Sunaa’ al-Hayah

- Life Makers -

Episode 3 – Introduction Part 3

Welcome to the third episode and last part of the introduction of Sunaa’ al-Hayah (Life Makers).

In the first episode of this program (or should I say, this project) of ours, we discussed, “Why this program? Why at this particular timing?” We answered these questions by acknowledging the bitter reality; our Arab and Muslim nation has reached rock bottom, a position that we never imagined could happen.

In the second episode, we discussed how our religion has ordered us to be productive, to work.  We spoke about how Allah (SWT) created us to worship Him and to be His vicegerents on earth.  We authenticated that claim with proof from the Glorious Qur’an.  Allah, the All-Mighty, says what can be translated as, “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (TMQ, 51:56)[1] Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) as a vicegerent on earth.’” (TMQ, 2:30).

This episode wraps up the introduction of the project.  However, before we present today’s material, we will remind you of our goals for this project:

1. Creating a generation that has a useful, effective and dynamic role in their communities.
2. Instilling hope and optimism among the youth.
3. Increasing our perseverance in Allah’s path and in resisting sin.

Today we will discuss the following:

1.      How did others deal with renaissance?

2.      The method of the Prophet (SAWS[2]) in dealing with this problem.

3.      How are we going to deal with this problem?

4.      What are the stages of the program and its plan of action?

5.      What is the agenda for each episode?

6.      The time span of this project.

1. How did others deal with renaissance?

As a general rule, renaissance is not impossible; it is similar to a mathematical equation like 1+1=2.

We will not start by talking about that equation now; we will leave it for the end of this episode, then, we will use it in the following episodes.  We will also show you many real experiences to prove to you that what we are saying is not just theoretical talk, but that it is the outcome of toil and hard endeavors.  The studies that we carried out have taken us more than a year.  They are the result of the collaboration of many religious scholars, specialists, as well as academics. Many sociologists from the Arab and Muslim countries have also contributed to these studies.

Now we will review two contemporary experiences; they are the German experience and the Japanese experience.  If we contemplate those exemplary experiences, we will find many common factors between them.

Let us start with the German experience:

On May 8^th, 1945, those who survived the surrender of Germany to the Allied forces at the end of the Second World War were confronted with a very sad scene.

The German nation was in ruins.  There was total destruction; there was total despair in the morale of the defeated Germans.  After years of astonishing victories, and after years of bright mottos, the Germans found their country in total destruction and rubble.  Almost five million German men were captured and held in Allied concentration camps that were not big enough for all of them.  As a result, the Allies had to send most of the Germans to the well-known prison of Siberia.

The infrastructure of the German cities was completely destroyed; the houses had collapsed to the ground.  More than 90% of the buildings in the German cities were ruined, according to the official statistics of the German reports.

Some cities were completely destroyed, like the city of Cologne.  No food could be found, not even the basic requirements.  In brief, it was in a complete destruction.  Imagine if you were there, a citizen of this desperate nation.  What would you have done?

Many of them said that the future was dark.  Four victorious and gloating countries occupied them: USA, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France.  To make matters worse, many of the inhabitants of the regions captured by the Soviet forces immigrated to West Germany where there were about 15 million refugees.

The German population at that time was mainly comprised of women, children and elderly.  Many of the men died, while others were captured and imprisoned.  At the beginning, and after the initial shock and shame of defeat, the question arose: what would be the solution?  The minds had difficulty answering this question, and that is why they used to escape from this bitter reality by using ‘ropes’; they used them to hang themselves.

Suddenly an idea came up, and as usual, the minds got attached to it although it was just a shred of hope.  This new idea was passed along.  It was in the form of a question, “We were a great nation before the defeat so what prevents us from rising one more time? What prevents us from trying again?”

Who called for this idea, spreading it among the German people? Women.

The German woman was the first to come up with the idea, lighting the candle of hope in the hearts of the German people.  This was how the German revival started; it was a symphony of teamwork in which the elderly, the women and children participated.  All of that was through the self-initiated efforts of the people, not the government.  Whenever they finished constructing a building they wrote on it the following sentence, “Do not wait for any return, do all you can.”

