Burden of the Standard Bearer

A ‘burden’ of love and dedication for the sake of

Allah

Our Legacy to the World…..

What do we want it to be?

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If the following organizations are wiped off the face of the earth, what would be lost to you and me? Boeing Motorola Nokia Jesuit Schools

So let’s ask the people of the world, both Muslim and non-

Muslim………...

“If Islam and all its signs were wiped off the face of the earth, what would be

lost for you?”

What do you think they would say?

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Allah’s purpose for us

You are the best of people Extracted (chosen) for (the benefit of) mankind;

enjoining what is right forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.

(3:110)

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What we forgot.. We were sent to benefit the whole

world and all who live in it Islam is as much a social reform

system as it is a theological concept The path to people’s hearts, lies in the

solution of their daily problems

Are we fulfilling our purpose?

So where did we go wrong?

Seeing our history in perspective

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“Perspective is the ability to hold two pictures simultaneously in your mind… where you are and where you want to be.”

Perspective

A nation that does not learn from its history is condemned to repeat it

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Standard setters vs followers

The Prophet changed the perspective of his Companions by giving them a Standard.

For 300 years they set the standard of morality, courage, chivalry, and justice which they demonstrated in all aspects of their public and private life.

But slowly we forgot our purpose and the decline began

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Ideology impacts! Nations rise and fall and have a

lasting impact and influence due to ideology.. Not merely due to military might or wealth.

Historical comparison: Romans, Goths/Barbarians, Tartars,

Muslims

Ideology often outlasts its own proponents

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Rome-The Model Empire “The secret of Rome's success had less to do

with spears and centurions than with culture, psychology, media and technology. In the New World, the American domination of the globe owes a great deal to the Roman example. The Roman Empire may belong to ancient history, but its echoes resonate through today's structures of international power and control.”

Jonathan Freedland, National Geographic

Yet the Muslims beat the Romans. Why and How?

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Case in point.. “The British are good people. They

accept our ways and adopt our customs easily. Little do they realize that these are the symbols of their slavery.”

(Comment of a Roman historian just 30 years after the Roman invasion of Britain)

Whose standards are visible in our own lives?

Historical Mistake of Muslims

“We threw the baby out with the bath water.”

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Joint Responsibility The so-called learned people in worldly

affairs made no effort to learn the Deen and the gap between the Ulema and the ordinary people grew and continues to grow

Ordinary people forgot that the solutions to their problems lie in the Deen

Because ‘Deen’ is not the opposite of ‘Duniya’It is the name of the way to live in the ‘Duniya’

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Making the connection Then you remember me and I will

remember you. O! Your who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and salah: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (2:152-3)

Because salah is the best of the zaraya of the life of this world

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The Peak was the Decline When the focus shifted from setting

standards to imitating and competing … the decline began.

When we forgot the purpose of our creation and compromised our standards and sold our ideology for a few pieces of silver.

Today we have wealth but no influence or power

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Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards

and better in respect of hope. (18:46)

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Secret of Muslim success…..

As long as we remembered our ideology and purpose; Tawhid and Da’awa; we influenced the minds of the world and people adopted our ways and benefited.

But when we became imitators…

The bell tolled for us too

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The Path of Decline Innovations & shirk crept into the practice of

Islam in the name of spirituality, tradition, local customs etc.

Pursuit of worldly pleasure became universal Ulema who objected to this were persecuted

mercilessly; from Abu Hanifa (R) to Ibn Taymiyya (R)

People lost sight of how the ‘Deen’ could make them winners in the ‘Duniya’ so they abandoned it.We forgot that the ‘Aakhira’ is the reward

for practicing ‘Deen’ in the ‘Duniya’

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Mongols & Spanish Inquisition

Muslim scientists were killed, records were destroyed and what remained was adopted by Europe leading to their Renaissance.

Theology was protected and hidden from the masses in religious schools and largely became the property of the scholarsTheology and Science got separated

as in the Christian Church

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What we forgot We were sent to lead; not to

follow. We were sent with the formula for

success in this life and the next. We were supposed to demonstrate

this, not merely talk about it.We forgot that we were the Standard Bearers

The path to people’s hearts..

Lies in showing them solutions to their daily

problems

So where are we now?

Which is more visible in our lives today?

Setting standards or imitating?

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Global situation today Oppression of the many by the few Self indulgence is the ultimate goal Leaders are blatant criminals Accountability is ignored or denied Justice has many interpretations

A world where the ‘self’ is worshipped

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Resilience is the key.. Face the brutal facts…….. But never lose hope in our

eventual success

Remember – It’s only losers who make excuses

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Window of Opportunity In the life of every man and woman

comes a time when they have a unique opportunity to make an impact and influence others.

Those who succeed, are the ones who anticipate and prepare for it and recognize it and act when it opens.

Our window is open now. Are we ready?

The ‘Burden’ of the Standard Bearer

Performing a labor of love

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The Challenge Show how the Qur’an and Sunnah are

relevant in today’s worldly life Show the way to practice the Islamic Way

of Life in today’s context Show how Islam differentiates the Muslim

and makes him a winner in both worlds Create teachers who can replicate this

model in every society throughout the world

Show how – Not merely talk about it

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What does Islam have to offer to the World today?

