Concerns of the Muslim Scholar During the Month of Ramadhan

Allah Almighty declares:

"Verily, [O you who believe in Me,] this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: worship, then Me [alone]."

He further explains: "All believers are but brethren." [Al-Qur'an 49:10]

As for the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, he clarified the nature of the relationship between Muslims in this famous hadith:

"The example of the Muslims in their love and mercy for each other is like the body. If one part is afflicted, all the other parts rally to its aid with fever and sleeplessness."

Today Muslims pass this month of Ramadhan in transgression and crises.

Capitalism is rife with greed. It directs its hostility against the Islamic world with intellectual onslaughts. The foremost means toward this is through women, wine and other enticements, distractions, luxuries and unlawful amusements.

Secularism calls for the separation between the religion and worldly affairs. It seeks to oust Islam from life's stage on the pretext that religion distinguishes between people. In effect, secularism is an atheist ideology that disregards all religions and, therefore, excludes Islam in its entirety from playing any role in human life.

Freemasonry, the Jewish creation, has come to destroy religions including Islam. On the surface it appears to be calling for the unity of all people. It has its own means, taboos, emblems and cliques. It operates in secret, has world-wide influence and springs from Zionist origins.

Hence today the Islamic nation suffers from intense wounds:

• Palestine has been stolen from it, Al-Aqsa mosque remains a hostage while old men, women and children are slaughtered morning and evening. Yet, Palestine will never be returned to the Muslim lands except by an Islam with the rage of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the boldness of Salah ud-Din and the sincerity of Ibn Taymiyyah.
• The Muslim woman is fought against because of her covering, modesty, purity and religion.
• Our young men are seduced by destructive means, satanic enticements and sensual delights.
• Evangelism is penetrating the Islamic world from all four directions.
• Divisions and schisms are widespread among Muslims except those whom Allah has shielded.

In the circumstances, what is required is that the Muslim should live for these great issues with his sentiments, wealth and prayers. He should strive to increase awareness among his Muslim brothers of these dangers. The Muslim should work relentlessly to bring about unity within the ranks of his own community. More importantly, the Islamic nation must avoid disputes and internal wrangling that only cause failure; particularly when the news of these calamities that afflict the Islamic world are exposed and become the issues of the day. As a result, no Muslim should despise himself because in every Muslim there is good.

Indeed, every Muslim is expected to struggle if he or she is able and to stop making excuses. They must strive with their persons and their wealth. If not, with their wealth and the support of others who spend of their wealth to advance the cause of Islam. They should, at the end of each prayer, in the early hours of the morning, and other times when prayers are answered, implore Allah to establish and grant victory to the Muslims. We must, moreover, all call upon Allah to increase us in piety and God-consciousness because the disasters and calamities that have befallen us are all on account of our sins and shortcomings.

"And do you, now that a calamity has befallen you after you had inflicted twice as much [on your foes], ask yourselves, 'How has this come about?' Say: 'It has come from your own selves'."

From Thirty Lessons for those who Fast, © 1999 Message of Islam.