Ramadhan, the month of introspection, purification and rejuvenation, is over. In this month the 200 crore Muslims (25% of world population) were seriously and wholeheartedly engaged in reading and understanding the Qur’ān. Their days were spent in fasting and in the nights they stood in prayer before the Lord of the universe, with folded hands and bowed heads and bestowed with rapt attention to the holy verses of the Qur’ān in long sessions. Many of them, who are more devoted, spending hours before dawn in Tahajjud prayer and supplications.
The Muslim men and women, even children, made extra efforts to seek the blessings of Allah for themselves, their fellow countrymen and for the whole mankind. The day of Eid has come to them as an additional blessing of God, a day of thanksgiving, greeting and sharing with the whole Ummah and the whole mankind to whom they owe a duty. This day is not only for rejoicing but is also important for heart-searching and stocktaking of the status and efforts of the Ummah.
This Ummah, which has 57 independent countries, is now present, in these times of global civilization, in every country and in every nook and corner of the world. The latest UN report gives a list of the eight most populous countries of the world as follows: 1) India 142.86 crore, 2) China 142. 57 Crore, 3) USA 34 crore, 4) Indonesia 27. 75 crore, 5) Pakistan 24 crore, 6) Nigeria 22.4 crore, 7) Brazil 21.6 crore, 8) Bangladesh 17.3 crore. This also hints at the great numbers of the Ummah.
Moreover, we find that on the one hand there is Islamophobia, but on the brighter side there is greater understanding of Islam, its efficacy and its rich contribution to the development of modern global civilizations. We find that more people are getting attracted to the natural, humanistic and comprehensive way of life which Islam presents before the trouble-torn, bewildered world. One negative factor,however, is the less-than-responsible attitude of the worldwide Muslim Ummah, which is a big hurdle in the way of humanity moving towards Islam.The Ummah requires deeper knowledge of Islam and full-fledged and sincere devotion to Islamic tenets. It must prove by its attitude and activities that it is a real well-wisher and benefactor of humanity. Its deeds should speak louder than its words that it wants the welfare and salvation of the whole mankind from the depths of its heart.
The Ummah must cleanse itself from within of all ills and defects. It must shun the authoritarian trends which are amply manifest from the deeds of its ruling classes. It must learn afresh the lesson of real and genuine Islamic democratic “Shuraism” in its governance. It should respect basic human rights and uphold the rule of law. Further, it should take half of Ummah, the womenfolk, out of the pit of neglect and backwardness. It must move forward in the fields of knowledge, science and technology. It must prove and work devotedly to make it the best Ummah both in thoughts and deeds and in this respect of its contribution to the world in welfare activities.
Time is running out. If we remind ourselves of our status as witness to humanity and the Khair-e-Ummat, the success is not out of sight.
Let us rededicate ourselves to this stupendous and challenging task on this auspicious day of Eid al-Fitr. Radiance extends its sincere greetings to its readers and hopes that they would be a part of the plan to rejuvenate the Ummah.