Muhammad Osama Qasmi
Student: Department of English Language and Literature, Darul Uloom Deoband
Muslims in India are undergoing very difficult and trying situations. They are facing systematically planned discrimination, prejudice and violence. That is all happening despite the constitutional guarantees. The earth, with all its vastness, has narrowed for them.
Different people may come up with different solutions. To me, however, the only way out is that Muslims should turn to Allah Almighty, the one and the only refuge for the distressed.
Allah declares in the Glorious Quran:
When the earth was straitened for them despite all its vastness, and even their own souls were straitened for them, and they realized that there is no refuge from Allah, except in Him, then He turned towards them, so that they may repent. Surely, Allah is the Most-Relenting, the Very Merciful. (9:118)
It is pertinent to remind the readers of a very important incident. The prophet Mohammad (saws) climbed up to the top of the mountain Safa. He called his people. They gathered around the Prophet (saws) anticipating that he would tell them about some attack by enemies.
To their astonishment, however, they were told that it was not external enemies that posed danger for them; rather it was their misguided lifestyle that was going to destroy their fate. The Prophet (saws) invited them to self-introspection.
Muslims all over the world are going through the same situation today. They are in urgent need to focus on their-selves, and not some external or internal enemies. It will restore in them the level of faith required, high morals and the sense of responsibility. Moreover, they must judge themselves against the Qur’anic laws pertaining to the rise and fall of nations.
When we study the Qur’an, we come to know that whenever believers take the Qur’an for granted, deserting its teachings and getting into innovations and polytheistic acts, they have to face humiliation, dishonor and the ultimate wrath of Allah. He stops having mercy upon them.
Surely, those who have taken the calf (as god) shall be seized by Allah’s wrath and by humiliation in the worldly life. That is how we recompense the fabricators. (The Qur’an, 7:152)
On the other hand, those who hold fast to the cord of Allah Almighty, He grants them honor, exaltation and also the power in the land.
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them (His) vicegerents in the land, as He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear in which they were before; (provided that) they worship Me, ascribing no partner to Me. And those who turn infidel after that are the transgressors.(The Qur’an, 24: 55)
The Muslims to first fulfill this Qur’anic condition were rewarded duly. Promising them of divine protection and success, the Glorious Qur’an says:
Recall when you were few in number, oppressed on the earth, fearing that the people would snatch you away. Then, He gave you shelter and fortified you with His support and provided you with good things, so that you may be grateful. (8: 26)
At another place in the Qur’an, good news has been given to those who repent.
So, how is it that there never was a town, which could have believed and its belief would have been of benefit to it, except the people of Yunus? When they came to believe, We removed from them the punishment of humiliation in the worldly life and let them enjoy themselves for some time. (10: 98)
In conclusion, Muslims need to follow Allah’s command and His Prophet’s Sunnah as well as preach Islam through their deeds, words, and manners. They must highlight the true image of Islam and the way of life as taught by the Prophet (saws) in the light of the Allah’s commandments.
Muslims don’t need to be afraid of any individual, tyrant authorities and any real or presumed enemy. They should ignore and forgive them till Allah’s command comes. Tgey should firmly believe that, at the end of the day, it is the believers in Allah who are going to not only survive but also thrive.
Forgive and overlook till Allah brings out His command.(The Qur’an, 2:109)
Remember, one day the truth will prevail and the falsehood will vanish. “Falsehood is surely bound to vanish.(Qur’an, 17: 81)
