eXcellent analogY..!

[hidaayah]

Ummah is a Stalled Car..!

Sadly, this is our current state. At the most, we are idling on the shoulder
of the road, and even that is a generous description. It seems we have
forgotten the glorious early days of Islam when the proverbial Muslim engine
was running at maximum efficiency. Not a single dedicated Muslim remained
idle. They used all available means to establish Islam and keep the momentum
going.

One brilliant example of Muslim ingenuity involves Sultan Muhammad II, who at
a very young age assumed the throne of the Ottoman empire. The Sultan
achieved what many considered impossible, including building a fort in just
three months when even his closest advisors told him that it would take no
less than three years. Perhaps his most notable accomplishment came when he
and his Muslim army captured Constantinople in a spectacular victory over the
formidable Byzantine empire and its allies. Even after a severe setback in
that war, the Muslims came back as an even stronger force when Sultan
Muhammad implemented a most unique plan to pull the entire Muslim navy over a
mountain on greased wooden planks. Thus, victory for the Muslims was sealed,
Alhamdullillah, and Sultan Muhammad earned the title of Al-Fatih, the
Conqueror.

But today, we remain in the stalled car that is our Ummah and wonder what can
be done. After a while, we notice four very distinct groups of people begin
to emerge. The first group is inspecting the car and trying to fix whatever
went wrong. The second is asleep inside the car. The third bunch is standing
off to the side watching, but doing nothing more. Finally, we have the fourth
group which is trying to ensure that the car remains broken. Clearly, these
groups each need help if the car is ever to move again.

What can we do?

The members of the first group have the right attitude, but they need better
coordination. Progress will not be made if one person is trying to fix the
engine while another is attempting to push the car along. Before they can
begin to fix the car, they must first determine what is wrong. After
discovering the problem, they must agree on a plan of action. Once an
agreement is reached, their individual forces can combine positively instead
of cancelling each other out.

The second group, the sleepers, are a burden and must be roused. Once awake,
they must be informed of the problem and made to realize its gravity. Then
they need to be told what they can do to ameliorate the situation.

The fourth group (hindering the effort) cannot be dealt with as easily as the
first two. When a group such as this is actively trying to undo the hard work
of others or shouting unconstructive criticism, a number of factors need to
be taken into consideration. First of all, do not expect to change their
minds quickly and easily, or even at all.

Often, it is like arguing with a donkey - you waste your breath and annoy the
donkey! Gentle education is preferable and nasiha (advice) is a duty of one
Muslim to another, but if they persist in hindering your progress, do not
allow them to distract you from your task. Your energies are required
elsewhere.

It is also necessary to be cautious with the fourth group. Watch out, they
may try to push the car in the opposite direction, setting everyone even
further back than initially. But even if they do that, remember to deal with
them Islamically, for if they are dealt with harshly, it will only cause
fitna and confusion among all the groups and you will go nowhere fast. The
overall process is a jihad of sorts.

Ironically, it is the third group (standing and watching) which is the most
complex and problematic. You must first determine why they are standing by.
Are they lazy? Do they think the car cannot be fixed, or do they not trust
those who are trying to fix the car? Maybe they think the car is not
necessary to reach their destination. These are all very serious concerns.
Unfortunately, it seems the bulk of the Ummah falls into this group. There is
no quick remedy for the third group. But bear in mind that a small spark in
the engine may be what these people need, either as a warning that if
something is not done, their entire journey will go up in smoke (literally)
or that there is hope that the vehicle can be fixed.

Others among the group of idlers simply lack confidence in their ability to
contribute. If this is the case, a gentle nudge (occasionally, an outright
shove, done nicely) in the right direction may be the much needed catalyst.
This step must be followed by education and training, which will,
inshaa'Allah give them faith in themselves and others, as well as a solid
foundation on which to operate. They must also learn that they should not
waste time waiting around for a tow truck or a mechanic. Maybe all the car
needs is a good push. If nothing else, they can hand tools to the workers.
The fact is that a really good mechanic might not show up for a very long
time and the people in the car must make do with each other.

We are at a stage where not a single Muslim can be wasted. Every hand must
contribute, in its own way, to restarting the Ummah. This may involve small
sacrifices of doing what is needed rather than what we want individually. We
need to hone our skills, yet be diverse enough in our abilities to perform a
variety of functions.

Every once in a while, we need a jump start, a rejuvenation of our iman which
will enable us to feel the spirit of Islam coursing through us. We also need
spiritual nourishment (filling ourselves with Qur'an, Sunnah, and other
Islamic knowledge) on a regular basis, as well as the occasional tune-up to
ensure that we are functioning the way a strong Ummah should.

This ongoing metaphor makes me wonder which group each of us falls into. Arewe eager to help but lack direction and coordination? Are we in a state of
dormancy? Perhaps we are quiet observers who wait, in vain, for a tow truck
to lift us into action. I sincerely hope none of us is trying to destroy the
hard work of others. Regardless of which group we identify with, we are
crippling the Ummah and will continue to be a liability until we get our act
together.

May Allah (swt) guide us all to aid in the mobilization of our Ummah.

[khalid zaheer]

Assalaam o alaikum

Then what your thinking says that how it is possible? What is the remedy? How this car travel smoothly?

Allah Hafiz

[hidaayah]

Assalam u alaikum..
i think we must hold on to the quran..practice what it teaches..be united amongst ourselves and try to change ourselves into better Muslims..!!
wassalam

[khalid zaheer]

Assalaam o alaikum

We must but how?

Allah hafiz

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[hidaayah]

:-\..what do u mean how??