By the year 1975, in only thirty years, Germany was re-built.  It became the number three in the field of national development and the number two exporting nation.  To be able to show how Germany built itself from nothing in only thirty years, we have to start with:

Stage One: The state of  reconstruction (1945-1955)

Women led this stage.  Their mottos at that time were, “Don’t lose hope,”  “We are a strong nation,” and “We are the best nation in the world.”  This was how the Germans kept the flicker of hope in their hearts.  This was how they motivated themselves to work and to build.  The main motive for them at that stage was their strong belief that they are the best nation in the world.  Near the end of this stage an event occurred that had a strong effect on the morale of the Germans.   The German soccer team won the World cup for the year 1954, which got the whole world to regard the Germans with great astonishment and admiration; admiration for their ability and determination to achieve this incredible victory.

To acknowledge the role of the German women at this stage, they were named, “Rubble Women.”

Stage Two: The stage of building factories (1955-1965)

During the early fifties, the Germans started building many factories.  They imported labor from abroad.  About five million workers came to Germany, most of which were from Turkey.  Inside every factory, they wrote work ethics: diligence - discipline- honoring time.

Stage Three: The stage of strengthening nationalism and paying it the deserved

gratitude (1965-1975)

After many businessmen and factory owners became wealthy, the government appointed them to train and teach the youth, in order to help them find job opportunities.  The minister of economy was once asked about the government plans, and he replied with a large grin, “Nothing.”  Then he added, “The German people do not need directions from anyone.”

Hence, we can deduce from the German experience the factors that led to its success:

1. Strong belief in the idea.
2. High hope among the people.
3. An iron-strong willpower.
4. Diligence, virility, discipline and honoring time.

As Muslims, we do not have anything missing from the equation of success.  This is not just talk.  Here are the proofs:

• The method-is in the Glorious Qur’an).
• The model-is our noble Messenger (SAWS)
• Financial resources
• Civilization
• Youth

However, we are missing an important factor, namely: willpower.

Now, let us look at the Japanese experience:

The destruction in Japan was even worse than in Germany.  The American military forces dropped an atomic bomb over Japan, killing hundreds of thousands in seconds.  It led to the total destruction of the existing generation and generations to follow, due to the deformations caused by atomic radiation.  Nevertheless, similar to their German counterparts, the Japanese people were directed by an idea that was deep in their hearts, even though it stemmed from a wrong belief.  The Japanese believed in the Buddhist religion, following the commands of their ‘god’- Buddha.  These commands were, “To please Buddha, you should work, and work, and work.”

After the war had ended, millions of Japanese left the battlefield to join the work force, in factories, farms and laboratories.  They toiled, they innovated, they invented, and they fulfilled their nation’s hope to rise from the bottom to the top, making the phrase, “Made in Japan” spread all over the world.

This strong belief did not leave a chance for them to feel ashamed of going to the country of their enemy to acquire their knowledge and technology, and then improve it.  A young Japanese man once traveled to the United States to get a Ph.D. in engineering. He wanted to manufacture a certain machine to be used in the factories of his country.  He planned to stay in the United States for four years, yet due to his immense effort and strong enthusiasm, he was able to obtain all the knowledge about that machine in half the intended time.  He, then, decided to go back to his country and abandoned the dream of holding a PhD degree.  All of this in return for hastening the prelude to the symphony of his wonderful country that has been playing ever since.  When the Japanese emperor met him and heard about his story he said, “Now the Japanese symphony has started.”

Young men, young ladies, the music is not that of the songs and dancing.  It is the music of machines running in the factories.

Japan has accomplished a great industrial revolution.  Its imports in the year 1952 were zero.  In the year 1970, they escalated to 3.8 billion dollars.  In the year 1991, they reached 386 billion dollars.

Again we repeat the important rule:

Anybody who believes in an idea in his head, then lives for it, exerting effort to achieve it will definitely achieve it before he dies.

When comparing the German and the Japanese experiences, we will find many common factors:

1. The short time span for making their revival, within 30 years.

2. The whole movement started with an idea that overwhelmed their minds:

• In Germany, the idea was that they are the best nation in the world.
• In Japan, the belief in the commands of Buddha.

3. Hope.  In Germany they used to say, “Plant hope before wheat.”

4. Strong willpower.

5. Availability of resources whether:

• Mental, like being positive, diligent, and honoring time.
• Material, like arable land, suitable weather, suitable location and good fortunes.

Let us now move to the Islamic experience.

