“…And were it not that Allah repelled one group of people by means of another, the earth would be overlaid with mischief. But Gracious is Allah to the people of the world.” [Qur’an, 2: 251]
We live in a dynamic world where the conditions and the circumstances surrounding us constantly change. While this is a sign of life and growth, changes pose new challenges and fears and offer opportunities. They force us to remain alert, keep our balance, protect our values, and stay the course in the pursuit of our goals. The primary goal of a Muslim, of course, is to seek Allah’s pleasure by conducting day-to-day life in conformity with divine guidance under all conditions, whether seemingly favorable or unfavorable. No question, life is complex, often demanding and stressful. But this is how our Creator has created us: “Indeed We have created man in difficulties.” [Q, 90: 4] The world for man is a place of enduring and undergoing risk and hardship; none is immune. At every step of life, a person is only a hairbreadth away from his demise. Until then, caution must be exercised whatever we do.
Such decisions, however, are not made thoughtlessly or without purpose, nor are they random. Man is subject to tests and trials to ascertain how he behaves when confronted by various scenarios. This determination is important because his ultimate success or failure will depend on his behavior whether he adhered to the rules and accepted the Will of his Creator or became His defiant when put through hardship: “He (Allah) has created death and life that He may try you to see who of you are best of deed…” [Q, 67: 2] In fact, people of trust in Allah SWT intensify their devotion to Him during extraordinary moments because of their understanding that: “No calamity can ever befall except by Allah’s permission. Whoever believes in Allah, his heart is guided by Him…” [Q, 64: 11] Belief in Allah SWT keeps a man on the right path in the face of an onslaught of afflictions and does not let him waver under the most testing times. On the contrary, one whose heart is devoid of faith looks upon a catastrophe as a chance or misfortune and turns to fictitious sources for support, further distancing himself away from the source of his existence.
Changes that occur in the physical world or in the conditions that affect life, individually or collectively, provide guidance to those who reflect on these changes and recognize the creative genius and wisdom of the power that causes these changes: “Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for men of understanding.” [Q, 3: 190] With the help of those signs one can easily reach the Truth. When people look carefully at the order of the universe, it becomes clear that it is an order permeated by wisdom and intelligent purpose. It is altogether inconsistent with human rationality that the man endowed with moral conscience and freedom of choice, the man gifted with reason and discretion, and the man with vast resources at his disposal should not be held answerable for his deeds. These kinds of reflections lead people to develop a strong conviction that the Afterlife is a reality. They then begin to mend their lives to face that reality with fear and hope seeking a pleasant outcome.
With the awareness that the changes in circumstances beyond our control that pose challenges and hardships are for reason, we must do our best to go through them un-shattered and pass the test by validating the attributes of a true faithful, for only Allah SWT knows what is good or bad for us in the long run: “…It may well be that you dislike a thing even though it is good for you, and it may well be that you like a thing even though it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” [Q, 2: 216] The tools we need to keep our balance and protect our values include: clarity of vision, sense of duty, courage to stand up for the truth, resilience, spirit of sacrifice, patience in abundance, and above all unshakeable trust in the Almighty. One who demonstrates these characteristics will surely prevail and Allah SWT will grant victory to those who live through them: “…Allah supports those who support Him. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.” [Q, 22:40]
We must also recognize that there are innumerable forces and countless unknown variables that constantly crisscross, configure, reconfigure, and interact. The knowledge of their final configuration, fallout, and impact is in the domain of only the one who has originated these factors and their dynamics that shape various phenomena beyond human comprehension. Many events that seem at first sheer coincidences, as we know, turn out not to be so after all. No matter in which direction one looks, one will observe wonders that are quite out of the ordinary. The appearance of a phenomenon as a matter of routine does not mean that it cannot appear in some other unfamiliar formulation astonishingly.
