The call was given at the dawn of the world. It was the first man, Adam, the first Messenger of God, who was reminded: “… and guidance shall come to you from Me: then whoever will follow My Guidance, need have no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (The Quran – 2:38)
Consequently, the same message of submission and surrender to the Will of God and following His law and guidance was repeatedly given to succeeding generations of humanity in the long journey of humanity in different lands and ages. Finally, it was perfected through the mission of the Last Messenger Muhammad ﷺ in the 7th century.Gradually the life-giving message was spread to the whole world. In its essence, it is the gist and substance of the comprehensive and eternal message of God to the entire mankind.
The Muslim Ummah was given the duty to follow the divine way of life in its totality with utmost devotion and sincerity. The Ummah has passed through many ups and downs. In spite of the Ummah’s allegiance to Islam, the Ummah off and on has fallen on bad days and did not do justice to the message it is obliged to implement.
Now the whole world has become one world or rather a global village. Fast development of mass communications has enabled humanity to share information with one and all. Internet has made possible what was unthinkable a few decades ago. Is the Ummah utilizing the available resources to its fullest potential? No, not at all.
On the other hand, we find that the conflict-ridden world is actually in need of true love, tenderness, sympathy, and all-encompassing mercy. The Muslims of the world,who possess the last testament of God, the Holy Quran, can provide the direly needed panacea, the cure-all, for the suffering humanity. It possesses answers to all questions, solution to all problems and cure to all diseases. The world is facing disintegration of the divinely ordained family system.
It was some 36 years ago the Times published an article on the approach to Islam. It said that in spite of the fact that Islam has a bad press and generally misrepresented by media, more and more people were finding peace and solace in Islam. It wrote that in spite of the portrayal that Islam was suppressive to women, more and more western women were finding that Islam provides greater respect, dignity and protection to women than Christianity does. Therefore, the Times wrote that it is happening in Britain as it is happening in the US that if one male embraces Islam, two women embrace it.
Recent trends indicate that the genocidal Israeli war, which has devastated Gaza, has influenced the western people to think about Islam which has given courage and grit to Gazans to withstand all tribulations with fortitude. They interpret that this is the result of unfathomable depth of the Muslim belief in God’s help and support. This is resulting in a renewal of interest in Islam and its teachings. Now the media says that in the west if one man accepts Islam, three women adopt it.
This is the time that the Muslims, in the whole world and particularly in the most populous country India, should close their ranks and move forward with the message of Islam which says that God is the Most Benevolent and Helpful to every man and woman. SoMuslims also should imbibe the best human values, perfect their character, and become the true well-wishers of their fellow citizens. In this way, we can solve the problems of the traumatized world and provide it the much-needed peace, tranquillity, love and freedom from all ills. Are Indian Muslims ready to take this message when we are entering the new Hijri year 1446?