All Muslims are Equal, But Some are More Equal Than Others
Faizel Patel – 16-10-2017
In George Orwell’s book Animal Farm, the award winning author tells the story of a group of farm animals led by Old Major, the old boar on the Manor Farm who summons the animals together for a meeting, during which he refers to humans as “enemies” and teaches the animals a revolutionary song called “Beasts of England”
When Major dies, two young pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, assume command and consider it a duty to prepare for the Rebellion.
The animals revolt and drive the drunken and irresponsible farmer Mr. Jones from the farm, renaming it “Animal Farm”. They adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most important of which is, “All animals are equal.”
Over time, the pigs become more and more like human beings—walking upright, carrying whips, and wearing clothes. Eventually, the seven principles of Animalism, known as the Seven Commandments and inscribed on the side of the barn, become reduced to a single principle reading “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
This book is a classic example of how Muslims for years suffered at the hands of the Kuffar in Makkah, being forced to leave the holy city. After a number of wars, negotiations and treaties, Islam spread throughout the corners of the world.
However over time and since the demise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the landscape of Islam has changed, like in Animal Farm, some Muslims have become more equal than others.
Muslims have to face reality eventually. It’s sad that the world we live in can be so cruel. Many have discovered and maybe were initially naive to think it never existed, but some Islamic scholars and Muslims think less of a person if he is not an Aalim, Hafez or Moulana, irrespective if he’s a Muslim or not. Why? Is this not an example of being more equal than other Muslims?
At first people thought it was imaginary, but it is a reality that many are faced with today.
The question is what makes an Islamic scholar better than an ordinary Muslim besides the knowledge that he gained while studying? The Muslim also has faith, reads his prayers, he fasts, gives charity and if he has money embarks on the spiritual journey of hajj. These are the five pillars on which Islam is built on.
Islamic scholars and non-Islamic scholars are both Muslims and have faith, maybe on different levels but its still faith. The non-Islamic scholar may be a professional that went to university and qualified as a doctor, accountants or journalist.
The irony of the whole issue is that Islamic scholars stand on the pulpit every Friday and on auspicious nights and preach about equality, respect, unity and avoiding prejudice when they themselves are guilty of the same towards others, more so other Muslims. Why? What has changed? Are they not following the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? Like the pigs in animal farm who digressed from the seven commandments, some Islamic scholars have shunned away from the holy book and the prophet’s (pbuh) example.
Let’s face it, there is no unity amongst Muslims today. Muslims have become segregated into factions that despise each other to an extent where they maim other Muslims in publications, spew vitriol making the Ummah a laughing stock.
Just pick up a certain Eastern Cape publication or log onto their website and you will get an idea of what the ummah has denigrated to.
In a video, renowned scholar Mufti Ismail Menk says Allah has warned us about issues that we do need to be cautioned about in the world today.
“Today what happens to the Muslims? Every small things we are divided. Small thing, we cannot work together. If a person for example is tall, he doesn’t get along with those that are short. I mean that is ridiculous, but it can happen.”
Mufti Menk says Allah has also warned the Ummah about disputing among themselves.
“If you are going to dispute and argue, what will happen? You will lose your power and might as an Ummah. Today we have two billion Muslims on the globe, we cannot agree to swat a fly. Why? Because everyone is a big Sheikh, on his own and everyone wants to have a big say and the sheikhs are fighting each other, each one calling the other a kaafir. It’s a reality.”
Mufti Menk says because of this fighting, the public are even more confused because any message of goodness, is kept away from those that want to benefit from it.
So to that learned scholar, while many respect you for the knowledge you have attained, it gives you no right to look down upon others and think lesser or that you are better than them. Why? Because in the eyes of God, all Muslims are equal, but it seem scholars were not taught this in finishing school. If they did, they have a funny way of showing it.
While many try an emulate the perfect character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was kind, benevolent, respectful, even to non-Muslims, the so called Muslims and scholars of today leave a lot to be desired.
Allah says in the Qur’an verse no. 46 of Surah al Anfal: “Follow Allah and follow His Messenger and do not dispute with one another because it will result in your total failure and the going away or snatching away of your might as an Ummah.”
But do we as Muslims take heed? No, and the non-Muslims are setting an example that should have been a habit in the Ummah.
Allah says in the Quran verse no. 73 of Surah al Anfal: “The disbelievers, they are supporters and protectors of one another. Come what may they put aside their differences when it comes to sticking up for one another.”
Allah says in a later verse, “if you are not going to do the same, than there will be great fitnah and fasad on this earth.”
Mufti Menk says because of the lack of unity amongst Muslims, chaos and corruption has enveloped the globe which is a decree from Allah.
“We are totally disunited, we can’t see face to face, yet we are born through one mother and father. May Allah bless the Ummah.”
I hope and pray that the Islamic scholars change their ways, because your character has left many people with a bitter taste and if you continue with your arrogant ways, you will have no trust of the congregation that you hope to lead.
See the video of Mufti Ismail Menk below.