Indeed, a long list of events points to the extraordinary and exceptional happenings in every part of the universe and among all species of creation and across their subcategories. There is some Divine Force that causes a successive chain of events and leaves messages replete with meaning for those who care to reflect. Allah SWT gives every person a chance to be the best he can be or miss it heedlessly. The choice is absolutely his. Some historical anecdotes will reveal how Allah SWT executes His plans, as agents for change, to glorify the Truth and decimate the forces of evil to human congeniality:
Prophet Ibrahim was thrown in the fire by his opponents to burn him alive, yet he was miraculously saved to rebuild the holy Ka’bah that continues to stand today as a symbol of Taweed (Sovereignty of Allah) and a place of worship. His followers flock toward it in millions daily from around the world. The pronounced moral leader of mankind is revered as the founder of the monotheistic religions: “…When his Lord put Ibrahim to test in certain things and he fulfilled all of them, He said, ‘I am going to make you the leader of humanity….” [Q, 2:124]
As a teenager, Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) was pushed in a well by his jealous brothers as he was their father’s favorite. A caravan arrived at the well for water and instead found him at the bottom. They rescued him took him to Egypt and sold him to the finance minister for pennies. Soon the wife of the minister got attracted to him and tried to lure him into engaging in illicit behavior. He was a helpless young slave, yet did not allow his conscience to be subdued and tried to escape. His defiance of his predator for protecting his morality landed him in jail.
Years later, the king, who was until then unaware of the episode, not only exonerated Yusuf but exalted him to the highest office in the land in recognition of his intelligence and nobility. Eventually, he rose from the well of death to the throne of Egypt without any means, power or desire. Most importantly, he was honored and appointed by Allah SWTas Prophet. His only strength was his character driven by the fear of Allah SWT: “Those who fear their Lord in secret (unseen), theirs will be… a great reward.” [Q, 67: 12] As Prophet and ruler, grateful to Allah SWT, he asked his Lord to grant him something that everyone should be asking: “My Lord! You have bestowed dominion upon me and have taught me to comprehend the depths of matters. O Creator of heavens and earth! You are my Guardian in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die in submission to You, and join me, in the end, with the righteous people.” [Q, 12: 101]
The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) is different but even more fascinating. Pharaoh was killing the first newborn males of the Israelites, as he was paranoid that, someday, one of them would overthrow him. But the very child he was trying to eliminate floated in the river to his door. Pharaoh’s wife found the baby very adorable. Instead of killing him, Pharaoh agreed with his wife to raise him in the palace only to be confronted by him when he grew up and painfully noticed how Pharaoh was persecuting the Israelites. Eventually, without any military force, Musa took his people out of Egypt walking across the Red Sea as it parted allowing passage, while Pharaoh and his army were drowned right before the eyes of the very people on foot they were chasing to kill: “Herein is a lesson for one who fears.” [Q, 79: 26]
Dawud (David) was an unknown young man who had joined the army of King Talout (Saul) just when the mighty champion, Jalout (Goliath), of the Philistine army, had challenged the Israelite army to combat. None of the Israelites had the courage to take up the challenge. Enthused with the spirit of faith and noble cause, Dawud, in his early youth, took on Jalout in a duel and slew him in combat. Impressed by the intensity of his faith and courage, Talout married his daughter to him, and ultimately he became the ruler of the Israelites and a Prophet: “…Allah gave him (Dawud) the kingdom and wisdom (prophet-hood)…” [Q, 2: 251]
A boy, named Muhammad, was born orphaned to a widowed mother in Mecca. Even she died when he was only six. The boy had no chance for a normal upbringing, childhood joy, or schooling. But he grew up as the most liked and respected young man in the community for his character. They loved to call him the Peacemaker and the Trustworthy.
At age 40 when he became Prophet and started his mission, the ruling Quraysh of Mecca turned completely around against him. After struggling for 13 years, he was forced into exile. He migrated to Medina, a city he had not been to before. Yet the entire community was eager to welcome him and accept his message. All of a sudden he found himself surrounded by a community of wholehearted followers without any resistance. But the Quraysh kept their push and continued attacking the young Muslim community. In the middle of the Battle of Trench, as he was defending his community, the Prophet SAW was visually given the news from Allah SWTthat soon the Persian, the Roman, and the Yemen empires would fall in the fold of Islam.
