199- The Holy Qur’an on Rise and Fall of Nations, (Series: Inviting Reflections)

After the Fall of Muslim Spain (????????????) in 1492 A.D; the last Arabic poet of the Moors, Abu al-Baqa al-Rindi starts his famous elegy (?????), mourning the devastation and destruction of his homeland, with the following opening verse:

??????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?????????     ????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ????????

(Everything when comes to its maturity, perishes; therefore, human beings should not be deceived by the (available) comforts and amenities of their life). Nafh al-Tib by al-Maqqari, vol: 6, p. 232.

In the above verse there is a lesson for all world nations that there is no exception in Allah’s Way (?????? ?????)  that the unjust, tyrant and morally bankrupt nations perish and Allah places other nations in their position. Allah has very clearly warned us about His Way:

."????? ???????????? ???????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ??? ????????? ????????????"                           

(If you turn back (from the Path of Allah), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!) Surah: 47, Verse: 38.

The Holy Qur’an has repeatedly warned the mankind and particularly the world nations who do not adhere to the morality and higher values that such systems and strategies which are based on coercion, looting and exploitation, will not persist long and will change. The Divine Design is very well elaborated by Allah; as He (Allah) says:

."...???????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ??? ???????? "

(…while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth). Surah: 13, Verse: 17.

Allah further reminds the nations in the Qur’an:

??? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ? ???????? ??????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ??????? ????????? ?????????? ??????????? ??????? ????????? ? ????????? ??? ??????? ?????????????

(If a wound afflicts you, a similar wound has afflicted the others.   Such days (of varying fortunes) We (Allah) alternate between the people, that Allah may know those who believe, and that He may take to Himself from your ranks witnesses (to truth). Allah does not love the evildoers). Surah: 3, Verse: 140.

In the same way the declining nations cannot rise until they change what is within themselves, as Allah says:

."????? ??????? ??? ????????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????????? ??? ?????????????"

(Allah does not change the condition of people until they change what is within themselves). Surah 13: Verse 11.

Dear readers! According to the Qur’an the Rise and Fall of nations and civilizations is coupled with moral sanctity and adherence to the higher values on both levels, internally and externally, for which the Holy Qur’an, being a prime source of higher values, invites the people to ponder; and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reminds us:

."??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????????"

(Allah will give Rise with this book (al-Qur’an al-Karim) some nations; and He (Allah) will cause Fall of some nations with this book (when they will abandon its dictates and teachings). Sahih Muslim: Hadith # 817.

There is a good news for those who act in accordance with the dictates of the Qur’an and a warning for those who do not pay any heed to the eternal teachings. Allah says:

."??????????? ???? ?????????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????????? ???????????????? ? ????? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ????????"

(We (Allah) send down (stage by stage) in the Qur′an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss). Surah: 17, Verse: 82.

It is surprising that many a people, despite the fact that they have the capacity to understand, they do not come to the Divine Guidance. It is exclaimed:

."??????? ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????????"

 (Will they not ponder the Qur’an? Or, are there locks upon their hearts?) Surah: 47, Verse: 24.