Ibn Bazz: Obligation on Muslim scholars regarding the many crises and disasters affecting the Muslim world

Obligation on Muslim scholars regarding the many crises and disasters affecting the Muslim world 

Q 1: What is the obligation on Muslim scholars regarding the crises and disasters that are affecting the Muslim world? 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 200) 

A : There is no doubt that the sins and violations of the true ‘Aqidah (creed) of Islam, through words and deeds are the main reasons behind the crises and disasters that are afflicting the Muslims. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allâh, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardonsmuch.(SeetheQur’ânVerse35:45). Allah(SupremeisHisMight)isForbearing,Oft­ForgivingandMerciful towards His Servants. He sent them signs and warners so they would return to Him, and He accepts their Tawbah (repentance to Allah). When a Servant draws closer to their Lord (may He be Praised) a hand’s length, He (may He be Praised) draws closer to them an arm’s length, because Allah (Exalted be He) loves that His Servants make Tawbah and is pleased with it, even though He is in no need of His Servants. He (Exalted be He) is not benefitted by any acts of obedience nor is He harmed by any acts of disobedience from the humans and Jinn. But He is Compassionate and Merciful with His Servants and He is the One Who guides them to obey Him and avoid disobeying Him. These crises and disasters are no more than warners for Allah’s Servants to return to Him (Exalted be He) and ordeals by which He tests them. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to A s­Sâbirûn (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." They are those on whom are the Salawât (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 201) 

He (may He be Praised) also says: Evil (sins and disobedience to Allâh) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allâh) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon). And He (Exalted be He) says: and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned. And He (may He be Praised) says: And We tried themwithgood(blessings)andevil(calamities)inorderthattheymightturn(toAllâh’sObedience). TherearemanyAyahs (Qur’anic verses) to this effect. 

It is, therefore, obligatory upon the Muslim leaders, scholars, Emirs, and others to pay attention to every crisis and disaster that occurs, and remind the people of the misdeeds they have committed. The Muslim leadership, including the scholars and governors, should set good examples in doing righteous deeds. They should seek out the reasons behind Allah’s Wrath and Indignation, and encounter them with Tawbah, seeking His Forgiveness, and correcting the bad conditions. The Muslim Ummah (nation based upon one creed) should follow them in this, because the right guidance of the scholar and the wisdom and uprightness of the rulers is a great influence on their people. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “All of you are guardians and responsible for your charges.” 

If the Muslims continue committing misdeeds without any condemnation by the authorities or those responsible, this will bring about the Wrath of Allah (Exalted be He) upon the Ummah. If Allah’s Wrath descends, it encompasses both those who do good and those who do evil I seek refuge with Allah from this! Allah (Exalted be He) says: And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people) 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the people see the Munkar (evil, wrongdoing) and they do not change it, Allah is abouttoinflictthemallwithHisPunishment.” (RelatedbyImamAhmadinhis"Musnad[Hadithcompilation]"onthe authority of Abu Bakr Al­Siddiq) Moreover, Allah (may He be Praised) says: 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 202) 

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). But when Allâh wills a people’s punishment, there can be no turning backofit,andtheywillfindbesidesHimnoprotector. Thescholars,inparticular,areresponsiblebeforeAllah(Exalted be He) for the enlightenment of people, guiding them, and teaching them the right from the wrong, the beneficial from the harmful. 

We ask Allah (Exalted be He) to guide all the Muslims to obey their Lord and to adhere to the guidance of their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)! May He guide their leaders and scholars to follow the straight path and invite the Ummah to it! May Allah guide the Muslims who are astray and set their affairs aright! Indeed, Allah is the Patron and the One Who is Capable of doing so. 

Q 2: What is the duty of Muslim scholars regarding the ever­increasing organizations and groups in Islamic and non­Islamic countries? They dispute over many issues and find fault with each other. Do you think that your intervention is the best way to end these disputes through explaining the truth? It should be noted that these disputes may worsen and have bad consequences for the Muslims. 

A: Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showed us the one way that Muslims must follow. It is Allah's straight Path and the sound methodology of His Din (religion). Allah (Exalted be He) states, "And 

verily, this (i.e. Allâh’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al­Muttaqûn (the pious see V.2:2)." 

