Times of difficulty are always a good time to reflect about one's position in life. This is not only true for individuals, but also for nations. The past year has been troublesome for most Arab nations. The dissatisfaction of the people with their living conditions reached a point that they took to the streets to demand better leadership for their countries. Today, they are still in the process of finding a new order for their lives and their societies. As long as the stream of life runs calm and everything seems to be in order, a lot of problems remain hidden under the surface and people enjoy a superficial sense of relief and satisfaction. Nevertheless, even a seemingly calm running river, with a shiny surface, hides a lot of trash underground! It is in times of disturbances that much of this filth comes to the surface and people start to wonder where all these impurities are coming from. It is a mercy of Allah that once in a while he forces us to face reality to recognize all the trash that has built up in the so-called Muslim countries. Allah said, “Evil, (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His pardon.)” (Qur'an, 30:41) This is precisely the moment when people have to look deeper into the realities of life to find the root of all this mischief that happened, which led their countries into this state of backwardness. It is about time that Muslims look for a new path and move in the right direction by leaving behind the path of falsehood, which has given nothing but misery. The best example to change a society can be found in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions. They transformed a country from utmost backwardness into a large Muslim empire which dominated the world for a long time. If, however, Muslims do not wake up and do not try their best to clean the society of all impurities, like the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cleaned the Ka'ba from all impurities, then we will break our contract with Allah and would be doomed! Allah said in the Glorious Qur'an, “But those who reject our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations) and treat them with arrogance, they are the dwellers of the (Hell) fire, they will abide therein forever.” (Qur'an, 7:36) The times through which we are passing are disturbing and distressing mainly because some Muslims do not follow the true teachings of the Glorious Qur'an and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) anymore! “How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after they belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).” (Qur'an 3:86) Success is only from Allah. It is mercy from Allah for those who follow His way, regardless of the fact he be whether an individual, society or nation. In Islam there are two kinds of societies — Islamic and un-Islamic. The Islamic society is the one that follows Islam not only in belief and worship, but also in matters of law, economy and organization. This is the foundation of a successful Islamic nation and it was the secret behind the success of the first Muslim nation; to follow the teachings of the Noble Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) unconditionally and wholeheartedly. “The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His words, the Qur'an) and his Messenger (peace be upon him) to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in paradise).” (Qur'an, 24:51) “You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged) — you and your fathers — for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e His monotheism); that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (Qur'an, 12:40) One can just hope that Muslims today realize their chance to transform their countries into real Islamic states, according to the will of Allah! We need to understand that life in an Islamic Sstate encompasses our tradition, lifestyle, values and behavior as well as the way we are governed. __
