{"_id":"66fb0223c58213b484d7c6c4","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"What can we do about the lack of community in our Ummah?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Why is there such a lack of community amongst our Ummah and what can we do to solve it?\\n\\nIt’s so upsetting sometimes, I’ve struggled to make Muslim friends, really my whole life, but it hurts much more now that I’m trying to connect more with my faith, through your classes. It’s difficult, sometimes I sit with the brothers after your classes, and I know that I’m sitting with the same people that used to bully me harshly, and exclude me, and I still see it with them at times. I forgive them, my question is not about them, not is it about me, may Allah‎ ﷻ accept, but I have experienced the beauty that’s supposed to exist between people, and the reverence that you should have for your relationships, but I still feel it’s so lacking from our community now.\\n\\nI know in the Qur'an Allah‎ ﷻ tells us that He gave us nations so that we would form community amongst ourselves, but why does it feel as if we don’t have any here? Have any of the great Ulamah said anything that we might benefit from, about the need for and importance of community? I understand that the hope or longing of companionship is a love of an aspect of the Dunya, and the spiritual blessings that one attains through “seclusion” in whatever sense one can realistically strive for, so may Allah ‎ﷻ accept my intention, but I ask because I feel as if sometimes our community loses what it means to truly love each other, and cherish one another, like we’re taught to.\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Thank you for your heartfelt question. It is indeed a reality that many of us feel a lack of genuine community and brotherhood within our Ummah. The root of this issue often lies in the ego (nafs), which prevents us from reaching the level of brotherhood exemplified by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The companions are our ultimate example, and the level of brotherhood they achieved is an attainable goal, but it requires a sincere journey of self-purification and real change.\\n\\nThis journey involves purifying ourselves of blameworthy traits that hinder us from truly caring for and loving others as we love ourselves. It calls for prioritizing God and community over selfish and individualistic concerns. Achieving this level of brotherhood does not come from merely attending classes, Islamic events, or programs. While these can provide knowledge and inspiration, they are not sufficient on their own to bring about true transformation. Many people can attend these gatherings their entire lives without undergoing any significant change because the change must be intentional. We must actively strive towards this goal through both knowledge and action, just as the companions did. They were taught by the greatest teacher, the Prophet (peace be upon him), and they became the greatest generation by implementing what they learned.\\n\\nToday, we have access to these same prophetic teachings and examples. However, the question is whether we are genuinely seeking them. Much of what is offered in terms of Islamic programming today is either entertainment or simply an information dump. In the rare cases where real classes convey authentic knowledge, attendance is often low, and even those who attend may lack the intention to achieve true change.\\n\\nMy advice to you is to continue on your journey of self-improvement and pray for others to do the same. Seek out those who have the capacity to love others genuinely, and make du'a for those who are still struggling with their egos. Remember that real change starts from within, and as each of us works on ourselves, we can begin to foster a stronger, more connected community.\\n\\nMay Allah (ﷻ) guide us all to be better versions of ourselves and to build a true brotherhood and sisterhood based on love, compassion, and selflessness.\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fe40b76658b4c23283a","tag":"Contemporary Life: Other","count":137},{"_id":"668da0320b76658b4c2330a7","tag":"Worship: Tazkiyyah","count":87},{"_id":"668da0390b76658b4c233170","tag":"Seerah: The Sahabah","count":17}],"createdOn":"2024-09-30T19:55:15.824Z"}