O Muslims change yourself and God will change the world
The Quran starts with a chapter named Fathia which read
In the Name of Allah — the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
All praise is for Allah — Lord of all worlds,
the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You ˹alone˺ we worship and You ˹alone˺ we ask for help.
Guide us along the Straight Path,
It said this a prayer of a person who has a sound mind guided by a sound heart, who after contemplating and reflecting on the universe and itself; with no external and cultural baggage will conclude that there is a higher power or higher self who has created and fashioned the cosmos and its governing rules;
It's one and majestic, has all the attributes of a perfect being, and is only worthy of praise and worship.
It also concludes that this life is temporary, and a highly wise creator can't create this auro of night and day, life and death for no reason; there is a purpose behind it. Since everything is in balance on this globe, there is a reason that humans have been given free will.
Now, he realizes that to find the path to its creator, traverse this path through life, and ultimately succeed, it needs help, so it prays and asks for help.
Then the loving God responded out of immense mercy and sent its beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH; through its beloved Angel Jibrael in the form of a book called the Quran.
Cultural Mulsim
The vast majority of Muslims today are cultural Muslims, they were born and raised in Muslim families, but to understand the message of the Quran; one has to make oneself available and worthy to receive the message; one has to remove all the veils of cultural and society that have been wrapped around oneself and read it as if it's revealed to one-self directly through God.
Opening Surah indicates the message is for a person who is ready for guidance and eager; has used one faculty of reason and intellect by contemplating on the universe and within; and is convinced of one merciful and intelligent God, but does not know how to pay gratitude to it, does not understand its nature and does not know which path to follow and that is the state where Quran comes in and fill out the void and answer all those open-ended questions.
Many Muslims fail in this deep sense of connection with their beloved God; their God becomes more of a God of law, of fear, of rituals, or a way to get to heaven and avoid hell.
But God is everything beautiful and perfect; it's the superior, the ideal, and the real; it is the sustainer and the provider. It's highly evident but invisible to a mere eye; everything bows down to it, and yet modern man can only observe the material part of it.
Let's rejoice
O humanity! Indeed, there has come to you a warning from your Lord, a cure for what is in the hearts, a guide, and a mercy for the believers.
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “In Allah’s grace and mercy let them rejoice. That is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass.” 10:58
Let us all celebrate that God with its infinite mercy chooses to send this blessing of the Quran; through its beloved Messanger among ourselves, and has not left us on this globe on our own with our intellect and consciousness to find a way back.
Modern Man
Modern man has reduced himself to a mere animal and, by comparison, has concluded that we are only a better version of the animal species and sit on top of the tree of evolution. However, while we are highly intelligent, we are only defined by our desires and necessities, i.e. food, hunger, survival, shelter, and the urge to dominate.
Many great philosophers, thinkers, and scientists have come, and great progress has been made in psychology, understanding of the human mind, and sociology, but very little has been made towards what is truth.
Why? Because we are ignoring the essential immaterial part of our existence, which is human consciousness.
If we cannot understand consciousness and its effect on the human self; it will be unfair to consider humans as highly evolved animals; because we do not know what this addition has changed us into. And after that are we still the same species? or we have become different?
Vicegerent
God has added Human consciousness, to the material part of this man; and raised it to be Vicegerent of the divine on this earth. A responsibility that nobody is willing to take; but a mere mortal human being accepted to take.
What a Vicegerent job is? it's been given some powers and responsibilities; and thrown into the universe to show how best it can balance between the material and immaterial; and how it can control its desires despite having free will and use revelation and intellect to make this world a better place for all its inhabitants.
“Who made all things good. And He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid. Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit.” (Surah as-Sajdah, 32:7–9).
“It is He who has appointed You vicegerent on the earth and exalted some of you in rank above others, so that He may test you by means of what he has given you.” (Surah al-An’am, 6:165).
Truth and Falsehood cannot be equal
We have come to conclude that the only way of living is being divided by modern states, where humans enjoy some basic rights and the government ensures laws are implemented and safety is provided; and if governments are not performing their duties up to mark people will have the choice to elect another one, which closely resembles peoples demands.
To promote unity and cohesion; nations have come up with languages and cultures to give a sense of identity to their people; this social contract and pursuit of happiness would have worked if we humans were robots or animals and did not have free will or free of greed, selfishness, and lust for power.
Since we are humans, there always exists a group who will take over the government; and use it to maintain the status quo and will find a way to claim their legitimacy on power.
It does not matter if a nation is ruled by kingship, democracy, or communism this group will find ways to divide people, not think of their well-being, and make sure people will be fearful and find a way to control them by making choices that maintain the status quo.
People do not recognize that they are in some shape or form worshipping an entity; if not a race, group, cast, or nation, it will be of their desire, and that entity will decide or influence its actions; in short, no human is free of moving toward finding an ideal to which it can be related and identify with.
You have been raised to do good
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. 5:8
God wants a group of people, to be flag bearers of high morals and God's words; and form a society that is based on justice. So it becomes an example for mankind; this group of people holds dear their responsibility of being vicegerent and highly aware of themselves and their purpose in life.
This party of God will represent a divine message in this world and will be a force that enjoins good and forbids evil.
This set of people will represent the Madina model, where rights are given to each member, and the government is responsible for the food, safety, health, and education of its people. The elderly and sick are cared for.
In a society that is based on human brotherhood, differences will not be on race, color, sect, or language but everyone is treated equally; because everyone is made up in the same way and belongs to the same monotheistic God.
It's very hard to take over these sets of people by a government that is run by a status quo or elitist because they are self-aware, have a heightened form of freedom, and are aware of their rights.
