Our Role in Removing the Social Evils That Have Corrupted the Majority of Muslims

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 27 February 2023 Social Reforms and Our Responsibility Main Points 1. A permanent "social reform" section is present in almost all humans, Muslims or non-Muslims. 2. Plans and efforts made for the cause of reforming society are mostly being done in the wrong direction. 3. Through his special and beautiful teachings, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lifted people out of the mire of destruction, the pit of condemnation, and brought them to the top of the world. 4. Some of the issues that plague modern Muslim civilization are violations of both human and divine rights. ----- The phrase "Social Reform" is a lovely title and endearing combination of two words. Those who hear, speak, or read this title begin to observe several social evils that have rendered the Muslim society dirty, corrupt and poisonous via their windows of the mind and brain. Currently, this phrase is frequently read, written, spoken, and recited in a great many contexts. Many groups, associations, conferences, and meetings are held with the intention of reforming society. Countless parties are also created for this goal. A permanent "social reform" section is present in almost all humans, Muslims or non-Muslims. Non-Muslims have also created their own unique committee with this goal in mind. Newspapers and the media are both involved in pursuing this objective. Government measures are also being carried out. But despite the combined efforts of many circles and groups, nothing meaningful has happened. They stay at the same location as when they initially left. Society is rife with corruption, and it keeps getting worse. The question of how to carry out reformation work arises. We can answer this question by reflecting on the following verse from the Quran: “As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.” (29:69) In another verse, Allah Almighty says, “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” (47:7) The divine promise cannot be falsified or broken. It is conceivable for day to become night, for the sun to rise in the west rather than the east, for the earth and the sky to move from their positions, but it is impossible to breach a promise made by Almighty God. The only conclusion that can be formed in light of all of these initiatives is that no matter what plans or efforts are made in the name of "reforming society," they are all being done in the wrong direction. In reality, their attempts lack the qualities and elements that can appeal to others. If our efforts and the steps we take to "reform society" are sincere and on the correct track, Allah's assistance will undoubtedly be incorporated and drawn to them. As a consequence, the people will be impacted, their reform will be accomplished, and positive outcomes will undoubtedly be discovered. The word "society" refers to a group of individuals, and it is the duty of each individual to keep his society free from all kinds of flaws and squalor. Islam has taught Muslims to be aware of their surroundings and to be worried about any potential problems. Good things will happen when there is sincere interest in reforming society. Humanity was on the verge of annihilation when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born. Allah, the Most High, said in the Holy Qur'an: “Remember the blessing of Allah upon you: When you were enemies to each other, and He brought your hearts together, so that, you became brothers through His blessing. You were at the brink of a pit of Fire, then He saved you from it. This is how Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may take the right path.” (3:102-103) Through his special and beautiful teachings, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lifted people out of the mire of destruction, the pit of condemnation, and brought them to the top of the world. He also presented to the world a society that is so pure and beautiful that its example cannot be given until the Day of Resurrection. How the people underwent reformation, earned the status of companions, and will always serve as examples for humanity. The Holy Quran says: “You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious.” (3:110) Similar to this, the Holy Qur'an stated the following when describing the mutual obligations of Muslim men and women: “The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another. They encourage good and forbid evil, establish prayer and pay alms-tax, and obey Allah and His Messenger. It is they who will be shown Allah’s mercy. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” (9:71) He Almighty said in another verse: “They are˺ those who, if established in the land by Us, would perform prayer, pay alms-tax, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil. And with Allah rests the outcome of all affairs.” (22: 41) The Prophet also gave guidelines for performing the tasks related to social reforms. Each among you who sees evil should make an effort to stop it with their power. They should try to stop it with their tongue if they are unable to do so. If you don't have the guts to even say it out loud, consider this work to be bad in your heart. The least degree of faith is shown in the last one. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made a significant instruction regarding how to do social reforms in the hadith above. The process for carrying out this task has also been described. Until someone puts an end to the evils, does not worry, and tries to abstain from the evils, it is difficult for any society to get reformed. In this hadith, the Prophet mentioned three stages of preventing and forbidding wrongdoing. According to scholars, while it is the responsibility of the state to reform society through force, intellectuals and preachers are responsible for doing it through their tongues. One of the reasons for awarding this nation with the title of "Khair-e-Ummat" in the Holy Qur'an is that it is the one that encourages people to do good deeds and prevents them from doing bad deeds. The main reason for the corruption that has spread in our society today is that the heads of the family who are the guardians of the family, when they see the members of the family committing a sin, instead of stopping and reprimanding them, they also start participating in this sin. Deliberately ignoring evil leads to a great destruction. In the Holy Qur'an, Allah Almighty explained one of the reasons why People of Israel were cursed and deprived. (Al-Ma'idah: 78.79) Enjoining good and forbidding people from evil is such an important act that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! Either you command good and forbid evil, or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will pray to Him but He will not respond to you." (Tirmidhi: 2095) The Muslim community is currently affected by a number of social flaws. Instead of only making pronouncements about Islamic principles and ideals, it is our responsibility to implement them. It is our responsibility to take action to remove corruption, disobedience, and immorality and to support the conversion of our families to being obedient servants of Allah Almighty. We must realize the bitter truth that we have neglected our religious ideals. Extravagance in weddings, the demand for dowry, ignorance of the fundamentals of Islamic teachings, and violations of both human and divine rights are some of the problems that are pervasive in contemporary Muslim society. In order to create and advance our society, we are compelled to fulfil our obligation to promote good and forbid bad. The Holy Quran says: “O believers! Protect Yourself and Your Family From the Fire of Hell.” [66:6] Allah Almighty orders His believing servants to defend themselves and their families from His punishment with Taqwa, and by directing their families to do the same. One is shielded from the flames of hell by practising Taqwa and adhering to the religion of Islam. One should also advise his family, including his parents, children, brothers, and sisters, to fear Allah and uphold His Din by advising them to adhere to Al-Haqq (the Truth), collaborate in acts of righteousness and Taqwa, encourage Ma'ruf (that which is deemed to be right, beneficial, or appropriate by Islam and forbid Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islam). If this is taken into account, it is usually impossible for a person to make a commitment to morally upright behaviour and then to uphold it when society and the environment are unfavourable for him. A steadfast worshipper will likewise have difficulties in exercising his right. Nowadays, it's harder to stay away from things that are forbidden than it used to be. The underlying reason for this is that when an entire environment, town, or family is struggling with a sin, it makes it challenging for even one individual to find salvation. The Holy Prophet assembled his family members and called them to the truth when this verse was revealed to him. Even though some people in the beginning rejected the truth, eventually, members of the family started converting to Islam. The need for starting the act of social reforms with family and friends is that instruction and preaching are less successful on others if a person's family, close relatives and family are not his companions and colleagues in his ideas and practical programme. The common people's response to the Holy Prophet's invitation and sermon at the beginning of Islam was that he should first correct his family of Quraysh before taking their news. When Islam spread within the family and when it got accomplishment at the time of the conquest of Makkah, its outcome was revealed in the Holy Qur'an's words: "And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes," (110:2) Our youth, who make up the heart of the community, are already leaders in this field, and our preachers, who serve as role models for the people in our society, should execute this kind of reform. Thus, let everyone be motivated to put each reform into practise. With God's help, our society will soon change and turn into something truly pure and pleasant. Imparting education is the most important element in the sector of social reforms. This element needs to be as accessible to the Muslim population as possible because Muslims are lagging behind in education. ---- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. 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