03-23-2004, 12:23 PM
By Dr. Yusuf Al Qaradawi
Translated by Amin E. Shehata Revised by Ibrahim M Kunna and Abu Aya
Sulaiman ‘Abdus-Sabur
Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House
(IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.
The characteristics the desired generation are obvious to those who
peruse the Holy Qur’ân and Sunnah. One can find these people in so many
verses of the Holy Qur’ân :
(And of those whom We created a nation who guide with the Truth and
establish Justice therewith.) (Qur’ân 7: 181)
The Truth (Shari‘ah) is their aim, clear way, and source. To it they
invite, with its light they lead, and with its judgment they do justice.
In Surat Al-Maidah, Allâh (I) gave good news to the believers about
this generation, warned therewith the apostates and saved them to fight
apostasy and brace faith at the end of this life:
(O you who believe! whoever from among you turns back from his
religion [islâm], Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will
love Him, humble towards believers, stern towards the disbelievers;
fighting in the way of Allâh , and never fear of the blame of the blamers.
That is Grace of Allâh which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allâh
is All-Sufficient, All–Knower.) (Qur’ân 5: 54)
These are the characteristics of this generation. They are with Allâh
(I) through love, with believers through mercy, i.e. humbleness; with
disbelievers through sternness, namely, superiority, with truth through
sincere Jihâd for Allâh ’s Cause, with all people through advice, that
fears no critic whatsoever, for Allâh ’s Sake. In Surat At-Taubah, we
also find some distinct features of their personality, way of acting
and morals-compared to those of the hypocrites. Hypocrites are all alike
in their devotion to falsehood:
(They resemble one another, they command wickedness, forbid decency,
and clench their fists [from giving alms, etc. for Allâh ’s Cause].)
(Qur’ân 9: 67)
Then the Aspired Generation is, as described in the Holy Qur’ân:
(The believers, men and women, are Awliya [helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors] of one another; they enjoin [on the people] Al-Ma‘ruf
[i.e all that Islâm orders one to do], and forbid [people] from Al-Munkar
[i.e. All that Islâm has forbidden]; they perform As-salah
[iqamat-as-salah], and give the Zakah, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh
will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.)
(Qur’ân 9: 71)