In the Name of Allāh.
The winds of evil howl across the lands, a chilling testament to the suffering inflicted upon humanity. We decry the corruption that permeates our world, yet rarely acknowledge our complicity. Allāh says: “Evil (sins and disobedience of Allāh, etc.) has appeared throughout the land and sea by (reason of) what the hands of people have earned (through oppression and evil deeds, etc.) that He (i.e. Allāh) may let them taste part of (the consequence) what they have done that perhaps they will return to righteousness (repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” [Sūrah Ar-Room (30): 41]
The question that begs an answer is: Where do Muslims stand in this struggle? We possess the invaluable guidance of Islām, with its profound teachings on justice, compassion, and human dignity. Yet, our actions often fall short of these ideals. Why do poverty and oppression continue to plague our societies? Mere lip service to these principles is insufficient. We must embody them in our daily lives and strive to be agents of positive change in the world.
We are all interconnected members of the same society. Therefore, we must unite in our efforts to cultivate a world where goodness reigns supreme. The stark reality is that the gap between the rich and the poor fuels social unrest. When desperation grips the marginalized, the seeds of despair are sown. A man may be ready to commit a crime for a small amount of money. The tragic case of a 12-year-old boy who resorted to harvesting human kidneys for a mere ₦25,000 serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of extreme poverty. ₦25,000! A human kidney?
Islām emphasizes the importance of charity (Sadaqah and Zakāh) as a means of alleviating poverty and empowering the poor and needy. By fulfilling our obligations to the less privileged, we contribute to the well-being of society as a whole.
Many individuals, both within and outside the Muslim world, recognize the profound wisdom of Islāmic teachings. As Thomas Carlyle eloquently observed: “The religion of Muhammad will be the system upon which peace and contentment will be founded. From his philosophy, Europe will derive the solution to perplexities, problems, and complexities… Many of my fellow countrymen and other Europeans venerate the teachings of Islam.”
While embracing Islām is a personal choice, we can all benefit from adopting its core principles of justice, compassion, and social responsibility. By applying these timeless values to our lives, we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all humanity.
I beseech Allāh to open our hearts and minds to the truth and guide us towards a path of righteousness. Aameen.
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