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Women In Islamic Society: Participation In The Pursuit Of Knowledge

There are many Hadiths that show that the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his lady companions eagerly sought knowledge, showing the same determination Muslim men showed. These Hadiths span the entire period from the very early days of the Islamic message up to the end of the Prophet’s blessed life.

Muslim women continued to pursue knowledge afterward until their position in society started to decline due to different factors. We will quote here several of these Hadiths and comment on one or two of them in order to give a full picture. The first Hadith is a long one, reported by lady Ayesha, explaining the Prophet’s reaction when he received his first revelation, meeting the angel Gabriel for the first time, and the reassurance he needed. The report is very long, but we will quote only the part showing how Lady Khadeejah, the Prophet’s first wife, sought to provide him with such reassurance:

“Then Khadeejah took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, her paternal cousin who was a Christian convert and a scholar with good knowledge of Arabic, Hebrew, and the Bible. He had lost his eyesight, as he had grown very old. Khadeejah said to Waraqah: ‘Cousin, would you like to hear what your nephew has to say?’ (Waraqah was not, in fact, the Prophet’s uncle. Khadeejah’s reference to Muhammad as his nephew was in accordance with the standards of politeness prevailing in Arabia at the time.) Waraqah said: ‘Well, nephew, what have you seen?’ The Prophet related to him what he saw. When he had finished, Waraqah said: ‘It is the same revelation as was sent down to Moses. I wish I was a young man so that I might be alive when your people turn you away from this city.’ The Prophet exclaimed: ‘Would they turn me away?” Waraqah answered: ‘Yes! No man has ever preached a message like yours and was not met with enmity. If I live till that day, I will certainly give you all my support.'” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn Jurayj was one of the early scholars of Hadith, belonging to the second generation after that of the Prophet’s companions. He reports a Hadith he learned from Ata’ on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah, a companion of the Prophet. As reported by Ibn Jurayj, the Hadith includes clarifications he sought from Ata’ and the latter’s answers. The Hadith mentions that on one Eid occasion when the Prophet finished his sermon, he realized that women might have not heard his speech after the prayer. “… Therefore, the Prophet went to the women present and spoke to them, reminding them of their Islamic duties, as he leaned on Bilal’s arm. Bilal held up his robe so that women could put in it whatever they wanted to give as sadaqah or charity. I said to Ata’: ‘Was this Zakah Al-Fitr?’ He said: ‘No. It was just a charity they might wish to donate to on that occasion. Women gave away their special rings.’ I said: ‘Do you think that it is a duty of the ruler to thus remind women?’ He said: ‘It is certainly a duty required of Muslim rulers. Why are they not doing it nowadays?'” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn Hajar, a scholar who wrote the best-known commentary on Al-Bukhari’s anthology of authentic Hadiths, refers to the fact that Al-Bukhari enters this Hadith under the heading, “A ruler’s admonition of women on Eid day.” He adds: “Thus Al-Bukhari is drawing attention to the fact that what has been mentioned about providing one’s family with education is not limited to the home and family. It is indeed recommended for the ruler or whoever deputizes for him to do so…” Iyadh (an early scholar) claims that the Prophet’s admonition of women was during his speech, and that it was in the early days of Islam, and that it was a privilege given to the Prophet only. However, Al-Nawawi (a famous scholar of Hadith and fiqh) refutes Iyadh’s claims, citing this report which clearly states “when he finished, the Prophet went to the women…” He further adds that special privileges cannot be claimed merely on the basis of probability. There must be a clear indication that something is specially granted to the Prophet and to no one else.

As for Iyadh’s claim that this was in the early days of Islam, we say that Ibn Abbas was present on this particular occasion. Ibn Abbas only emigrated to Madinah after Makkah had fallen to Islam in the eighth year of the Prophet’s arrival there, i.e. two years before he passed away. Thus, it cannot be in the early days. It was toward the end of Islamic revelations.

