ISLAM AND THE MUSLIM

Islam is total submission to the commands of Allah Ta'ala. And a Muslim is one who submits completely to the commands of Allah Ta'ala according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah. One is not a Muslim because of one's name, one's affiliation to a race, one's origin or the colour of one's skin. One is Muslim by virtue of one's affiliation to Islam, which is a code and a way of life. Now, what affinity does today's Muslim have with Islam? What importance does he attach to Islam?

Nowadays, we see conspiracies directed against Islam on all sides. Insults are uttered against the Qur'an-e-Karim. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is vilified and is considered a tyrant (Nauzubillah). People do not hesitate to criticise his Sahabah Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) saying that they have shirked their responsibilities. For such insanity to come from the kuffaar is hardly surprising, although it is hurtful. But for the Muslim to display indifference to such a situation is more than surprising and more hurtful.

Even more hurtful - and this especially for the beloved Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) - is when the Muslim considers this perfect way of life, that is Islam to be outdated, when he interprets the Qur'an-e-Karim as he pleases and at his convenience, when he ridicules the Mubaarak Sunnah (blessed practice) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) or minimizes its importance and when he criticises the noble companions (Radiyallahu anhum) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). This disease, which is highly contagious and deadly to the faith (Imaan), has taken on alarming proportions to the point of reaching certain administrators of the Masaajid (mosques) who raise objections about the Shari'ah and its application.

The very little consideration shown towards Islam is more than evident in the so-called "Muslim" woman. The wave of immorality did not spare her either. It is difficult to distinguish her from the others. She cannot be recognized among the others as her attitude, habits, behaviours and clothing resemble those of the kuffaar. Not only does she expose her body, with the complicity of her father, brother, husband or son to the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, but she dares to criticize those who, imbued with Taqwa (piety) and Haya (modesty), have the courage to swim against this strong current of immorality - which is a form of Jihaad - and dress decently as Islam teaches.

Moreover, it is unfortunate that some young people tell their fiancées that they will have to give up wearing pardah after marriage. Some husbands also require that their wives do not wear it. In other words, they tell their fiancées and wives to obey them and not to obey Allah Ta'ala and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). Would we have expected such actions from a Muslim? And he dares to proclaim his affiliation to Islam and his love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam).

When one reads the history of the Sahabah Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum), especially when one learns how much they have suffered, how many sacrifices they have endured to cultivate the tree that is Islam, how they have watered it with their blood, one cannot help but feel a sense of revolt, to say the least, towards those who strive and make effort to uproot this tree and those who do not care much about the injunctions of the Shari'ah (Islamic law).

It must be understood that Islam is not limited to Salah, Zakaat, Saum and Hajj but is also a perfect and complete code of life that must govern every moment of one's life. Thus, marriage, divorce, division of property, the rights of spouses, children, etc. must also comply with the laws of Islam. To prefer another way of life to that advocated by Islam is equivalent to preferring a code of life advocated by man to that advocated by Allah Ta'ala, which leads to Kufr. And Kufr cancels all the Ibaadaat such as Salah, Zakaat, Saum, hajj, etc.

We must bear in mind that the progress and prosperity of the Muslim rests solely on his belonging to Islam and not vice versa. Hadhrat Umar ibn-ul-Khattaab (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

"We are a nation that Allah has raised up through Islam."

This submission must be total and not partial. Only then can one call oneself a "Muslim". 

[English version of "L’Islâm et le Musulman" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 3]