"Say We believe in God and what is revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and I`saac and Jacob and the Tribes, and what was entrusted to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and to Him we have surrendered."
(Quran 3: 84)
And it is thus that We appointed you to be the community of the
middle way (ummat-e-wasat), so that you might be witnesses before all mankind and the Messenger
might be witness before you. <...> (Holy Qurán 2:143)
The Ummat-e-wasat
(The Community of Middle-way)
As the Quranic ayat above states, God Almighty has made the Muslim community
responsible for discharging a special task and it is essential for a Muslim to
have a clear understanding of this task.
Islam neither teaches extremism nor rejection. It teaches neither arrogance nor
ignorance. It teaches neither self-gratification nor asceticism. Infact, it
condemns them all. What then does it teach? It teaches a
beautiful middle way, a critical balance between unworthy extremes. This is the path of justice, of compassion and mercy for fellow creations, of continuous
striving to do good, a continuous struggle against the forces of evil and of
oppression, always bearing witness to truth with courage, patience,
kind-heartedness, forgiveness and complete hope in
the mercy of God. Such is the path to seek the pleasure and approval of God.
But what a difficult path it is! Walking on the extremes seems rather easier and
fascinating than walking on this middle path. Indeed, walking on this middle path is a difficult task
that can be performed by none
but the most exalted in character and morals. And it is for the performance of
this task that Allah has chosen and appointed the Muslim community. And to
accomplish this task, we have the last book of Allah - Qurán - and the Sunnah
(tradition) of the last messenger (pbuh). A task which is about leading the
world, as a lamp spreading light, showing the way in an abyss of darkness. But
are we geared for it? Are we working for it, or are we being lazy? Let each one
of us individually ask ourselves 'are we playing a constructive role in
fulfilling this exalted task?'. And let us ask forgiveness often from God for
any shortcomings and hasten to the doing of good.
Elaborate meaning of Ummat-e-Wasat: The Qurán has called the Muslims as the Ummat-e-wasat in chapter 2
(surah al-baqarah), verse/ayat 143. Commentary (tafsir) of the verse follows.
Sicknesses of the Community today & Quranic medicine
This life is a test and as such every ups and downs in this world are a part
of this test. Sickness inflicting the individual or the community is part of the
test.
(Believers!) You will certainly be put to test in respect of
your properties and lives, and you will certainly hear many hurtful things from
those who were granted the Book before you and those who have associated others
with Allah in His divinity. If you remain patient and God-fearing this indeed is
a matter of great resolution. (The Qurán 3:186)
The infliction of losses as a means of test and trial is also narrated in the following Quránic
verses, which also says that true men of faith must not lost heart or grieve,
because their patient perseverance (to upholding truth and justice) even in
times of trial is promised sure success.
This is a plain exposition for men, and a guidance and
admonition for the God-fearing.
Do not, then, either lose heart or grieve, for you shall surely gain the upper
hand if you are true men of faith.
If a wound has befallen you a similar wound has already befallen the people who
are opposed to you. We make such movements to men in turn so that Allah might
mark out those who are the true men of faith and select from among you those who
do really bear witness (to the Truth): for Allah does not love the wrong-doers,
and makes men go through trials in order that He might purge the believers and
blot out those who deny the Truth. (The Qurán 138-141)
Renowned scholar of the 20th century Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in his famous
Damascus sermon had talked of 6 sicknesses facing the Muslim Ummah &
prescribed their Quránic medicines. We reproduce a summary of his sermon in the
form of a table.
Sicknesses of the Muslim Ummah
Quránic Medicine
(1) The rising to life of despair and hopelessness in social life
Hope
(2) The death of truthfulness in social and political life
Honesty
(3) Love of enmity
Love of love & enmity of enmity
(4) Not knowing the luminous bonds that bind the believers to one another
Care, compassion and affection for one another
(5) Despotism, which spreads, becoming widespread as though it was various contagious diseases
Mutual consultation
(6) Restricting endeavor to what is personally beneficial
Courage & self-sacrifice
Do not despair of God's mercy. [The Qurán 39:53]
UNITY & ORGANIZATION: Holding Fast, Together, unto the bond with God
And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God, and do not
draw apart from one another. And remember the blessings which God has bestowed
upon you: how, when you were enemies, He brought your hearts together, so that
through His blessing you became brethren; and [how, when] you were on the brink
of a fiery abyss, He save you from it.
In this way God makes clear His message unto you, so that you might find
guidance, [The Qurán 03:103]
and that there might grow out of
you a community [of people] who invite unto all that is good, and enjoin the
doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong and it is they,
they who shall attain to a happy state! [The Holy Qurán 03-104]