Another example of women seeking to learn the rulings of Islam on whatever question may pertain to their situations is provided by Zaynab, Abdullah ibn Masoud’s wife. He was poor while she was rich. She supported her husband as well as some orphans who were related to her. “I said to Abdullah: ‘Ask the Prophet if my support of you and the orphans I am bringing up pays off my zakah duty.’ He said to me: ‘You ask God’s messenger.’ I went to the Prophet and found at his door a woman from the Ansar coming to ask the same question. Bilal passed by us, and we requested him to ask the Prophet on our behalf if my zakah is deemed to be paid by my support of my husband and orphans. We also said to him not to mention us by name. Bilal went in and asked the Prophet our question. The Prophet asked him: ‘Who are they?’ He said: ‘Zaynab.’ The Prophet asked: ‘Which Zaynab?’ He said: ‘Abdullah’s wife.’ He said: ‘Yes, it is enough. She earns double reward: one for being kind to relatives and one for paying her zakah.'” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Needless to say, it was through such questions about actual life situations that we have learned much of what Islam requires, approves, or prohibits. When people went to the Prophet with their questions, he provided them with guidance that applies to all those who are in similar circumstances. Women went to the Prophet with all sorts of questions, even those that are most private. Ayesha reports: “Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh came to the Prophet and said: ‘Messenger of God! I bleed continuously and my discharge does not cease. Should I stop praying?’ The Prophet said: ‘No. This bleeding is due to a particular vein; it is not menses. When your period starts, stop praying until it is over. When it is over, take a bath and pray. Then you need to have a fresh ablution for every prayer.'” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

10 Green Ahadith

Did the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) say anything about saving our planet? Did he promote any ideas or practices relevant to the world’s growing concern about the future of the earth and its resources?
Below is a collection of the Prophet’s Ahadith

Plant a tree even if it is your last deed:
1. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it.” (Reported by Ahmad and Al-Bukhan on the authority of Anas in Al Adab Al-Mufrad,)

Planting trees is a renewable source of hasanat:
2. Anas also reported that the Prophet said, “If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari)

Conserve resources even when used for rituals:
3. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-`Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet passed one day by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas (May Allah be pleased with him) while he was performing wudu’ (ritual cleaning of body parts in preparation for prayer). The Prophet asked Sa`d, “What is this wastage?” Sa`d replied, “Is there wastage in wudu also?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.” (Ahmad and authenticated Ahmad Shakir)

Keeping the environment clean is important:
4. The Prophet warned, “Beware of the three acts that cause you to be cursed: relieving yourselves in shaded places (that people utilize), in a walkway or in a watering place.” (Narrated by Mu`adh , hasan by Al-Albani)

5. Abu Zarr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah).” (Narrated by Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari)

No for over-consumption! Consider recycling and fixing before buying new items:
6. Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet said, “The believer is not he who eats his fill while his neighbor is hungry.” (Saheeh al-Bukharee (112))

7. Asked about what the Prophet used to do in his house, the Prophet’s wife, `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), said that he used to repair his shoes, sow his clothes, and used to do all such household works done by an average person. (Sahih Bukhari)

8. The Prophet said, “Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, Allah will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment.” The listeners asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?” He replied, “That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away.” (An-Nasa’i)

Animals should be cared for:
9. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said, “A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst, and came out. Meanwhile, he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, “This dog is suffering from thirst as I did.” So, he went down the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth, and watered the dog. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him.” The Companions said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “There is a reward for serving any living being.” (Bukhari)

10. Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said, “A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” (Bukhari)
By Muhammad Fathi

How To Make Your Husband Happy?

The following article is a summary of the book “How to Make Your Husband Happy” by Sheikh Mohammed Abdelhaleem Hamed.

1. Beautiful Reception
After returning from work, school, travel, or whatever has separated you,

  • Begin with a good greeting.
  • Meet him with a cheerful face
  • Beautify and perfume yourself
  • Start with good news and delay any bad news until he has rested
  • Receive him with loving and yearning sentences
  • Make hard efforts for the excellence of the food & having it ready on time.

