Excuses Will Not Be Excepted
 

This essay is not aimed at the present rulers of Muslim lands, for these munafiqeen (hypocrites) are clearly an enemy to Allah (SWT) and the true believers because they rule by systems of Kufr.
This essay is aimed at the many Muslim civilians around the world who do not submit to Islam completely. Insha'Allah, this essay will provide some of the main reasons why this predicament exists and will nullify some of the excuses used by Muslims who fail to comply with Islam.

If we analyse the problems and weak condition of the Muslim Ummah (all of the Muslims globally and collectively), it would appear that a vast amount of Muslims are not acting in accordance with basic Islamic duties, for instance; not performing the five Fardh (obligatory) Salah (prayers) in a day, Muslim men missing Salat ul Jumm'ah (Friday prayers), Muslim women not dressing in accordance with the Islamic Hijab rulings (covering the whole body except the hands and face with loose clothing). Many Muslims commit a clear act of kufr (disbelief) by claiming that some Islamic obligations do not even exist, e.g. da'wah (inviting people to Islam) and working to re-establish the Khilafah (Islamic ruling).

There are several reasons for the consistent wrong actions and behaviour of Muslims as an Ummah, but ultimately the accountability lies with the individual who has chosen to disobey the rules set by the Creator, because everyone has the power over their own actions. On the Day of Judgement we will all stand alone and will not be able to blame others nor call on others for help...

"So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them." [EMQ 74:48]

The three main reasons put forward as to why much of the Muslim Ummah is straying from Islam are:

1. THE MUSLIMS HAVE NOT BEEN CULTURED BY REAL ISLAM
At the time of writing it is true that the majority of Muslims world-wide have inherited from their parents and ancestors a 'religion' which carries the label of Islam but which is in feet nothing at all like Islam. They have inherited an emotionally based belief, which in many cases has become no more them an extension of the individual's rationalistically based identity. This watered down version of Islam consists mainly of ritual prayer, fasting and some other personal acts of worship plus some un-Islamic traditions passed down from their forefathers such as the Hindu style practices of many Muslims from Pakistan and the rest of the Indian subcontinent, e.g. marriage and tribal caste system. This is a narrow and incorrect view of Islam. Islam is not a religion, but a comprehensive Deen (ideology). The establishment and implementation of this using the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) life as a model forms the Khilafah.

No Muslim however, can use the above reason as an excuse for their own ignorance because the Qur'an instructs us not to follow the ways of our forefathers but to ponder over existence and the Qur'an for ourselves so that the conclusion reached will be that an unlimited Creator exists and that Islam is the truth without a doubt.

"If they are told to follow what Allah has revealed they say: 'No, we shall follow the ways of our fathers'. Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and guidance." [EMQ 2:170]

2. THE MUSLIMS ARE SURROUNDED BY A KUFR ENVIRONMENT
A truly Islamic society where Islamic thoughts and emotions are held and displayed by the people in the form of right action and Islamic ruling (the Khilafah), where all the Islamic laws are implemented would be an environment where opportunity and desire for un-Islamic behaviour would be massively reduced and people would be nurtured into becoming good Muslims. There are no such states in the world since all the existing states are ruled by Kufr, they educate with Kufr, their media systems propagate Kufr and Kufr influences the social interactions within them. None of these states are the Khilafah nor do they resemble it:
The second reason however cannot be used by any individual Muslims to justify their wrong actions because of the following two facts:

1. Every individual's situation is a test from Allah (SWT)
2. Islam is the final revelation and is a perfected Deen (way of life) which has come directly from Allah (SWT) to deal with all situations, in all places, for any time in history. So the Shari'ah (Islamic Law) still exists and must be obeyed at all times regardless of whether the Islamic State exists or not.

"And this is a book which we have revealed as a blessing: So follow it and be righteous, that you may receive mercy." [EMQ 6: 155]

3. THE MUSLIMS ARE BEING LED ASTRAY BY SHAYTAN
Allah (SWT) has given Shaytan (or Iblis) the power to deceive. Shaytan approaches in many forms and whispers inwardly as well as outwardly.

"...Like Shaytan when he says to man: 'Disbelieve in Allah.' But when man disbelieves in Allah, Shaytan says: 'I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.'" [EMQ 59:16]

Shaytan will also succeed in leading the majority of mankind to burn with him in hellfire for eternity.
"(Iblis) said. 'O my Lord, because you have put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong. Except your chosen servants among them.'" [EMQ 15:39-40]

However, the above reason is not an excuse because Muslims have been warned adequately in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Muslims should remember Allah (SWT) and always be on guard against such deception, if this is done Shaytan will have no effect on the true believers.

