The prominent Muslim scholar, Dr. Muhammad Abu Laylah, professor of the Islamic Studies & Comparative Religions at Al-Azhar Univ., states that: “Our religion is bitterly and mercilessly attacked. Muslims are victims and no longer feel safe. This is not only the result of the pressure we are facing, but also because of the lack of Iman (faith).
Our present ignominious situation is nothing but natural reaction to persecution and oppression. But we have to bear in mind our nature as Muslims and what our religion, Islam means; it means peace, equity and tranquillity. It also means surrendering to Allah and putting full trust in Him.
Our religion gives us unlimited hope that nothing will remain forever. Falsehood is similar to a smoke that has no real substance. Falsehood always fails and truth always prevails in the last. So, what we have to do is to be confident in Allah’s relief and assistance.
We should stick more and more to our religion. This is the assured means of salvation. Feeling despair, I advise you to mindfully read the stories of the Prophets of Allah, peace and blessings upon them all, to see how they suffered greatly, and the extent of tortures and persecution they experienced at the hands of disbelievers.
Allah narrates the stories of His Prophets to give us comfort and spiritual strength in times of trials and difficulty. Let’s read together what Allah says in the last and concluding two verses of Surat Yusuf: “Till, when the messengers despaired and thought that they were denied, then came unto them Our help, and whom We would was saved. And our wrath cannot be warded from the guilty. In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.” (Yusuf: 110-111)
Also, let us reflect on last verses of Surat Al-Hijir when Allah says to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who felt sorry and sad for the disbelieving people: “So proclaim that which thou art commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters. Lo! We defend thee from the scoffers, who set some other god along with Allah. But they will come to know. Well know We that thy bosom is at times oppressed by what they say, but hymn the praise of thy Lord, and be of those who make prostration (unto Him) and serve thy Lord till the inevitable cometh unto thee.” (Al-Hijir: 95-99)
Moreover, He, Most High, says: “Yet it may be, if they believe not in this statement, that thou (Muhammad) wilt torment thy soul with grief over their footsteps.” (Al-Kahf: 6)
This verse means that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, was in a state of utter grief for the people who were running away from the way of Allah and giving their backs to the Divine guidance and going astray.
Allah says to him: “Is he, the evil of whose deeds is made fair seeming unto him so that he deemeth it good, (other than Satan’s dupe)? Allah verily sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will, so let not thy soul expire in sighings for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do!” (Fatir: 8)”
So in the light of the above, dear brother, we conclude that the present sorry state of affairs of Muslims shouldn’t be a cause of feeling despair or languishing in a self-depreciating mood. It behooves every true Muslim to strengthen his faith in Allah. Rather than raising the white flag or burying heads in the sand, Muslims should make use of this critical period of time to do some sort of home-checking, to see where does the problem lies, for Allah Almighty tells us in the Qur’an that “Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because on the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.”