In the context of the breakdown of moral and ethical fabric of the contemporary Muslim society, it is important for us to recognize that the solution is intimately related to the functional link between Taqwa and our moral and practical values.
In Britain today, there are some 2 million Muslims in a total population of about 60 million. That’s a mere 3.5%. However, we are not the first Muslims to face the challenge of how to relate to a non-Muslim majority.
Whatever we do, whatever we say or even think, we must harmonise our actions and behaviour, with the Will of Allah, the natural law of creation, we must conform to the values of Islam!
A family, like a little plant grows, and grows well in the surroundings which suit its needs, but at times when it rains too much or the wind blows too fiercely, it can adapt.
In our materialistic/capitalistic world where the value of every action is assessed in terms of material benefits, we are bound to be asked: “Of what benefit is salaah to me?”
Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS encouraged parents to be kind and gentle towards their children. He described the suffering of parents in providing for their children as a “screen from the Fire” for the parents (Bukhari).
A question most frequently asked when Muslims meet, is: Why are we so divided today? And almost in the same breath we venture reasons and solutions straight from sociology textbooks or try to justify the division as unity in diversity to quote the hackneyed phrase!
Allah reminds us to go out and “invite”, not to intimidate or to humiliate, not to hurt or abuse those whom we wish to guide, but to encourage, to inspire, to comfort and to stimulate them to do good. Let those of us who are teachers or parents take note.
