Page 20 - Passivity in Religion

PASSIVITY IN RELIGION

The most telling characteristic of this character, as described in
many verses, is the tendency to ardently avoid the struggle carried
out against disbelieving ideologies, and also to hinder other believ-
ers from engaging in such an effort. Both by their manner of speak-
ing and attitudes, such people try to belittle the importance of the
intellectual struggle, and distract the attention of the believers from
it. Rather than involving themselves in this intellectual struggle,
they prefer to "lag behind." They maintain that they will face loss if
they strive for Allah's cause, or show zeal and enthusiasm. They
only collaborate with the Muslims if they believe it is in their own
interest. However, the struggle undertaken by Muslims against the
ideologies of those who have no faith in Allah and the Hereafter,
and are far from the morality of Islam, to summon them to the right
way, and to defeat their deviant ideologies on an intellectual basis,
has a long history. Such an intellectual struggle is best exemplified
among the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an.
For one who believes in Allah's existence and unity, and who is
conscious that he will be held accountable for his deeds on the Day
of Judgment, it is truly a great responsibility for him to communi-
cate these facts to other people. Some, out of ignorance, or still oth-
ers, out of misinformation, do not live by the morality expounded
in the Qur'an, which explains essentially why bribery, corruption,
immorality, and so on, become normal ways of life for many peo-
ple. As well, Muslims in many parts of the world suffer from vari-
ous problems and tribulations. There are Muslim women and men
who are subjected to violence only because they say "Our Lord is
Allah." There are innocent children who become the victims of bul-
lets, or thousands of Muslims who suffer desperate conditions in
refugee camps. What is incumbent, in light of such misery, is to im-
mediately extend a helping hand, not only to Muslims, but also to
all those who are in need. Though, all these problems demand

18