Part 13
Bisham Shaheed
Ways to Restore the Muslim Ummah’s Dignity
In the whole discussion of the Islamic ummah’s weakness, the discussion of solutions is the most important part, because until a Muslim’s intellectual and faith foundations are put right, no political or economic change will bring lasting results for him. Real change in nations always starts with the human being, not with structures, and the human being, in turn, is shaped through faith, thought, and upbringing.
Here are the paths that, if put into practice, could bring back the dignity Muslims have lost:
1. A Deep, Practical Return to the Holy Quran
The Holy Quran is the foundation of the Muslim ummah’s identity. This book isn’t just for recitation or blessing; it’s a complete system for life, one that governs belief, morals, politics, economics, and social relations.
Unfortunately, today the basic problem across many Islamic societies is that the Holy Quran has been reduced to a matter of reverence alone, placed up on high shelves, while its role in application and practice has faded. The point of returning to the Holy Quran is for it to become the primary reference for lawmaking and setting values, and for Muslims to hold firm belief and conviction that this is the best law for humanity.
Understanding of the Holy Quran needs to rise from an individual and superficial level to a social and civilizational one. Quranic teachings need to find their way into education, media, and culture. Muslims need to know the Holy Quran as a way of life, not just a book of reward and blessing. Whenever the Glorious Quran moves from something merely read to something actually lived, society will gradually move toward reform.
2. Reviving Real, Living Faith in People’s Hearts
In Islam, faith isn’t just a mental belief; it’s the driving force behind a person’s actions. Faith that can’t be seen in action can’t have any social effect. Islam shouldn’t be treated as a religion of slogans, it should be recognized as a religion of action.
Unfortunately, the Muslim ummah’s weakness today comes largely from weak, inactive faith. Reviving faith means:
– Strengthening a person’s connection with Allah (SWT) through worship and supplication;
– Creating a sense of divine watchfulness in individual and social conduct;
– Turning faith into the motivation for avoiding sin and fulfilling responsibility;
– And bringing the concept of the afterlife alive in daily life.
When faith comes alive in a society, corruption, injustice, and oppression naturally decrease, because a person feels they’re not alone and that they carry responsibility.
3. A Fundamental Reform of the Family’s Upbringing System
The family is the first school where a human being is shaped. If the family isn’t reformed, no educational or social system can raise a righteous person. In many of today’s societies, the family has drifted away from its role in upbringing.
Reforming the family requires:
– Mothers and fathers returning not just to their economic responsibility, but to their role in raising their children too;
– Children being taught religious values from childhood;
– An atmosphere of love, respect, and order being created within the family;
– Protecting children from the negative influence of harmful media.
A child raised in a healthy family will also grow into a useful, responsible person in society.
4. Rebuilding a Sense of Life’s Purpose in Muslims’ Minds
Among the major crises, one of the most damaging is the loss of life’s purpose. Many people have narrowed their whole life down to just accumulating wealth, status, and material pleasures. Islam has clearly stated life’s purpose: worshipping Allah (SWT) and building up the earth on the foundation of justice and guidance.
Reviving this purpose means:
– Explaining the purpose of creation within the education system;
– Shifting people’s outlook from materialism toward a sense of responsibility;
– Strengthening the spirit of serving others as an act of worship;
– Bringing alive a sense of mission in the younger generation.
A society with a purpose doesn’t fall into confusion and collapse.
5. Reforming Religious Thought From the Individual Level to the Civilizational Level
A serious problem is that in many cases, religion has been reduced to individual acts of worship alone, when Islam is actually a civilizational system. Reforming religious thought means:
– Understanding Islam as a complete system for life, not just as worship;
– Raising well-rounded thinkers who understand both religion and their own era;
– Avoiding a narrow, superficial view of sharia.
This intellectual shift is the beginning of every major transformation within the ummah. To sum it up briefly, at this stage the basic root of the ummah’s reform is “rebuilding the human being.” A person should be sought who has living faith, who takes the Quran as their life’s guide, who has a clear purpose, and who has received a healthy upbringing within family and society. Without this intellectual and faith-based reform, no political or economic change will be lasting and enduring.
