The impact of the weakness of faith on the Muslim nation

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

The impact of the weakness of faith on the Muslim nation
`Abdul-`Aziz Salim Shaman Ar-Ruwaly
Indeed, Muslims today have lost the desire for work and giving, therefore weakness and low spiritual energy leaked to them because of their weak faith. The power of faith which pushed Islam toward prosperity and building no longer has the fuel that is represented in the clarity of spirit, goal, and idea. Muslims have become unable to convey their true message because whoever loses the driving force of work will remain fixed in his place and go around himself.


The Messenger (peace be upon him) explained the conditions of the nation when it loses the power of faith. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "The nations are about to call each other and set upon you, just as eaters set upon food." It was said: "Will it be because of our small number that day?" He said: "Rather, on that day you will be many, but you will be like foam, like the foam on the river. And Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will throw wahn (weakness) into your hearts." Someone said: "O Messenger of Allah! What is Wahn?" He said: "Love of the world and the hatred for death."[1].


This Hadith presents a clear exegesis to the crisis which the nation has been through today although its abundant number and plenty of means. The Messenger (peace be upon him) described the nation with "having no weight or worthless" which means:the loss of faith and method. The flowing flood goes aimlessly and during its march, it bears a heap of things that are not important in human's sight; and that description is due to the love of the world, the hatred of death, and our alienation from faith.


The weakness of faith is the main cause for weakness and low spiritual energy to the nation which resulted in inability and laziness to individuals. The proof that faith strengthens determination of a believer and removes the impact of weightlessness, feebleness, and weakness is the saying of Allah (may He be Exalted): "Those (i.e. believers) to whom the people (hypocrites) said, "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)."" [Surat Al `Imran: 173].


Al Baghawy commented on this Ayah saying: "Therefore, fear them" fear them and beware of them because you have no power to fight, "increased them in Faith" out of belief, certainty, and strength[2].

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard the news of the determination of Abu Sufyan to go back with his army to Al Madinah (Medina) or that the Prophet (peace be upon him) thought that he would return, he stood up seriously and with all enthusiasm and spiritual energy, and commanded his announcer to summon the fighters who took part in the Battle of Uhud to pursuit the enemy, to show the power of Muslims, and to declare to the polytheists that what had happened to Muslims in the Battle of Uhud was not weakness because their determination did not become weak, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had enough power to pursuit them.


Indeed, the enemies of Islam, the enemies of the call, and the enemies of its callers only understand the ******** of strength because delusion reached its peak and caused them to fight Muslims for their creed and not for anything else. "And they had no fault except that they believed in Allâh, the All-Mighty, the Worthy of all Praise!" [Surat Al Buruj: 8]. So, nothing will be avail but strength, showing of strength, and terrifying them by force; and that was the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did. Therefore, the Muslim nation has to exert the needed power by all types, the power of faith in the hearts of Muslims in general, the power of knowledge, the power of callers and advocates, the power of system and regulation, the power of determination, observing patience before hardships in order to reach the highest ranks in this world and in the Hereafter and to convey the message that we convey.
[1] [Reported by Abu Dawud in book of Battles, chapter on the nation's set upon Islam, Hadith No. (4297) p. 1536 and Abu Na`im in the Hilyat 1/182, and was graded it as authentic in "Sahih Al Jami`" No. (8183) 2/201.

[2] "Ma`alim At-Tanzil" of Al Baghawy "Nazhm Ad-Drr" of Al Baqa`y 2/184 "Ghara'ib Al Qur'an and the "Ragha'ib Al Frqan" Ans An-Naysabury 2/311.