News Right Now: Inch by Inch

Earlier this month, Pope Francis visited Indonesia, where he delivered a speech in Istiqlal Masjid- the largest mosque in the country. Together with the grand imam, they signed the ”Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024,” which, as its subtitle reveals, aimed at apparently “fostering religious harmony for the sake of humanity”- addressing two of the “serious crises” in today’s world: “dehumanization and climate change.”

To witness a leader of the Catholic Church come to a land rich in Islamic heritage, a land with the largest Muslim population in the world, providing what he calls "guidance" on the very soil of the Ummah that was given the ultimate guidance from Allah, is outrageous! Welcomed with cheers and waves, kisses on the hand and bows, this event highlights only a tragic irony: the Kuffar, whose belief systems are based on distorted revelations, feel compelled to offer moral or spiritual direction as well as sign documents and agreements in lands blessed with the final and complete message of Islam!!!

Just when one would think it wasn’t bad enough, we sadly had to witness the striking moment during the event when the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Nasaruddin Umar, kissed Pope Francis on the head. An act done as a symbol of interfaith dialogue, but is nothing but a symbol of deep humiliation! How can the followers of Islam, let alone the Grand imam, bow in deference to one whose beliefs heavily contradict us! How does a Muslim who believes that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a human being and a prophet sent by Allah Almighty, like other messengers, agree with someone who believes that he is God or is the Son of God or is the third of three?! It is a stark reminder of the spiritual and political decline that we are witnessing, as our leaders engage in actions that show not strength, but subservience.

As Muslims, we are not just another nation, but the Ummah of Muhammad SAW, chosen by Allah to be a mercy for all of humanity. Our mission is not to receive guidance from those who have gone astray, but to offer the light of Islam to the world. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

[كُنۡتُمۡ خَيۡرَ اُمَّةٍ اُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمُنۡكَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ​ؕ وَلَوۡ اٰمَنَ اَهۡلُ الۡكِتٰبِ لَڪَانَ خَيۡرًا لَّهُمۡ​ؕ مِنۡهُمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ وَاَكۡثَرُهُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ]

“You are the best ‘Ummah ever raised for mankind. You bid the Fair and forbid the Unfair, and you believe in Allah. If the people of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them, there are believers, while most of them are sinners.” [Surah Aali Imran verse 110]

We have been given a divine mandate to stand for truth, justice, and righteousness, to care for humanity through the guidance of Islam, to spread its message and implement the rules and systems it provides which guarantees the harmony and uprightness in society.

The actions of some of our leaders reflect a profound humiliation! but let it serve as a reminder to us of the consequence of neglecting our duty, our role, our part. We have an obligation to deliver Islam as a complete way of life which can only be achieved through the re-establishment of the Khilafah. The Prophet (saw) warned us:

‏«لَتَتْبَعُنَّ سَنَنَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ شِبْرًا شِبْرًا وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ، حَتَّى لَوْ دَخَلُوا جُحْرَ ضَبٍّ تَبِعْتُمُوهُمْ»‏‏.‏ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى قَالَ «فَمَنْ» ‏

"You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit... even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them." We said, “O Allah's Messenger (saw)! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He said “Whom else?” This moment should be a wake-up call for our Ummah, enough humiliation! Now is the time to respond to the command of Allah and restore our authority to resume the Islamic way of life in light of the Khilafah Rashidah, rightly-guided Caliphate, state on the method of Prophethood. A Khilafah in which a Muslim and non-Muslim lives a decent life, in which his life, honor and dignity is secured.

May Allah (swt) hasten its return. Ameen

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