Allah is our Creator, Cherisher and the Lord of the worlds.He created everything for mankind.The very first thing for us is to believe in Allah and His last messenger Muhammad ﷺ.As we know KalimaTayyibah isLa IlahaIllallahuMuhammadurRasulullah (There is none worthy of worship besides Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah).This is the very first Kalima; by uttering it one enters the fold of Islam.Besides this Kalima,there are seven essentials for every Muslim to believe in. “I believe in Allah,in His Angels,His Scriptures,His Messengers,the Day of Judgment and that everything good and bad(in the world) is pre-destined by Allah the Exalted,and I believe in resurrection after death.” This is called Iman Mufassal.
It should be noted that only after believing in Allah and His last prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a Muslim can lead a pious and tension-free life in this world.Islam always encourages us to achieve progress and prosperity and get success in every walk of life.It abhors despondency and despair.The Holy Qur’an says, “So,verily,with every difficulty, there is relief.Verily,with every difficulty,there is relief.” (S.94, Verse 5-6)
The above mentioned two verses of the Holy Qur’an vividly tell us that we encounter failures,setbacks and difficulties in this world.But we should not lose heart and also should not become despondent.For Allah always provides solution,way-out and relief to overcome problems and difficulties.
The Holy Qur’an further says, “And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing Mercy – truly no onedespairs of Allah’s soothing Mercy except those who have no faith.”(S.12, Verse87)
“Despair not of the Mercy of Allah.”(S.39, Verse53)
It is unfortunate that the Muslim Ummah is passing through a very crucial time in its history.Muslims are subjugated,humiliated and overawed by the forces of their adversaries.They are divided,disintegrated, made to feel low,weak and uncertain.Muslim governments are under the domination of an elite group of Western educated oligarchs or hereditary rulers who are manipulated by world powers.They in turn undermine the revival of Islamic teachings and culture,and in this way the Muslim Ummah is torn apart from within as well.Infighting on issues of nationality,language,schools of fiqh,race,etc.is rampant in the Muslim societies of many countries.
Seeing this situation, people become very despondent.In their despair they adopt strategies to reverse the situation which prove futile and may violate Islamic teachings.To start with, let’s realise that despondency is a very dangerous disease.It is like a cancer that destroys the body’s cells. Then, how can we Muslims be desperate when we believe in Allah and His Mercy?
To come out of this spiral of despondency and despair, we require knowledge and insight as well as courage and determination.It is agreed that the situation of the Muslim Ummah is very serious and painful to talk about.Yet we have to hope.It is only unbelievers who have lost hope in Allah’s Mercy.
The word Iblis,the other name for Satan,comes from the root that means one who has lost hope.Whereas Adam, after making his mistake, repented and sought forgiveness. Iblis was arrogant and rebelled,thus losing hope in Allah’s Mercy.
Although the situation of our Ummah at present is precarious, we should be hopeful that it will change for the better. Being hopeful does not mean that we close our eyes to the facts and live in a fool’s paradise.Or behave like an ostrich and bury our heads in the sand.We have to work hard and hope that with our very humble efforts we can bring about change in our society; just like a very dim light in a very dark room can illuminate the way to salvation.If we work sincerely and wholeheartedly with hope, we will in Sha Allah see the results.
We have the example of our Prophet ﷺwhen he left Taif bruised and injured.Yet he said,“I am not despondent.A new generation will come and they will worship Allah.” If our Prophet can hope and pray that Abu Jahl or Umar who were enemies of Islam can become Muslims,why can’t we be hopeful that Iman will grace those who oppose Islam? If the descendants of Halaku Khan can become Muslims, why should we be despondent when it is possible that those who are persecuting us will eventually become people of faith?(Lift Up Your Hearts,Pp. 78-79)
In short,Satan always tries to create despondency and despair in us to turn us away from the right path.Hence,the need of the hour is that we must become aware of the trickery and deception of Satan and follow the teachings of Islam in letter and spirit by reposing full trust in Allah’s Mercy. Undoubtedly, in doing so we can get success in this world and the Hereafter.
[The writer is Faculty Member, DarulUloomNadwatul Ulama, Lucknow]