Every few years whenever the conflict erupts in G@z@, muslim social media handles and Whats app groups are abuzz with a list of isr@elı products to be boycotted.
While most muslims respond to such calls positively albeit for a short period, there is also a large percentage of muslims who don’t see a purpose and value in this action. To them perhaps it is an action that does not result into much and a cynicism creeps in that “ I alone cannot make a difference.”
Perhaps we under assess our strength as an Ummah and make a mistake to assume this action as inconsequential.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and place al wahn into your hearts. Someone asked: What is al wahn (enervation). Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death.
So perhaps this love of the world and forgetfulness of the hereafter has weakened us to such an extent that we cannot even recognize our strength.
As Prophet (ﷺ) explained, our wordly weakness, lack of unity and inability to even protect ourselves is because of our spiritual weakness, love of the world, absence of remembrance of Allah and the hereafter.
Infact, for a momin success and strength in this world is directly dependent upon spiritual strength and sincerity of devotion to Allah.
As Allah swt says in the Qur’an:
Whoever desires the rewards of this life, then with Allah is the reward of this worldly life and of the Hereafter. And Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.(Al-Nisa, 4:134)
So why is this form of ‘Resistance’ effective ?
- It is a no brainer that the financial weakening of an adversary is one of the most potent ways to defeat and weaken it.
- Also the financial well -being of this world is something that is most dear to our adversary and any action that affects it, will have a deep impact and potential to change their course of action.
- Muslims constitute 25% of the world population and if we are united and follow our deen we have the potential to change things in our favour. But our voices will be heard only if we speak collectively- in one voice.
- And indeed this is one of the easiest ways to resist, wherein one doesn’t have to leave his home and family, risk his life or spend his money, but one has to just make a choice, a change of preference.
- And even if we are unable to make much of a difference Allah swt will reward us for our actions and intentions.(in’sha Allah)
As narrated in the Hadith on the authority of Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers), Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), say
“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for.”
But I am still not convinced !
- To my mind this is due to weakness of eman and love of this world, because of which we want to escape from our responsibility. We do not wish to come out of our comfort zone but rather expect others like our political leaders- Prime ministers, Presidents or religious leaders or other groups directly associated and affected by the situation to take direct and extreme actions.
- In doing so, we forget two things firstly if we fail in our responsibility and duty as an individual we fail as a collective whole, because our political class is derived from us only.
- So if we as an individual have reasons for not boycotting these products like ‘I don’t have an alternate, it is my favourite, I can’t do without this product etc. etc.”, so does our government has reasons for not taking any action, and indirectly supporting the oppressors.
As Allah swt says in the Quran :
….Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves (Ar Rad 13:11)
- So if we wish to change the world around us we need to start with ourselves.
- As an ordinary individual, I may have several limitations, like weakness in physical strength, financial strength, political strength etc. I may not be able to convince my government or perhaps others around me but I have full control on my actions.
- On the day of judgment Allah swt will question me for my actions and not the actions of my rulers or others around me.
- So if we are true to our ourselves and really wish to do something for our brothers and sisters in the distressed land, first we need to fulfill our individual responsibility and duty.
As the hadith explains
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]
The level of eman of our muslim brothers and sisters whose houses have been bombed and who have lost their loved ones, is something that we all should take ibrat (lesson) from.
Despite all their hardships all we hear from them is “Alhamdolilah” , “ Hasbunallah wa ni’mal-Wakil.”
May Allah make it easy for them , help them and grant them high rewards of Jannat ul Firdous and guide us to be righteous and help them in whichever way we can. Ameen.
