Having no blood affiliation with the Scots whatsoever, and
having never set foot in Scotland, I’m not exactly sure why I was so intensely
fascinated with the Scottish referendum and the possibility of an independent Scotland.
For the past 2-3 years I have read every article on Scottish independence on
BBC News and more elsewhere. It might be that in a world where one has to toe
the line of the powers that be or shut up, that a cause re-emerging after 3
centuries would hold an appeal to this rebel at heart.
I believe that an independent
Scotland would have been much friendlier to Islām, than the blood-thirsty
British Empire. Yet we also believe that not a leaf may blow in the wind,
except with the permission of its Creator. The King of kings did not will an independent
Scotland, and this must be accepted, whatever good we might have seen in it. Nevertheless,
the referendum brought some issues to light which we as Muslims might reflect
on.
Facts must precede emotion
Whether true or not, the impression was created that the
Independence Movement had no answers and based their cause solely on emotional
appeal. The Imperialists supposedly had solid facts to back their assertions. I
was extremely disappointed with a Scottish Muslim journalist, who mostly touted
emotional slogans, and hardly ever touched on concrete reasons why independence
should be supported or challenged the Imperialist camp’s arguments. Thus the
journalist contributed to the impression of an emotional movement devoid of
reason.
What we should reflect on is how often we as Muslims react
with raw emotion instead of looking at the facts. I have touched upon this
issue previously when discussing our
reaction to the video, Innocence of Muslims.
At times attention must be paid to what impression is created
When ‘Umar (may Allāh be pleased with him) wished to slay
the hypocrites, Allāh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم advised that the impression would be created
that Muḥammad kills his own followers. Although not true, the wise leader صلى الله عليه وسلم had to pay attention to the impression created,
not just the reality. With the media against them, the Scots got portrayed as
brainless romantic fanatics and this was a factor against them.
Egos vs Issues
I am most impressed with the dignity and dedication of Mr
Alexander Salmond, the leader of the Independence movement. Throughout the
campaign, the supposedly rational Imperialists ceaselessly attacked the character
and intentions of the supposedly emotional Mr Salmond. The dignity of Mr
Salmond in not stooping to their level and remaining focussed on his cause and
its issues, is an example our Muslim leaders could do well to emulate. I believe
that promoting what you believe to be right is closer to the Sunnah than
hammering at each other’s character flaws, real or imagined. It is regrettable that
a man of such intelligence has not seen the light of Islām as yet. May Allāh bless
him with the gift of Islām.
Listening to a speech here and there from George Galloway on
Palestine never made me realise what a titanic ego the man possesses. This only
became apparent to me during the referendum campaign. As the man is not a
Muslim, it might be wrong of me to impose Islāmic ethics on him, but as a
matter of reflection, Muslims should always be careful as to whether they are
promoting Islām or themselves. Riyā’ or
ostentation is a most dangerous spiritual malady which can destroy one’s good
deeds.
Promises of the enemy
The Imperialists promised the Scots greater autonomy if they
voted against independence. They fell for the ruse and got a rude awakening the
very next day when the falsehood of the promises was exposed. It would have
been comforting if we were in a position to warn them not to be so naïve, but
the reality is that Muslims will gladly slit their own throats if the enemy
promises them that there is benefit in that. For how many more decades will
certain Palestinians continue to believe that Zionists are genuine peace
partners when the facts on the ground show that the Zionists must be laughing
themselves sick at such naïveté? They
ignore the foretelling of the Ḥadīth and thus continue to humiliate themselves.
The promise of poverty
The threat of poverty which the Imperialists intimidated the
Scots with, is the same which Satan promises the believers, as mentioned in the
Qurān. Some Scots brushed the threat aside as scaremongering and some were
willing to accept an economic price in exchange for their freedom and beliefs.
The majority however caved in.
As a Muslim I should ask myself if I cave in to Satan’s
threat of poverty in my daily life. Do I tell the truth in my business dealings
even if it may lead to a lower profit? Do I falsify documents? Do I give false
testimony? Do I hide defects in my product? Do I oppress my tenants? Do I
consume interest? Am I willing to accept a lower paying job in which my
religion is safe rather than a higher paying or more glamorous job in which I
have to compromise my faith every day? Is Satan’s promise or Allāh’s promise
greater to me?
Steadfastness during hardship
It appears that many Scots are already galvanising for round
2. A resounding defeat is not sufficient reason for a dedicated person to
surrender his or her cause. As Muslims we are living through one of the most
difficult periods of our history. If the Anti-Christ does emerge during this
generation, which is possible, it will be THE MOST DIFFICULT period of history.
If the Scots can remain steadfast to their ideal, why can we not be steadfast
to the greatest ideal and the ultimate truth?