Our Lord of Glory and Majesty forbade the Ummah (community) of Muhammad (peace be upon him) from division and disputing, as this would lead to the enemy's success and domination. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur’ân), and be not divided among yourselves and: 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 203) 

He (Allâh) has ordained for you the same religion (Islâmic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nûh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه و سلم), and that which We ordained for Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Mûsâ (Moses) and ‘Isâ (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. صلى االله عليه وvarious sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikûn, is that (Islamic Monotheism) to which you (O Muhammad .call them )سلم 

Allah calls Muslims to unity and join hearts together. The increasing number of societies, which offer aid and cooperate in righteousness and piety in any Muslim country, is something good and beneficial for Muslims when their leaders have no ulterior motives. 

However, if these groups mislead and criticize each other, the situation will go from bad to worse and cause severe harm to Muslims. Muslim scholars, therefore, are obliged to explain the truth and speak with each group or organizations and advise them to follow the way shown by Allah and encouraged by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Any group, which exceeds the proper limits or behaves stubbornly for personal gain known to none but Allah, must be defamed, so that everybody would be careful in dealing with it. Anyone who knows anything bad about a group should warn people against it, so that they will avoid involvement with it and escape the possibility of being misled and deterred from the Straight Path that Allah has ordained to be followed. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, "And verily, this (i.e. Allâh’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al­Muttaqûn (the pious see V.2:2)." 

Undoubtedly, the multiplicity of opposing sects and groups in the Muslim community is favored first by Satan and second by the enemies of Islam. Muslims' convergence, unity, and awareness of the threat targeting our `Aqidah help combat the enemy, collectively work for the good of other Muslims and ward off the danger threatening the country and Muslim brothers. Since the enemies, among the mankind and Jinn, disapprove this approach, they are keen to disunite the Muslims and sow seeds of 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 204) 

hatred among them. We ask Allah to unite the word of Muslims upon the truth and eradicate any Fitnah (temptation) or misguidance, for He is the One Who is Capable of doing so. 

Q 3: The enemies of Islam are keen to penetrate the Muslim countries, using every possible means. Please, enlighten us concerning what should be done to stop this current that threatens the Muslim societies. 

A: In fact, it is not unusual that the missionaries of Christianity, Judaism, and other destructive creeds do their best to penetrate Muslims. Allah (Exalted be He) told us about this in Noble Qur'an, Never will the Jews nor 

the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allâh (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur’ân), then you would have against Allâh neither any Walî (protector or guardian) nor any helper. and, And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islâmic Monotheism) if they can. 

In light of these Ayahs (Qur'anic Verses), they make every effort to gain influence in Muslim countries. They have their own ways of, for instance, raising skepticism and doubts. They continue doing this consistently and tirelessly, motivated and encouraged by the church which directs and finances their efforts, let alone their feelings of envy, grudge, and hatred that they entertain against Islam. 

Indeed, we must raise awareness and guidance among Muslims through their leaders and scholars to resist the efforts of the enemies with counter efforts. The Islamic Ummah (nation) undertakes the responsibility of preserving and conveying the Amanah (trust) of Islam. If we provide the Muslim children with knowledge and faith, and accustom them to practice it 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 205) 

from childhood, we will not worry about them as long as they remain on Allah's path, glorify it, follow its teachings, and oppose what contradicts it. On the contrary, their enemies will fear them, as Allah (Glorified be He) states, O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm. and, But if you remain patient and become Al­Muttaqûn [the pious See V.2:2], not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allâh surrounds all that they do. There are many Ayahs that stress this meaning. The most important factor that helps stopping this current is producing a generation that understands the truth of Islam. Indeed, this can be achieved through guidance and care whether at home, school, through mass media, and social development. 

In addition, Muslim leaders should assume their role of guidance by edifying work and constantly reminding people of what benefits them and establishes the `Aqidah (belief) in their souls. Allah says, verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest. There is no doubt that carelessness is one of the reasons behind penetrating the Muslim countries by the enemies of Islam through culture and sciences that gradually distance Muslims away from their religion. As a result, evil spreads among Muslims and they are affected by the concepts of their enemies. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has commanded the believing group to endure and be more patient in His Cause with every possible means. Allah says, O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allâh, so that you may be successful. and, As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guidethemtoOurPaths(i.e.Allâh’sreligion­IslâmicMonotheism).Andverily,AllâhiswiththeMuhsinûn(gooddoers)." Iimplore Allah with His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes to 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 206) 

rectify the affairs of Muslims, grant them deep understanding of Islam, make all their leaders agree upon Al­ Haqq (the Truth), and guide their retinues. He is the Most Generous. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!