Past couple of weeks have been quite heart wrenching as the news from Al Quds, Sheikh Jarrah and Gaza keeps coming in. The Israeli assault over the unarmed and innocent Palestinians is not only shattering the hearts of Muslims around the world but also raising a question on the very role of the leaders of all the Muslim countries around the world.
The Muslim leaders called for OIC and then they even called press conferences and sent out press releases where they condemned the heinous acts of the apartheid state of Israel. That, indeed, must have sent the message to their own people, that yes, they do side with the Palestinians but the big question is: Is this act enough?
President Arif Alvi reportedly said that since the Muslim nations are weak, their voice has no power in the international realm. Prime Minister has sent medicines and COVID relief meds to Palestine. Saudi Arabia has condemned the whole act. Turkey is saying we will do something and strongly condemned the attack. Egypt is silent. Qatar has deported the ambassador of Israel . UAE has blamed Hamas for the whole affair because it retaliated with their homemade rockets when Israeli forces used stun grenades and F-16s and white phosphorus bombs on the innocent civilians of Palestine. Kuwait said that they will imprison anyone who said that they support Israel.
One wonders that if the condemnation is the only thing that they can do? What are we (the masses) supposed to do then? The masses are doing the same, condemning and holding rallies to stand up for their brothers in these tested times.
The Question is : where is the best intelligence agency of the world? Where is the best army of the world?! Where is the commander of the United Muslim Army of the world? What are these so-called armies of the world protecting when their brothers, sisters and children in Islam need them the most? The leaders turn a blind eye to the atrocities does by the Zionist regime of the Jews and think that they have nothing to do with the whole situation? Was the whole Muslim block army made just for fun and play and was to be used just against the Muslims?
Leaders of the Muslim World, have you not read in the Quran, Allah say in Surah an-nisa (ayat 75-76):
- And what is wrong with you that you
fight not in the Cause of Allāh, and for
those weak, ill‑treated, and oppressed
among men, women, and children,
whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue
us from this town whose people are
oppressors; and raise for us, from You,
one who will protect, and raise for us,
from You, one who will help.” - Those who believe, fight in the Cause
of Allāh, and those who disbelieve,
fight in the cause of Ṭāghūt (Satan)(1).
So fight you against the friends of
Shaiṭān (Satan). Ever feeble indeed is
the plot of Shaiṭān (Satan).
These are the kinds of leaders or the heads of the states of the Muslim Ummah. The state of affairs is in the hands of those who are not capable of providing Muslims some self respect. We are put to shame by them and we are embarrassed, as the people, that we cannot do much physically. The Muslim Leaders and the ulema of the Muslim countries have failed the people of Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Rohingya , Muslims of China, Kashmir, Bosnia, etc. They believe in the jihad that you can do by your words, by pen by your character or by just praying five times a day.
Doesn’t Quran say in Surah At-Tauba (ayat 19-20) :
Do you consider the providing of
drinking water for the pilgrims
and the maintenance of Al‑Masjid
al‑Ḥarām (in Makkah) as equal to
the one who believes in Allāh and
the Last Day, and strives hard and
fights in the Cause of Allāh? They
are not equal before Allāh. And
Allāh guides not those people who
are the Ẓālimūn (polytheists and
wrong‑doers). Those who believed (in the Oneness
of Allāh — Islāmic Monotheism) and
emigrated and strove hard and fought
in Allāh’s Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allāh. They are the successful.
Do Kings, Prime Ministers, Presidents and the Ulemas of the Muslim nations think that the kind violence, bloodshed, genocide that has been going on around the world only on Muslims can be waived off by providing a soft image of Islam?! Do they think the Ayaat of the Quran deem invalid (Astaghfirullah) in today’s world?! Do they think that they will not be tested like Muslims before them ? Quran says in Surah Al-ankabot (verse 2-6):
Do people think that they will be left
alone because they say: “We believe,”
and will not be tested?
- And We indeed tested those who were
before them. And Allāh will certainly
make (it) known (the truth of) those
who are true, and will certainly make
(it) known (the falsehood of) those
who are liars, (although Allāh knows
all that before putting them to test). - Or think those who do evil deeds that
they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our
punishment)? Evil is that which they
judge! - Whoever hopes for the Meeting(1) with
Allāh, then Allāh’s Term is surely
coming and He is the All‑Hearer, the
All‑Knower. - And whosoever strives, he strives
only for himself. Verily, Allāh stands
not in need of any of the ‘Ālamīn
(mankind, jinn, and all that exists)
Whatever that is happening in Gaza, Palestine or infact any other place where Muslims are oppressed, executed and expelled just because they are Muslims, it is not a test for those people as much as it is a test for the rest of the Muslim Ummah. Do we think that we will not be questioned about what we did for the oppressed?!! The scholars were supposed to educate but they stay clear of the politics as it may tarnish their image, the ulemas just pray (whereas they should have been the one guiding the leaders of the Muslim nations as to what should the adequate response should be) and the leaders…what can I say, they just condemn. It seems as if no body is capable of doing anything and this reminds me of the beautiful hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaehi wassallam):
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Companions were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked him about the exact date of the Hour. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) however proceeded with his speech to the audience. Some of the audience thought that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) heard what the man said but disliked his question and some others thought that he did not hear it. When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his talk, he said: “Where is the one who asked about the date of the Hour? The man informed him of his existence. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then said: “If the trust is betrayed and neglected, then expect the coming of the Hour”. The man further asked about the trust and how it can be wasted or betrayed. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When the matter is entrusted to those who are unqualified to implement its duties, then wait for the Hour”
(Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Hadiths no.59, 6496)
Now is the time to act as how the sahabah acted in those times. They didn’t sit around and waited for Allah’s help. Remember Allah’s help come to those who get up and fight in His name. Allah’s help came to those 313 people, who fought against the army of thousands.Allah has promised His help to those who stand in the face of Muzlimun.
Most of the people are laid back and waiting for Imam Mehdi to.arrive and the save the Muslims from such trials and tribulations. To all those people, who are sitting and waiting, do you think you will not be questioned about what did you do when F-16s , drone missiles and massive artillery was used against your brother. If I were in his place, would I not want someone to help me. This reminds me of another hadith :
Narrated (Abdullah bin Umar): Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) said,
“A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfill the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his need; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Ressurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Ressurection”
– Sahih Al Bukhari (The Book of Mazalim)
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (SAW) said,
“None of you will have faith till he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself”
–Sahih Al Bukhari (The Book of Belief i.e. Faith)
The fitnah in Palestine is not as much a test for those people, they have passed the test with flying colours, it is but a test for the rest of the Muslim nations, their leaders ( both political and religious) . What strategy they have up their sleeves that will stop the genocide of the Muslims in Palestine or Burma or Kashmir or Syria etc. The world will never stand with the Muslims, the rest of the world has built up the narrative that Muslims are terrorists because, unfortunately, only a handful of people retaliate. The other are too busy bathing in their precious lifestyles to care. Non Muslims could never have dared touched a hair of a Muslim, if the Muslim had stood united against anything and everything. We still have time to think, to stand in a row and come out of our comfort zones and be what we were supposed to be, the Muslims who stand for their fellow Muslims.
Reflections... 