When Muslim Ummah is passing through a phase of grinding realities in  international politics; when antagonistic forces are gaining both psychological and tangible victories; when the material and the corporal in Islamic society has taken precedence over the spiritual and eternal, then it is high time we realised the gravity of the situation and started doing something to stem the rot forthwith.

In present day context we see that Ummah, this “Millat-e-Baiza”, has retreated on all fronts and has become defensive and apologetic regarding its own life source, the ideology that gave birth to its identity. To withhold the deterioration we need to re-explore Islam and relive its ideals and translate its teachings into our lives to re-create a coherent, futuristic, consistent, idealistic and vibrant nation.

Only then we can be able to lead the world to a sure salvation from the quagmire of intimidation, coercion and the accursed vicious circle of materialism, which the contemporary world unfortunately has drifted into. However, we cannot flourish until we have fully realised all the contours of the enlightened society once we had about fourteen hundred years ago at the time of the last prophet of Allah on earth (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam).

The structure of society that evolved during the time of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), though simple in contents, was constructed on such general principles as transcend the limits of time and space. The main stress was laid on education. The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) fully understood the importance of knowledge for society. His favourite and frequent prayer was, “O God, increase me in knowledge,” and he advised his followers to acquire knowledge even if it means going to far flung places like China.

A very famous narration says that once the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) entered the mosque in Madinah and saw two groups of Muslims gathered up in two circles quite busy in their respective work. One group was praying and remembering Allah, while the other group was actively involved in teaching and training activities.

The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) became very happy to see the activities of both the groups. He told his companions who were standing nearby: “Both these groups are busy in doing virtuous work, and there is no doubt that the people of both groups are on the path of righteousness and blessing.” The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) further said, “But I have been sent to teach people and make them intelligent.” Saying this the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advanced towards the group, which was involved in the teaching and training activities and he himself got extremely busy in doing so along with them.

Consider the state of education in the Muslim world. We all give least importance to education and training. In all Islamic states education and training figures at the bottom on the priority list. Does this not amount to utter disregard to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam)?

Another feature of Prophet Muhammad’s society was his abiding stress on freedom of the individual. The individual was taken as an important constituent of a greater whole whose subjugation was condemned in the strongest term. Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) knew that society constituted by emancipated and unfettered individuals had the capacity to provide leadership to the world. Moreover, this was proved in the succeeding centuries as long as this spirit existed in the Islamic world.

The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) knew fully well that a society based on social justice and free from exploitation by the wealthy and the influential was basic to a role model for the world communities. He abolished usury, laid down the rights of the women and formulated the rules of their inheritance, regularised the marital laws, prohibited drinking and gambling which lead to aggrandize-ment of human dignity, honour and respect. Look around and decide for yourself how many Islamic states have shown respect to basic human right to liberty.

On political front, the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) also knew fully well that unless he wielded enough power the other communities in Madinah would not take him seriously. Within three and a half months of his arrival at Madinah, he was able to promulgate the constitution of Madinah and establish himself as the head of the state. Then he was able to get powers as a political leader to reform the society according to his vision.

He diverted the tribal solidarity in favour of universal brotherhood 
(Ummah), which gave a new perspective to the archaic Arabian society. The state of Madinah was based on justice, without any discrimination of blood, cast or creed.

The state of Madinah as it was based on education, rationality, individual  freedom, justice and power, made it an ideal example to be emulated and followed. Obedience to the divinely revealed law and  ndividual’s  accountability on the Day of Judgment founded the basis of that divine political structure. However, whatever the political structure succeeded the earlier model left much to be desired. In sympathy or in rancour the western intelligentsia tends to accept and abet authoritarian rule and set up in the Muslim world, which is nothing less than the travesty of truth.

The time has come that changes must be brought into the thinking patterns at home and abroad so that the Islamic society is re-established on the principles of individual freedom divorced from any kind of intimidation, coercion and threat. The essential feature of a Muslim society is its faith in the unity of Allah (Tauhid). To worship none but Allah is only one aspect of the doctrine of Tauhid.

Its deeper significance is the belief that He alone is the ultimate source of all power and authority. Without full faith in this aspect the doctrine of  Tauhid would be imperfect and meaningless. It is this lesson, which the modern world needs to learn.

When an individual believes in Allah it fortifies his personality, but when a society as a whole believes in Allah, it is destined to rule the world. The Muslims all over the world are bound by the personality of Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) who is mercy of Allah to the entire mankind. In addition to the belief in the unity of Allah, the Muslim society has adopted a certain life style by following the Book of Allah and the practice of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam).

These things not only provide strength to the Muslim society, but they have also preserved its unity as well. The present rulers preaching enlightened moderation should understand that a society not being guided by the Qur’ aan, cannot expect to get Islamic orientation and will never be an enlightened dispensation.

Islam stands for freshness, enlightenment, moderation, accommodation, respect to human life and dignity. It respects labour, family life, moral conduct and  understanding to others’ point of view. We only need to study Islam in its true perspective to reach the truth and help bring peace and prosperity to mankind. Islam has everything we need to flourish in the 21st century.

There are enlightened and moderate Islamic scholars and we need to help them in spreading the light of Islam. We should be cautious that in the name of  enlightened  moderation we are not helping the satanic forces donning the garb of accommodation, secularism, humanism and  toleration, to destroy the greatest civilization mankind has experienced.

Islam’s concept of universal brotherhood ultimately leads to a centre that should be the heart of Ummah. Islam stands for unification and condemns disintegration. Islam is the only religion that encompasses all human societies and unifies all mankind.

In Makkah, at the time of Hajj, the world witnesses the biggest  concentration of people on earth each year. It is one community. It is the most representative gathering of all nations. There is equality, unity, brotherhood and sincere devotion to Allah. We, however, have totally ignored the tremendous political benefits that Ummah can get from this gathering.

The Christian world is uniting itself. America comprises more than fifty states. The EEC has become yet another reality in Europe. Cooperation in Far East is gaining currency whereas the Muslim world is being cut to shreds. It will be a great boost to the confidence of Ummah if the Middle Eastern states join Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian states and Pakistan in some confederal arrangement.