2. Beautify and Soften the Voice
For your husband only, it shouldn’t be used in front of non-mahram men (men who can marry you if you were unmarried)

3. Smelling Good and Physical Beautification

  • Take good care of your body and fitness.
  • Put on nice and attractive clothes and perfumes.
  • Bathe regularly and, after the monthly period, remove any blood traces or bad smells.
  • Avoid that your husband observes you in dirty clothes or in rough shape
  • Avoid prohibited types of ornamentation, e.g. tattoos
  • Use the types of perfumes, colors, and clothes that the husband likes
  • Change the hair style, perfumes, etc. from time to time However with these things you should avoid excessiveness and, of course only act as such in front of mahram men and women.

4. Intercourse
Hasten for intercourse when your husband feels compulsion for it. Keep your body clean and smelling good as possible including cleaning yourself of released fluids during intercourse.

  • Exchange loving phrases with your husband.
  • Leave your husband to fully satisfy his desire.
  • Choose suitable times and good occasions for exciting your husband and encouraging him to do intercourse, e.g. after returning from a travel, on weekends, etc.

5. Satisfaction With What Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa) Has Allotted
You shouldn’t be depressed because your husband is poor or works a simple job
You should look at poor, sick, and handicapped people and remember Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa) for all that was given to you. You should remember that real wealth lies in faith and piety.

6. Indifference to Worldly Things

  • You should not consider this world as your hope and interest.
  • You should not ask your husband for many unnecessary things.
  • Asceticism does not mean not enjoying what is good and permissible (Halal), but it means that one should look forward to the Hereafter and utilize whatever Allah SWT gave them to achieve paradise (Al-Jannah).
  • Encourage your husband to reduce expenses and save some money in order to give to charity and feed poor and needy people.

7. Appreciation
By the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the majority of people in Hell were women because they were ungrateful and deny the good done to them. The result of being grateful is that your husband will love you more and will do his best to please you in more ways The result of being ungrateful is that your husband will be disappointed and will start asking himself: “Why should I do good to her if she never appreciates?”

8. Devotion and Loyalty
In particular in times of calamities in your husband’s body or business e.g. an accident or a bankruptcy Support him through your own work, money, and properties if needed.

9. Compliance with Him
In all that he commands you unless it is prohibited (Haram) In Islam, the husband is the leader of the family, and the wife is his support and consultant.

10. Pleasing Him If He Is Angry
First off, try to avoid what will guarantee his anger. But if it happens that you can’t, then try to appease him as follows:
If you were mistaken, then apologize
If he was mistaken then:
Keep still instead of arguing or
Yield you right or
Wait until he is no longer angry and discuss the matter peacefully with him.
If he was angry because of external reasons then:
Keep silent until his anger goes
Find excuses for him, e.g. tired, problems at work, someone insulted him
Do not ask many questions and insist on knowing what happened e.g.
1) You should tell me what happened!
2) I must know what made you so angry!
3) You are hiding something, and I have the right to know!

11. Guardianship While He is Absent

  • Protect yourself from any prohibited relations
  • Keep the secrets of the family, particularly intercourse and things that the husbands don’t like other people to know.
  • Take care of the house and children.
  • Take care of his money and properties
  • Do not go out of your house without his permission and put on full hijaab
  • Refuse people whom he does not like to come over
  • Do not allow any non-mahram man to be alone with you in any place
  • Be good with his parents and relatives in his absence

12. Showing Respect for his Family and Friends

  • You should welcome his guests and try to please them, especially his parents.
  • You should avoid problems as much as you can with your relatives.
  • You should avoid putting him in a position where he had to choose between his mother and his wife
  • Show good hospitality to his guests by arranging a nice place for them to sit in, the perfection of food, welcoming their wives, etc.
  • Encourage him to visit his relatives and invite them to your home
  • Phone his parents and sisters, send letters to them, buy gifts for them, support them in calamities, etc…

13. Admirable Jealousy
Jealousy is a sign of a wife’s love for her husband but it should be kept within the limits of Islam, e.g. not insulting or backbiting others disrespecting them, etc… You should not follow or create unfounded doubts.

