From the beginning of this book, we have stressed the importance of self-sacrifice as a defining feature of the believers' sincerity as well as the many opportunities that arise to practice it. Therefore, when such opportunities arise they should use them to draw closer to Allah and help them win His approval. When we look at the world today, especially the Muslim world, we can clearly see the importance of practicing the Qur'an's morality.
We see almost every day on television and in the newspapers all of the chaos, oppression, tyranny, and injustice that results from rejecting this morality.
War and internal chaos continue to plague people all over the world. In Palestine, Chechnya, and East Turkestan (Sinkiang/Xinjang), people struggle just to survive. Just in the twentieth century, we have seen hundreds of thousands of unarmed civilians killed, women raped, people tortured or maimed, loved ones killed or disappeared, and many millions more driven out of their homes and exiled from their homelands of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Kosovo, Algeria, Tunisia, Eritrea, Egypt, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Rwanda, East Turkestan, Chechnya, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Sudan. Innocent children have been shot, babies have been murdered in their cribs, and people trying to escape have been killed or maimed by land mines. Human beings have been subjected to a savagery the like of which has never been seen before, treated with great cruelty, and forced to live in inhuman conditions in prison camps.
Internal chaos continues, as does the cruel oppression of women and children. Human beings wait for someone with a conscience to offer a helping hand, for they cannot make their voices heard. We can see the magnitude of this problem just by looking briefly at several of the above-mentioned lands.
Where Muslims Are Oppressed Palestine
For over half a century and without any justification, the Muslims of Palestine have been driven out of their homes, shot, attacked, seen their houses demolished, had their lands and fields destroyed, and tortured and treated with violence. The world media have reported very few of the cases in which such inhumane treatment has been meted out to women, children, and young people.
Since the 1948 occupation of Palestine, where 70 percent of the population is composed of young people, children have been displaced, arrested, imprisoned, or murdered. Palestinians are treated like second-class citizens in their own land. In those areas where this aggression is especially intense, every day several children are killed and more than 10 are wounded.
Without any provocation, a man bringing home bread may be shot before the eyes of his pregnant wife and children. Helicopters open fire on women working in the fields, but no explanation is ever given. Children returning home from school are shot and killed by Israeli soldiers. Many victims die because ambulances are not allowed to come and take them to the hospital. Millions of people have been living for years in hunger and misery in refugee camps, and many Muslims, including women, are subjected to all kinds of torture in prisons. Besides, there is the constant threat of a new bombardment. (For a detailed discussion see Harun Yahya, Palestine [Islamic Book Service: 2003].)
 The Muslims in Palestine cannot even meet their basic needs and are subjected to inhumane treatment.“Israel perpetrated a massacre” Milliyet, 14 October 2002 “Justice needed in the Middle East” Evrensel, 26 February 2002 “Palestinians in difficulties!” Milli Gazete, 10 October 2002 “Slaughter of Muslims continues” Milli Gazete, 01 September 2001 “Israel kills a child using dynamite” Milliyet, 14 October 2002 “Water torture against Palestinians” Evrensel, 31 October 2002 |
However, it also needs to be made clear that it is impossible to hold all Israelis responsible for the suffering of Palestinian Muslims; it would be totally wrong to do so. It is radical Zionism, a racist ideology, that lies at the heart of this savagery taking place in these lands. The violent policies of radical Zionists are also condemned by many Jews of faith, common sense and conscience.
As Muslims, our heartfelt wish is that all of these atrocities will come to an end and that peace will come to the Middle East. But we are also opposed to the bombing of innocent Israelis by a few radical Muslims in retaliation for Israel's shooting of innocent civilians. The land of Palestine is a sacred land in which Jews, Muslims and, of course, Christians should live together in peace. True peace can be brought to the Middle East when people live by the love, compassion, tolerance and affection commanded by religious moral values and when just solutions to all disagreements are found based on Allah's commandments.
