Perfect & Exceptional Culture

The last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), introduced humanity to a culture that is the highest and most perfect for all mankind. I found a reflection of this culture in “Tahdhib al-Kamal,” authored by Imam Jamal al-Din al-Mizzi with authentic references. Imam al-Mizzi was considered one of the prominent hadith scholars of his time, approximately a thousand years ago.

This page of exceptional cultural beauty describes the tribes of Taif, known as Banu Thaqif and Banu Hawazin, who had humiliated the great guest, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with insulting remarks and injured him with stones. However, when the tables turned, the people of Taif and those tribes were conquered by the victorious Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the conquest of Makkah. The Prophet’s merciful and forgiving attitude blessed them with the great gift of Islam. One of their leaders, Ibn Atiyyah, once came to Madinah with a large delegation. They left their camels in one place, and Ibn Atiyyah left his ten or twelve-year-old son, Urwah, to guard them. The rest of the delegation went to meet the Prophet (PBUH), who listened to their issues and fulfilled their needs. At the end of the meeting, the Prophet (PBUH) asked if anyone was left whose needs had not been met. The answer was that Urwah, a boy who had been left to guard the camels, was still there. The Prophet (PBUH) called for him, and when the boy arrived, he received the blessings of the Prophet’s kindness, love, and affection. The Prophet (PBUH) noticed that the boy had qualities of dignity and self-respect. He said to him, “Urwah, my son, never ask people for anything.” Urwah took this advice to heart.

When the Umayyad dynasty began, Marwan’s son, Abdul Malik, became the ruler. After Abdul Malik, his son Suleiman became the ruler of the Islamic world. Suleiman appointed the companion of the Prophet, Hazrat Urwah, as the governor of Yemen. Hazrat Urwah, who was among the youngest companions of the Prophet (PBUH), was warmly welcomed by the dignitaries and the common people when he arrived in Yemen as governor. After gathering everyone, he addressed them, saying, “You see that I have three things: my ride, my spear, and the book of Allah, the Quran. If I take anything else with me when I leave, then I am a thief.” Imam Jamal al-Din al-Mizzi wrote that after Suleiman bin Abdul Malik’s death, Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz became the Caliph and kept Hazrat Urwah as the governor of Yemen. The third ruler after Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz also retained him, but when the fourth ruler came, he recalled Hazrat Urwah. By then, he had served as governor for twenty years. As he prepared to leave Yemen after twenty years, he addressed the people bidding him farewell, saying, “I am leaving, and bear witness that I am leaving with the same things I came with.”

People! The culture of governance that our Prophet (PBUH) bestowed during the ten years of governance in Madinah was carried forward by Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab, Hazrat Uthman, Hazrat Ali, and Hazrat Hassan (may Allah be pleased with them all). These five individuals were the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and their rule lasted for thirty years. It was a governance full of mercy, following the path of Prophethood. Even during the Umayyad dynasty, a pious ruler like Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz emerged, whom the entire Ummah unanimously recognized as the Rightly Guided Caliph and the sixth Amir al-Mu’minin. This is the excellent culture and civilization that the Prophet (PBUH) and his successors left for the Muslims and the world.

Some say that such simplicity and culture are not possible in today’s world, but this notion is proven wrong when we observe examples in some European countries. A few weeks ago, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, after serving for 14 years, left the Prime Minister’s house empty-handed. He left his office and rode his bicycle home. These nations have embraced the “Umar Law.” They have adopted the governance style of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab and Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz and their governors as a model. I have mentioned only one recent example, but there are many such instances. Mr. Mark Rutte is set to take on the responsibilities of NATO Secretary General in a few weeks. People! This legacy was ours, but it slipped from our hands. Others have adopted it and gained honor, developing their countries into prosperous nations.

My friend, Qari Umar Jathol, reminded me that when the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) conquered Makkah with peace and mercy, they were ten thousand in number. The greatness of these ten thousand individuals is also mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel. The last verse of Surah al-Fath in the Quran mentions the greatness of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) by referring to the Torah and the Gospel. The result of this character is mentioned in Surah al-Nasr: “And you see the people entering Allah’s religion in crowds.”

Dear readers, the word “Afwaja” is used in Surah al-Nasr. The Prophet’s army was ten thousand strong, and when the masses also joined them, they all became the “Afwaj” (armies). Pakistan has three armed forces: the army, navy, and air force. Combined, they are referred to as the “Afwaj,” or the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

The Chief of the Pakistani Army, General Asim Munir, said, “We are Muslims and Pakistanis.” This is a golden statement, and he has given this slogan with authority. His other statement adds to its importance: “Generals and politicians are ready to sacrifice for Pakistan,” meaning that the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan are all ready to sacrifice for this nation. Yes! If we take this forward, we, the 250 million people, are all the Armed Forces of Pakistan. If we internalize the message of Surah al-Nasr given at the time of the conquest of Makkah, victory and success will kiss our foreheads in every field of life.

Even if slowly, steps toward impartial justice have begun. If the pace of these steps continues to accelerate, Pakistan will continue to progress. Our future is our pure homeland. By following in the footsteps of rulers like Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab, Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, and governors like Hazrat Urwah, we can achieve peace, tranquility, and prosperity. The ruling party must take the lead in this process. We pray that they do. The opposition should also take steps, and terrorism and sectarianism should be eradicated from our beloved country forever. O Merciful Lord! Make our pure homeland the global torchbearer of exceptional culture. Ameen, Ya Rabb al-Alamin!”

Written By: Moulana Ameer Hamza

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