MUSLIM DEGENERATION AND ITS ONLY REMEDY
SECOND
It is commonly believed that, if a person is firm and steadfast In his own faith (eeman), the infidelity of others will bring him no harm, because of the meaning attached to the following verse of Holy Quran:
“O you who believe! You are responsible for you own souls. He who goes astray cannot harm you, while you are on the path of righteousness.”
In fact, the real meaning and sense of the above verse is not what is being apparently attached to it, because, in that case, the meaning would appear to be against the teachings of the “Shariat-i-Mohammadaiah.” It indicates that the collective life and progress and salvation of the Muslimsociety as a whole are the essence of Islam. The muslim people must be considered like a single body having several limbs. When any limb receives an injury, the whole body suffers from the pain.
Mankind may progress to any limit and it may reach the highest pinnacle of glory in every sphere of life, yet there will be some who will go astray and become involved in impiety. In that event, the above verse re-assures the righteous people that as long as theyremain steadfast and keep moving on the right path, no harm can be brought to them by those who decide to give up the right way of life.
Yet another point is that full enlightenment will be received only when all the rules of law of “Shariat-i-Mohammadiah” are accepted and practiced, including all the Divine commands, which naturally cover “Amir bil maruf wa nahi anil munkar”. This interpretation is supported by the following words of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhi Allaho anho):
“O people! You given to reading this verse: “O you who believe! You are responsible for you own souls” he who goes astray cannot harm you, while you are on the path of tighteousness,” but I have heard the Apostle of Allah saying that when people see something evil and do not seek to liquideat it, they will soon find themselves encompassed by the wrath of Allah.”
The verse in question has been similarly interpreted by all athe truly learned personages, such as Imam Nawavi (rahmat-ullah alaih), who explains in his “Sharah Muslim”:
“The consensus of opinion of the learned personages regarding the meaning of his verse is that, “when you have performed the duty enjoined on you , the remissiness of those who refuse to profit by your counsel will not harm you,” as says Allah Ta'ala:
“(No one shall carry another man’s burden)”; and of the several injunctions addressed to all, one is that regarding enforcement of good and prevention of evil. Therefore when an individual has performed this duty and the addressee proves refractory, the former shall not be penalized for it. He has performed his duty of “amr-o-nahi” and acceptance or rejection of it by the other party is not within his competence. Allah knows best.”
THIRD
People of distinction as well the common man, the learned and the ignorant, all alike, have become indifferent or even averse to the need for the reformation of society. They all seem to have resigned to the fate, that it is difficult, rather impossible these days, for the Muslims to make any progress to regain their lost glory. Whenever any scheme for improvement and reformation is presented to anyone, the usual reaction is: how can the Muslims progress in the circumstances when they have neither a state* of their own nor any power to rule, neither wealth nor any financial standing, no army and equipment of war nor any influence, they lack even in physical stamina, mutual agreement and unity of purpose. Even the religious people seem to have decided by themselves that, it being the fourteenth century “Hijri” and the people, having drifted so farther away from the prophetical teachings, the downfall of Islam and the Muslims is inevitable. They maintain that, in these circumstances, it will be useless to make any effort in these circumstances, it will be useless to make any effort towards the reformation of Muslims.
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