Kashmir
Like many Muslim peoples in Asia, the Muslims of Kashmir also suffered from war and aggression in the second half of the twentieth century. Due to India's oppressive occupation, Kashmir has been deprived of peace, well-being, and stability for almost 50 years. Recognized for its strategic importance, mineral wealth, and especially for its Muslim population, Kashmir wants either to be a fully independent country or to join Pakistan. This runs contrary to the interests of India, Russia, and China. As a result, economic embargos have been imposed, violence and unwarranted arrests have occurred, and people have been tortured. Also, Pakistan has endured international pressure and embargos because it continues to support the Kashmiris.After the partition of India into India, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and West Pakistan (now Pakistan), Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan. Ever since, the Indian portion of this predominantly Muslim state has been an occupied land. In 1947, 1965, and 1971 three massive attempts were made to eradicate the Kashmiri Muslims, who were determined to throw off the Indian yoke. Tens of thousands of them were killed, and more than 4,000 women were raped and tortured. Religious schools were closed so that the children could not receive an Islamic education. After 1990, the Indian occupation became increasingly severe. Civilians were arrested and tortured to death, houses were burned, defenseless people were assaulted, and schools and newspapers were closed. Not content with these armed assaults, New Delhi even used dams employed for agricultural purposes to torture Muslims: The reservoirs behind the dams would be filled with water and, when the monsoons came, the gates would be opened so that Azad Kashmir (the Pakistani part) and Pakistan below would be inundated. This practice killed thousands of people, caused great destruction, and engendered a refugee problem.
 Tens of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims were cruelly murdered in the wars and conflicts that took place in Kashmir during the twentieth century. “80,000 martyrs in Kashmir” Yeni Safak, 23 September 2002 “Muslims still being slaughtered in Kashmir” Yeni Safak, 23 September 2002 |
But there is even more. Various propaganda conceals the reality of oppression and torture afflicted on innocent people so that the whole world remains silent in the face of these atrocities. The human rights reports seem to be ignored. Those Kashmiri Muslims who resist and struggle to live in peace in their own land are presented as radical terrorists. However, for close to half a century, the Kashmiri Muslims have only wanted to practice their religion in peace, live freely as Muslims in their own land, and bring up their children in peace and security. This continual denial to Kashmiri Muslims of their basic rights, together with the torture to which they are subjected, shows how important it is to sensitize people of conscience to this situation.
East Turkestan (Sinkiang/Xinjiang)
The Muslims of East Turkestan have lived under Chinese control for 250 years, and are still oppressed by Beijing. After Mao seized control of China, these Muslims refused to be assimilated. Thus, plans were drawn up to subjugate them. Either as the result of being murdered by the People's Liberation Army or by a regime-engineered famine, 2.8 million people were killed between 1949-52, 3.5 million people were killed between 1952-57, 6.7 million people died between 1958-60, and 13.3 million people were murdered between 1961-65. Those who survived were subjected to terrible torture and oppression. Their oppression was no different from what the Serbs inflicted upon the Bosnian Muslims or the Albanian majority in Kosovo. Chinese methods of "justice" were extremely cruel and savage: being buried alive, being beaten to the point of death and left lying in the snow, or having their legs attached to oxen and being pulled apart.
 Since 1996, tens of thousands of Uighur Turks have been held in camps and subjected to severe torture. After one hearing, suspects are condemned either to hard labor or to death by firing squad. Translation of Article Headlines “Prisons used as torture centers in East Turkestan” Gözcü, 30 October 2001 “Tragedy of East Turkestan in American press” Akit, 02 August 2000 “Human Rights Watch: China has stepped up pressure on Muslims” Milli Gazete, 15 January 2003 |
Since 1949, Beijing has sought to diminish the number of Muslims, and make them a minority in their own country by encouraging ethnic Chinese to move there. Today, Uighurs are forced to live in villages whereas Chinese have been moved to the cities. In addition, Beijing has used East Turkestani Muslims as subjects in nuclear experiments. The first experiments, which took place on October 16, 1964, caused many people in the region to come down with fatal illnesses. In addition, 20,000 deformed children were born, as many as 210,000 Muslims died, and thousands of people were either maimed or suffered from cancer.
From 1964 to the present day, nearly 50 atom bombs have been detonated in East Turkestan. Swedish experts determined that a nuclear bomb detonated experimentally in 1984 registered 6.8 on the Richter scale.
In its attempt to make the people of East Turkestan give up their religion, the chauvinistic Chinese government under Mao used many methods of pressure and intimidation. The most intense period was between 1966-76, during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Mosques were razed, public prayer was forbidden, Qur'anic schools were closed, Chinese migrants did everything they could to harass Muslims, anti-religious propaganda was disseminated in schools, and teaching religion was forbidden.
