Radio Islam Newsletter

TURNING HATE INTO INSPIRATION

Over the last weeks and months, we Muslims have again been the subject of intense media interest, mostly of the unwelcome kind. You can hardly pick up a newspaper or switch on the radio, without finding your religion in the bad news department, again. So, what's new?

We've been here many times before. This will not be the first time, and certainly not the last time that Muslims are wrongly presented as a 'problem' and Islam is the target of vicious and sophisticated propaganda. Right from the earliest days Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wa Sallam had to endure hatred and abuse from those who saw Islam as a threat. How did he deal with their lies and provocations? How did he deal with abuse and insult? Did he stamp his feet, burn flags and call for the death of his enemies? No, he did not. He was, after all, 'uswatul hasana', the most excellent role-model.

He knew that his behaviour would set the pattern for devout Muslims not only during his own lifetime, but for all time to come. In the face of extreme danger, he relied on Allah. He carried on his good work of preaching, teaching and living the good example. He was never desperate, he never exceeded the limits set by Allah. He endured all hardship with extraordinary dignity and forbearance. He relied completely on the Mercy of Allah. In time, his patience was rewarded when Allah gave him victory over those mighty forces that were thrust against him. Remember, no injustice endures forever. No hardship comes without relief. Here is a lesson for us all.

"With every suffering, there comes relief. Truly, with every suffering there comes relief." (Surah 94, Verse 5)

This, my dear brothers and sisters, is a promise from Allah Himself.

We should not throw childish temper tantrums. This is not the way Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wa Sallam behaved. Sometimes these provocations are intended precisely to show that we Muslims are immature, unable to take criticism and prone to violence. Don't help anyone who wants to prove that you are oversensitive, immature and violent. Knee-jerk reactions only play into their hands. Don't misbehave in the way they want you to misbehave.

At the same time I must state very clearly that we Muslims should never, ever become defensive and adopt a 'victim' culture. We should not become victims and think and act like victims. We have nothing to hide. Our beliefs are clear and we have no hidden agenda. We have nothing to be ashamed of and certainly nothing to fear. This is simply a period of trial and tribulation for us. Allah is testing us to see what we're made of.

"Do you suppose that you would enter the Garden without first having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune and hardship, and they were so shaken that even [their] Messenger and the believers with him cried: "When will Allah's help arrive? Truly, Allah's help is ever near." ( Al Baqara, Verse 214)

When Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wa Sallam and his companions Radiyallahu Anhum were under attack, they said:

That's what we have to say, now that we and our faith are under attack from all sides. Allah is enough for us, and He is our best Guardian. We must stay calm and confident, like Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wa Sallam was, even during the most difficult times.

No fear and no grief. No anxiety. True Muslims are not a desperate people. When our hearts are filled with Allah awareness (Taqwa), overflowing with kindness and generosity to our neighbours, we simply cannot become dangerous and desperate people no matter how great the provocation.

Clearly, some people are deeply concerned that Islam is spreading so fast. In 1900 Muslims accounted for 12% of world population. Now, a century later it has more than doubled to 25% and continues to rise. The secular historians are confused. Every other empire has come and gone: The Pharaohs, the Greeks, the Romans. Even the last Muslim empire, the Ottoman, was dismantled in 1922. According to secular logic, we should all be atheists by now! Mosques should have become museums, the places where Muslims used to pray, but everywhere mosques and prayer rooms like this one are overflowing. And its not just about numbers. More importantly, it's about quality. More and more educated and privileged converts are entering Islam in Britain, Europe and North America. These new Muslims are the crème-de-la-crème, from the upper echelons of Western society. The secular world with its glossy ads promise much, but delivers very little lasting human happiness and fulfilment. Islam offers a way to complete happiness, not by indulging the human ego with selfishness and greed, but by taming the nafs and controlling it.

"When my servant asks you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me. Let them also respond to My call, so that they may be guided." (Al Baqara Verse 186)

Those who see their power and privileges threatened by Islam, will no doubt work hard to discredit its true message, sowing suspicion about Muslims' motives and promoting fear and hatred. Like so many have done throughout the history of monotheism, defying and rejecting a whole line of Prophets like Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace on all of them, some people will try to extinguish Allah's clear message, but their efforts will fail.

"...they try to blow out Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will perfect his light, even if they detest it..." (Al Baqara Verse 214)

So, my dear Brothers and Sisters, let's be calm, let's be re-assured and reassuring to one another in these difficult times. Allah Himself will protect Islam. You and I must aspire to become living examples of virtue in a rather troubled world that has come to see virtue as vice and vice as virtue. Let Allah take care of the rest. Let us try to become Allah's friends, so that we can live without fear and grief, and hold out a light to others.