About twelve centuries ago, when the world was sunk in the darkness of

ignorance, sin and unholy life,,, a light of true knowledge and guidance
arose from the horizon of the rugged hills of makkah. Its rays spread to
all the directions in the whole world; they reached every corner of the
earth and within the short span of 23 years, the way was paved through
that light to mankind to move to such heights of glory as had never been
attained before. It enlightened the muslims and created in them the urge
for taking the right direction, which would ultimately bring them their
salvation.

The muslims, through the profound message of islam epitomized the

strength of character and swept across the whole world, meeting
extraordinary successes. Muslim empire was spread over four
continents. The empire was very dynamic and powerful, which
contributed towards the betterment of the mankind, especially at time
when rest of the world was yet to discover itself.

Muslim world attained its peak in sixteenth century ad. And retreat from
vienna marked the downward slide, which is continuing till date. During
the descending path, the muslims relegated the sublime teachings of
quran, literature of hadith and quest of knowledge amid modern interplay
of politics which further hastened downhill slide and quickly it attained
the present state, in which even identity of muslim world is dwindling.

On the conclusion of the cold war, particularly after 9/11, the muslim
world has come under sharp focus due to misperceived image of islam.
Islam is projected as a violent philosophy, an intolerant and a religion
unsuitable for modern times. Islam is being equated with pessimism and
weary of modern sensitivities. The muslim world is weak in every

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conceivable field and needs to battle out the negative perceptions but
also aspects like lack of scientific knowledge, poverty,
bad governance and disintegration of the muslim world. Quran says:

there is not for man except that (good) for which

he strives.

(surah al-najam, ayat 391)

Ladies and gentlement!

This brings me to the topic of my presentation today

a critical analysis of the reason for plight of muslims

The sequence of the presentation is as flashed

First the highlights from the glorious history

The unity of allah and dignity of man were the essential foundations on
which the islamic state in medina was established. The ummah as
conceived and developed by the guidelines under the instructions of the
holy prophet (pbuh) had become an ideal society, full of virtues and
qualities for an equitable, just and humane order. In 632 ad he delivered
his last sermon at the occasion of hajja tul wida (last hajj) which served
as true guidelines for the muslims of times to come. The salient of his
sermon are:

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 Belief. You shall meet your god and he will account you for
your actions.
Humanity. For the weak among you, feed them from what
you eat and dress them as you are dressed.
Equality. All mankind is from adam and eve, nobody has
superiority on the other except by piety and good deeds.
Muslim brotherhood. A muslim is a brother of another
muslim and between muslims there are no races.
Conduct. Do not oppress and do not be oppressed.
Reference forever. I have left for you two things; the holy quran
and my sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

By the time of the holy prophets demise in 632 ad, he united the tribes
of arab into a single religious polity. Twenty nine years of rule of four
caliphs, the rashidun caliphate, proved to be exemplary in the muslim
history. The caliphate facilitated the expansion of the islamic state
beyond arabia into iraq, syria, palestine, egypt, iran and armenia. They
established the muslim rule through iran and afghanistan till sindh. The
caliphate not only secured the muslims against the perils which had
threatened their existence but also founded basics of ruling the empire
such as:

Establishment of the first public treasury and a sophisticated

financial administration.

Navy was organized

Administrative divisions of the state were revised

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 Introduced the system of levying and collection of revenues

The umayyad caliphate. Not only did the islamic conquests continue
during this period through north africa to spain and france in the west,
central asia and trans-oxiana in the east, but also the basic social and
legal institutions of the newly founded islamic world were established.

The abbasid caliphate. The abbasids succeeded the umayyad and

ruled for over 500 years. However, the breakaway caliphate of the ismaili
ruled egypt, fatimids ruled north africa, syria, much of arabia, and
palestine. Turkish army officers seized power in iraq, iran and central
asia and established independent states. During the era, we see great
tides made in science, arts, welfare and administration culminating in
creating most advanced society of the time.

During this era muslim political domination saw its zenith which
ultimately waned due to growth of worldly and majestic power. The
religious sentiments for faith declined. The western world awakened and
started launching crusades resulting descending of muslim world.

Crusaders. Large armies of crusaders swarmed from west and in

1099 ad got control of jeruselam which was later liberated by salahuddin
ayyubi in 1178 ad. Crusaders continued till fifteenth century but could not
succeed the strong reponse from muslims.

Tartars offence and mughal and ottoman empire (1258 1924 ad).
The mongols, under the leadership of gengiz khan
devastated baghdad in 1258 ad resulting in fall of the abbasid caliphate.

