Voice of British Muslim Women

Ayesha Naseem Mirza, Walsall

Hopelessness and indifference are the easiest escapes for humanity. It is easy and often natural to lose hope when things don’t go your way, and it is also very easy to look away and continue with your day if something isn’t directly affecting you.

So, in a world that is becoming increasingly individualistic, the idea of self-reformation for not just the self but with the intention of the betterment of the whole can lead to the creation of a more progressive and compassionate society. If each one of us begins to assess and reflect on our actions for how they would impact us, our loved ones and also outside our home – the wider society – we would naturally become conscious of our actions and our behaviour with others.

In perspective, it is the indifference and lack of compassion for others which we see among politicians and people in power who make decisions affecting the world, that they show no care in how their decisions and policies can be detrimental for the people on whom they are being enforced. Reducing funding for social welfare and housing, or leading the country with divisive rhetoric against minorities, or funding and sponsoring wars around the world are all products of a humanity that is severely self-centred and indifferent. If there was any thought shown to the disturbing impact of enabling such things for the wider world and if there was any sincere sense of doing good for the world, responsible and compassionate leaders would refrain from such policies. It’s a shame that we see the exact opposite across the world.

In Islam, the effort to self-reform holds incredible meaning and importance. For striving to be a better version of yourself and getting closer to achieving that objective, is considered a form of Jihad – a striving. And the principle of this greater striving is that all Muslims should endeavour for it, so ultimately this collective pursuit of self-reformation would bring about goodness for everyone and not just for individual people concerned.

The current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) said that “in terms of our self-reformation, we must start from our homes…” and that “above all, every Ahmadi should strive to free themselves from all things that displease God Almighty. For example, a major sin that Allah the Almighty has forbidden is to think ill of others. There is great wisdom in this teaching, as the consequences of thinking ill of others can be far-reaching. Indeed, harbouring grudges or casting aspersions on others is a sure way to fuel division and disorder within homes, social circles, the wider society and between nations.” [1]

Reminding and encouraging the youth to shun this practice, His Holiness emphasised “to avoid needlessly forming negative opinions about others. Instead, maintain a positive outlook and think good of people unless clear and compelling evidence emerges to the contrary. Further, always remember that chief among all evils is falsehood. Falsehood is a poison that seeps into the heart of mankind and tears apart bonds of trust and unity in society.” [2]

Falsehood and thinking ill of others seem like very small things but as part of one’s self-reformation, just giving up these two vices in entirety can have such a positive impact on one’s life. Speaking about and encouraging self-reformation among families, siblings, friends can eventually create a sense of inspiration and encouragement – like the domino effect that after one, others follow.

During an address to the National Gathering of Lajna Ima’illah UK (the women’s auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community), His Holiness reminded Ahmadi women and girls of an inspiring objective that “your target should be to excel in righteousness and goodness purely for the sake of attaining God’s pleasure.” [3]

This is also a profound way of pursuing self-reformation. If all of us take this guidance for our own self and make sincere efforts to obey the commandments of Allah the Almighty and strive towards attaining His pleasure then we would not only be reforming ourselves but we would also be creating a society and world that progresses on the same.

Inevitably and ultimately, any refreshing and positive change from such an effort would translate and manifest into a collective and widescale reformation of society if not just one person but everyone strives for it together.

References
[1] https://www.reviewofreligions.org/45771/a-spiritual-and-moral-transformation-ahmadi-muslim-youth/
[2] Ibid
[3] https://www.reviewofreligions.org/45875/becoming-exemplars-of-morality-and-truth/