Election Result: Sh Haitham’s Message

All praise is due to Allāh, and may His peace and blessings be upon His final messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ)

The 2019 election outcome might have disappointed many Muslims, but they accept as it as the will of Allāh before it is taken as the will of the people. Once we remember this, we remember the promises of Allāh for those who accept His divine decree.

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to al-Sābirīn (the patient, perseverant ones). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly! To Allāh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Salawāt (blessings; i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the rightly guided.”[1]

The Muslims are taking their role in society

I have to say that Muslims this time were far more active and involved in the general elections than I have ever seen before. We have heard reports of record numbers of identifiably Muslim individuals and communities hosting hustings events, holding candidates to account, and turning up to the ballot box to exercise their say. The fact that they did not see the outcome they desired nationally should not discourage them from continuing their efforts to be politically active in an attempt to pave a better future for them and for the rest of the societies they are living in.

Therefore, there is no need to blame ourselves and to feel down. Leaders create victory from beneath defeat and create profits out of losses. It is amazing that this is the case of the true believers.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allāh and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”.[2]

Have a long term vision

Believers have a long vision, they should look at the long term and not be short-sighted. They acknowledge that real gain normally comes after losses. People sometimes have to suffer the consequences of eating junk food before they reap the benefits of transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. Let us remember that we live amongst different people including racists, bigots, the arrogant and foolish, who do not learn except the hard way. Yes, it can be difficult, yet fruitful in the end, by the Will of Allāh.

“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allāh knows but you do not know.”[3]

This teaches us numerous things. Society is still far from what some may desire, and thus we need to be more active and engaged; in da’wah, in social activism, in politics, in media, in the legal sphere, and definitely we need more financial stability.

The most significant and impactful way to continue to push through with efforts despite disliked outcomes is to make your efforts for Allāh, since that means you never actually lose. What Allāh is promising you is greater than any worldly manifesto promise: that the final outcome is one of success for believers.

We are in this cause for the long haul, and Allāh is judging us based on every single action—however materially small—done for the right intention.

Secure your relationship with Allāh

Finally, let us act as Islām guides us to act during challenges:

“Those to whom hypocrites said, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.’

“So they returned with favour from Allāh and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allāh, and Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.”[4]

We should remember Allāh more, make more istighfār (seeking his forgiveness) and promise Allāh that we will never give up working until we meet Him.

Irrespective of the real reasons behind this election result, which are very important to analyse and study, we need to learn many other things Allāh wants us to learn when we face what we may dislike.

Now is the beginning, not the end

Now is the time to continue the momentum we have built up over the years and build upon it more. One of the benefits of power not being concentrated in one person’s hands is that there is a lot of potential for activism and influence. As we always say elections are only one part of the picture.

Now is the time to build a relationship with your newly elected member of parliament and become known to them. They should know that you expect them to take into account your and your community’s views and needs when they are voting on bills, scrutinising policies and debating issues.

Campaigning for positive change should continue to be encouraged from the pulpits; we must join or support local and national organisations that are doing work for bringing about justice and mercy to those in need, from food banks to social care to services for our youth. Likewise for lobbying organisations and think tanks that campaign for positive systemic change.

And of course, we must continue to support and grow our own media institutions that are paving a way for Muslims to be authors of their own narratives and push for their own discourse and identity.

All praise is due to Allāh, and may His peace and blessings be upon His final messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ)

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Source: www.islam21c.com

Notes:

[1] Al-Qur’ān 2:155-157

[2] Muslim

[3] Al-Qur’ān 2:216

[4] Al-Qur’ān 3:173-174