1. A democratic model of government based on the selection of the best in character and piety.

2. An economic model based on helping each other and sharing resources and social responsibility.

3. A moral order based on the consciousness of accountability to Allah who knows all.

4. A model of scientific development based on research taking hints of the marvels of creation mentioned in the Qur’an.

Are we willing to demonstrate this and show the way?

The Qur’anic Model

The correct sequence of learning that leads to success

in both lives

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The Qur’an teaches us the relationship between recognizing the Creator and knowledge of His creation

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Combining Theology & Science

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are indeed Signs for People of Understanding.

People who celebrate the praises of Allah standing sitting and lying down on their sides

And contemplate (research, enquire) the Creation in the heavens and the earth (with the thought): "Our Lord! not for nothing have You created (all) this! Glory be to You! Save us from the penalty of the fire.

Our purpose is to show this connection

“Why” versus “How”

The problem with Western education

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“Why” versus “How” When you ask “Why” something

happens, science tells you “How” it happens.

‘How’ is method. ‘Why’ is Purpose

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Why do rogue waves rise so high?

Waves coming at different speeds from different directions suddenly meet and mingle into one big rogue wave.

Strong waves collide with fast-flowing ocean currents coming from the opposite direction, slowing down the waves so that they pile up and form rogue waves.

Are these answers to the question: Why?

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Science versus Islam The purpose of

science is to peel back the layers of the appearance of objects to reveal their underlying nature.

It is the purpose of Islam to peel back the layers of the appearance of objects to reveal their underlying purpose.

Think of Imaan Bil Ghaib in this context!!

An Example

The benefit of explaining science using the Qur’an

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The Big Dilemma Hyperspace theory tells us that

when the universe stops expanding and starts contracting it will end in an enormous production of heat which will vaporize everything

“How can intelligent life escape the Big Crunch?”

We need to tear space and escape into another dimension

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The Qur’an; the Book of Signs; not science

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The Qur’an solves the mystery

Verily the Day of Decision is a fixed time. The Day when the Trumpet will be blown and you shall come forth in crowds (groups after groups). And the heaven shall be opened and it will become gates. And the mountains shall be moved away from their places and they will be as if they were a mirage. (78:17-20)

The Qur’an begins where science ends

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The Challenge To bridge this gap between the

knowledge of Experimentation and Revelation

Introduce the Creator into secular scientific syllabi so that scientists don’t waste time searching for 1300 years to find an answer that existed before they started looking.Introduce the Creator to His creatures

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Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repentance)

Say, “Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before you! Most of them were Mushrikun (people who join partners with Allah) (30:41-42)

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The Reality Allah has linked our life

conditions to our actions and not to our possessions.

For conditions to change, actions must change first

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Today’s paradox To disobey Allah is not only

accepted but is considered the ‘right’ of the individual

We call this, life style choice, adult consent and so on.

Yet we want peace, plenty, comfort, safety

But goodness lies only in the obedience to the Creator

The World Desperately Needs

Standard Bearers

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Who are ‘Standard Bearers’?

1. Totally motivated and inspired by the standard they love and respect and feel privileged to bear

2. Genuinely believe in its superiority over other ways

3. Differentiate themselves with pride and confidence on the basis of the standard they exemplify

4. Willing to be held accountable by the world for adhering to their standard

They are the ones who provide the benchmark for the world to judge itself.

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Differentiation is key The willingness to be ‘different’ is

a sign of leadership Show how the ‘difference’ is

beneficial by practicing it Wear your ‘difference’ with pride

and confidence

Only a dead fish goes with the current

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Hadith of the ‘Ghuraba’ Abu Huraiyra (RA) narrates that the

Prophet said: Islam started as something strange, and it shall return as it started, therefore give glad tidings to the strangers. Muslim Kitab-ul-Iman (1/84)

The willingness to be different is an essential quality of leadership

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Our ‘Standard’

You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of (conduct)

for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day

and who engages much in the praise of Allah. (33:21)

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5 – Critical Qualities1. Passionate desire to work for Islam2. Drive for excellence in everything3. Understanding the correct priority4. Attitude towards life5. Willingness to commit yourself

Qualities of the Prophet and His Companions

Our Challenge going forward

“There’s no earthly force that can stop an idea whose time has

come.”

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The Idea Research in the Qur’an and Sunnah and

define specific attitudes & actions in each discipline or field of endeavor where the Muslim’s practice of Islam in that field will differentiate him from others.

Create propagators who will become living Standard Bearers for the Islamic Way

Because the Prophet came to demonstrate

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Our Window of Opportunity

Very small in time in relation to the life of this world

Very important and significant in relation to its impact on our Aakhira

It’s time to make a choice

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And whosoever has taqwa and fears Allah Allah will make a way out (of every

difficulty) for him. And He will provide him from (sources/means) he could never imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah He will be sufficient for him. (65:2-3)

The Promise of Allah

People remember us not by what we consumed - But by

what we contributed

Are we ready to be Standard Bearers of Islam?

May Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala reward you all with the best