Dear Fellow Activists: Be Solution Seekers and Look to the Prophets for Inspiration

By Saud Inam

In this social media-driven age, with the constant flow of information on various topics and issues, it’s easy to get lost, frustrated, confused and burned out. Many activists make the mistake of latching onto virtually every injustice and “joining the cause” by tweeting the hashtag, writing an article or blog post or continuously posting articles or videos about the injustice.

While I’m all for raising awareness about injustices occurring in the world, I find it concerning that our activism has become so erratic. I’m not saying we should focus only on one issue or injustice at a time. It’s possible as an activist to care about several causes and issues. But to be truly effective, we need to stick to our areas of expertise and strengths.

Looking Within

Not all of us have the expertise to solve foreign policy blunders and injustices. Not all of us have the financial resources or the means to tackle poverty, homelessness and hunger in remote areas of the world. Not all of us have the bandwidth, time, energy or health to even help improve all the injustices happening in our own backyards.

Yes, I understand it can be frustrating to see the many injustices in the world. But to truly overcome that and empower ourselves, we need to think logically and practically. Ask yourself when you see an evil or injustice in the world: Do I have that same evil within me at a certain level? How am I overcoming that evil? How can I practically in my own capacity help address this evil or injustice?

If the extent of our activism is to continuously complain about an injustice without working logically and practically to address the issue, it can lead us to feel disempowered, hopeless and victimized. This is not a productive way to conduct ourselves nor is it according to the Sunnah (habits and doings) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Imagine for a moment if the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were to simply point out and complain about the injustices in the society in which he lived. Would he have been as effective in addressing the problems of his time? Of course not. We see his example in this hadith:

“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)

We’re surrounded by so many injustices, but in order to empower ourselves and avoid a feeling of hopelessness and despair, we should focus on that which we can have an impact on. Think globally, act locally. We may not be able to hug the Palestinian child who lost his mother or the Syrian child who lost his or her parents or be able to defend the oppressed from the oppressors of the world, but at the very least we can pray for them.

If you do happen to have more resources at your disposal, financially and/or emotionally and physically, then use them. But, be practical, focused, strategic and most importantly, have the right intention.

Let Complaining Take a Back Seat to Solutions

If we continue to complain and point out the numerous injustices in the world without providing solutions, we risk demoralizing and causing our community to fall into despair and hopelessness. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t share news articles, videos or other stories about injustices occurring around the world or to not raise awareness about issues and causes, but do so with the intention of going the extra step: Pray for them. Work for them. Provide a solution.

We’re reminded of many of the prophets of Allah (peace be upon them all). When they were tested in so many ways, they still kept faith and had the utmost resolve, focus, humility and presence of mind to overcome the darkness that surrounded them. One example is that of Moses (peace be upon him) when pharaoh was pursuing him and the children of Israel:

And when the two hosts came into sight of one another Musa’s companions said, “We will surely be overtaken!” He said, “Never! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.” (Quran, 26:61-62)

Moses could have simply thrown his hands up and said, ok we’re done for. He could have given up, but instead he had the resolve, courage and faith in Allah and focus in a dire situation. He found a way out for him and his people. We must do the same.

Understand Our Own Scope

We should also be sure to not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the numerous injustices in the world by reacting to every injustice that happens at the expense of our spiritual, emotional and psychological health. It makes no sense for us to try to solve all the world’s problems if we neglect ourselves, our families and our friends.

We also need to understand that we simply may not have the understanding about a particular issue or an injustice that is happening in the world, or we may not have the resources to address the injustice. Many times in our zeal, activists may comment on issues or causes that we have no understanding about. Some may have of us may even have the arrogance to make zero-sum statements on very complex issue.

The key is to keep it humble, and if you don’t understand an issue or a topic then don’t comment on it. If you’d like to help out with the cause or address the injustice, contact experts and leaders in that particular field to learn more and to ask how you can help them.

What made the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) so effective was that they were humble and learned from the Prophet’s example and through keeping things humble, focused and fostering a mindset of learning. They were able to become major change-makers using their strengths.

We must learn to do the same.

When it comes to activism, it requires humility and an eagerness to learn from those more advanced in their understanding of causes and issues that are facing the world. It also requires focus, dedication and avoidance of drowning in the sea of negativity and darkness. We must avoid getting consumed by the darkness and continue to curse it.

We need to be lighthouses of hope in a world full of darkness. We must become sources of hope, action and inspiration for those around us.

Saud Inam is a Muslim American activist, social entrepreneur, blogger and Project Manager for Discover Islam-USA a Muslim American media company dedicated to producing high quality media about Islam and Muslims. He is always on the lookout for more opportunities to help empower the Muslim American community.

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