Development and Downfall

Question: In the present time, Muslims as a collective are facing disgrace and humiliation. Is there a way to overcome this situation? If so, what is it?

Answer: For ages, we have been hearing that the term "غیر المغضوب علیہم والالضالین" in the Qur'an refers to the Jews. Our ancestors also informed us that the Jews would never rise to power. However, the current state of affairs serves as a clear lesson. On one side, there are 30 million Jews, and on the other, 900 million Muslims. The underlying reality remains that nations unwilling to change their condition will find that Allah (the Almighty) does not alter their state. As a community, we have turned away from the divine laws established by Allah and confined ourselves to the limited framework of reward and punishment. We have become disconnected from the creative principles that govern the universe. Allah (the Almighty) says in the Qur'an: "We have made all that is in the heavens and on the earth subject to you. The sun, the moon, and the stars are under your command, yet we have never truly perceived this act of subjugation." The Qur'an, which belongs to us, makes it clear that within iron there are countless benefits for humanity.

It is evident that the Qur'an is instructing us to seek the benefits embedded by Allah (the Almighty) within iron. When these benefits are discovered, they will not only serve the creation of Allah but also bring honor and respect to you among His creatures. Allah's law is absolute. Those who have explored the potential within iron have achieved dignity on a national scale, while we, having disregarded the teachings of the Qur'an, have fallen into disgrace. The obligations of Kalima, Salah, fasting, Hajj, and Zakat are undeniably vital, obligatory, and necessary, as they strengthen the soul and awaken spiritual faculties. However, the situation here is paradoxical: it remains uncertain whether these spiritual faculties, either collectively or individually, truly reside within us. The reason for this is the absence of reflection. While we perform the prescribed actions, we fail to focus on their deeper meanings. When an individual, granted the gift of Ilm al-Yaqeen (knowledge of certainty) by Allah the Almighty, reflects upon the Qur'an, the history of the rise and fall of nations becomes apparent. It is clear that the rise or decline of nations is contingent upon their engagement with Allah’s commands. Those who reflected upon these laws were elevated, while those who disregarded reflection became subjugated. It is a tragic irony that in the advancements of modern science, the very formulas that our Islamic heritage has left behind are being applied, yet we, having failed to recognize the value of this heritage, allowed others to benefit, while we ourselves have become a backward nation.

