niche, somehow. And even though Muslims have become embedded in this country’s social fabric, many non-Muslims are not aware of the true message of Islam. Our daw’ah efforts must work in this direction, that of educating non-Muslims about this enlightened religion. Only then will Muslims move away from social apathy and strive to reform the rest of society.

The writer is a recent revert to Islam and can be contacted at: drummondhugh@verizon.net