2.     The method of the Prophet (SAWS) in dealing with this problem

This unique experience is indeed a universal one by all measures. It was not only an economic miracle but it was a scientific, social and militarily miracle as well.  In the previous experiences, the average income of the individual was the criterion by which they judged success.  In the great experience of the Prophet (SAWS), we only measure success by the making of the individuals.  It was originally targeted to the making of a new personality, not to just increasing the average income of the individual.

What factors led to the success of the experience and the making of man?

The early Muslims were, like other successful people, led deeply by an idea.  This idea was the belief in Allah (SWT), the All-Mighty, and the conviction that success in life is an obligation, a duty, as well as a fulfillment of the commands of Allah (SWT), the All-Mighty.  Allah (SWT) created man to be His successor on earth.  The noble Prophet (SAWS) started with women and youth, the oldest among his followers was Abu-Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) who was 38 years old.  The Prophet (SAWS) always embedded hope and faith in the hearts of his companions.  Among those methods:

• His saying, “This religion will reach what night and day have reached.”
• One time, ‘Ady Ibn-Hatem at-Tay was sitting with him and as he presented him with Islam, he noticed that ‘Ady was refusing because he felt the weakness of the Muslims and their poverty.  The Prophet (SAWS) eradicated these thoughts from his mind with a very strong saying, “By Allah, money will be spent until not one needy will be found to take it, the province of Kusraa will be conquered and the women will be able to walk from Heerah (an old city in Yemen) to Mecca fearing none but her Creator.”
• On the day of the battle of al-Khandaq (the trench), when the Muslims could not break a huge rock, and they feared that the disbelievers would be able to cross the trench that they dug through this rock,  the Prophet (SAWS) took an ax and hit the rock so hard that it sparked.  He said, “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great).  Persia has been conquered.”  Then he hit it a second time and it sparked, so he said, “Allah is Great. Rome has been conquered.”  Then he hit it a third time and the rock shattered.

This was how the noble Prophet (SAWS) embedded hope and faith in the hearts of his companions.  He succeeded in his task, peace be upon him.  We have seen the living proof of his success in the perseverance and strong faith of his companions.

1. Somaya the mother of Ammar Ibn-Yassir was killed by Abu-Jahl using a spear.  She endured this torture, which led to her death, for the sake of Allah.  Thus, she became the first martyr for the sake of Allah (SWT).  The Prophet (SAWS) gave her the glad tidings of paradise when he said, “Patience, family of Yasser.  Your appointed time is in paradise.”
2. Bilal Ibn-Rabah was an Abyssinian slave who was honored by Allah (SWT) through Islam.  He is famed for repeating, “Ahadun Ahad (the One, the Only).”
3. Al-Khansa’ was a famous poet whose four sons were martyred, yet she patiently said,
   “Praise be to Allah who honored me with their martyrdom.”
4. Sayedah (Lady) Aisha taught men the commands of their religion.

The early Muslims were not rich and the community of Madinah, the city of the Prophet of Allah (SAWS), was not wealthy but it was rich with values.  Therefore, the predictions of the Prophet (SAWS) came true and money was spread.  The generation that followed the Prophet (SAWS) lived in prosperity.  In brief, the experience of the noble Prophet (SAWS) was the willpower of the Muslims.  They willed success and they succeeded because they relied on a deep belief in Allah (SWT) and strong willpower.  Allah (SWT) supported them; hence, a great civilization emerged, lasting 1300 years.

They excelled in all areas of science and religious sciences such as Qur’an, Sunnah, and Fiqh (jurisprudence).  They also excelled in linguistic fields such as literature, grammar, and rhetoric.  Besides sciences and linguistics, they surpassed the world in mathematics. They invented algebra, calculus, decimals and fractions and the number zero.

In medicine, the Arab doctors were pioneers in many fields. They performed the first operation to remove cataracts from eyes (by al-Hassan Ibnul-Haytham).  They pioneered in tonsils operation, autopsy, bacteriology, carcinogenic tumors.  The writings of Ibn-Sina (Avicenna), Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine), ar-Razi, and Ibnul-Nafees, the one who discovered the pulmonary blood circulation, were studied in Europe until very recently.  The Islamic libraries were packed with books and writings.  In Baghdad alone, there were more than two million volumes and scripts and the cities were filled with hospitals.

As you can see, two centuries from the death of the Prophet (SAWS), the Arabs became the masters of the world and they were experts in all kinds of knowledge.

