The greatest concern of the conversant Muslim
reformer is to raise a new Muslim generation that deserves to be named
the 'victorious generation'. This is the top priority of our nation.
This
is Islam of the Quran and Sunnah, as understood, believed in and
invited to by such a desired generation. It is this Islam that has
illuminated the minds and hearts of past generations. With its guidance
they realized their goal made their way to glory knew themselves and
their Lord, their religion, world, heritage, age, life, friends and
foes. With Islam one would know who shows him the way and who wants to
mislead and derail him off the right track.
A
generation that brings Islam to its pure springs, understands it
rightly and completely, free from redundancy and blemishes. It is not an
Islam of myths in its doctrines, of religious innovation or heresy in
devotions, negativity in morals or inactivity, imitation and fanaticism
to one school of Fiqh over another. Rather, it is the Islam which is
revealed in the Quraan, propagated by the Messenger, Muhammad (saws) in
which the Companions believed; by which the rightly guided Caliphs
ruled; upon which a sound lofty civilization was erected. A civilization
that linked the earth to the heaven, led the world by religion and
brought knowledge and assuredness together.
It
is the Islam of the Quraan and Sunnah of truth and strength, learning
and acting, Jihad and Ijtihaad (juristic reasoning in the absence of
texts from the Quraan or the Sunnah) and of comprehensiveness and
balance. What is meant by Jihad here is not "holy war" in one sense only
rather it is in its broader concept, which is the opposition of all
kinds of wrong and crookedness whether it stems from ones self, shaytaan
or other people. Opposing one's whims and shaytaan's whispers is a high
rank of Jihad. Fighting the enemies who oppose Allah's Message and
hinder its spread or those who transgress on Islam and Muslims is one
aspect of Jihad.
It
is the Islam of individual dignity, family ties, social solidarity,
Shura (counseling), productivity and fairness in distribution of duties
and rights.
Islam
redirects the entire individual’s life for the sake of Allah namely no
ulterior motives, no conflict; as the purpose is united the direction is
fixed and the path is clear; Allah says: “Say (O Muhammad):
'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are
for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” [6:162]
It
is Islam that makes the whole life of the society for the sake of
Allah. It cannot be divided into two conflicting powers: one portion
called 'the state,' being for Caesar; and the other, called 'religion'
for God because Caesar and his state both belong to Allah, The One and
Only.
Islam invites to justice, even if it is for the interest of its deadliest enemies; Allah says: “…And
do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just;
that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; Indeed Allah is
Acquainted with what you do.” [5:8]
It also forbids aggression, even if it is towards its most hostile adversaries; Allah says: “…And
do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from
Al-Masjid Al-Haram (in Makkah), lead you to commit aggression. And
cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and
aggression. And fear Allah…” [5:2]
Islam
battles with the atheist communists and the capitalists, and rejects
class struggle and oppressive sects. It calls for religiosity that
instils love; not for sectarianism that inculcates grudge.
Islam
also fights oppressive rulers and the oppressors rule. It is Islam that
says to the ruler: “Do not oppress” and to the people: “Do not cringe.”
It teaches the Muslim to supplicate in his prayer: “O Allah! We do
thank You and refuse to be ungrateful; we cast and abandon whoever
disobeys You.”
Islam makes the best type of Jihad speaking the truth before a tyrant ruler.
It
aids the weak till they get their rights from the strong and fights the
rich, should they abstain from paying Zakaah to the poor. It urges
believers to fight in defense of the oppressed. Allah says: “…in the cause of Allah and (for) the oppressed among men, women, and children…” [4:75]
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