State of Mulsim
The majority of Muslims and their state are almost opposite to the idea of a Just society the Quran wants to establish, and is run by corrupt and incompetent leaders, and none in the masses speaking out against it.
Many Muslims though follow the law and daily prayer and fasting, but their moral characters and dealings within themselves are despiteful; they are uneducated and stuck in the orthodoxy and stuck in problems that are not the core of the religion.
Instead of religion joining them together in one strong unit, they are divided between have and have not, along sectarian lines, Arabs and non-Arabs, and different regions of the country claiming superiority over other lands.
It is as if they are living a dual life: reading a book that asks them to have high morals and be just while at the same time living in a different time and space where those teachings do not apply.
Can these types of Muslims be of any good in the world
or
Would be a cause of moving people away from religion and God?
God will not give power to these people in their land, and even they will be punished so they will realize their misdeeds and shortcomings; and reflect and return to correct their commitment to God.
We will certainly make them taste some of the minor torment ˹in this life˺ before the major torment ˹of the Hereafter˺, so perhaps they will return ˹to the Right Path˺.
And who does more wrong than the one who is reminded of Allah’s revelations then turns away from them? We will surely inflict punishment upon the wicked. 32:21
Will to Change
God is always in control and can fix the affairs of this world and make it Just and Free of oppression and evil, but it is not God's will.
God wants people to make an effort, and find a way to change their situation. They have the guidance, knowledge, and the human ability to think and make an effort; then what is stopping them from finding a way through?
If we are not interested in making a change; while having the capability and not interested in improving our situation then God's help will not arrive.
“Verily, Allah will not change the condition of the people, until they change what’s in themselves.” (Ar-Ra’d 13:11)
Need to change
The question becomes why would some want to change? why not become a follower of a Westerner; where every individual is free to do what it wants to attain happiness, and is only interested in following their desires, and maximizing them?
Why should someone care about their neighbor, weak people, parents, old people, orphans, community, or relationship?
Why not my thoughts, belongings, and body are mine and I alone will decide what I want to do; and I should not be judged for my actions.
Mulsim has even become worse than this idea of individualism; because they have stopped making any change to themselves or their environment and utilizing their intellect to produce anything useful to society.
Logically we know we have to part ways with this world and have to be answerable for all that has been given to us, our every action and intention; are we ready to respond to the question on the day of Judgment?
How can we expect the Just God to let us pass with all this injustice, that we are performing to ourselves and the abilities provided to us; and not making any effort to fix anything?
“Whoever amongst you sees anything objectionable, let him change it with his hand, if he is not able, then with his tongue, and if he is not even able to do so, then with his heart, and the latter is the weakest form of faith.” (Muslim)
“And those who struggle in Our cause, We shall certainly guide them to our paths. For verily Allah is with those who do right.” (Quran 29:69)
How to change
Once you decide you need to make a change, start with yourself. Take time to think and reflect on God, its words (Quran), and your relationship with it. What does it want you to do? What rights and responsibilities has it placed upon you? How can you express gratitude for all the mercy it has bestowed upon you?
To attain knowledge, Mulsim should have an opinion on everything and learn about the basics of politics, economy, social sciences, psychology, and international relationships. Then, they should relate those to Islam and its teachings and the Madina model that Prophet PBUH created. Once they do, they will start to realize the wisdom behind different verses and commandments.
Take care of the relationship God has provided in your life, starting with your parents, neighbors, relatives, and any weak person in your community.
“Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of the people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”
Improve on Moral character and Be consistent in deeds, If we look at Prophet PBUH's life he is known in society as the most honest and trustworthy, and even with that when the prophet PBUH started preaching very few people accepted the religion; similarly, today world how can we expect people to understand the message of Islam if it does not change its followers to have high moral character; who stand for truth no matter the circumstances and looking out ways to help people and treat them in best of ways.
God loves those people who are improving constantly in small ways; consistently looking at their actions finding ways to get closer to their creator; and every day becoming a better version of their formal selves.
“Take on only as much as you can do of good deeds, for the best of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is little.”
Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.”
Muslim job is to improve on everything; like God does, by its creative capabilities creating new stars, galaxies, and planets. There is no constant in the cosmos; the same is an example of a Muslim who is constantly changing and ready to make and adapt to challenges thrown at it but at the same time tries to stay closer to the straight line that goes towards its creator.
God's help will not arrive until we change our attitude toward its book and itself, God does not need us but we need it for all of our needs; God is always ready to listen and respond but we need to make the effort and make ourselves capable of receiving.
Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is always near. 2:214
Once a majority of the Muslim population starts to improve God's help will arrive, but do you have the ability, the passion, and the courage to make changes in yourself, as the future state of the world depends on it?
Why is your heart trembling with the fear of the storm?
The sailor, the ocean, the boat, as well as the sea‐shore you are
Come and look sometime in the lane of the torn collars
Qais, Lailah, the wilderness as well as the litter on the camel you are
Woe foolishness! You are in need of the cup-bearer
The wine, the decanter, the cup‐bearer, as well as the assembly you are
Becoming a flame burn down the rubbish of Godlessness
Why are you afraid of the falsehood? The destroyer of falsehood also you are
O imprudent one! You are the essence of time’s mirror
The ultimate message of God in the world you are!
O imprudent one! Be aware of your own reality as
Though you are only a drop your reality is also like the boundless ocean
Why are you imprisoned in the spell of poor resources
Just look, concealed in you is also the storm’s power!
Your breast is the custodian of the love’s message of the one
Who is Apparent as well as Hidden in the universe’s system
-Iqbal