14. Patience and Emotional Support
Be patient when you face poverty and strained circumstances. When you face calamities and disasters that may happen to you, your husband, his and your children, relatives or properties, e.g. diseases, accidents, death, etc. When facing hardships in Da’wah (imprisonment, getting fired, arrested etc. Be patient and encourage him to keep on the path of Allah and remind him of Paradise. When he mistreats you, counteract his ill-treatment with good treatment.

15. Support in Obedience to Allah, Da’wah, and Jihad

  • Cooperate with your husband and remind him of different obligatory and voluntary worships.
  • Encourage him to pray at night.
  • Listen and recite the Qur’an individually and with your husband.
  • Listen to Islamic tapes and songs individually and with your husband.
  • Remember Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa, much, particularly after Fajr and before Maghrib.
  • Share in arranging Da’wah activities for women and children.
  • Learn Islamic rules (ahkam) and good manners (‘adab) for women.
  • Support your husband’s activities by encouraging him, offering wise opinions, soothing his pains, etc.
  • Yielding some of your rights and a part of your time with your husband for Da’wah
  • Encourage him to go for Jihad when needed and remind him that you and your children will be in the preservation of Allah, subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa.

16. Good Housekeeping

  • Keep it clean, decorated, and well arranged
  • Change house arrangements from time to time to avoid boredom
  • Perfect food (preparation) and prepare healthy foods
  • Learn all the necessary skills for managing the house, e.g. sewing
  • Learn how to raise children properly and in an Islamic way.

17. Preservation of Finances and the Family

  • Do not spend his money, even for charity without his permission unless you are sure that he agrees with this.
  • Protect his house, car, etc. while he is absent.
  • Keep the children in good shape, clean clothes, etc. Take care of their nutrition, health, education, manners, etc.
  • Teach them Islam and tell them the stories of the Prophets and companions.

Attributes Of The Ideal Muslim Husband

There follows a description of the most important qualities which should be present in the man whom you choose or accept to be your husband and the father of your children if Allah decrees that you will have children.

Religious commitment.
This is the most important thing to look for in the man you want to marry. The husband should be a Muslim who adheres to all the laws and teachings of Islam in his daily life. The woman’s guardian (wali) should strive to check out this matter and not rely only on outward appearances. One of the most important things to ask about is the man’s prayer (salaah); the one who neglects the rights of Allah is more likely to neglect the rights of others. The true believer does not oppress or mistreat his wife; if he loves her, he honours her, and if he does not love her, he does not mistreat or humiliate her. It is very rare to find this attitude among those who are not sincere Muslims.

Allah says (interpretation of the meanings): “and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater), even though he pleases you” [al-Baqarah 2:221]
“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwaa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)]” [al-Hujuraat 49:13]
“Good statements are for good people (or good women for good men) and good people for good statements (or good men for good women)” [al-Noor 24:26]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If there comes to you one whose religious commitment and attitude pleases you, then marry [your female relative who is under your care] to him, for if you do not do that, there will be tribulation on earth and much corruption.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1084).

As well as being religiously committed, it is preferable that he should come from a good family and a known lineage. If two men come to propose marriage to one woman, and they are equal in terms of religious commitment, then preference should be given to the one who comes from a good family that is known for its adherence to the commands of Allah, so long as the other person is not better than him in terms of religious commitment – because the righteousness of the husband’s close relatives could be passed on to his children and his good origins and lineage may make him refrain from many foolish and cheap actions. The righteousness of the father and grandfather is beneficial to the children and grandchildren.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them, and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord” [al-Kahf 18:82].

