Author: Shukran Ahmadi
Religious Schools: Their Mission and Role (Part 7)
Responsibility to the Masses of the Ummah
Undoubtedly, the success of the Islamic community depends on the mass of the Ummah adhering to the Sharia, piety, and sincerity, and acting on the teachings of Islam in all aspects of life. The unseen assistance of Allah is dependent on true faith and complete piety: «واعلموا أن الله مع المتقین» “And know that Allah, (S.W.T), is with the pious.” In another verse, it is stated: «إن الله مع الذين اتقوا والذين هم محسنون» “Indeed, Allah, is with those who fear Him and with those who do good.”
According to the explanation of the noble hadith, “Mohsineen” are those who worship Allah as if they were in His presence and seeing Him, and Allah certainly sees them. Yes, it is through faith and piety that the Islamic nation will be victorious over its enemies: «إن تصبروا وتتقوا لا يضركم کیدهم شیئاً» “If you are patient and steadfast, their plots will not harm you.”
It is through faith, piety, and connection with Allah and His remembrance that humanity will find peace: «ألا بذکر الله تطمئن القلوب» “Indeed, it is only by the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace.”
It is through piety and faith that true unity and cohesion among the nation will be established and sustained. Ultimately, this nation will only be able to achieve a “good life” in this world and the blessings of Paradise in the Hereafter through faith and righteous deeds: «من عمل صالحاً منكم من ذكر او أنثى وهو مؤمن فلنحيينّه حياة طيبة ولنجزينهم أجرهم بأحسن ما كانوا يعملون» Translation: “Whoever of you, male or female, does good deeds while he is a [true] believer, We will surely cause him to enter a good life (a life of honor and tranquility) and We will surely give him the reward of the best of deeds.”
The Holy Quran clearly states: «ولو أن أهل القرى آمنوا واتقوا لفتحنا عليهم بركات من السماء والأرض» Translation: “If the people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, we would certainly have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth.”
The cause of all the misfortunes of the Islamic society today is that faith has weakened among the masses of the Ummah, and piety and action have become insignificant.
It is necessary for religious schools not to become islands in the midst of the ocean of the Ummah; rather, they must make new decisions and plans to guide and reform the Ummah. It is not enough to deliver a few sermons and lectures from the pulpit on Fridays; rather, plans should be made at the city, village, and regional levels to disseminate and spread the teachings of the Quran. Regular meetings should be held. The sincere and religious people should give their all and strive day and night to return the Islamic Ummah to the way of the first founder of Islam and to characterize it with the qualities of the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, so that each individual of the Ummah considers himself responsible for all individuals and does not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the exaltation of the Word of Allah, Jihad in the way of Allah, and calling to the Truth.
Certainly, the indifference and lack of commitment of the individuals of the Ummah, as is observed today, is not in harmony with the main goal of this Ummah. Unfortunately, a large number of individuals of the Ummah believe that serving religion is the sole duty of the scholars and that their duty is limited to listening to sermons and giving limited assistance, as the famous saying goes, “chandah” to schools and mosques. The companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the early Muslims did not think this way.
Epilogue
This nation is the successor of its Prophet. Allah Almighty addresses it: «کنتم خیر أمة أخرجت للناس تأمرون بالمعروف وتنهون عن المنكر وتؤمنون بالله» “You are the best nation that has been sent forth for the benefit of the people, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil and believing in Allah.”
It is necessary for scholars not only to make the Islamic nation understand this reality but also to prepare each individual to carry out this extremely heavy responsibility, but with dignity, and to practice under their supervision. Only then will the world situation change, and the Islamic nation will become familiar with its goal, and the fate of humanity will change.
And this is upon Allah the Almighty, and He is the Helper and the Trustworthy.
References:
1. The Holy Quran.
2. Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail bin Ibrahim bin Al-Mughira, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Dar al-Nashar wa Al-Altozih.
3. Al-Qoshiri, Al-Nisaburi Muslim Ibn Al-Hajjaj Abu Al-Hassan, Sahih Al-Muslim, Dar al-Kotob Al-Al-Almiya, Beirut, Lebanon.
4. Hassani, Nadvi, Abolhasan Ali, How the World Views the Arabian Peninsula, Dar al-Qalam, Beirut, Lebanon.
5. Seyyed Qutb, Muhammad, Our Contemporary Reality, second edition, Dar al-Kotob Al-Al-Almiya.
6. Hassani, Nadwi, Abul Hasan Ali, History of Islam in India, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon.
