Answer
Salam Dear Ibrahim,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Allah Almighty commands Muslims in the Quran to:
Hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves. (Quran 3:103)
And again:
The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (Quran 9:71)
The above injunctions in the Quran clearly teach us that at all times, and most particularly in times of trials and tribulations, it is the duty of Muslims to stand together helping and supporting one another.
We Are One Ummah
Allah has decreed that the Muslims should form an Ummah (a closely-knit community) that loves and cares for one another and are ever-willing to make sacrifices for one another.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the Muslim Ummah should act like a body: If one part of the body suffers pain, the other part also suffers.
When there is such a spirit of mutual trust and help, there will be unity and strength, safety and security.
Unity was the blessing the early Muslims had when they faced threats of extinction, so they could confront their enemies with confidence and put an end to injustice and oppression.
The sad state of affairs faced by Muslim peoples today is undoubtedly due to the fact that we do not follow the guidance of Allah Almighty given in the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet.
Consequently, Muslims in one part of the world are apathetic when Muslims in another part are tortured, dismembered, and massacred.
Allah tells us in the Quran what means:
And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? — Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help! (Quran 4:75)
This evidently is a direct and categorical command from Allah to Muslims to fight for the liberation of the weak and the helpless people from oppression and tyranny; and note that this fight is real jihad in the cause of Allah Almighty.
Practical Steps to Help the Oppressed
In view of the foregoing, we may outline the ways in which we can respond to the present scenario:
First of all, we must utilize all the political means to protect our Muslims brothers and sisters, and what is more, we must urge our rulers to be committed to the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
Also, we must persuade the United Nations, the European Union, and even the Organization of the Islamic Conference to stop adopting policies that directly or indirectly support the tyrants and oppressors.
Individually and collectively we should raise funds to help our brothers and sisters in need, and we should use the media to bring before the world’s eye the sufferings of oppressed Muslims.
We need to highlight the targeted killings, the ruthless demolition of civilians’ homes, the blatant deprivation of basic needs inflicted on the innocent and the defenseless people by the tyrants.
With the help and cooperation of our religious leaders, as well as fearless journalists and activists, we should wage a relentless intellectual jihad for the liberation of the oppressed.
We should indeed adopt all possible measures to effectively resist all forms of oppression, exploitation, aggression, and occupation. Indeed, we should relearn the very purpose and meaning of “striving with might and main” in the way of Allah.
Also, through constant and sincere prayers to Allah Almighty, we need to lend moral and emotional support to those oppressed people who are deprived of their means of livelihood and their very human dignity.
And this is the least we can do for our brothers and sisters!
May Allah ease the travails of our people, and guide all Muslims, especially our rulers and leaders, to uphold justice and truth.
Dr. Sahar El-Nadi gives the following practical tips to support our oppressed brothers and sisters:
Thank you for your feelings, and I totally agree with you, let’s all pray for a peaceful and prosperous world. Yes there is a lot we can do to help, here are a few examples:
– Cooperating with human rights organizations to raise awareness and support people’s rights to freedom.
– Sending aid and medical supplies through aid agencies
– Sending support through your friends in these countries
– Reporting corruption if you’re in a society where that happens and has been hidden
– Praying and asking God to support the freedom seekers and relieve them of oppression
Thank you once again. Please keep in touch.
Salam.
(Originally published in October 2016)
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