See how Allah protected their father’s wealth for the two boys after the father died, as an honour to him because of his righteousness and taqwa. By the same token, if the husband comes from a righteous family and his parents are good, Allah will make things easy for him and protect him as an honour to his parents.

It is good if he has sufficient wealth to keep him and his family from having to ask people for anything because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Fatimah bint Qays (may Allah be pleased with her) when she came to consult him about three men who had proposed marriage to her, “As for Mu’aawiyah, he is a poor man who has no wealth…” (Narrated by Muslim, 1480). It is not essential that he should be a businessman or rich, it is sufficient for him to have an income that will keep him and his family from having to ask people for anything. If there is a choice between a man who is religiously committed and a man who is wealthy, then the religious man should be given preference over the wealthy man.

It is preferable that he should be kind and gentle towards women, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Fatimah bint Qays, in the hadeeth quoted above, “As for Abu Jaham, his stick never leaves his shoulder”, referring to the fact that he used to beat women a lot.

It is good if he is a sound body and healthy, free of faults, sickness, etc., and not disabled or sterile.
It is preferable that he should have knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah; if you find someone like this it is good, otherwise, you should realize that this is something rare.

It is permissible for the woman to look at the man who comes to propose marriage, and for him to look at her. This should be in the presence of her mahram, and it is not permitted to look more than is necessary, or for him to see her alone, or for her to go out with him on her own, or to meet repeatedly for no reason.

According to Islam, the woman’s wali (guardian) should check on the man who proposes marriage to the woman who is under his guardianship; he should ask those whom he trusts among those who mix with him and who know him, about his commitment to Islam and his trustworthiness. He should ask them for an honest opinion and sincere, sound advice.

Before and during all of this, you must turn towards Allah and pray to Him to make it easy for you and help you to make a good choice and to grant you wisdom. Then after all these efforts, when you have decided on a particular person, you should pray Istikhaarah, asking Allah for that which is good. Then after you have done your utmost, put your trust in Allah, for He is the best of helpers, may He be glorified.

Adapted from Jaami’ Ahkaam al-Nisaa’ by Shaykh Mustafaa al-‘Adawi.
We ask Allah, the Exalted, the Powerful, to make things easy for everybody, to help everyone make a wise choice, and to bless with a righteous husband and good offspring, for He is Able to do all that. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

– Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Reflect, In The Name Of Islam

Whenever we see our reflection in a mirror what do we see? According to Allah, we should see a reflection of the Prophet (peace be upon him). But do we? The Qur’an says: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much” (Al-Ahzab, 33:21).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is supposed to be our role model, our mirror image – that which we are striving to be and the human criteria for us to judge ourselves by. In reality, however, how many of us actually see this beautiful person when we gaze into our mirrors?

Let’s face it. The problem in the Muslim world today is the Muslims. Right now, the “enemies of Islam” are the people we see in the mirror. When we look in the mirror, we don’t see the Prophet (peace be upon him) – rather, what we see are the enemies of Islam.

Let’s go back to basics for a second because that’s really where the problem lies. How many Muslims in the world pray five times a day? And of those who do, how many pray in the congregation? What about Fajr prayers and `Isha?

Of those, how many pray with sincerity and concentration – in full awe of Allah’s greatness? How many perform ablution correctly? When you consider all of these together, the figure is probably less than one percent of all Muslims, and this is only one aspect of the basics of Islam.

Yet, despite this depressing reality about our Ummah, certain members of our community are quick to call for jihad, label non-Muslims as the “enemies of Islam,” or call other Muslims who may not follow their school of thought “kafir” (unbeliever). But what are we doing? Each and every one of us? And what about our families? And then, what about our communities?

As Ummah, we have strayed so far; yet, we still expect Allah to help us (which He often does in His infinite mercy despite the fact that we are not living up to our end of the contract). And we wonder why Allah allows our enemies victory over us.

