01-07-2007, 06:06 PM
WHY NEED FOR REFORMATION
Today, Muslim Ummah is facing such hard affliction, humiliation, defeat and our society is not free from social evils and other vices, like cheating, stealing, lying, lewdness, immorality, arrogance etc., every sane person will agree that our society needs to be reformed, it has been deformed from its original form.
When we ask any common Muslims the reason for this sorry state of ummah, you will find them accusing the leaders, scholars, politicians etc., but we fail to realize that all the misfortunes, afflictions befalls on us because of our own hands! The society is nothing but collections of individuals like you and me! Allaah doesn’t change the good condition of the people unless we change and become corrupt!, we are ruled by oppressive rulers because we got corrupted ourselves. Almighty Allaah states in His Glorious Qur’an
“Allâh will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves.” The Noble Qur’an 8:53
“Verily! Allâh will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allâh).”
The Noble Qur’an 13:11
“Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allâh, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself.”
The Noble Qur’an 4:79
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” The Noble Qur’an 42:30
DISOBEDIENCE CAUSES DEFEAT
Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: once, when Cyprus was conquered and its people were divided and they used to cry to each other, I saw Abud-Dardaa sitting alone crying. So I said: O Abud-Dardaa! What makes you cry on this day in which Allaah has strengthened Islaam and its people? So he said: “Woe be to you O Jubayr. How insignificant the creation is to Allaah when they abandon His commands. Between us is a nation, who were evidently strong and had dominion, they abandoned the commands of Allaah, so see what has become of them!” [related by Imaam Ahmad in az-Zuhd (2/63) and Abu Nu’aym in Hilayatul-Awliyaa (1/216-217)]
The lessons derived from the above incident is that when we uphold the commandments of Allaah, victory is given no matter how weak we are or how less in number and Allaah destroys or gives defeat to those who abandon His commands, no matter how strong or powerful they might be!
“Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations (believers and disbelievers) that have passed away before you (as you have faced in the battle of Uhud), so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allâh, and disobeyed Him and His Messengers).” The Noble Qur’an 3:137
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF UHUD
Narrated By Al-Bara bin Azib: The Prophet appointed 'Abdullah bin Jubair as the commander of the infantry men (archers) who were fifty on the day (of the battle) of Uhud. He instructed them, "Stick to your place, and don't leave it even if you see birds snatching us, till I send for you; and if you see that we have defeated the infidels and made them flee, even then you should not leave your place till I send for you." Then the infidels were defeated. By Allaah, I saw the women fleeing lifting up their clothes revealing their leg-bangles and their legs. So, the companions of 'Abdullah bin Jubair said, "The booty! O people, the booty ! Your companions have become victorious, what are you waiting for now?" 'Abdullah bin Jubair said, "Have you forgotten what Allaah's Apostle said to you?" They replied, "By Allaah! We will go to the people (i.e. the enemy) and collect our share from the war booty." But when they went to them, they were forced to turn back defeated. At that time Allaah's Apostle in their rear was calling them back. Only twelve men remained with the Prophet and the infidels martyred seventy men from us. [saheeh Al-Bukharee, Vol.4, Book 52.Hadith 276.]
And the story of this battle of Uhud must give us an important lesson by which we benefit: When Muslims suffer defeat in jihad or in da’wah, then they should blame themselves and straighten their course; and they should weigh their actions with the true scales. Suffering of our Ummah is caused by the disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger.
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim rahimahullaah said: So, the good and bad here are blessings and misfortunes. So the blessings of Allaah are something which He has favored you with, whilst the misfortunes have sprung from your ownselves and your actions. So the first is from His grace and the second is from His Justice. And His servant is always between His grace and His Justice; His grace upon him, His Judgement in him and whatever He decrees is Just. [Zaadul-Ma’ad (3/238)]