1.57 Billion Strong?

It is often noted that the Umma is 1.57 billion strong. Alhamdulilah, our numbers are increasing every day. When I hear this number I am initially filled with joy and pride. However when I reflect on it, I’m saddened and frustrated. There are 1.57 billion of us-but look at the condition of the Umma. Look at all the infighting and division among us. Look at the state of some Muslim nations. Look at the situation in lands where we are a minority. Something is not right here.

We worship the one true God, Allah, subhana wa’taala.

We have the perfect religion, Islam.

We have the perfect example in the Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him.

So, where did we go wrong? For the error cannot be in the Holy Quran, the Sunnah or the Hadiths. No, it must be within us. I try to imagine what the Umma would look like if we were all on our deen. I know that such a thing is probably unrealistic and too much to ask for. So I adjust the number downward. What if we had 500 million Muslims who were on their deen like the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was? 500 million Muslims who…

Feared Allah as the Prophet feared,

Prayed like the Prophet prayed,

Loved each other for the sake of Allah the way the Prophet loved,

Walked in humility as the Prophet walked,

Rejected racism and tribalism as the Prophet rejected them,

Showed mercy as the Prophet showed mercy,

Sought justice as the Prophet sought justice, and finally,

Remained faithful to Islam as the Prophet remained faithful to Islam at all times.

It is frankly hard for me to picture this. But, Subhanallah, I truly believe that the Umma, and the world itself, would be turned upside down if this were to happen! The enemies of Islam seem to recognize the power and potential strength of the Umma. When will we Muslims do the same?