More and more we hear slogans like ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ and ‘think globally and act locally’ in our Juma’ah khutbahs, community talks, and even discussions with fellow muslims. We are led to believe that we can change our societies for the better by becoming ‘good muslims’; by perfecting our personal relationship with Allah (SWT) and our akhlaq (morals and manners) we can reform our societes. Our personal reform will in turn have a domino effect, influencing our families, our friends, our neighbours, our communities and the society at large.
This nasseeha (advice) has a common sense appeal, but it raises a few questions.
- What are we aiming for when we say we want to change our socities for the better? Are we looking for peaceful, productive, civic minded and prosperous societies or do we want to be the Ummah that Allah refers to as ‘the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah.’ (3:110)? Are we aiming to be that unique ummah that lives by Allah’s laws, upholds it, administers it, and takes on the role of the leadership of mankind?
- If change in society can be generated by possessing good character and high morals, how come Mohammad (saw) prior to Prophethood, had no affect on Makkan society? Even before he became a Prophet, Mohammad (saw) was well respected in Makkah. He was know as ‘as Sadiq’ and ‘al Amin’ by his people. They were well aware that he did not participate in any of their jahili (ignorant) practices, yet his noble character did not bring about a change in Makkan society.
- Moreover, if change can be generated by perfecting individuals than how come Mohammad (saw) cultured such personalities as Khadijah (ra), Abu Bakr (ra), Ali (ra), Hamza (ra), Umar (ra), Uthman (ra), but Makkan society still remained unchanged? How come shirk remained the norm of society when there were such people around who believed in the One True God whole- heartedly, and denounced the evil practices prevalent in Makkah? In fact, their call to righteousness and their righteous behavior aroused hostility.
- If all the Prophet (SAW) was doing in Makkah to bring about change was focusing on individual reform, than how come the Quryash retaliated with persecution, torture, boycott, and murder? Were they so dead set against good morals?
- If change can be generated by individual reform, than how many of us need to reform for change in society to occur? All of us? the majority? Fifty percent?
- And how will we know when we have attained perfection- hasn’t man been created weak, with a tendency to commit sins?
- For arguments sake, say we achieve this elusive perfection, than what? How will us being perfect in character and morals solve the problems of poverty, oppression, occupation and slaughter that the Ummah is facing?
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