[One Ummah] - The Modern Idolatry

[One Ummah Network]

Submission by: Tavis Adibudeen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
Topic:              The Modern Idolatry 

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Text:  

With the Name of Allah, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer

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The Modern Idolatry
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"If anyone withdraws himself from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, we
appoint for him a shaytan to be an intimate companion to him."  - (43:36)

All praise is due to Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and
all that is seen and unseen.  He is the only One worthy of worshipping, the
only One Whose power is over all things, the only One Who sent to humanity
Prophets and Messengers and with them books that might serve as guidance
for humanity.  

Over the years, people have often turned away from the worship of Allah and
turned to idols and mythical gods and goddesses.  Allah, therefore,
continuously sent to them warners and guides who led the people out of
darkness into light.  When their Prophets returned to their Lord, however,
they turned away from the Message and back to the worship of their false
gods.  We need only remember the example of the people of Prophet Musa
(a.s.).  While he was even still in their presence, they became attracted
to idols.  

"We took the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea.  They came
upon a people devoted entirely to some idols they had.  They said: "O
Moses! fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have."  He said,
"Surely you are a people without knowledge." (7:138)

As Prophet Musa (a.s.) said, it is only those devoid of knowledge who turn
to other things for worship besides Allah, while Allah is the only One who
can be of benefit or harm to anything or anyone.  

"Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides Allah, as equal
(with Allah): They love them as they should love Allah. But those of Faith
are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see,
behold, they would see the penalty: that to Allah belongs all power, and
Allah will strongly enforce the penalty." (002.165)

Perhaps no greater form of idolatry ever existed prior to the period before
the birth of Prophet Muhammad (saaws).  The sacred house, built by Prophet
Abraham (a.s.) for the worship of Allah alone had become a house of
idolatry holding within its walls at least 360 false gods.  From hundreds
and even thousands of miles away, individuals and large caravans travelled
to Makkah to place their idols in the custody of the kaba and to trade,
buy, and sell goods with the people that they met in the city.  

The tribe of the Quraysh, in charge of the kaba, became extremely wealthy.
They were known for their prestige and greatness.  When Allah deputed the
Prophet (saaws) to teach these people the Message of Oneness, they became
his strongest opponents.  On several occasions, they attempted to take his
life.  They fought against him and persecuted his followers.  Some of them
resisted until the bitter end.  Even faced with death, they refused to
acknowledge the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (saaws).
But why?  Why could they not accept that there was one Creator, Sustainer,
Authority Who should be served and worshipped?  Why could they not accept
that their most trustworthy cousin had revelation from Allah?  

The Quraysh of Makkah actually did know of Allah's absolute authority.  In
spite of this knowledge, however, they set up idols as intermediaries
between them and Allah.  So Allah revealed: 

"None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received
permission (or promise) from (Allah) Most Gracious" (19:87)

"What! Do they take for intercessors others besides Allah? Say: "Even if
they have no power whatever and no intelligence?" (36:23)

Even after it had become clear that Allah would not accept the intercession
from inanimate objects that the Quraysh claimed to be gods, they still
persisted in their idolatry.  Their stubbornness, however, was not out of
love for their gods, as these wooden and stone objects were obviously
beneath them.  Many of the Quraysh were men of high intelligence.  Upon
hearing the words of the Qur'an, they were reminded of how idol worship was
of no spiritual benefit.  Nevertheless, it was of great material benefit to
the Quraysh to persist in their misdoings.  It is this type of idolatry
that is more dangerous that worshipping of stone, wood, or animals.  It is
this type of idolatry that is now flourishing in the world today.  It is an
idolatry called materialism. 

The Modern world has become fixated on material gain.  Wars are fought over
small pieces of land.  Marriages end over financial difficulties.  Human
beings are bought and sold like goods.  Children are exploited and forced
into poverty and starvation.  The greatest weapon of mass destruction is no
longer a nuclear bomb or any type of biological warfare, but rather it is
the use of economic sanctions that deprive entire nations of the basic
necessities of life. 

It is through this false worship of material wealth that the world has
become a house of idolatry unlike any before it.  A few elite people manage
to amass great amounts of wealth while the majority of people struggle to
survive.  Unfortunately, this is not a reality exclusive to the "western
world" or to non-Muslim countries.  It is actually in the predominately
"Muslim" countries that this idolatry has become commonplace.  So-called
Muslim leaders exploit their own people and use the people's wealth for
their own personal satisfaction.  

Allah, Most High, warned us in the Qur'an about people who amass wealth in
this manner:  

"The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts
you (from the more serious things), Until ye visit the graves. 
But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality). Again, ye soon shall know! Nay,
were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!) Ye shall
certainly see Hell-Fire! Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!)."
(102)

"Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and-backbiter, Who pileth up wealth
and layeth it by, Thinking that his wealth would make him last for ever! By
no means! He will be sure to be thrown into That which Breaks to Pieces,
And what will explain to thee That which Breaks to Pieces? (It is) the Fire
of (the Wrath of) Allah kindled (to a blaze), The which doth mount (Right)
to the Hearts:  It shall be made into a vault over them, In columns
outstretched." (104)

Even in the western world where Muslims are the minority, it is common to
see one Muslim exploit another in order to gain a financial edge in
society.  Capitalism has become a disease for our Ummah.  We have been
duped into believing that love of this world will somehow make us rise
again to the status that we once enjoyed.  It seems we have forgotten that
success in this world and in the hereafter only comes to us when we turn to
Allah alone for help, when we worship Him, when we obey Him, and when we
turn away from the worship of this material world.  

Muslims individually should be willing to suffer some hardship in order to
benefit the whole Ummah.  We should empty our pockets for our brothers and
sisters in need instead of turning away from them spending our wealth on
movies, cars, large houses, expensive clothes, and other wasteful things.
We have become content with purchasing from non-Muslims, depending on
financial assistance from non-Muslim countries, and accepting this modern
idolatry as our new religion. 

This day all Muslims should remember that Allah has promised us victory if
we serve Him alone and turn away from the worship of things that can
neither benefit us nor harm us.  Materialism is destroying our Ummah.  Let
us return our focus to the worship of Allah.  Let our deeds be solely for
the purpose of serving Him and not for the purpose of material gain.  Let
our wealth and lives be spent for the sake of Allah.  Let our hearts again
become receptive to the call of Allah when He invites us to success.  Let
our deeds and success in this life be for the hope of achieving the
ultimate reward in the next life.  "...Our Lord! Give us good in this world
and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire!"
[2:201] 

"O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to
go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer
the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this
life, as compared with the Hereafter." 
(9:38)


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