"He has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their lord." [EMQ 16:99]

When straying Muslims are either questioned by or encouraged to practice Islam by their fellow Muslims, several excuses are often used such as:

A) 'HOW CAN YOU JUDGE BY WHAT I DO? I AM A 'GOOD' MUSLIM INSIDE.’
This is impossible because the actions and behaviour of a person are an accurate reflection of what is within that person. It is ridiculous to suggest that a Muslim can constantly disobey Allah (SWT) outwardly and yet claim to be a good Muslim inside. The rejecters of any part of Islam, 'inside' are at least as bad as what their outer actions suggest and that which their heart conceals is probably far worse, but the warning to these people who claim to be Muslims is that Allah (SWT) sees all outwardly and inwardly...

"And whether you hide your word or make it known, He certainly has (full) knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts." [EMQ 67:13]

B) 'I HAVE NOT GOT THE TIME TO PRAY BECAUSE I MUST WORK TO FEED MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.‘
This is a weak excuse. It is true that it is a duty for Muslim men to seek Halal (permitted by Allah) ways of providing for themselves and their families. However, to suggest that this then eliminates the necessity to perform other Fard (obligatory) actions would be foolish. All the commands of Allah (SWT) are to be obeyed and there is no choice in this (unless hellfire is desired).

"It is not fitting for a believer, male or female, that when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any choice about this decision. If any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a wrong path." [EMQ 33:36]

In addition to this, all Muslims should know that the amount of Rizq (provision) to be gained by each individual in this life has been predetermined and fixed by the Creator, Allah (SWT), the Sustainer and Provider of all...

"And so many a moving creature there is that carries not its own provision. Allah provides for it and you. And He is the All-Hearer, All-Knower" [EMQ 29:60]

C) 'I'M TRYING TO FOLLOW ISLAM’
Islam at times is hard to follow, but this is the whole point, life is a test. The Prophet (SAW) and his companions had to suffer under the most hostile of conditions including slander, verbal and physical abuse and even torture. Even today Muslims who do not compromise their Deen face imprisonment and torture, just as the early Muslims did. However, the reward for persevering through times of suffering is paradise.

"Or do you think you shall enter the Garden without such (trials) as those who passed away before you?" [EMQ 2:214]

Additionally, the above excuse that Islam is too hard to follow is also invalid because Allah (SWT) tests us with no more than what we are able to cope with.

"On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear." [EMQ 23:62]

Many Muslims seem to be under the impression that Islamic warnings about hell-fire are idle promises and don't take them seriously. The Unlimited, All-Truthful and All-Powerful Creator does not lie and His promise is sure to happen.

"Verily, that which you are promised is true." [EMQ 51:5]

"Truly those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall fling into the fire: As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may test the punishment, for Allah is the All-Mighty, the Wise." [EMQ 4:56]

Other Muslims fool themselves into thinking that they can live their lives how they wish and then he forgiven when their lives come to an end. This is a grave error. Despite the fact that they could die at any time including before they have had time to repent. The reality is that it is not they who will decide if they are forgiven, but it is Allah (SWT) who forgives whoever He wills.

"To Allah belongs the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills: but Allah is Oft-Forgiving...Most Merciful." [EMQ 48:14]

When someone has acted wrongly and they seek forgiveness, their repentance must be sincere, but how can anyone claim to be sincere when they continue to disobey Allah?

"The worst apology is that which is tendered when death stares one in the face�
(Extracted from the Prophet's (SAW) speech at Tabuk)

The word Islam means submission to the will of Allah (SWT). The meaning of the word 'Islam' in itself is an evident negation of the modernist 'liberal' Muslim. The notion of a 'liberal' or 'moderate' Muslim completely contradicts the meaning and basis of Islam, for Islam requires it's followers to abandon the worship (or following) of everything except Allah (SWT). This means rejecting everything including their own desires and decisions on any issue or action. Obeying Allah (SWT) by following the revelation in the Qur'an also means that the Muslim must not obey any man-made law or man-made concepts including Nationalism, Democracy, Freedom, Socialism, etc. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:

"I have not Created Jinn and mankind except for My worship." [EMQ 51:56]

"If anyone desires a way of life other than Islam. Never will it be accepted of him; And in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost." [EMQ 3:85]

As for those Munafiqeen (hypocrites) who collaborate with the forces that oppose Islam and help to prevent the implementation of Islam in order to gain power, wealth and security for themselves, they should remember their destiny.

"Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring to light their rancour?" [EMQ 47:29]

"And verily Judgement and Justice will surely come to pass." [EMQ 51:6]

It can be concluded that the Muslim is ordered by Allah (SWT) to obey Islam without fail and the Muslim's priority must be to seek pleasure of Allah (SWT). In fact this is the only reason why people were created.

"Those who oppose Allah's order have to be warned that a calamity may strike them or a painful doom may fall upon them." [EMQ 24:63]

If the Muslim fails to please Allah (SWT) then the Muslim must face the consequences; that is the punishment of hell-fire. When the Hour of Judgement comes everything will be balanced out, every soul will receive what it deserves and excuses will not be accepted.