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The mongols were defeated by mamluks of egypt in 1260 ad. Many of
them accepted islam and one of the tribes, taimuri turks later laid
foundation of the splended mughal empire. The other tribe, usmanian
turks captured castentinople and restored the caliphate by establishing
ottoman empire. Turks rose to dominate over the whole of anatolia and
even parts of europe. They reached their zenith of power when their
armies reached hungary and austria. From the 17th century onward with
the rise of western european powers, the power of the ottomans began
to wane and finally the six centuries rule of the ottomans were abolished
after the first world war in 1924

The muslim civilization rose from 7th to 11th century. Then it started to
decline till the mongol onslaught in the 12 th century. It remained
completely dormant till the 13 th century, when it saw its second rise in
the expansion of its domain including three great empires turkish,
persian and indian.

Muslims love for knowledge. Given islam's love for

knowledge and its elevation of scholars and writers to exalted positions,
the evolution of a publishing industry was a foregone conclusion at the
advent of islam. This gave birth to the idea of learning institutes to the
world.
Scholars and thinkers from all over the persian empire united under one
research institution at baghdad known as the house of wisdom. It was
established by caliph haroon ur rasheed in 850 ad. This state sponsored
institution gathered knowledge from every corner of the world and
translated it into arabic, under translation movement. They translated

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old greek, indian and chinese knowledge into arabic and flourished in
every discipline

The university of karaouine is the oldest existing, continually operating

and the first degree awarding educational institution in the world. The al
quaraouiyine mosque-religious school / college and liburary was founded
by fatima al-fihri in 859 in tunisia.

Al-azhar university is a university in cairo, egypt. Associated with al-

azhar mosque in islamic cairo, it is egypt's oldest degree-granting
university. Founded in 970 ad by the fatimids as a centre of islamic
learning, its students studied the qur'an and islamic law in detail, along
with logic, grammar, rhetoric, and how to calculate the phases of the
moon.

Ladies and gentlemen!

These universities along with many other institutes established by

muslims, produced scientists, scholars and philosophers who
became pioneers in many fields of life.

I will briefly describe a few of them in following slides

Jabir bin hayyan (722 804 ad) known as the father of the arab
chemistry, systematized quantitative analysis of the substances. Musa
al-khwarizmi (780-850) invented algebra and was known as father of
algebra after he wrote all time famous book, (hisab al-jabr al-
muqabala ) which is considered as a masterpiece in algebra. Al-kindi
(801-873) was a philosopher who is also known as "father of islamic
philosophy". A mathematician and physician invented the "al kindus

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distiller" and is a pioneer in cryptography. Zakariya al-razi (865 925)
an alchemist and a philosopher known for commendable work in
medicine, classified all chemical substances into four main groups:
vegetable, animal, derivative, and mineral. Al-zahrawi (936-1013 ad),
known as father of surgery is best known for his early and original
breakthroughs in surgery as well as for his famous medical
encyclopaedia called al-tasrif. Ibn al-haytham (965 1040 ad) was a
scientist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, who made
significant contributions to the principles of optics, astronomy,
mathematics, visual perception, and regarded as the "father of modern
optics for his influential book of optics (kitab al-manazir). Abu raihan al-
biruni (973-1048 ad) was a versatile scholar and scientist. He recorded
observations of his travels through india in his well-known book kitab al-
hind. He discussed, the earth rotates around its axis ibnsina
(avicenna) (980 1037 ad) known as the doctor of doctors composed
kitab-al-shifa (book of cure) and al-qanunufiqa al-tibb (the cannon of
medicine) known to be most famous of the history of medicines. Al
idrasi was the first one to draw a world map. Ibn khalaf invented gear
and mechanical clock. M al fazari invented astrolabe. Abbass ibn
firnas was the first one to attempt a flight on aircraft.
Reasons for rise

When islam made its debut in seventh century, it blossomed like a

spring. Some of the factors that contributed to its glorious spread are the
extracts from the khutba e hajjatul wida of holy prophet (pbuh). Total
equality of human race irrespective of the caste, color, creed and
boundaries without any distinction between individuals except for virtue.
This gave initial thrust to successfully seek larger number of converts in
a very short span of time.

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The devine message : the holy quran

The devine message in the holy quran carried the followers attention
from visible world to the world thereafter. The quran urged them to
explore and inquire; what is on the earth and below, what is in the skies
and above it. The quran opened the doors of thinking and gave
overreaching ideas which lead the muslims to progress in every field of
life.

