Muslims must look inward to see why they are in such a bad state today.
Ramadan must mean more than merely abstaining from food and drinks for a specified number of hours even if this would be arduous in the summer months. Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an and Muslims must engage the noble Book for true guidance.
Muslims are supposed to be witnesses to Allah’s Greatness and flag-bearers of truth and justice.
Muslims have the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the Seerah of the noble Messenger (saws). They have everything they need to begin to live a life of dignity rather than fighting each other.
Ramadan should mean more than simply going hungry. There must be the wholehearted obedience to Allah’s (swt) commands in order to achieve the true purpose for which we fast: upholding truth and justice even though the challenges may be huge.
How the Prophet (saws) acquired and exercise power is an aspect of the Sirah that has not been properly studied by Muslims. There is need to look at both the soft and hard power dimensions of the Sirah. Muslims celebrate the birthday of the noble Messenger of Allah (pbuh) in the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal. These often include na‘at and nasheed recitals. Lectures, if included, narrate the miracles he performed. There is, however, seldom any discussion of the power dimensions in the Sirah as part of his life-struggle. Zafar Bangash, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Islamic Thought, discusses some of these issues.
The Truth of the Life of this World by Harun Yahya. Pub: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd., 1 Wynne Road, London SW9 0BB, 1999. Pp: 221. Pbk: UK5.95. By Imtiaz Adam
DR KALIM SIDDIQUI, Director of the Muslim Institute, London, and founder of Crescent International, was one of the greatest Islamic movement intellectuals of the twentieth century. This month marks the seventh anniversary of his death in South Africa on April 18, 1996. To mark this occasion, we are reprinting an abridged extract from his final book, Stages of Islamic Revolution (1996).
The deep attachment Muslims have for the noble Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, is reflected in celebrations of his birthday with great reverence and enthusiasm throughout the world. This is exactly how it should be. After all, he is the final messenger of Allah and the best of examplars for all mankind. The Qur'an says: 'You have in the messenger of Allah the most beautiful pattern of conduct' (33:21). The Qur'an also commands the believers to 'obey Allah and His messenger' (4: 59). By following his Seerah and Sunnah, Muslims are assured success in this world as well as reward in the hereafter.
The history of Islam and Muslims has entered a new phase of rapid change. Muslims have realised that they are in a position to initiate, direct and control major change in their societies as well as to play a significant role in world politics. It is important that their drive for change in Muslim societies is directed by a profound understanding of the dynamics of change.
The phrase 'Islamic history' is a misnomer. Muslims do not really have Islamic history per se. There is history about Islam which is the product of non-Muslim, and often anti-Muslim, minds. This is true from the wars and battles of epic Islamic military encounters to the political and international relationships that extended from the dynasties of 1300 years ago to the present time.
