I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, and the Especially Merciful.
“Do they seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allaah for a people who have firm Faith.” Qur’an 5:50
Whenever people choose a path for themselves as against the path chosen for them by their Creator Who is All-Wise and All-Knowing, they are sure to find themselves on a slippery slope of moral bankruptcy. Undoubtedly, one of the darkest eras in human history was the jahiliyah period, a period that was characterised by ignorance, barbarism and strict adherence to a negative lifestyle and culture that is anything but Islam.
In the dark cover of the Jahiliyya period beckoned the dawn of a new era that was soon to brighten the world and define its landscape. Old immoral culture and abhorrent lifestyle were soon to be buried in the cemetery of history and a new puritanical chapter was opened for humanity.
The power, the beauty, and the valour exhibited by this new religion (Islam) that encompasses the entire life of people both at individual and societal levels was soon to earn it the status of the most effective revolution in human history. Within a span of twenty-three years, the ignorant, barbaric and inhumane atmosphere of the then Arabian world and its environs became a specimen for spirituality and morality, as well as for social justice, the like of which the world has never witnessed.
Fast-tracking the events, the Muslims were soon to be the dominant force in the world by virtue of which they served as manuals on how to live a decent and fulfilled life with the goal of attaining heaven and leaving behind an everlasting legacy for humanity. It is with this that they conquered the world.
The message of Islam is simple; take humanity out of the darkness of ignorance unto the glorious light of total submission to the Will of the Sole Creator of the entire universe and all that it contains. It is by sticking to this that humanity will attain glory.
Then comes the 21st century and just like many centuries before it, there has been a concerted effort to reverse the cause of humanity by pushing it off the cliff of light down the ditch of ignorance and amoral lifestyle.
The main characteristics of the Jahiliyyah period was Shirk (associating partners with Allah) which the modern-day renaissance has long embraced as a way of life and even allowed it to metamorphose into atheism. This spiritual cancer needs an urgent ‘spiri-therapy’ in the form of opening up avenues to listen to and clear the doubts of those that have doubts regarding the existence of a Supreme Being – Allaah.
Another characteristic of the Jahiliyyah period is the stringent adherence to the principle of blind following. Allaah the Exalted says: “And similarly, We sent not before you to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: “We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.” Qur’an 43:23.
Today, most Muslims have become adherents of this Jahiliyyah principle of blind following. They follow any slogan and any way of life as long as it is in vogue and the majority approve of it even if it erodes the very fundamentals of their religion. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Part of the perfection of the person’s Islam is his leaving that which is of no concern to him.” Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (even though the scholars of hadith declared it mural, which is the strongest form of a weak hadith).
Commenting on this hadith (since some scholars accept it to be authentic), it can safely be said that it is all about Islam. Islam is either about doing something or abstaining from something. This hadith means that a Muslim should leave anything that is of no concern to him based on the guidance of the Shari’ah.
Valentine, Halloween, Countdown to New year, birthday celebration, wedding anniversary celebration, “this day and that day” celebration are all things that are of no concern to the Muslims as far as the guidance of the Shari’ah is concerned. Hence, safety lies in leaving them.
In addition, the Jahiliyyah renaissance is pushing for the denial of the legitimacy of any religion. They are pushing for a godless society where a man who was not his own creator is to decide the moral issues of the day. This translates to the principle of moral relativity which now empowers all forms of sexual rights and moral decadence.
The Jahiliyyah renaissance uses a powerful minority through sentiments to push for the universal acceptance of ungodly acts. Muslims must always be on guard not to allow themselves to be used as puppets in promoting such agenda.
Only true seeking for knowledge and sincerity coupled with courage and determination will the Muslims become role models once again and not by imitating alien culture. To imitate is to suspend the use of the intellect, whereas the intellect was created for thinking and reasoning.
Mr Abdul (Penabdul), an architect, is the Chairman/CEO of Sustainable Project Works (SPW) Ltd & a Lecturer at Baze University, Abuja. Twitter: @Penabdull Instagram: @Penabdul
