Sharing Islam with Britain 

Ourworld today stands at the threshold of events likely to change the course of history. The old world order is dying and a new world order must be born if human beings and the world at large are to live in peace and justice. 

You must know, and be grateful for that to your Creator that you are blessed to be Muslim, and, at such momentous times in world history, you have been placed in the West, here in Britain. A bright future awaits you, full of great promises and openings. You have the unique opportunity of becoming partners in the making of history, indeed of being standard-bearers, at this crucial hour. For this you have to recognise that Islam is the message that the hearts and minds of mankind have been waiting for. You only have to do your duty as Muslims to usher in the new era. 

The old order is dying because it has failed to give peace to hearts and minds, to bring justice and mercy to mankind, to give meaning, purpose and direction to the individual and society It has failed to put unity and brotherhood in the hearts of men. Such meaning and direction in life can come only by making the Creator the centre and goal of life. Unity brotherhood, respect for human dignity can materialise only through a unity rooted in hearts and minds, not in flesh, race, colour language or geography – barriers so rampant in our times that seem almost impossible to pull down. But this can be done through faith, and only then can violence to self, to persons, to peoples, and to environment, be eliminated. Such direction to life, such unity, only Islam can give because it means living in total surrender to the Creator Allah, in accordance with the guidance given by His messengers.

The treasures of Islam – its message and its way of life – are in are your hands. You are their trustees. For the last time they were given to humanity through the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and you are his heirs, his ambassadors, his apostles, to all mankind until the end of the world. 

It is no accident of history that you and the millions of Muslims reside here in the West, from Istanbul to Los Angeles. For no such accidents take place in a history directed by the All-Wise and All-Knowing Cod. You may have come for money education or a better material life, but He has placed you here for a purpose: to be ambassadors of the Prophet Muhammad to the West, the present day world leader. You are therefore, on trial, and the choice is yours: whether to fail or succeed. 

Muslims were in Spain for eight hundred years with all the splendours of civilisation. They made a great impact on the West, but did not succeed in making its homes and hearths an abode of Islam. Then, they were in Eastern Europe with al the might of arms, but again, did not succeed in conquering hearts. Now, for the third time, you are here, but with neither splendours nor arms. But perhaps, now, with the might of Iman and the splendour of a life fashioned by one who was ‘Mercy unto all the worlds’, you can succeed where others have failed. The potential is there, the choice is yours. 

Indeed, you have only three possible futures. First, to be assimilated and absorbed in the secular culture here, receiving in return, a niche where you can practice your private customs and festivals. Second, to face genocide, or extermination, like the Muslims in Spain and Bosnia, and the Jews in Germany. And third, to bring Islam to the West and the West to Islam. Again, the choice is yours. 

Being Muslims, desiring to live as Muslims, do you really have a choice? Certainly not. There is only one choice for you and it is quite obvious. Therefore, arise brothers and sisters, old and young, high and low and make a resolve today, for tomorrow never comes – to cry out and carry on the message of the Prophet (pbuh), from every home and market square to every man , woman and child, so that they may live in true submission, to your only Lord, and the only centre and goal of life, following and obeying all of His messengers, Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Only that will bring unity and integrity to your personal lives, peace and love to your hearts, and justice and mercy to humankind. With unflinching commitment, undivided loyalty, unbounded love and enthusiasm, and unceasing yearning, Allah will crown your efforts with success.

The day will then come when Britain will give up all ‘isms’ and established religions, and submit to the will of the Creator. That day Britain will become Islamic. Let that be your goal. [Khurram Murad 1932-1996]