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The Muslim Nation - By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
The
Muslim Nation
By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Dear Muslims:
Allah (SWT) says:
“Thus We have made you (true Muslims) a just nation, that you be witnesses over
mankind.” (Al-Baqarah 2:143). He (SWT) also declares the Muslims as the best
community, “You (true Muslim) are the best of people ever raised up for
mankind; you enjoin all that is good, forbid all that is evil and you believe
in Allah.” (Aal ‘Imraan 3:110). The Muslims are also those whom Allah
describes: “Those who, if We give them
power in the land enjoin performing prayers, paying of Zakaah, enjoin all that
is good and forbid all that is evil. And with Allah rests the end of (all)
matters.” (Al-Hajj 22:41).
This should not be
surprising, for our righteous predecessors were the builders of the imposing
edifice of Islamic civilization and the bearers of the light of guidance. They
raised the banner of prosperity for all mankind and presented abundance gift to
humanity. None can really know this honour except him who takes Allah as his
Lord, Muhammad (PBUH) as his prophet and Islam as his religion.
Dear Muslims:
The greatest
quality of this religion is its pure Islamic monotheism that encourages
knowledge, recognises reason, takes care of man and aims at benefiting mankind
and save them from harm. It also protects man’s fundamental rights, preserves
his religion, honours and nurtures his mind and positively elevates his soul.
Islam commends gentleness, easiness, fairness and mercy regardless of what its
enemies may say. Allah (SWT) says: “Verily, Allah enjoins justice and to be
patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake, and
giving to kith and kin, and forbids all evil deeds, and polytheism of every
kind and all kinds of oppression. He admonishes you, that you may take heed’.
(An-Nahl 16:90).
No just man will
deny the fact that the world has never witnessed a nation better than that of
Islam in compassion, high moral standard and justice. And since the so-called
modern civilization has fallen into the abyss of materialism and moral
corruption, it is Islam that remains the only viable leader that can lead the
world. Islam does not use modern technologies to exploit nations, drain their
wealth and desecrate their honour neither does it take modern inventions and
discoveries as means to promote atheism or use sophisticated weapons to
threaten the security of other countries. Also, Islam does not use the mass
media to mislead people. The responsibility of the Message of Islam is to save
man, bring him the much-needed peace and protect him from injustice and misery.
Brothers and
Sisters:
Our Islamic nation
has left its good impacts in all fields of sciences and ethics, achieved much
in the area of human development and has had far-reaching influence on modern
civilization. This is not an exaggeration but facts recorded by the history in
golden pages. In the area of human civilization, Islam established the pure
foundation. Allah (SWT) says: “O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a
female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.
Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has
piety.” (Al-Hujuraat 49:13). By this honourable verse, Islam removes man from
the atmosphere of hatred and racialism to the blissful world of equality and
mutual cooperation in which there is no place for racial superiority.
This concept was
exemplified in our civilization through many incidences. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab
(RAA) one day saw an old Jew in the market of Al-Madeenah begging. He asked him
of his condition and then said, “We have not been fair to you. We took tax from
you while you were young and neglected you in your old age.” He then took him
to his house, gave him food and then sent to the keeper of the Muslims’ bank to
give him and people like him what could suffice them and their families. This
is a marvellous example from the history of our nation.
Dear Muslims:
In the area of
treating the opponents, Islam established a principle of fairness, good
relationship and calling unto the way of Allah with the best method through
dialogue and conviction. Allah (SWT) says:
“And argue not with the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians)
unless it be in a way that is better.” (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:46).
To promote social
harmony, Islam enjoins good neighbourliness. The Messenger of Allah had some
neighbours among the people of the Scripture whom he used to visit and from
whom he accepted gifts. Another glowing example in this regard is what
‘Umar (RAA) did to the residents of Iliya (who were Christians) by giving them
protection on their properties and places of worship.
Dear Muslims:
There is another
shining aspect of our moderate nation: our war etiquettes. While jungle law was
ruling the rest of the world, Islamic nation has started shining with the
establishment of war etiquettes and rules. In war, Islam prohibits looting and
desecration of the honours of the opponent. It gives war a noble goal, which is
defence of the faith, security of the society and driving back the aggressors.
Allah (SWT) says: “And fight in the way of Allah those that fought you, but
transgress not the limits, Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors”
(Al-Baqarah 2:190).
War does not make
us forget our principles. That is why Abu Bakr Assidiq (RAA) gave this
instruction, “When the war becomes terse, do not mutilate, nor betray or steal
from the booty or kill an old man, young child or woman. Do not destroy date
plantations nor burn it, neither should you cut a fruit-bearing tree nor
slaughter a goat, cow or camel except for food. You will come across some
people who keep themselves busy (with worship) in their hermitages so leave
them as they are.” Abu Bakr (RAA) admonished the Muslim soldiers with these
words while he was sending them on an expedition under the command of Usamah
bin Zayd.
More wonderful
than this is the saying of the Messenger of Allah when he was injured in the
battle of Uhud and had his molar tooth broken. He told his companions who asked
him to curse the disbelievers, “I am not sent as a curser but as a mercy to
mankind. O Lord, forgive my people for they know not what they are doing!” He
(PBUH) also told his adversaries on the day of Conquest of Makkah, “You are
free, so you can go.” In one of his battles, he saw a slain woman and was
annoyed and said, “Had I not forbidden you from killing women? This woman
should not have been killed.”
Dear Muslims:
Though the evils
and attacks of their enemies are so open that everyone can see, some people are
still unleashing media campaign against Muslims and calling them terrorists. We
have to decide on terminologies so that there would not be any mix up between
the abhorred terrorism and legal resistance against invaders and injustice.
Innocent and well meaning people should never be accused of terrorism. Is what
is happening presently in Palestine
Dear Muslims:
While we are
talking about the necessity of a plan under which the Islamic nation will be
promoted, we must have sincerity of purpose and unite in our adherence to the
Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (PBUH). We should free our minds
from hatred, rancour and whimsical desires, nurture our youths with the true
knowledge of Islam and get ourselves preoccupied with the most importance
issues.
May
Allah (SWT) bless, guide and forgive us all.
(Ameen).