When will we realize that Islam is not a religion of convenience? When will we stop acting like the Christians who believe that just because they are Christian, they are saved and forgiven and that Allah will help them just because they call themselves Christian? Islam is not a privilege – it is a responsibility.

When will we truly heed Allah’s word in the Qur’an when He says that He will not help a people until they help themselves? Why did the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Companions and scholars of Islam literally spend their entire lives and sacrificed so much to preach and demonstrate to us the correct way to live, and to provide us with all the knowledge and guidance we could ever need? So that we can disregard it – yet still claim to be the greatest Ummah ever and still expect Allah’s mercy and help?

In the Battle of Uhud during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it was apparent that the Muslims – despite being outnumbered by the Quraysh – was going to enjoy an easy victory. However, at the point of triumph, the unit of archers that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had entrusted with the task of rear-guarding the Muslim army fled their positions, as they wanted to take part in collecting the war booty that they saw their brethren starting to collect. They felt that the battle was over, despite strict orders from the Prophet not to leave their posts until he gave the word – “even if you see us being killed, left right and center.”

Despite their disobedience at Uhud, these men were of the highest caliber, bravery, and iman, being Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). If Allah granted them defeat because of one act of disobedience, how is it that we can expect success in our endeavors despite our failure to obey Allah in even the most basic aspects of Islam?

The answer to our problems is simple – forget all the complications. The answer was given to us 1,400 years ago, and it is still the same as it has always been. Practice Islam. Just two words – practice Islam.

Don’t follow our desires, our lusts, greed, or emotions just practice Islam. This doesn’t require a new movement, a new sect, a new organization, a lot of arguments over minutiae, or fancy jargon. It just requires humility and effort. Our individual and collective will is in line with Allah’s Will. That’s it.

Start praying – five times a day, each time as if it is our last prayer. Start paying zakat and acting charitably, just like the Prophet (peace be upon him). Start fasting, with the consciousness of Allah. Start raising and teaching our children to be good Muslims, and to fear and love Allah more than anything else – regardless of what society might say.

Start reading and striving to understand the Qur’an. Start seeking knowledge. Start being kind and respectful to our wives, and following Prophet’s (peace be upon him) guidance as to how to treat one another. Start treating non-Muslims not as enemies, but as potential Muslims.

Start putting our egos aside and listening, asking questions, reading, and taking an interest in our education, and, ultimately, our fate. Start treating our neighbors in the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him), with kindness and respect. Start correcting our brothers and sisters when they are wrong in the best way, a way that will create change and not sew hatred. All in all, start practicing Islam.

Now, if all of us, or at least a good percentage of us, began to take these steps toward Allah – looking inwardly at ourselves and outwardly at those for whom we are responsible – what can we expect that Allah’s response would be? Just as the Hadith says, if we walk toward Allah, He will come running toward us. Many of us have experienced this individually, but what would happen if Muslims acted in such a way on a collective basis? One can only imagine, given an Ummah of over one billion followers. Details aside, we can be sure that some amazing things would happen – within ourselves, our communities, and throughout the entire world.

All of the horrible, un-Islamic, inhumane things happening in the world today are caused by illnesses of the heart. Although many of these things are not caused by Muslims, many unfortunately are. Regardless of who is to blame, the illnesses remain the same. Hearts are diseased, and disease likes company so people suffering from the same illnesses often act together in their attempts to bring down as many others as they can with them. The only solution, the only remedy is practicing Islam – not simply “being Muslim”.

“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail. Except him who brings to Allah a clean heart (clean from shirk, polytheism and nafaq).” (Ash-Shu’ara’, 26:88-89).

As Muslims, we need to stop talking about what is due to us and start thinking about what is due to us, and what and who we are responsible for.

We are responsible to Allah, first, for ourselves, and second, for the world. Thus, we cannot help the world figure out its mess until we clean up our own house, starting with each and every individual Muslim. We must begin the work of returning to Islam through practice. This is the only hope for us and, in effect, for the rest of Creation.