MUSLIM DEGENERATION AND ITS ONLY REMEDY
It is true that the effects of the apostolic light become less and less as we are removed farther and farther away from it, but this does not mean that no effort is to be made to regenerate that light by enforcing “Shariat” and upholding and defending, with all our energies and power, the way of life taught by Hadhrat Mohammad S.W.
For; had the Muslims before us thought so, there would have been no trace of Islam left anywhere by now, because there wouild have been no means through which the lesson and the teachings of “Shariyat” could have reached us. Therefore, it will be fatal for us not to check the present negative attitude towards Islam. We should adopt a vigorously positive line for our own sake and also for the sake of future generations. The time is moving fast, and so is the pace of deterioration in the religion of Islam. The situation demands a srong, quick and determined effort by one and all for arresting the rot and stopping further degeneration of the Muslim society.
As a rule, existence of true Islam depends entirely upon the perseverance and collective effort of its followers. Unfortunately, they seem to be deficient in these very requirements. We must appreiat that the “Quran” and “Hadis” are full of the lessons in calling the Muslims to be active and to persevere in the path of Allah. There is a “Hadis” about a very pious person who may pray night and day all his life, but he cannot come to the level of one who strives and sacrifies his pleasure and comfort for the sake of guiding and helping people to move on the right path of Islam.
On this very point, many commands and injunctions in the “Quran” exist. It is clearly brought out that the one who strives hard in the path of Allah Ta'ala remains superior and exalted compared to all other: for example”
 “The believers who, without a reasonable excuse, sit at home, cannot equal those who perform “jehad” in the path of Allah with their lives and wealth as compared to those who stay at home. To the former, He has promised a blessed abode; Allah has exalted the “mujahideen” over those who stay at home, with glorious reward: pompous ranks, His mercy and forgiveness; and Allah is forgiving and Merciful.”
Although the above verse refers to “jehad” (holy war) against the infidels and unbelievers in order to uphold the teachings of Islam and subdue and subjugate faithlessness and “shirk” and, although we are unfortunate in not having the opportunity of fulfilling that sublime task, we ought not to throw away any chance of doing something, however small, in the direction of propagating the truth. Only then can we expect that one day our humble efforts and insignificant perseverance may gather momentum and impetus for bigger and higher performances.
 Undoubtedly Allah Ta'ala has promise to provide protection for the way of life propagated by Hadhrat Muhammad S.W.. But human effort and perseverance have been defined as the only media for its promotion and advancement. The Companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) strove untiringly for that purpose and, assuredly, they succeeded and were the recipients of high rewards. They had the houour of receiving divine help and assistance. We, being their admirers and believers, ought to try and follow them and prepare ourselves for the propagation of the “Kalimah” and the message of Allah Ta'ala. Thus we will also be favoured with divine help and assistance:
“If you (come forward to) help the religion of Allah Ta'ala, He shall help you and make you steadfast.”
FOURTH
Most of us think that, as we ourselves do not possess the essential virtues and qualities of Islam, we are not competent to perform the duty of propagation of those qualities among other. This is a clear misunderstanding. Since an obligation has to be fulfilled, particularly when we have been commanded by Allah Ta'ala for that task, there can be no question of denying obedience to it. We must set ourselves to work in obedience to Divine command. Our efforts then shall, “Insha Allah”, gather greater strength and make us more determined and resolute. In this way, our sustained Endeavour on proper lines will one day bring us the great honour of being dear to Allah Ta'ala. It is against the convention and the Sunnat of Allah Ta'ala that, if one perseveres and strives for His sake (religion), He would not condescend to bestow favours and kindnesses because the person was not competent or fit for the task! This point is fully brought out in the following Hadis:
Hadhrat Ana (radiallaho anho) relates: “We inquired of the Holy Prophet: ‘O Prophet of Allah, is it right that we should not enjoin virtue unless we practise all the virtues ourselves, and should not forbid the wrongs unless we ourselves completely abstain from them all? ‘Nay,’ said the Prophet, ‘do enjoin others to practise good deeds even though you do not practise all of them, and do forbid evil actions even though you do not abstain from them all’”.
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