A Moment of Reflection: Have We Followed the Teachings of Islam?

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 25 December 2024 The State Of The Muslim World Today In This Article, We Reflect On The Current State Of The Muslim Community And Question Whether We Have Truly Followed The Teachings Of Islam. Three Key Areas—Education, Ethics, And Begging—Are Highlighted As Areas Where Muslims Have Strayed From The Foundational Principles That Islam Emphasized From The Very Beginning. By Revisiting The Core Values Of Education, Moral Integrity, And Self-Reliance, We Can Work Towards Reforming Our Social, Educational, And Ethical Systems To Better Align With The Teachings Of The Quran And Sunnah. The Article Concludes With A Poignant Poem By Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Which Serves As A Powerful Reminder Of The Lost Glory Of The Muslim World And The Urgent Need For Revival Through Knowledge And Wisdom. ----- When we look at the current state of Muslims, many questions arise. Have we followed the teachings of Islam that this religion emphasized the most? And aren’t we lagging behind in the very things that Islam held most important at its inception? This is a moment of reflection: how much of the teachings of Islam resonate in our daily lives and social conditions? Three major issues need attention—issues that form the foundation of Islam but are areas where Muslims seem to be far behind today: education, ethics, and begging. 1. Education: An Islamic Obligation The importance of education in Islam can be understood from the fact that the first revelation in the Quran began with the word "Iqra" (Read). This was a message that made the acquisition of knowledge an essential duty for Muslims. Despite this, today Muslims are lagging behind most of the world’s nations in the field of education. If we look at history, Muslims had made extraordinary advancements in scientific, philosophical, and literary fields. However, today, the same nation that once spread the light of knowledge is now far behind in this field. It is astonishing that the nation that began with "Iqra" is now so backward in education. While Islam holds the key to success in both this world and the hereafter through knowledge, why are Muslims today deprived of this blessing? The answer lies in our way of life, where education has been side-lined in favour of other issues. The Quran and Hadith have made the pursuit of knowledge an obligation, and it is essential that we act upon this to once again reach the level where we can illuminate the world with the light of knowledge. 2. Ethics: The Foundation of Islamic Society A central message of Islam is ethics. There are numerous verses in the Quran and Hadith that encourage Muslims to adopt high moral standards in their lives. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that the purpose of his mission was to elevate moral values: "Innama bu'ithtu liutammima makarimal akhlaq" (I was sent to perfect noble character). This makes it clear that moral teachings are a fundamental part of Islam. However, today, the moral conduct of Muslims has deteriorated so much that these teachings are rarely seen in practice. When we assess our social behaviours, we often encounter lies, suspicion, envy, and the violation of others' rights. These are sins that Islam has strictly warned against. However, the majority of Muslims today seem to be failing in avoiding these moral shortcomings. We need to raise our moral standards, and adhering to these principles will be the source of both our religious and worldly success. 3. Begging: An Indecorous Act in Islam Another point of reflection is the growing trend of begging among Muslims. Wherever Muslims are found, the number of beggars continues to rise. In contrast, Islam has strongly condemned begging and emphasized avoiding it. Allah says in the Quran: "And do not keep your hand tied to your neck, nor stretch it completely, lest you be siting blamed and destitute" (Al-Isra 17:29). This verse clearly shows that begging and asking others for money are considered reprehensible acts in Islam. When we observe the current situation of Muslims, we see an increasing number of beggars. Sadly, the trend of professional begging is growing among Muslims. Non-Muslims even try to disguise themselves in Muslim attire and beg on the streets, further shaming this practice. Islam has condemned begging so severely that even if someone has only enough food for one meal, they are not allowed to beg. Conclusion: The Need for Reform Looking at all of this, we are confronted with a critical question: Why has it come to this that a great religion, which teaches knowledge, ethics, and self-reliance, has its followers so far from these fundamental principles? The answer is that we have turned away from our original teachings and have given so much importance to worldly pleasures and benefits that we have neglected the principles of Islam. We need to reform our social, educational, and ethical systems so that we can understand the true spirit of Islam and live by it. Now is the time to align our actions with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, and to improve our way of life so that we can become true representatives of our faith. The following poem by Allama Muhammad Iqbal reflects on the historical decline of the Muslim community and the loss of their once glorious status. The poet urges the young Muslims to reflect on their current state and the path that led them there. He laments the loss of values, knowledge, and power that Muslims once held. Through powerful imagery, he points out how the West has excelled in the fields of science and knowledge, while the Muslim world, once the beacon of knowledge and civilization, has lost its way. The last couplet refers to a famous Persian legend about Zulaykha and Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), using this analogy to highlight the transformative power of knowledge and wisdom. Kabhi Aye Nojawaan Musalman! Tadabbur Bhi Kiya Tu Ne Woh Kya Gurdun Tha Tu Jis Ka Hai Ek Toota Hua Tara. Tujhe Is Qaum Ne Paala Hai Aaghosh-E-Muhabbat Mein Kuchal Daala Tha Jis Ne Paon Mein Taaj-E-Sar-E-Dara. Gadaai Mein Bhi Woh Allah Waale The Ghayoor Itne Ke Mun'im Ko Gada Ke Dar Se Bakhshish Ka Na Tha Yaara. Gharaz Main Kya Kahun Tujh Se Ke Woh Sahra Nasheen Kya The Jahan-Gir O Jahan-Daar O Jahan-Baan O Jahan-Ara. Agar Chahoon To Naqsha Kheench Kar Alfaaz Mein Rakh Doon Magar Tere Takhayyul Se Fazoo Tar Hai Woh Nazara. Tujhe Aaba Se Apne Koi Nisbat Ho Nahi Sakti Ke Tu Guftaar Woh Kirdaar, Tu Sabit Woh Sayyara. Ginwa Di Hum Ne Jo Aslaaf Se Meeraath Paayi Thi Surayya Se Zameen Par Asman Ne Hum Ko De Maara. Hukumat Ka Tu Kya Rona Ke Woh Ek Aarzai She Thi Nahi Duniya Ke Aayin-E-Musallam Se Koi Chaarah. Magar Woh Ilm Ke Moti, Kitaabein Apne Aaba Ki Jo Dekhein Unko Europe Mein To Dil Hota Hai Sipara. “Ghani! Roz-E-Siyah-E-Pir-E-Kina’aan Ra Tamasha Kun Ke Noor-E-Deeda Ash Roshan Kund Chashm-E-Zulaykha Ra.” Translation: O young Muslim! Have you ever pondered? What was that heaven you were, now a fallen star. This nation nurtured you in the embrace of love, Yet, it was the same nation that crushed you under the crown of Darra. Even in begging, those who were close to Allah were so noble, That the benefactor was too afraid of the beggar’s influence to grant mercy. What can I say about those desert dwellers? Who were rulers, conquerors, and protectors of the earth and the sky? If I wish, I could paint the picture and place it in words, But the sight is far beyond what your imagination could ever capture. You can have no connection with your forefathers, For your speech and conduct, and your proof, are far from them. We have squandered the inheritance passed down from our ancestors, From the stars above to the earth beneath, the sky itself has struck us down. What grief is there over the government? It was just a fleeting thing, There is no remedy for it in the established laws of the world. But those pearls of knowledge, the books of our forefathers, When we see them in Europe, the heart is filled with sorrow. “Ghani! On the black day of the old man of Canaan, look and watch, For the light of his eyes will brighten the gaze of Zulaykha.” We pray to Allah to guide us, grant us a proper understanding of Islam, and help us solve our social problems, achieving success both in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen. ---- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. 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