BANU ISRAEL 2.0

 

BANU ISRAEL 2.0

Some Muslims are behaving like God's Chosen Tribe, as if guidance is in their DNA and paradise is a guaranteed and secured right based on where they were born or where they originate from. Conversely, they look down on vast regions of the earth and refuse to affirm any positive attributes or even ideas from "them". Lets have another honest discussion. So apparently using the term "Liberation" is a problematic concept borne of the modernist Western ideology. Who could have imagined. Apparently we need "Islamic evidence" before affirming that Islam did indeed "Liberate mankind". Where do these ideas when comes from and why are they becoming so common online?? Why this fixation on being overly critical of the West (and also Gulf countries), is there a 7th pillar of Iman that was recently revealed?? Somebody say something, because it sometimes comes across as if some of us are just looking for an excuse to be upset at anything mildly associated with the Western hemisphere. Allah is Lord of the East AND the West, just in case you forgot. Allah cares and provides sustenance for ALL his creatures on earth and Islam is for everyone. Just because you disagree with Western "Liberalism" shouldn't mean that anything even remotely associated to Liberation automatically becomes un-Islamic or foreign to Islam. Islam has indeed come to Liberate the people as the prophet Muhammad ﷺ openly declared before his foes on the day in which Makkah was conquering peacefully "Go forth, for you are all LIBERATED (antum Tulaqa)" When the Muslim emissary stood before the Sassanid commander in the lead up to the battle of Qadisiyyah, the Persians asked him what Islam came to establish and the response was simple "We have come to LIBERATE the people from slavery unto created things, towards Slavery only to Allah. To LIBERATE them from the narrowness of this existence, towards the vast expanse of eternal life" When Bilal would enter a gathering in which senior companions were present, Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab would stand up and remove his own turban, placing it on the head of Bilal as he stated the following words "Our master (Bilal) who was LIBERATED by our master (Abu-Bakr)" And there are sufficient verses in the Qur'an that command for the Liberation of captives and those indebted to others..... The point is - there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the term LIBERATED or claiming that Islam has come to Liberate mankind. Social media narratives (if not challenged) can condition certain audiences to see Islam through contorted lenses. I have only recently come to terms with the negative and deeply engrained hatred and visceral sentiments harboured by some Muslims towards anything Western or non-Muslim, and it is quite frankly - disturbing. Islam is (as Ibn Taymiyyah described it so eloquently) a polisher but not a hammer. Islam is not to be used as an instrument of destruction, rather - it is used to polish off the already existing virtue in people and societies, helping them uncover the beauty of what was already present. Overly hostile, aggressive and confrontational methods will only foster a greater sense of grievance in those who insist on dividing everything into competing camps, even language. This is the result of hating the "other" to the point of losing balance and measure of moderation. At this point, the logic is simply to identify what the "other" believes or subscribes to - only to take the opposite perspective, for the sake of being different and confrontational. If you live in Western nations, hold a Western passport, speak a Western language (for goodness sake) and rely on Western technology to get your message across - then you must begin the change from within your own self before policing and harassing others online repeatedly about the "problematic" use of simple terms and concepts. Not everyone wants to live in a constant state of conflict and sedition. Aspire for peace and work towards the means by which peace can be realised for EVERYONE. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned us about hating to such an extent that we end up falling into error, be just and do not let your rancour and animosity cloud your judgement. Always be careful of people who only bring bad news and hardly ever report on good and positive developments at home and abroad. Balance is key to everything.