With the collapse of Communism and the much-proclaimed rush
toward an undefined "New World Order" by Western powers, the challenge for
Muslims has, heightened dramatically. The basic challenge for Muslim countries lies in
their ability to balance the advantages of an enforced "peace" (with U.S
Intervention) between themselves and the effects of such occupation and political control
over their warring governments.
The humiliation suffered by Muslims on both sides of the Gulf conflict, the Afghan victory
(and renewed conflict), coupled with the crushing losses of Muslims in Bosnia, India,
Somalia, Kashmir, etc., all represent a devastating indictment against continued
autocratic rule and human rights abuses among these states. This highlights the failure of
the Muslim Diaspora in the Americas and elsewhere to shed the moribund concepts and
cultural precepts derived (unperceived) from the post-sahabah Khalifat and subsequent
colonial subjugation.
The challenge therefore, is to take advantage of this enforced period of reflection to
develop a "Qur'anic World Order" among all Muslim States. Such an order would
disallow tribalistic and nationalistic leadership, but would rather unify the regions,
whereby each state would be committed to the social and economic unit of the whole. It
would challenge those communities and governments that boast of their Islamic legacy to
explain their negligence in the face of the moral crisis in the world.
It would challenge them to take off their "Robes" and British sounding titles
that are truly demeaning imitations of the Western culture of elitism and classism. The
same should apply to some of the "Islamic scholarship" and culture now being
developed in North America that threatens to descend into the pompous academic morass of
Western academic arrogance and elitism.This is something that could plunge the Muslims in
this country into something akin to the "moderate vs. fundamentalist" quagmire
now facing so many Middle
Eastern countries. Allah commands us:
"And hold to the rope of Allah all
together and do not be divided..."
[Surah Al'Imran; 3:103]
It can be said that the way Muslims in America meet this new challenge may determine the
fate of Muslim Ummah as a whole. Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has said that He can bring fire from a
green tree. Certainly we can, by His help, overcome the opposition to Islam in America. We
note that while the media attention often focuses on the negative, Muslims are often given
an opportunity to air their case and explain the religion of Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) to the American
people.
The combination of the Gulf, Bosnian and Somali crises, and the media's preoccupation with
"terrorist Muslims," has actually accelerated the rate of acceptance of Islam by
Americans. Many Americans have obviously been "turned off" by the obvious media
distortions. A number of Christian organizations have also been inspired to initiate
serious dialogue with Muslim Americans.
At the government level, the executive and legislative branches
have signaled a grudging willingness to acknowledge the validity of Islam publicly, and to
enter dialogues with Muslims at varied levels. The Armed Forces, for instance, are
actively assisting Muslim organizations in gaining religious parity within their ranks. We
can be sure, however, that this openness is not without an underlying agenda on the part
of the entrenched opponents of Islam, within military and government circles.
All said, this is a recognition of the inevitability of the rise of Islam. It will be
accompanied, nonetheless, by efforts to prepare a strategy of "containment" that
will cut at the core of the basic Iman of the Muslims. Every possible "ploy"
will be used. We should not forget the scheme of "divide and rule," that was
used for centuries (with great success) against the Muslim world (particularly in the
Middle East where Muslims have killed more Muslims than the Western opponents themselves,
and Allah forbid, claiming to do so, in "His Name ").
These Western overtures ironically, present the greatest challenge for Muslims, and
exposed much of the Ummah to its weakness and lack of preparation for what may be the
extended prophecy of Surah Al Nasr [110:2]:
"And you will see men enter the Deen
of Allah in crowds."
How the Muslims meet this challenge in America is critical. Are
the Muslim organizations, communities and Masajid prepared to receive the destitute, the
homeless and struggling masses? Are the Muslim intellectuals prepared to provide quality
education and appropriate facilities for the diverse and growing Muslim population? Are
the academicians prepared to translate their scholarship into useful and relevant social
and economic development for the
Muslim community? These new challenges will test the Muslims' commitment to the Qur'anic
injunction:
"Be ye not divided, and the warning against splitting up into
sects."
Will Muslims adhere to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)'s warning against elitism and
racism?
The Muslim response is certain to highlight the fundamental principles of Islam,
particularly that of Charity, where the rich shall be tested as to the distribution of
their surplus, and where appreciation and tolerance of cultural differences will become
the litmus test for unity and justice. The Muslim professional, engaged in his special
discipline, shall now be asked:
How much time will you spend freely to help the Muslim poor? How
much time will the educated or wealthy volunteer to help the struggling Muslim children
and their under funded schools? How much will the wealthy invest in the Muslim community,
without the "strings;" as those of whom it was said,
"... they feed for the love of Allah, the indigent,
the orphan and the
captive, (Saying) We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: No reward do we
desire from you nor thanks."
[Surah Al Insan; 76:8-9]
Here is the litmus test:
a.. How much time will those who claim the mantle of scholarship
and leadership in Fiqh and culture --- those who claim the right to legitimacy and
credibility among the Muslims of North America --- spend in da'wah among their neighbors,
and not just patronizingly among their Muslim peers within their inclined minorities?
b.. How much time will the ummah spend in cross-Muslim cultural activity and dialogues of
understanding? How will the Muslim elite justify the withholding of material resources
from those whose hearts Allah has inclined to Islam? Do they say as the unbelievers: "...Shall
we then feed those whom if Allah had so willed, He would have fed (Himself) ? Ye are in
nothing but manifest error."
[Surah Ya'sin; 36:47]
c.. How much time will be spent in destroying stereotypes that Muslims have among
themselves, by way of importation of the schisms and racism from abroad, bound up in
historical rivalry and tradition?
d.. How shall the ummah involve the Muslim communities in determining their own future in
America by political influence and the vote? How shall Muslims engage the leaders of the
country in dialogue regarding affairs at home and abroad?
e.. How? By continued isolation, apathy or fear? Or by seeking to change or neutralize the
ills of the system? Or by establishing a rival Islamic system? How will the Muslim ummah
meet the challenge of the mass media? How shall the community become involved in enhancing
the perception and image of Islam among the American people?
This is the challenge, and more. As the Muslim community grows in
America, the challenge of personal family unity, even for the resolution of disputes, must
be addressed by the community, Muslims must also meet the serious challenge of economic
survival for all. It is a mandate from Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala). Can a Muslim sleep well at night
when one single Muslim goes hungry or is homeless?
Many of the new adherents to Islam, as well as long standing Muslim families are faced
with economic and social difficulties that make havoc of family life. Muslims must seek to
establish appropriate forums and re-establish the honorable tradition of craft and trade
so often mentioned in their legacy. Muslims must also meet the challenge of housing the
women and the elderly who are without the traditional support of male guardians.
These challenges appear the most obvious, and builds upon the basic and fundamental
responsibility to establish worship. Much more, of course, is to be addressed. May Allah
(subhanahu wa Ta'ala) grant us the insight, the willingness to acknowledge our responsibility and the
wisdom to meet the challenge successfully.
[Currently, he is the Imam for Masjidush-Shura Washington DC. He was one of the founders
of the American Muslim Council and served as in-house editor for the International
Institute of Islamic Studies in Virginia, USA. As a writer, his writings have been
published in significant publications. He is listed in WHO'S' WHO in Black
America and WHO'S WHO among International Authors and Writers. His main interest
lies in the rise of Islam in USA and the effects of international foreign policy upon
Muslims in USA. He has traveled widely and has had acquaintance with such peer
personalities as Malcolm (X) Shabazz, Muhammad Ali and W.D. Mohammad, etc., all early
pioneers in the Islamic movements in America.]