We can deduce, from all the above, the values of success:

1. Willpower
2. Reading
3. Contemplating
4. Working

These are the commands of Allah (SWT) in the Qur’an.  Allah (SWT) mentions in the Qur’an words and phrases which can be translated as, ‘Exert effort’-250 times, “You will succeed and rule earth”-more than 400 times,  “Think”-50 times, and “The value of time.”

Now let us see how we are going to deal with the problem.

3.     How are we going to deal with this problem?

All what we will do is derive the equation of revival.  This equation is the key to success; from it we will determine a plan of action for the program.

·        Strong belief in an idea (1) + immense hope (2) = great willpower

·        Great willpower (3) + available resources (4) = definite success

1.      Strong belief in an idea (getting closer to religion)

2.      Big hope (this is the role of this program)

3.      Great willpower (we will test it in every episode)

4.      Available resources (mental and material)

This equation is an axiom; it is constant like the sun and the moon.

There is a question that we should answer.  That is, other nations have succeeded but they did not believe in the commands of Islam. Why should we then choose the Islamic model?

The answer:

1.      Islam is the only model that has survived a long time; for 1300 years.  Other models fell with the passage of time, like communism, for instance.

2.      All those who preceded us relied on their roots to build their strength.  The German idea was, “We are the best nation on earth,” and the Japanese idea was, “The commands of Buddha.”  Why then should we destroy what we already have and start allover? The best method is to take our original idea, Islam, and build on it.

4.     What are the stages of the program and its plan of action?

The stages of the program will be:

1.      Stage one: we will help you implant in yourselves the values of success.

2.      Stage two: we will help you instill confidence in yourselves.  Let’s go!

First Stage: Implanting the values of success

1.   Belonging and reference to Islam

2.   Feeling responsible

3.   Being positive

4.   Being diligent and exerting effort

5.   Realizing the value of time

6.   Possessing intellectual depth

7.   Seeking excellence

8.   Safekeeping the resources

9.   Appreciating art and beauty

10. Having a goal in life

The goal of this program is to instill these ten values in our souls.  We will persist, testing this by agreeing on a project that we will implement during the week and then we will follow up on what was done.  With the flow of ideas, the persistence, and the pilling of the projects, these ten values will be planted inshallah (if Allah permits).  In every episode we will bring successful models, like the model of Khaldun in the past episode.  This accumulation should convince you that you can succeed.

Second Stage: Preparation for success & developing self-confidence

1. Willpower
2. Discovering talents
3. Innovation and creativity
4. Organized thinking
5. Realizing the value of knowledge
6. Realizing the value of work
7. Having initiative
8. Example & model
9. Setting priorities
10. Social intelligence and the art of communication
11. Overcoming challenges and perseverance
12. Planning and acquiring a clear vision

We want to end the introduction with the story of our friend, the young man.  Let us revise it one more time.

Look at that sad, depressed young man.  He is sitting in a dark, dreary looking room with cobwebs lacing the walls.  On a small couch, there is a praying mat that has been laid aside. There is a Qur’an on the desk, covered with dust. Outside the room there is light and brightness.  We went to this young man and asked him to get up and come with us to sit outside the room in the light.  He said that it is impossible.  We told him that indeed it is possible. Then his body started to move, indicating his wish to get up but he couldn’t.  He realized that his body was chained to the ground.  A chain binding his left hand, it is labeled, ‘passivity.’ Another one bound his right hand; it is labeled, ‘lack of seriousness.’  A chain around his neck, it is labeled, ‘ignorance and lack of knowledge.’   Finally, a chain around his foot, it is labeled, ‘no goal in life.’

We told him, “Get up and get rid of these chains. We will help you to achieve this.”  We provided him with the first three episodes of the program so he became convinced with the idea.  One step at a time he started learning.  He started learning how to develop his willpower, how to formulate a goal, how to increase his knowledge, and he started applying this on his life again and again.  He got up and unchained himself.  That is the first stage.

We taught him to be positive, to be serious, and to exert effort.  Until the day came that we opened the door of the room.  He tried to get up from his place and leave, but before leaving we told him, “Let us provide you with the resources that you need to be able to succeed.” This is the second stage.  We provided him with initiative and willpower; we taught him how to uncover his talents, and to plan for his future.  Then he wanted to leave and was able to do so very smoothly.  However, when leaving he grasped two things: the Qur’an in his right hand and the gear of success in his left hand.  Then he came out to the light.  This is the third stage: to work within a group with other young men and women similar to him, leaving their dark rooms.  Hold hands together and you will succeed in life.

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