Current State of the Muslim Ummah: Challenges and Solutions

Muslims today face major challenges, including the widespread promotion of wrongdoing and a drift away from faith. One growing phenomenon is the normalization of deviant behavior such as LGBT practices, which have now been legalized in several countries, including Thailand. Even many public figures, such as musicians and famous football clubs, openly support such agendas.

Allah has warned in the Qur'an:

وَلَا تَرْكَنُوْٓا اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُۙ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مِنْ اَوْلِيَاۤءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُوْنَ ۝١١٣

"And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire touch you, and you would have not other than Allah any protectors, then you would not be helped." Qur'an, Surah Hud: 113

Preventing wrongdoing is the responsibility of every Muslim. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand (power); if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue (speech and advice); and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart (disapproval), and that is the weakest of faith." Narrated by Muslim

If wrongdoing is left unchecked, Allah's punishment can befall the entire ummah, just as the people of the Prophet Noah were destroyed by a great flood even though there were believers among them.

Manipulating Islamic Law (Al-Hilah)

One form of deviation that damages the ummah is the manipulation of religious law, known as al-hilah, which means making the unlawful permissible through deceptive means. Examples include trade transactions tainted by usury (riba), or gifts given with hidden motives such as bribery.

Allah Almighty states:

يُخٰدِعُوْنَ اللّٰهَ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْاۚ وَمَا يَخْدَعُوْنَ اِلَّآ اَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُوْنَۗ ۝٩

"They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not." Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah: 9

The Prophet ﷺ also stated:

"The honest and trustworthy Muslim merchant will be [gathered] with the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection." Narrated by Ibn Majah, no. 2139

Honesty in commerce is part of the teachings of Islam that must be preserved so that the ummah does not plunge into ruin.

Imitating Western Disbelief

Today, many Muslims idolize Western figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland more than they do the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Companions, and the ulama (Islamic scholars). Yet the Prophet ﷺ warned:

"Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Narrated by Abu Dawud

A clear example of the Prophet's effort to remain distinct from the Jews was when he saw them fasting on the 10th of Muharram. The Prophet ﷺ then declared:

"If I live until next year, I will certainly fast on the ninth [as well]." Narrated by Muslim

This shows that Islamic identity must be preserved and must not blend with cultures that contradict the Shariah. Nowadays, social norms continue to shift. Free mixing is increasingly considered normal, and many parents even allow their children to socialize without boundaries, such as letting their daughters be picked up by unrelated men without the bond of marriage. This causes the Muslim ummah to regress and lose its blessings.

Love of the World and Fear of Death

One disease that weakens the ummah is hubbud dunya wa karahiyatul maut (excessive love for worldly life and hatred of death). Those who love the world too much lose their piety and tend to harbor negative assumptions about Allah when tested.

Allah SWT states:

فَاَمَّا الْاِنْسَانُ اِذَا مَا ابْتَلٰىهُ رَبُّهٗ فَاَكْرَمَهٗ وَنَعَّمَهٗۙ فَيَقُوْلُ رَبِّيْٓ اَكْرَمَنِۗ ۝١٥

وَاَمَّآ اِذَا مَا ابْتَلٰىهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهٗ ەۙ فَيَقُوْلُ رَبِّيْٓ اَهَانَنِۚ ۝١٦

"As for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, 'My Lord has honored me.' But when He tries him and restricts his provision for him, he says, 'My Lord has humiliated me.'" Qur'an, Surah Al-Fajr: 15-16

Blessings in life are not measured solely by wealth, but also by obedience to Allah, including in choosing a spouse who brings us closer to Him.

Conclusion

Muslims must be aware of the challenges they face and strive to remain steadfast in their faith. Preventing wrongdoing, maintaining honesty in transactions, avoiding cultures that contradict Islam, and refraining from excessive love for the worldly life are crucial steps to restoring the glory of the ummah. May Allah grant us the strength to remain steadfast (istiqamah) in practicing His religion. Aamiin.