This is adapted from my notes from a short talk I did at a graduation party, I apologize if they are kinda rough.
“In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): “Fear ye not!” (they suggest), “Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), the which ye were promised!
“We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for!-
“A hospitable gift from one Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!”
“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, “I am of those who bow in Islam”? ” (Surah Fussilat, Ayahs 30-33)
In this world if we examine the most successful people by whatever standard, whether they are millionaires or CEOs; Professional Athletes or president’s, you will find in them one common trait, One thing that they share. And that is that these people are goal-oriented. They have a set goal, and they strive hard to achieve that goal and do not let anybody stand in the way. They set up their life around them so that everything they do is bringing them closer to that goal. We can take the example of a that goal we are all familiar… if there is someone who wants to be a doctor then they set up the next 6-7 years of their life in such a way that at the end they will be a doctor. They get into a good college, work hard to maintain a good gpa, study hard for the MCATS, apply for medical schools… and so on. And InshaAllah at the end if they stay focused, and if they have ‘Istiqama Steadfastness they will be a doctor. Read More »
Reflections on Pakistan and India’s Yaum-e-Azadi
There is a lot to learn from the history of Pakistan and India’s independence. It has many important lessons we can take into consideration in our present day situation here in the United States.Muslims had ruled the greater part of India from the 7th Century all the way up to the fall of the Mogul Empire in the 19th Century. During the British rule of India, Muslims lost a great deal of power and influence in the subcontinent. The legendary esteem and might of the Muslim empires in India was quickly demolished.
Muslims were at a critical point in the early 20th Century in India. Most Muslim leaders felt that Islam faced the threat of extinction in India due to the strengthening of Hindu nationalist groups. It was during this time when Hindi started to become the official language of India. Hindu nationalism flourished calling their struggle ‘a to return Hindu ideals and customs in India after hundreds of years of Muslim oppression.’
What put the Muslims in such a weakened state was not only their lack of unity or at least solidarity but how they reacted to pressure from the British and Hindu nationalist during the 100 years prior to Independence. Instead of struggling to maintain or improve their condition, most Muslims submitted to the fear of being socially ostracized. They gave up excelling in education, business, and politics because this might yield retribution. When the time came to decide the fate of Muslims in India, they had no leverage. This is why Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, and the others saw a separate Muslim state as the only solution for Muslims to save them from extinction (at least in India).
Had Muslims continued to be successful in all areas, religious, economic, political, and social; and if they had maintained their influence in India who knows maybe India today could have been one of the largest Islamic countries.
In the United States we have a similar situation brought on by different circumstances. Muslims are at a pivotal point right now. With the majority of the country disliking Muslims, and in case you haven’t noticed there is some hostility here towards us. In fact there have been many calls to kick out Muslims from the US. Never would you here people saying to kick out Catholics, because of all the contributions they have made to society. There are so many Catholic hospitals all over the country that at least 20% of the population goes to one at least once in their life. If we haven’t contributed anything to society than we are of no value here. Now, I don’t mean to make it sound as if we need to please people. However, if we are expecting to be accepted and liked here, lets face it most of us are, then we should learn from the mistake of the Muslims in India. We should strive for excellence in every way. I’m not advocating assimilation, but active participation in society; leaving what is forbidden but enjoining fully in what is good.
Now going back to the problems the Muslims had prior to independence; the biggest thing that held them back was the disunity. Unity is a powerful concept that cannot work overnight. Even during the time of the Prophet SAW unity among the Muslims took time. From my observation before there can be unity there must be solidarity. Before we can move as one, we must all be walking in the same direction. Once we realize and accept that we have common goals, responsibilities, and purpose then we are headed in the same direction. When we can start to solidify on these ideas of commonality, then we can more easily forgo our rights and our desires for the sake of the group. Unity almost seems like an abstract concept that is almost utopian. I think that comes from our misunderstanding of what unity is. It’s not so much being the same people entirely or even achieving synthesis in a group, but just being able to work together for a common cause. And even unity doesn’t mean freedom from problems, just the ability to solve them together.