Direction for arab world

Before islam, arabs were a disjointed nation of fragmented tribes without

a sense of purpose and direction. They were suddenly empowered by
the strength, vigor and resilience that came with the new faith. This led
to arabs becoming the torch bearers or crusaders of the faith.

New era of civilization (an energy wave)

The quranic philosophy gave a new energy to the mankind particularly

for revival of learning. Within just two centuries of islam, muslims laid
foundations of modern science and technology during the abbasid
caliphate. The new urge of learning spread in all directions and became
new milestone in the evolution of mankind.

Military campaigns based on jihad and ethics

Besides motivation of letting owns life in the line of religion, the wisdom
and tactics imparted under the dynamic reign of the holy prophet (pbuh),

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became major reason for their success. The prophet set high standards
of ethics in wars that was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
Therefore, muslims victories continued starting from ghazwa-e-badr till
fall of andulus.

High standards of humanity based on justice and equality

The establishment of justice in the society struggled by islam was

greatest and effective. Islam enveloped all aspects of life till most of the
known world became under its influence. The high standards of
humanity achieved by all the modern civilizations till now are the same
which muslims infused into the human conscious.

Challenges of present islamic world

The muslims who established their rule spaned over four coninents at
one time today, stand fragmented and divided into regional and radical
groups. There are 54 or so muslim states which are theoretically
sovereign. The muslim world, at the moment is preoccupied with an
intense feeling of frustration and failure and is facing challenges.

Illiteracy in muslim world

The 19th and 20th centuries have witnessed landslide technological
development by the western countries. The discoveries of radium in
1895, theory of relativity and first successful flight in 1905, brought a
significant change in the notions and applications of science and
thereby, emerged the modern technology and electronics in the domain
of scientific discoveries

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In contrast, muslims countries that are rich in oil and gas reserve cannot
yet design and construct a machine that can help them exploit the
natural resources at their disposal. In the contemporary new world,
education is the engine of technology. It is one of the ingredients of the
socio-economic change.

The 57-member countries of the organisation of islamic conference (oic)

have around 500 universities compared with more than 5,000
universities in the us and more than 8,000 in india. In 2004, shanghai
jiao tong university compiled an "academic ranking of world universities",
and none of the universities from muslim-majority states was included in
the top 500. 1.1 million out of 300 million polpulation of americans qualify
as scientists, while the number is only 300 out of 1.6 billions of muslims.

Moreover, more than 800 millions of muslims are absolutely illiterate.

The situation is augmented by failure of muslim states to initiate

appropriate response measures to counter the manace of illitracy.

Technological advancements and scientific research.

Today world of science, technology and expanding frontiers of

knowledge is yielding more secrets of nature, enabling humanity to
employ them for improvement and progress.

Muslims have hardly any share in this diversified and dynamic world of
power. Unfortunately, the scientific research in muslim world is least
attracted activity and there are hardly any investments. The muslim
world spends 0.2 per cent of its gdp on research and development, while
the western nations spend around five per cent of gdp on producing

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knowledge. Consequently, the brain drain phenomenon is growing, with
increasing dependence on west.

Dependence on the west

The military hardware, innovative tactics and equipment used to be the

hallmark of muslims, which played a key role in the expansion of muslim
rule through conquests. However, today, the military strength of the
muslim countries depends for its military hardware, equipment and
modern military tactics,, entirely on the western world with little of its own
production capability.
Lack of economic mechanism

Muslim states have failed to organize and develop sound economies or

are inabile to work out a joint economic mechanism for mutual benefits.

Disunity

Although, islam preaches peace, patience and respect for all, yet the
problem of sectarianism is haunting the muslim world. Fragmentation of
simple and straight forward religion into multiple sects had often been
pushing muslim units at war with each other. This vulnerable weakness
of muslims is being exploited by vested interests of western forces.

Extremism

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Failure to tolerate differing views and practices to enforce a particular
brand of islam is detrimental to collective interest of muslims which has
tarnished their image as peace-bearers. The frustration has led to
terrorism which is being labeled with islamic extremism.

Reasons of downslide of muslims

Neglect of knowledge. The muslims remained glorious as far as

they clung to the message by the holy quran. The military campaigns
faught for allah and spread of islam were successful, the moment
disunity for personal vested interest came in, muslims introduced to
defeat. Same is the case with learning. The quest of knowledge
declined and they were reluctant to take over the new sciences and
skills, even those affecting the art of warfare. Lack of education is the
main malaise of the muslim ummah. It is the root cause of all the
deficiencies that are found among the muslims. In an age of dynamic
growth and development, any progress in any sector of life is not
concievable without education.the deplorable fact that deprives the
muslims of their aura of success is the neglect that is shown towards
educating the masses and developing the levels of higher education
among the few literate classes of muslim nations.

Issue of succession. The absence of law of political succession was

the principle cause of the instability and decline of the muslim rule.
Furthermore, the question of legitimacy, which has plagued the muslim
world, remains unresolved. Under these compulsions, force remained
the ultimate arbiter. This continues to be the case till today throughout
the islamic world.

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Division of political and religious powers. Deviations from islamic
fundamentals were permitted to occur; the most important of them is
separation between faith and political conduct. The rulers, not interested
in the religious affairs, took control of the foreign affairs, treasury,
defence and trade. Subsequently left the rituals of salat, saum (roza),
hajj zakat, marriages, divorec and daily life affairs to ulema. Therefore,
the rulers invented the laws to serve their own aims and goals and
distanced themselves from the holy quran.

Disunity of ummah. The failure of muslims to remain united

under one flag ummah (concept of collective survival) and insistence
on individual interests led to weakness. The muslims got divided and
ruled by the invaders. The practice continued and colonial powers, one
by one, crushed and squeezed the muslim states. The division and
disunity, still persisting is the major cause of the muslims downfall. The
disunity and intolerence for each other is the basic reason of rising
sectarianism amomg muslim states.

Weak economic planning. The economic conditions are a little better

in the oil producing arab states, but the plight of poorer muslim
segments in non-oil countries is the worse and is steadily declining with
the increase in the population and non-effective channeling of
economies into productive channels. There is a lack of strategic
economic planning among the muslim states for proper utilization of
resources for long term productive purpose or raise the collective
economy of the muslim states.

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Disregard for justice and equality. The muslim world has forgotten
the quranic concept of justice and equality. The rulers are exploiting the
justice system for their own personal interests. Moreover, the non-
muslim states, in power are supporting the autocrat, corrupt, unjust and
incompetent rulers in muslim countries. The incompetent rulers lack
popular support and are towing western agenda to get external support,
resulting into an unjust and unequal society. This disregard to justice and
equality in the muslim societies has resulted into frustration among the
lower classes, thus becoming part of rising militancy and extremism.

Rise of militancy in islam. Subsequent to the crusades, muslims

faced a humiliating decline in expansion of muslim empire and
civilization. Despite thinking upon the true reasons of the defeat, muslim
rulers got frustrated and got exploited by the enemies of islam. They
exploited this cause and named it jihad while violating all the rules and
laws of this sacred cause, set by the initial great leaders of islam. There
was a time when muslims were seen as the torch-bearers of peace;
however the militancy violating the rules of jihad has tarnished the image
of muslims.

Analysis

The history of muslim ummah started with the mission of the holy
prophet (pbuh) in 610 ad. The rashidun caliphate sallied forth like a flood
from the arabian peninsula with holy quran in one hand and sword in the
other. In the ummayyads, abbasids and ottomans era, it further
extended. This was the time when muslim political domination saw its
zenith. Later the domination could not be maintained. Muslims kept

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losing their rule and subsequently the caliphate came to an end.
Muslims devided into smaller territorial limits and lost everything of
golden age, may it be the scientific and technological development or
the knowledge based civilization.

In order to make a critical analysis into the present state of the muslims
few major problems of the muslims are enlisted. After a study to find the
reasons of these problems it may be deducted that the first five enlisted
problems that are : illiteracy, extremism, sectarianism, disunity and
disregard of justice and equality are caused due to the fact that muslims
declined the ethical values given by the religion. Whereas, the decline of
military strength and poor economies are the outcomes of decline in the
research and development.

A deep sight into the two reasons merits that the core reason for the
plight of muslims comes out to be neglect of knowlwdge. Knowledge,
the arabic word iqra that is read and recite is the very first message
and direction revealed to our holy prophet (pbuh). Till the time muslims
clung to the devine message of iqra, they succeeded and ruled the
world, and neglect of the same casued them defeat and the plight. Allah
says in quran:

what comes to you of good is from allah, but

what comes to you of evil, is from yourself
(surah al-nisa : ayat 79)

My vision

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Nevertheless, l&g, i envisage that knowledge is the only key to success
in every field. Muslims would rise through the light of true knowledge to
not only regain their lost glory, but would also set higher standards of
humanity ia

Recommendations

It seems highly unlikely that the caliphate model will be restored in the
future. However, in view of numerous hurdles, revival of the muslims is
characteristically diverse. Ive few recommendations to put forward in
this regard:

Integration and restructuring of economies of muslim countries

Currently, all integration process commence from economic cooperation.

The economic integration of states results from a wide host of factors.
Islamic countries must initiate a programme of technological exchange
and share the fruits of their research with other muslim countries. An
integrated technological framework will greatly assist in accelerated
development of the islamic world. This technological exchange must
include exchange of technical experts and skilled labors.

The international monetary system does not favor the islamic countries.
Cash liquidity may be transferred to developing muslim countries which
have necessary infrastructure to run the venture successfully. It is by
developing a strong economic base that the muslim countries would be
able to get rid of foreign hegemony.

Revitalizing education and knowledge based societies

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The analysis of the specific revolution in human affairs after the arrival of
islam is worth noting that the motivating power was not political or
economic but essentially educational in nature. To liberate themselves,
muslim countries must develop their own engineers and scientist, build
their own industry-academia linkage and free themselves from
dependence on the west. Therefore, muslims have to devise their
educational policy to provide an opportunity to every individual to seek
knowledge and acquire education. Universal education has to be aim of
every muslim country. Besides, ethical and cultural training must form a
part of the educational programs tied up with the charter of quran. The
fact is that islam does not distinguish between secular and religious
education that has been the hallmark of the great days of islam

Developing sound technological base

Control of the technology requires externally expanded efforts and

indigenous research facilities. The muslim states should establish a
separate scientific research facility and extend it to all other muslim
states. Otherwise, all muslim countries must establish jointly, such facility
to avoid brain drain phenomenon.

Countering terrorism and rebuilding image of islam

It must be understood and pursued that jihad is not just fighting and
killing. Rather, it is fight for allah and for spread of islam, along with all
rules and regulation of fighting clearly defined by the holy prophet
(pbuh). Islam offers best bond of oneness, better than any other religion

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which if pursued in its actual spirit, can help unite the nations / countries.
Muslim countries must put efforts to propagate distinction between jihad,
terrorism and fight for freedom movements.

Formulating assertive and visionary foreign and security policies

The foreign and security policies of most muslim countries lack

aggressiveness and reflect a dependency which needs to be replaced
with more assertiveness and dynamism. A united forum of muslims may
be strengthened to pursue assertive foreign and security policies with
focus to propagate islamic ummah.

Media strategy

In the information dominated age, muslims have no or limited way of

expressing themselves adequately. Media can be positively utilized as
strong tool to reduce misunderstandings between west and the islamic
world. A unified muslim channel is need of the hour for propagation of
true islamic point of view on different world issues. Moreover, there is
also a need for muslims to express themselves and respond assertively
on western media. It would not only allow them to defeat western
propaganda, but also help to counter their exotic and negative image.

Self-realization

The present state of muslims is demotivated and feels deprived.

Following the quran and sunnah in true letter and spirit is the only way to
take the muslims out of this dubious state. True learning and preaching
of islam, without creating conflicts of sects, will bring enlightenment,
prevent extremism and enable the leadership to govern the state with
honesty, justice and equality.

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Unity of fiqh

Because of the continuous competition among sects, for the most of the
muslims, their sect comes first and islam afterwards. There are external
forces which air this divide between the muslims. In order to come out of
this, cohesion and unity between various sects has to be preferred at the
expense of their inner loyalties to a particular sect or sub-sect.

Conclusion

L&g, it is time to search our soul. Identity of muslim world is dwindling.

Muslims must muster all resources for common islamic cause. Countries
like pakistan, turkey, iran, saudi arabia, indonesia, malaysia, egypt and
kazakhstan must join together to steer the muslim world out of crisis. As
quran says:

indeed, allah will not change the condition of a

people until they change what is in themselves

(surah al raad, ayat 11)

Since the muslim caliphate, which was a symbol of unity and prosperity
among muslims, is no more existing, the efforts, somehow have been in
hand, to recover the loss. Creation of pakistan is one of the factors in
revival of muslims in the past century. The muslims of sub-continent
stood united for the cause of independent state, in the name of islam.
Muslims by developing the knowledge based societies, combined
economic and political strategies and jointness through the platform of
the organization of islamic countries can not only overcome the complex

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problems but can also regain their status and glory. In order to conclude
the discussion in nut shell, i will quote the saying of commandant air war
college where during his address to the participants of 74 sc&sc on 21
march, 2017

the world is changing at a very fast pace, change is the only

constant in the world. Raise yourself through the light of knowledge, to
bring the change and not to become victim to it

With this l&g i come to the end of my presentation, i thank you for a
patient hearing, the bibliography is as shown. House is now
open for the questions, please.

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