Soon after a revelation followed: “Say: O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give dominion to whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will … In Your Hand is all good…” [Q, 3: 26] In a short period, Allah’s promise came true: “And those who strive in Our cause, We shall guide them to Our own paths, and surely Allah is with those who do good (for humanity).” [Q, 29: 69] Within eight years after the migration, the same people of Mecca joined under the banner of Islam and became the moral leaders of the world. To date, Muslims control the promised areas (Iran, Syria, and Yemen). Briefly, Allah SWT makes it clear that the absolute power behind the rise and the fall of nations and the revolutionary changes that turn societies around for the good of humanity solely rests with Him.
Since changes in the lives of nations occur over a long period relative to the human age; often there is a generational lag. Thus, in each generation, many call the divinely inspired events witnessed by earlier generations the tales of the past: “When Our Revelations are recited to him, he says: These are the tales of ancient times.” [Q, 83: 13] and deny such things happening again. But we notice a pattern throughout human history that Allah SWT, at a time of His choosing, brings new people to power, for instance, and removes others from it in a manner beyond human imagination or any logic: “…We alternate these days of victory and defeat among people, that Allah may test those who believe and select from among you those who really bear witness (to the Truth); for Allah does not love the wrong-doers.” [Q, 3: 140] This pattern is repeated over and over, being the law of nature or Allah’s Sunnah(practice): “…You will find no change in Allah’s Sunnah.” [Q, 48: 23] People tend to ignore it, but it remains operational today.
Just in the recent past, an old man in exile overthrew the entrenched dictator of Iran, who had all the backing of the West. His ruthless army and the notorious secret service could not save him nor would those who supported him in power grant him asylum when he was on the run. The fate of the callous tyrant of the Philippines, around the same time, was a replay and the players were also the same. The prosecution of the Butcher of the Balkans in Hague and the dreadful ends of several ruthless dictators in the Middle East provide other examples for those who reflect.
A colossal change of historical scale took place in the U.S. In 2008 the whole world watched with great interest. Only until a few decades earlier, a black person could not even sit next to a white fellow. Nobody could have imagined even days before that the political landscape of the country was about to change and the country would elect the son of an African immigrant to occupy the White House. Once again, in 2016, the political punditry was flat on its face at the stunning victory of a marginal candidate earlier judged doomed. The political party at the verge of collapse suddenly emerged stronger than ever and the one marching toward a sweeping victory was buried to rise again from the ashes. Thousands of protesters across the country took to the streets to express their shock on something they could not believe.
After a short period of three years, the demonstrators were back in the streets, but for different reasons. The world was paralyzed by coronavirus (COVID-19), turning the most advanced country in the world into the epicenter of the deadly disease on earth. Top scientists and researchers had no clue where and how the virus originated and how to contain it, unveiling human limitations. Deaths, depression, helplessness, mental disorders, and economic disaster had clouded the nation’s psyche. The pandemic had forced the members of the same household to be separated, and the relatives were unable to even see their loved ones as they were buried. With all its might and resources, the government was crippled to respond swiftly and effectively.
History was made again in 2024 when a duly convicted felon was elected to the highest office in the land without serving a single day for the conviction. He squashed every legal, political, ethical, and constitutional benchmark to rise to power even with a radical agenda. The majority of voters accepted and supported that character and his manifesto in a way no human society had ever witnessed before. When the collective conscience of society is impaired to a point where immoral practices cease to register in the conscience and good people adopt a passive attitude, the criterion of discerning right and wrong is stained fully. In a broader context, the integrity of federal institutions revered for their commitment and competence, securing the stability of the republic as a constitutional democracy, has been compromised. Chaos reigns supreme, politics guides policies, and goals justify means. The law-and-order has become a mockery; the custodians of the judiciary are no longer above the fray, diminishing the institutional independence and their functioning. Heightened racial tension and policies are changing the cultural and political landscapes. Vitally, it is a huge change in politics and the code of conduct of a society and in its institutions that will determine its future trajectory. In an intersected world, the impact is global.
