THE NEED TO CHANGE MUSLIM POLICY
In the last week of April 2002, the ‘Fourth International Conference of the Muslim World League’ took place in Makkah. About five hundred Muslim scholars and intellectuals from various countries attended. The conference’s theme was stated as “Islam and Globalization.” A report on this conference appeared in the Lahore-based monthly journal Muhaddith (May 2002). A section of that report is shared here with minor adjustments.
The Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Mustafa Ceric, representing the views of former Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic, said that considering Bosnia’s painful history, it is appropriate to suggest that Arabs should pursue peace and reconciliation with Israel. Dr. Yusuf (Joseph) al-Qaradawi immediately took the microphone and strongly criticized Izetbegovic’s view in very harsh words. According to the report, it appears that no one at the entire conference spoke up to support Izetbegovic (page 54).
When Izetbegovic declared Bosnia an independent Muslim state, which led to a bloody war, he became a hero in the Muslim world. But now, when he talks about peace and reconciliation, he is seen as a zero among Muslims. Carefully analyzing this incident reveals some instructive lessons.
1. Besieged Mentality: Muslims today are living with a siege mentality. Their unqualified intellectuals and leaders have convinced them that they are oppressed and victims of enemy plots. People with such a mindset will understand conflict but will struggle to grasp peace.
2. A Half Message: The message sent by Mr. Izetbegovic was incomplete. Because of this, it could not be accepted by anyone. In its current form, Izetbegovic’s message reflects helplessness. And no Muslim would be willing to pursue any policy based on helplessness. Izetbegovic should seek a peaceful method of action instead of an armed one. Once he does that, his message will become acceptable to people.
3. The Attitude in Muslim Conferences: After reviewing the proceedings of the Makkah conference, it is clear that all the Muslim speakers there only spoke the language of complaint and protest. They delivered speeches about problems. This is the condition of all Muslim conferences nowadays. At every conference, there is only loud mention of problems. This mindset among scholars and intellectuals has made all Muslim conferences of the present age completely unproductive. The purpose of a conference should be to identify opportunities positively, not to loudly complain about problems. In the words of the Quran, it is about finding ease within hardship.
When the Prophet of Islam migrated from Makkah to Madinah in the thirteenth year of prophethood, he arrived there after overcoming numerous difficulties. Upon reaching Madinah, the first sermon he delivered to the people is recorded by Ibn Hisham under the title:
“The First Sermon of the Prophet in Madinah”
This entire sermon is still available in one of the earliest biographies of the Prophet, Sirah Ibn Hisham. If you read it, you won’t find a single word of complaint or protest. The main message of the sermon is summarized in this sentence:
“Anyone who can save himself from the fire, even with just a piece of date, should do so.” (Sirah Ibn Hisham, Vol. 1, p. 500)
It is surprising that the followers of this very Prophet are now engaged in complaints and protests, contrary to the Prophet’s example. Even in Makkah and Madinah, this act against the Sunnah is being done openly. If any servant of God advises them to leave this path, they become his enemies. Such actions, even when performed in sacred places, undoubtedly invite God’s wrath.
The real matter is that what is happening to Muslims at present is not, in its reality, the oppression of humans, but a direct warning from God. All of this is being done to alert the Muslims. The only way to success for Muslims is that they repent. They should completely abandon the path of violence and fully adopt the path of peace. Whatever they want to do in the name of Islam or the Muslim community, they should do it within the limits of peace. Other than this, there is no way to salvation or success for them.