When discussing development and downfall, the mind naturally contemplates the factors that contribute to these states. As outlined in previous lessons, progress stems from individual or collective effort, while decline results from indolence and indulgence. Development has two dimensions. One form of progress is worldly honor, dominance, and grandeur, often achieved by individuals or nations. However, such advancement conflicts with detachment (istighnā). The second and true dimension of progress manifests when, despite dwelling in the seen world (shuhood), one attains access to the unseen realm (ghayb). This alone is genuine honor and greatness. Examining these aspects reveals that modern scientific advancement focuses exclusively on external progress. While nations excelling in knowledge and innovation have achieved worldly development, their lack of inner peace exposes their detachment from true reality. True reality knows no turmoil or shadow of fear and sorrow. Those familiar with this realm remain tranquil. Though this era is marked by advancements, humanity has never before faced such pervasive distress and mental unrest. The reason lies in the self-serving motives—individual or national—behind this progress. If the intent were the welfare of humanity and Allah the Almighty's creation, nations would find peace and contentment. When an individual or collective tarz-e-fikr (pattern of thought) aligns with benefiting creation through effort and innovation, it reflects the prophetic and divine perspective. This tarz-e-fikr emerges from detachment (istighnā). The path to achieving detachment is to align one’s thought and intent with the divine perspective of Allah the Almighty. When we observe creation on earth, we find countless provisions that Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon His creation. Yet, none of these provisions serve any need of Allah the Almighty, for He is utterly self-sufficient. Despite being free from need, He continues to provide for His creation in accordance with a divine system. For instance, when a season demands mangoes, blossoms appear on trees, fruits ripen, and human needs are fulfilled. Humans, being dependent on resources, cannot entirely detach themselves from such provisions. However, they can adopt the tarz-e-fikr (pattern of thought) that these resources, attained through their efforts, belong to all humanity. Just as they benefit from these provisions, so too does every individual have the right to share in them. To cultivate this tarz-e-fikr, one must align their mind with the perspective they seek to adopt. For example, desiring friendship with a devout worshiper requires adopting practices cherished by Allah's devotees. As one increasingly aligns with such practices, their tarz-e-fikr transforms accordingly. The divine tarz-e-fikr reflects serving creation without seeking recompense. When a person consciously adopts this approach, dedicating themselves to serving Allah’s creation unconditionally, they inherit the divine perspective. As this thought deepens, their mind remains focused on performing deeds pleasing to Allah the Almighty. Through consistent practice, this awareness intensifies, leading to the realization that all occurrences—past, present, or future—are manifestations of Allah’s will. This state is termed istighnā (detachment). It is the legacy of the Muslim Ummah, exemplified by Huzoor (P.B.U.H.), whose life embodied complete submission to Allah's will. Every action and event unfold only as Allah wills. Good and evil, in essence, bear no intrinsic value, for all actions occur by His decree. The essence of an act lies in the meaning one assigns to it, which originates from intention (niyyah). Before any action, the intention determines whether it embodies goodness or evil. Humans lack control over the act itself but possess the freedom to shape their intention. Fire, for instance, inherently burns. A person using it to cook food for the welfare of others performs an act of goodness. Yet, the same fire, if used to burn homes, becomes a grave evil. The contemporary scholars and intellectuals, whose intentions lack the well-being of humanity, render all their actions harmful. If we critically examine the tarz-e-fikr (pattern of thought) of dominant nations, it becomes evident that their scientific advancements primarily aim to establish dominance, enslaving humanity or monopolizing wealth for a select group or nation. Since these advancements disregard the welfare of humanity in alignment with Allah the Almighty's vision, they become a source of misery both for these nations and for the world. According to Huzoor’s (P.B.U.H.) teachings, those deeply rooted in knowledge believe with certainty that everything originates from Allah the Almighty. The Qur'an affirms this truth, stating that all things are from Him and shall return to Him. This belief sustains mental clarity and focus. When this conviction wavers, one falls into doubts and turmoil, leading to distress, fear, and sorrow. Observing life closely reveals that every action and movement of humanity depends on an unseen authority. The sustenance of a child in the womb, nourishment through milk from the mother after birth, and the delicate balance of nutrients for growth—every stage unfolds with divine precision. Even resources pre-exist human needs, ensuring that life progresses harmoniously. If Allah the Almighty commands the earth to cease producing crops, every human effort toward sustenance would fail. Within a human being arises the need to seek sustenance, and the means for fulfilling this need are already set in place. Through effort, one transforms these means into sources of comfort and ease. Similarly, after marriage, a longing emerges in the hearts of parents to have a successor to carry their name. This intense yearning culminates in parenthood, accompanied by profound love in their hearts. Reflect on this: without Allah the Almighty instilling love in the hearts of parents, how could the nurturing of offspring even occur? This parental affection is not unique to humans; it is a shared instinct across all creations. Through this bond of love, parents nurture, care for, and gather resources for their children.

It is commonly perceived that resources cannot be obtained without effort and struggle. However, we observe that the resources we strive for are already established under a divine system. When a farmer sows seeds with effort, various provisions emerge to meet human needs. This is only possible because certain means are pre-existent: the availability of fertile soil, the capacity of the soil to nurture seeds, the presence of water, moonlight, air, and seasonal variations in temperature. If any of these elements—such as seeds, fertile soil, or water—were absent, human effort would be futile. In modern advancement, electricity is foundational. Under Allah the Almighty’s system, if water lacked the capacity to generate electricity, scientific progress would not have been possible. Allah the Almighty possesses the attribute of creating in abundance; through one creation, countless other creations emerge. Electricity is one such creation. Through it, countless innovations have come to light, continue to unfold, and will persist in the future. Reflecting on this unveils the truth that Allah the Almighty has created resources so that His specific creation, humanity, may explore their hidden potentials and utilize them.