All praise belongs to the One who created, creates, and sustains this universe, the One who calls us to truth and justice.
The God we worship is the same who spoke to Prophet Musa (AS) at Mount Sinai, calling him to a mission not just of faith but of liberation. Musa was sent to confront Fir’aun, one of history’s most ruthless tyrants, a man who enslaved, murdered, and committed genocide against the Israelites. Any voice that rose against his power was silenced, and any challenge was crushed. And yet, Musa did not waver in his pursuit of righteousness. He did not retreat before injustice. With divine guidance, he stood firm, defied Fir’uan, and led his people to freedom. His mission was more than resistance. It was proof that faith is not passive. Faith is an active force that demands resistance against oppression.
Thousands of years later, oppression took a different form, but the cruelty remains the same. Makkah was a city ruled by greed where the rich hoarded wealth and the poor suffered multiple forms of exploitation. Slavery was institutionalised, women were treated as mere commodities, and power belonged to those who could buy it or, at times, worse, take it. The social fabric of Makkah was torn apart by corruption, tribal arrogance, and unchecked exploitation. The strong preyed on the weak, and no one challenged it until a man named Muhammad ﷺ stood up, resisted the norm, and called for change.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ brought forth a religion that challenged the existing framework within Makkah. Islam set fire to the hierarchies built on race, tribe, gender, and social class. Society was no longer to be governed by tribal allegiance alone. Every decision was to be made in the interest of the majority rather than a privileged few. Islam emerged as a movement, a revolution of justice, equality, and truth. It did not just free the oppressed. It confronted the oppressors. It exposed the injustice that had been normalised and demanded a new way of life. Looking back, I realise that I once saw faith as something personal, something detached from the realities of the world. But the Qur’an tells us otherwise. Just as Musa stood against Fir‘aun and just as Muhammad ﷺ stood against the elite of Makkah, we are called to stand against oppression wherever we see it. Understanding our context, I must emphasise that justice is NOT selective. Even if the oppressors share our identity or the oppressed belong to a different group, our duty remains the same—to stand for what is right.
Femicide, human trafficking, racism, sexism, xenophobia, exploitation, and corruption continue to oppress people across the world. These forces shape our societies, creating new struggles and deepening existing wounds. The same power structures and oppressions that Prophet Muhammad dismantled in Makkah still plague modern society, just under different names. Though the names of the ideologies have changed, has our responsibility towards justice as Muslims changed? Have we forgotten our duty? Have we become so complacent in our faith that Islam has been reduced to prayers, rituals, and the bi-yearly ‘Eid fit’ photos while injustice continues to thrive?
The truth is, we do care, but we are distracted. Entire industries exist to numb our senses to the realities of the world. Our minds are constantly fed with the latest trends; we are entertained yet indifferent. Schools condition us to obey without thinking critically. The media provides us with never-ending triviality, which reduces oppression into just another empty spectacle. Celebrities are considered the voices of the people, yet more often than not, they dilute revolutionary ideas into shallow, marketable phrases. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter sometimes function as information sources but operate as instruments of division, misinformation, and mindless consumption.
But this is not just about us making bad choices or lying dormant when bad decisions are made on our behalf. The real blame lies with those in power, corporations that exploit us all for profit while silencing any dissent that threatens their interests. A system that rewards ignorance and punishes awareness. How can we expect the next generation to stand for justice when they are kept numb and uninformed? How can we expect the next generation to hold their faith when they have watched the older generation remain silent when massacres occurred?
Our people are drifting aimlessly, caught in a tide of distractions pulling them further from meaning, purpose, and the deeper truths that shape the world. We are sold a culture of consumption instead of a culture of knowledge. We are given entertainment instead of wisdom and amusement instead of guidance.
But for many of us, we are seeking more. We are looking for the change that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ brought forth with the advent of Islam. We are yearning for leaders who embody the characteristics of truth, justice, and righteousness. We are looking for those who resemble the Ahl al-Bayt (House of the Prophet); those who gave up everything for the truth. Or we look for those leaders who mirror the Sahaba (Companions of the Prophet), who became heroes in their time by transforming societies despite facing near-impossible challenges.
If we cannot find those leaders today, at the very least, we must know about the leaders of our past. I am afraid that we will remain helpless in pursuing justice if we don’t. Within these stories are examples of those who stood for truth against oppressors and oppressive regimes. They do not exist merely as folklore or inspiration but as fire. A fire that can spark something more profound, awaken hearts, and drive a new generation to seek truth, stand for justice, and reclaim what has been lost.
Our actions are measured by our intentions, but intentions alone do not shield us from consequences. When those entrusted with leadership put self-interest above service, they do more than fail us. They betray the future. And if we remain silent and look the other way, we will have no one to blame but ourselves for the generations lost to confusion, anxiety, and despair. A society that no longer prioritises truth is not simply negligent. It is signing its death warrant.
Threats to our Ummah do not come only from the outside. In many ways, the greater danger lies within. We are fracturing, not because of our enemies but because of ourselves. Corruption festers. Egos clash. We turn debates into battlegrounds, not to seek truth but to tear each other down. And while we argue, oppression flourishes. Injustice tightens its grip. The world moves forward, shaping narratives and defining realities, while we waste time fighting among ourselves.
We were meant to be a people of action, vision, and unity in purpose. If we do not wake up now, if we do not set aside our pride and reclaim the higher ground, then we will not only lose our future. We will have surrendered it.
The love and care we wish to be ruled by exists, but so do its enemies. Those who rule through deception, fear, and oppression. Those leaders who do not govern by justice. Those who maintain power through public fear cause societal division while weakening people into submission.
I do not claim to have all the answers. But I do know where we must begin. It starts with honest, hard work. Muslims must first go back to the Qur’an by applying its teachings through action, not just for recitation. It begins with Muslims returning to the Qur’an as a book of recitation and as a guide for action. This is the book that transcends the physical realm – and any race, nationality, or social class. The book that calls us to true freedom, not just for men but for women, children, and every living being. The book contains more than words to be recited on a page. It serves as direction and support and demands our response. The Qur’an communicates directly to human essence through its pursuit of dignity, justice, and freedom for everyone, from men to women to children. A book that remains unread cannot guide us toward illumination. A neglected message cannot transform the world. That part is up to us.
The option for justice does not exist, according to the Qur’an. It is a necessity of faith. “O believers, be Allah’s witnesses in justice; do not let the dislike of a group deter you from delivering justice.” (Qur’an 5:8). They are not just words. This is a command. It is not a tool that can be employed at one’s convenience. It is not a principle used to serve our interests. Our commitment to justice does not change with personal prejudice and does not bend in the face of tyranny. The Qur’an invites believers to seek justice even for their enemies because true fairness transcends personal conflicts. To abandon justice is to betray the very core of our faith.
Qasim Ansari
Senior Project Coordinator
3/27/2025
