The Muslims in India and all over the world are discussing and debating how to bring about the resurgence of Muslim Ummah. It is said that history of world is the history of great men who, in spite of most difficult circumstances and formidable challenges, struggled against odds and achieved unprecedented success.
The Muslims of India also, by and large, are a worried lot. Among them you will find many who harp upon the difficulties they face and the conspiracies they fear. Stories of real and presumed conspiracies are a popular subject upon which many of them dwell.
The Muslims should never forget that challenges bring opportunities and failures are the pillars of success. Their long history teaches them that they should never feel diffident and struggle hard to carve out a respectable place in society. Why do they forget they had immensely contributed to the development of the world? Their past was glorious as they carved out for themselves an exalted place in world history.
They had been the leaders of the world when they chose the position of standard bearers of Allah on earth who stood for promotion of justice and morality in the whole world. They were the servants of humanity who were calling the human beings towards their Lord. They had the prestigious position of khair-e-ummah (the best community) in the true sense of the term. They were concerned with the welfare of the whole humanity and not bound by racial or ethnic prejudices.
If the Muslims rediscover their roots, go back to the Divine Book of guidance and get inspiration from the illustrious example of the Last Messenger of Allah, the mercy to the world, Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be to him) then they can regain their past glory in no time. Again they will become the ideal community which is fired by noble enthusiasm to change the world in the light of divine guidance. Then again they would be bestowed with the greatly honoured and respected place in society.
History repeats itself. And how fervently we wish that it repeats itself and gives us back our lost glory. But this requires reawakening of faith, a reassessment of the present day world and our strengths and weaknesses and a series of sustained efforts free from sentimentality and wishful thinking.
These principles apply to the Indian Muslims also who are very badly divided in sect-like divisions. They present the image of a disintegrated crowd and not a united community. First they should rediscover the purpose of their life and then they must apply the principles of Islam on their individual and collective life. They should concentrate on education, social reform, health and economic development. Their organisations should come closer to each other. Politically also they can make a mark only when they are united otherwise they will always remain a vote bank, disintegrated and shattereds. Let every thinking Muslim ponder how can we build the edifice of Muslim Ummah on the bedrock of Islam.