THE CHRISTIAN MODEL
A Model worth Emulating
CHAPTER 61 (Ranks―Al-Saff) of the Quran presents to the believers the Christian example as a model worthy of emulation. This can be understood with reference to two events from the history of Christianity.
The first incident took place during the early centuries after Jesus Christ. In this period, the followers of Christ were subjected to severe persecution and oppression, but they did not adopt a method of retaliation. Instead, they followed the teaching of Jesus Christ elucidated as, “Love thy enemy”. This meant that even when faced with enmity from others, whilst saving yourself from negativity, continuing to convey God’s message to people in a unilaterally peaceful manner.
The second Christian model is their response after the defeat in the Crusades. This was a change in their field of action, after failure in the fields of battle. When they found their efforts in the field of armed Crusades were in vain, they chose the method of diversion― redirection to a different course. They abandoned the fields of battle and diverted their efforts towards the peaceful fields of scientific research.
It is quite strange that the readers of the Quran did not follow the advice given in the Quran. The readers of the Quran were required to adopt the model of the Christians as envisioned and instructed to them in the Quran.
It is quite strange that the readers of the Quran did not follow the advice given in Chapter 61. The readers of the Quran were required to adopt the model of the Christians as envisioned and instructed to them in the Quran. It was this same peaceful model that was adopted by the Prophet of Islam on the occasion of Hudaybiyah Peace Treaty. But Muslims as a community remained ignorant of this model and failed to adopt it. Here are two examples of this failure from Muslim history.
The first example is from the times of colonial rule. During this period the colonial powers of Europe destroyed the Muslim empires ending their political domination. Following this, Muslims fell victim to negative reaction. They harboured feelings of revenge, hatred, and resentment. Some Muslims even took to violence.
Whereas, according to the Christian model as mentioned in the Quran, Muslims should have adopted the peaceful method. They should have abandoned the battlefield of violence and adopted the peaceful field of dawah (conveying the message of God). They held these colonial powers as their enemies and engaged in violent confrontation against them. Instead they should have considered these powers as their madu (one to whom the divine message is to be conveyed) and peacefully conveyed the divine message to them. Had they done so, without doubt the prediction of the Quran with respect to the Christians would have come true for them as well. “We supported the believers against their opponents and they triumphed over them.” (61: 14)
The second model set by the Christians ensued after the Crusades. After their defeat in the Crusades, the Christians had devoted themselves to the peaceful field of scientific research and for the first time in the world, the laws of nature were uncovered bringing modern civilization into existence. As a result, all of humankind benefited in countless ways.
Modern technology and communication have rendered the propagation of Islam possible at a global level. There are innumerable such developments that are totally in favour of Islam and they have all been the products of Western civilization.
Muslims failed completely in following this second example also. In the Christian model related in the Quran, there was a message for the Muslims that if their efforts in confronting the Western powers was proving futile, they should have revised their policy. It is this revision which is referred to in the Quran as, “Turning to God in repentance, every one of you.” (24: 31) This act of revision would require Muslims to turn away from the field of confrontation and devote themselves completely in constructive activities. However, Muslims in their extreme hatred for the West failed to comprehend this constructive thinking.
Had Muslims shed their negativity and developed positive thinking, they would have discerned that the accomplishments of the Christian nations were precisely in their favour. The resulting modern civilization that has come into existence has opened the doors to the service of religion and dissemination of the divine message of Islam. The Prophet of Islam had predicted that in times to come, God would make secular people play a supporting role in favour of His religion. These feats of the Western Christian nations must be acknowledged as such a supporting function. At this time, Muslims ought to have put a complete end to their policy of hatred and violence against the West. Then, a fresh positive mindset would have developed in them and they would have realized the great supporting work done in their favour by the West.
One aspect of this support has been mentioned in the Quran in these words: We shall show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth. (41: 53) ‘Signs of God’ in this verse refers to the scientific truths that have come to human knowledge through efforts of the West. These scientific discoveries are immensely beneficial to Islam and Islamic dawah in a number of ways.
In some respects, the Islamic revolution that came about in the seventh century was the beginning of a new process in history. This process continued through many phases. The revolutions brought about in Europe following the Renaissance was the culmination of this historic process. For instance, intellectual openness of thought, religious freedom, irrelevance of the method of violence, replacement of monarchy with democracy, the age of the printing press, etc.
These developments, introduced in the world through Western civilization, were all beneficial to Islam. Through them it became possible to provide purely rational arguments to prove the veracity of Islam. Modern technology and communication have rendered the propagation of Islam possible at a global level. There are innumerable such developments that are totally in favour of Islam and they have all been the products of Western civilization.
Conclusion
The history of the Muslim ummah is now in the 21st century. Now, the
time has come for the entire Muslim community to change its mindset
and ‘turn all together towards God in repentance’ as mentioned in
the Quran. They must change their internal approach. This is the only
solution to the problems of the Muslim ummah. There is no other
possible or desirable solution. The circumstances produced over the
last few centuries have resulted in a negative mindset amongst all
the Muslims of the world. As a result, Muslims have forgotten their
position, that they are dayees of God’s religion, while the position of all
other peoples is that of madu.
In reality, the relation between Muslims and others is that of dayee and madu. But owing to the negative mentality of Muslims, this relationship turned into one of rivalry and enmity. The most urgent task to be done today is to improve the relationship between Muslims and others.
A new mindset must be inculcated among Muslims as a group that they are the dayees and all the others are madus. It is only in this realization that Muslims will find success both in this world as well as in the Hereafter.