Question
What are the fundamental reasons, that you think, are responsible for the deplorable condition of the Muslims of our time? Some say the main reasons are: 1. Oppression of women 2. Taqlid 3. Betrayal of the Arabs etc.
We like to hear your comment.
Thank you
Answer
There could be a number of reasons and factors which directly or indirectly led to the downfall of the Muslim collectivity. Nevertheless, from a purely religious perspective, one factor, which, in my opinion, is of prime importance and can be termed as the root cause of this general decline of the Muslims relates to their misconception about a Divine law relating to the decline of nations. I will briefly explain this factor below:
There is a general misconception among the Muslims relating to their being exempt from the general Divine laws governing the decline of nations. The Muslims, like their predecessors – the Israelites – consider themselves to be a specially favored nation of God. It is true that God favored the Ishmaelites – just as He did the Israelites before them – yet the continuation of this favor was subject to their adherence to the laws and commandments of the Almighty. The earlier Muslims were fully conscious of this fact and, therefore, continually strived to render themselves deserving for the continuation of this special favor of their Lord. The later Muslims, however, became unmindful of the necessary conditions attached to the continuation of this Divine favor and were, consequently, lured into believing that irrespective of their deeds and general moral standards, God had permanently granted them the rule of the world. This incorrect belief negatively affected the collective life of the Muslims from a number of different perspectives, each of which was essential for the continuation of God’s favors upon them.
This incorrect belief developed a sense of pride and arrogance among the Muslims and affected a decline in their general moral and ethical standards; It affected a decline in the general adherence of the Muslims to the laws and commandments of their Lord; It negatively affected their work ethics, which ultimately resulted in the weakening of their defense, education and economics and placed an insurmountable hindrance on the path of their advancement in technology, finance and industry.
Even though the Qur’an had clearly informed us that God does not turn any of His favors away from a nation, except when that nation changes itself and, thereby, does not remain deserving of these favors (Al-Anfaal 8: 53), yet it seems that the Muslims were blinded by their own blaze of glory to pay any heed to this call of the Qur’an.
In short, the basic reason for the decline of the Muslims, in my opinion, was that they no longer deserved the great favor of dominance, which God had bestowed upon them.
Regards,
Moiz Amjad
May 9, 2002