A point worthy of deep reflection is that tests were also present in the past and 1432 years ago the same conditions were present as we have today. The enemies of Islam had allied themselves against Islam just as in the present era. However today we have an extra test and that is of media propagation and the Internet.

There are forces behind it whose objective is to alienate the laypersons from the traditional Scholars by creating doubt regarding our basic Beliefs and the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.

Islam is the same as before yet despite the means of propagation of Islam and more Scholars and Islamic Institutions we see that there is less practice. Today when so many things are easier we find that people find practising Islam difficult and burdensome and trying to find ways out of it. In the past keeping full shar’ee Hijaab (covering fully in front of non-relations) was easy even in small houses. Today this is found “difficult”. Even fulfilling our duties to our parents, spouses, children etc. has become difficult whereas in the past people did not try and avoid it. The respect of elders which was present in the past is rare today. Young people readily accepted the advice of their elders whereas today the youth have set minds regarding their futures. Hayaa (modesty) is becoming a thing of the past.

Today everything is questioned, why? The answer is simple. The propagation of the enemies of Islam has penetrated deep into our homes and our lives, into every street and every corner of the globe through the Internet. Traditional values are being wiped out and replaced by “modern, progressive thinking”. Deen and values are being wiped out today and replaced by doubt and questions.

So what is the solution? The answer to this question is simple. Just as the efforts of the enemies of Islam have increased so our efforts have to increase manifold otherwise the consequences will be devastating, especially for the future generations. We have to turn to, and hold on fast to the traditional Scholars and Elders who have devoted their entire lives in attaining the correct understanding of Islam and passing the tests of life.

The outer facade and the apparently abundant good deeds which we have accumulated will not be acceptable in the court of Allah subhaanahu wata’ala. It is the internal which is important and which we shall be judged upon. Until the hearts are rectified, success will not be attained. If it was the apparent on which success was dependant then Iblees would have attained success and Adam AS would have failed. Adam AS had very little and Iblees had much more yet Adam AS succeeded due to his closeness to Allah subhaanahu wata’ala.......he repented and Iblees, despite having made abundant worship, did not!