Our Problem & Its Solution

What is our problem? Unless we define our problem, its cause, limits and consequences, we can never expect to solve the problem. Accordingly, we will be in error and completely out of the question. Obviously, there are many problems, thousands in fact, and viewed from different perspectives and in different contexts such problems can seemingly be countless. But is this understanding correct; are there so many problems facing the Ummah (nation)?

Quite simply, the answer is No. Whilst there are many symptoms, there is only one disease, unfortunately we are only too quick, both as individuals and as groups, to jump at the symptoms. This is because the problem has not been defined correctly, some people say that we are few in number, that we are weak, poor, humiliated, that we lack educated people, and that we have deficiency of mosques, schools, jurdisprudence, culture etc.; one could go on listing the numerous problems that are often quoted. However, if anyone feels that one of these is the problem, and then proceeds to solve it, he is completely wrong, because they are not the problem; if they are felt to be problems, it is because of the circumstances of the individual or people and this is wrong.

We should not, and must not, leave the problem of all Muslims and bury ourselves in our perceived problems. These perceived problems are the result of our problem. It is true that Muslims are disunited, humiliated, that Muslim countries are constantly threatened, our blood is cheap, and poverty is ripe. All this however is the result of Islam being absent. There is no way Muslims with Islam could be characterised in this way.

So this is our problem, the problem - the absence of Islam from our lives. Hence, the solution is Islam, the return of Islam in its comprehensive and inclusive meaning. This does not mean to establish lots of madrassas (schools) and at the same time to let the poor die, or to improve the quality of life for all Muslims but to abandon Jihad. All aspects of Islam must be implemented, simultaneously, Islam came to solve all the problems together. Thus we must again establish the Islamic government that will resume our Islamic way of life, this is the cure for our disease.

Some of us are convinced that the problem of the Ummah is that Muslims don't pray and therefore by getting everyone to pray, our problem will be solved, however even if we could convince practically all Muslims to pray, it would still be easy for a handful of people with the ruler to implement Kufer. If one looks to many of the present rulers of the Muslim world is clear that the rulers will willingly build more mosques for the increase of worshippers, whats more they will furnish them so Muslims can pray in comfort. This will appease the masses even more. But if the rulers continue to implement Kufer even though Muslims are now praying, what has changed? Nothing! If one could establish more schools to educate Muslims about Islam, one might think that we could make Islam strong enough for us to implement Islam individually, on ourselves. However, whilst there are many things in Islam that can be implemented by the, idividual, there are other duties that can only be implemented by the State. For example, who can implement the hudud (penalties) individually, or stop the banks dealing in riba (interest), or the state taking customs etc. Thus, whilst the individuals may be good the system applied will still be non-Islamic, so again we would have changed nothing.

Indeed, the reverse may happen if a government builds mosques, schools etc. the apparent contradiction now evident will be removed, this will lead people to support the government, although it is implementing Kufer. Thus, the Kufer government will prolong its lifespan, and it will run more smoothly than before, without opposition. This would be catastrophic for Muslims, for the solution will be delayed and our problem will live with us for ever.

Even if the individual is good and we oblige the government to change some laws, for example to abolish alcohol, the general atmosphere of the society, the media, the educational curriculem etc. will remain corrupt. The power will still be non-Islamic and nothing will have changed. However, when the state with its power, structure and authority implements Islam, the change in our lives will occur and the contradiction now present in the Muslim world will be removed.

The solution to our problem is therefore to resume the Islamic way of life and spread Islam. This can only be achieved by establishing the Caliphate. It is the sole saver that can once again raise the Muslims supreme, uniting them under the Islamic flag, protecting the land and enabling the Muslims to spread Islam and to become again a great global influential power.

Al-Fajr Magazine