Why is the Ummah Suffering?

[ummtaalib]

Why is the Ummah Suffering?

 

by Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullah alayhi)

 

Many ask the question: Why is the Ummah suffering so much, despite millions making Dua throughout the world, millions making Dua during Haj and Umrah? Why is there no change?

 

The answer can be understood by way of an analogy:

 

A son is disobedient and rebellious towards his father’s instructions, arrogant in his stance against his father, demanding, swearing, abusing and adopting the bad behaviour as found common in this day and age. The father is deeply hurt, offended and angered and when he has had enough of the insolence and arrogance, he finally resorts to breaking off ties with his son. He cuts off all privileges.

 

Now, if the entire family, even the entire community, tells that father: “Forgive him. He is your son…”

 

That father will respond: “I have no problem with forgiving him. All he has to say is, “I’m sorry” and I will forgive him.”

 

However, on being encouraged to humble himself and ask for forgiveness, the son retorts with arrogance: ‘Why must I? Why do I need to? I’m independent! I don’t need him!’

 

Then will that father forgive that son? Will he grant those privileges of money, car, etc.?

 

Similarly, the friends of Allah, the Sawliheen (the pious) and so many more are making Dua for the Ummah. …In fact, if all the friends of Allah were to gather on the Day of Arafaat and earnestly pray for the Ummah, Allah Ta’ala will most assuredly be prepared to forgive. However, from our side, there is a step to be taken – and this is what the majority are not prepared to do: They are not prepared to take the step of “CHANGE”.

 

Unfortunately, majority of us do not want to sincerely repent from our sins, let alone acknowledge them. Many justify and reason their sins, even dispute and argue regarding Allah Ta’ala’s Commandments, as if they have some kind of authority over Allah Ta’ala. So many are brazen in their indulgence in sins, as if challenging Allah Ta’ala, like that arrogant son: “What can You do? I’m not in need of You!”

 

With this kind of behaviour and attitude, can we expect any favours, privileges or any kind of assistance from Allah Ta’ala? We are living in a fool’s paradise if we think that we can continue sinning and still be recipient of Allah Ta’ala’s bounties and aid.

If we truly want Allah Ta’ala’s assistance, then we have to give up sins.

 

Many, many are not even fulfilling the Fardh Injunctions – Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting in the month of Ramadaan, etc., and there are others who naively depend on wazeefas to solve their problems, not prepared to give up sins. This is sheer foolishness. Wazeefas and Taweez are no barrier against the punishment of Allah Ta’ala, when there is indulgence and persistence in sins.

 

Then we have those Muslims who, in the face of natural disasters, war, genocide, etc. begin to question the existence of God or ask as to where is Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy and Compassion, or ask if He is seeing all that is happening.

 

Allah Ta’ala is not blind or deaf. He does not want chaos. Allah Ta’ala wants peace. However we have to fulfill the conditions of the contract. The first condition is that we implement Deen in our lives, adopt Taqwa and follow the noble example of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then the conditions will change.

 

The Day the Ummah fulfills its duties, across the board – making a total change, then our suffering will be replaced with success, prosperity and happiness and people of other faiths will also accept Islam.

 

Allah Ta’ala explicitly spells out His conditions and His promises:

 

“Allah has promised those among you who believe and perform righteous deeds, that He will surely grant them inheritance (of control) in the land as He granted it to those before them; that He will firmly establish their religion - the one which He has chosen for them - and that He will change their fear to one of security and peace.” [Surah Nur 24 ; V: 55]

 

Thus, we will have to fulfill our pledge by making the effort to obey Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), to see the fruit of our duas and receive the assistance of Allah Ta’ala – on an individual level, on a national level, and on an international level.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians