The Gulf Crisis and New World Order — Page 167
The Gulf Crisis & The New World Order programmes in which pictures of these ailing , hungry and emaciated human beings are displayed who are reduced to mere skeletons. These displays arouse the sympathy of the people who offer sacrifices in this respect. But those oil-rich Arab states who have amassed literally, mountains of wealth and who have forsaken the spirit of the Holy Prophet Muhammad's 10 message though , ironically, they associate themselves with his name -it never occurs to them, how some African states in their neighbourhood are suffering from the rigours of the famine. Sudan, for instance, is right next door with a Muslim neighbour, but countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain and other states of Sheik:hdom remained quite unmoved, God has made these countries custodians of enormous riches for a considerable length of time, but their conduct in this regard has been disappointing. They have forgotten that the sympathy and love for the downtrodden was the hallmark of the Holy Prophet's message. It is quite inconceivable that one may think about the blessed life of the Holy Prophet of Islam and not conjure up the clear image of his love for the disadvantaged, the poor, and his lifelong treatment of affection and kindness that he devoted to the needy. The love and the sympathy for the poor shines forth along with the light of the Holy Prophet Mubammad•u. The Holy Prophet once remarked: If you want to look for me on the day of judgement, try to find me among the poor. He further instructed his followers: Take good care of the poor and the needy among you; all your cheer and your wealth is because of them and their toil. The least you can do is to be kind and sympathetic towards them. The Holy Prophet was the greatest sympathiser of the poor in the world. Some countries who got extremely rich, because God endowed the descendants of the Holy Prophet with it , now look at the profound poverty that besets their neighbouring countries and it brings no feelings of mercy in their hearts. What a lack of humanity! If these Muslim countries had remained devoted to prayers and philanthropic pursuits them, I firmly believe, they would not have found themselves engulfed in such a horrible trial as they are today. Since our Co mmunity, despite its meagre financial resources, sets examples in every field of virtue , for the world to emulate, so we must take initiative in this respect as well. You must not only pray, but rem. ind them to pray; you must not only give expiatory charity but 167