What is happening to our Islamic community, and where are the defenders of the ummah?
The impoverished Muslim masses could be called the lumpen-ummah.
Although the lumpenproletariat is mostly an urban phenomenon in the West and the downtrodden Muslim masses are mostly rural peasants, the lumpen-ummah has one thing in common with the West’s lumpenproletariat, and that is that they have no class consciousness.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the lumpenproletariat is “characterized by a lack of class identification and solidarity” and the same could be said of the lumpen-ummah.
The lumpen-ummah Muslims are unaware of their potential power, especially at the ballot box, and are even unaware that they are the majority in the Islamic world, from
Indeed, if we had a pan-Islamic peasants’ party, it would most probably win elections in almost every Muslim country.
If the lumpen-ummah ever becomes empowered, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
So, how do we uplift the lumpen-ummah?
First we need to educate them and raise their standard of living. The Muslim masses are mostly illiterate or semi-literate and live in poverty. Many Muslims do not even have enough food to eat.
If all the Muslims with the means to do so made zakat (mandatory alms) and sadaqah (non-compulsory charity) donations, and if these funds were properly channeled, the economic status of the lumpen-ummah could be significantly elevated and they could be given access to better educational facilities.
However, unfortunately, many Muslims who are living relatively comfortable lives are indifferent to the plight of the masses and do not make charity donations.
In addition, the comprador class of the Islamic world wants to keep the lumpen-ummah down.
They fear the day when the lumpen-ummah rises up, because that would spell the end of their power and their privileged lifestyle.
And there are other problems for the lumpen-ummah, again largely stemming from their poverty and illiteracy.
For example, why does the message of Osama bin Laden resonate with the lumpen-ummah?
Well, because it is simple and in language they understand.
Of course, Al-Qaeda doesn’t really care about the Muslim masses. If they did, they would have spent some of their funds establishing social programs for the poor, like the Islamic movements that regard such activities as an essential part of the struggle.
Progressive pan-Islamists must learn to speak to the Muslim masses in language they understand, and we must deliver the goods -- food, vocational training, employment at a living wage, general and higher education, healthcare, and a comprehensive system of social services.
Moreover, every progressive pan-Islamic movement must work hard to start a new Islamic Renaissance.
This new Islamic Renaissance would give us the momentum to uplift the lumpen-ummah.
To start the new Islamic Renaissance that will unite the Islamic world and uplift the oppressed Muslim masses, we must recruit millions of Muslims and teach them to be selfless believers dedicated to the cause of Islam.
When this critical mass is attained, the Islamic chain reaction will explode in ways we cannot imagine.
Allah blesses His true servants.
But the new Islamic Renaissance will only blossom when the lumpen-ummah Muslims are uplifted.
In Islam, there should be no oppressed class and no oppressor class.
To get a picture of the struggle for social justice in Islam, we should reflect upon the words and deeds of Imam Ali (peace be upon him).
In Sermon 37 of Nahj-ul-Balaghah, Imam Ali (PBUH) said: “The low is in my view worthy of honor till I secure (his) right for him while the strong is in my view weak till I take (other’s) right from him.”
(Dec. 12
HG/HG
END
MNA
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