Concurrently, a change was shaping up in reverse in the war-torn Syria. A murderous dictator, who had succeeded his tyrant father, fled into exile. The ruthless dynasty had reduced the country to rubbles in 75 years of totalitarian rule and butchered its own people by hundreds of thousands.
Over the same period of time, the charismatic leader, who had waged a Liberation War, became the founding father of Bangladesh. But he could not stomach the power and soon turned into a monster only to be assassinated by the very people who he had liberated. Later, his daughter was given a chance to lead the country. Once settled in power, she revived the legacy of her father in ruthlessness. About 75 years after her father assumed the reign of the country, bloody protests forced her into exile in 2024. History keeps on repeating itself, but the intoxicated take no heed.
Stagnation is not like this world. Nothing is in a stationary state or enduring mode. Everything that rises sees a downfall, and everything that goes down comes up at some point. Discussing this natural phenomenon, the Prophet SAW once explained: “It is Allah’s Law that He brings down whatever rises high in the world.” [Bukhari] Potentially, the Prophet SAW alluded to the gravitational force discovered only centuries later in 1665 by Isaac Newton. According to the Newton law, all physical objects gravitate to ground; and per narration of the Prophet SAW, all worldly possessions vanish eventually. It is typically translated as “Allah will surely bring down whoever exalts himself,” implying that those who become arrogant will finally be humbled by Allah SWT. The operating laws of nature are such that when those nations whose affluent section of the upper classes act wickedly always meet with a tragic end: “When We decide to destroy a town We command the affluent among them, whereupon they commit sins in it, then the decree becomes due against them and then We destroy that town utterly.” [Q, 17: 16]
Everything Allah SWT has created on earth is for our physical survival so that we can accomplish the purpose of our life: “Surely, We have made all that is on the earth an embellishment for it to test people as to who of them is better in conduct.” [Q, 18: 7] But there is nothing we can dwell on. Existentially, nothing in this world is more than a tissue paper that is discarded after its use. The only thing enduring is the reward from Allah SWT for conducting the earthly life with nobility: “Whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and lasting for those who believe (in Allah) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs).” [Q, 42: 36]
In the context of nations, history is chockfull of powers that, once had dominated the lands, have been decimated as if they never existed: “Many a generation has been destroyed by Our command…Your Lord is well aware … of the sins of His servants.” [Q, 17: 17] Each disgraced power tried to outsmart the other, yet inflicted its own demise. Specific reasons varied, but the thread that merged arrogance, unjust practices, and moral insanity remained the common factor. In the global Plan of Allah SWT, the fate of nations is decided in decades and centuries, not because justice is slow, but rather to provide them the opportunity to bounce back if they have any sense of remorse and will for self-reform. The wicked people of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) were spared from the promised chastisement as they repented in remorse and reformed their behavior: “…When they believed We granted them a reprieve from humiliating chastisement…” [Q, 10: 98]
Miraculously, Allah SWT even expressed His dismay to Prophet Yunus after he had prematurely abandoned his community. But when he regretted his hasty judgment and repented, Allah SWT exalted him as a distinguished Prophet: “…We bestowed Our favor upon Dhu al-Nun (Yunus) when he went forth enraged… Eventually, he cried out in the darkness (in the belly of the whale): There is no god but You (Allah), Glory be You! I have done wrong. Thereupon We granted his plea, and delivered him from grief…” [Q, 21: 87, 88] Repent and form to be rescued. It is for people to decide what kind of society they want to build and be part of. If they have a vision for lasting happiness, they must work for change to live in a society of civility and grace.
Wherever we choose to live, and whatever circumstances we face, it is our duty to remain disciplined and orderly engaged in our civic obligations. Good conduct, driven by moral excellence rooted in our conviction in the All-Mighty is what makes us honorable in the sight of Allah SWT and keeps us moving studiously for a healthy change that puts His power behind us: “Say: O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give dominion to whom You will and take away dominion from whom You will, and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful.” [Q, 3: 26]
Updated on 02/13/2025
Islamic Point of View 