The violence against Muslim Turks in East Turkestan continues. Chinese officials regard young Turks as potential opponents and remove them from their homes without warrant. To escape this oppression, many young people run away into the mountains or the desert.
Since around 1996, tens of thousands of Uighurs have been held in camps, where they are known to be badly tortured. According to an official report by a human rights organization, detainees are sentenced to hard labor or public execution by firing squad after their first hearing, for the courts do what the Communist party tells them to do. Among the most horrible things is that pregnant women are taken from their houses and sterilized, and that babies born in excess of the permitted quota are killed. (See Harun Yahya, Communist China's Policy of Oppression in East Turkestan [Islamic Book Service: 2003].)
Chechnya
 During the genocide that Moscow inflicted on the defenseless Chechen people, they were subjected to inhumane torture. All of these scenes of savagery happened before the eyes of the whole world. |
 Russian forces in Chechnya bombed civilian targets and killed everyone that crossed their path - women and children, young and old. “People of Chechnya being wiped out” Radikal, 25 July 2002 “The lucky ones will die” Radikal, 12 October 2002 “The world must not remain silent” Takvim, 23 November 1999 “200,000 Chechens desperate” Türkiye, 31 October 1999 “War, oppression, poverty...” Türkiye, 23 December 1999 |
After the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, some ethnic groups declared their independence. About 1 million Chechens had suffered and been oppressed during the long years of Russian rule. They declared their independence in 1996 after the war of independence began under the leadership of Dzhokhar Dudayev.
Some Chechen villages were bombed as a result of a new war that started when Dagestan asked Shamil Basayev, the Chechen freedom fighter, for help. Only two people survived these bombings. Russian soldiers on Chechen soil mercilessly killed every innocent person they came across, whether old or young, and began to bomb civilian targets. Hospitals were particularly targeted for chemical bombardment, Scud missile attacks, and napalm, as were maternity clinics, markets, and refugee convoys.
The Russians also poisoned the Argun River. Many women and children died after drinking the poisoned water, and hundreds of people suffered permanent side-effects. In two years, Chechnya lost three-quarters of its population. Some fled to neighboring countries and tried to survive under very difficult conditions. Moscow intended to destroy the Chechen rebellion by November 2000, but failed to do so. The Chechen struggle for freedom continues even today.
Several human rights organizations who have studied the situation of Chechen refugees reveal that these refugees are suffering an immense violation of their human rights. Chechens endure hunger, thirst, communicable diseases, and travel many kilometers on foot. Men and women, the old and the young, are forced to flee in the snow and intense cold, and then struggle to survive with 2-3 families holed up in train cars or stables.
Chechens living in refugee camps cannot send their children to school because they cannot find winter clothes for them. Nearly half of those who have shelter have become ill from the bad conditions and intense cold. Some do not eat a hot meal for weeks. Such diseases as tuberculosis and hepatitis have spread quickly because many people cannot endure the harsh conditions in which they are forced to live. The death rate has risen. In spite of this, countries in the region continually cut back their aid and thus it has become difficult for the refugees to find a crust of bread as they struggle with intense cold, thirst, and hunger. (For a more detailed discussion see Harun Yahya,The Winter of Islam and the Spring To Come [Global Publishing: 2004].)
The Hardships Endured by Children
One of the believers' responsibilities is to alleviate the suffering of children. Many children live under bridges, rifle through garbage cans, and risk their lives for very little money. They have no homes and insufficient nourishment, and many of them die. The number of children who are subject to ill-treatment and violence, who are neglected, exploited, and sexually abused, continues to rise.
Statistical calculations by relevant agencies show just how serious this problem is.
Poverty and Poor Health Conditions
- There are 2.2 billion children in the world: 1 billion live under the poverty line. According to a UNICEF report, half of the world's children suffer from poverty, conflict, and AIDS.
- An estimated 1.1 billion children do not grow up in a healthy home environment. There are 90 million street children.
- Every year throughout the world, 40,000 children die.
- Handicapped children cannot take advantage of education or their right to health. 85% of all children grow up with problems.
- In 2003, 10.6 million children died. Most of these deaths could have been prevented. According to a 2005 UNICEF report, 29,158 die each day before their fifth birthday.
- The child mortality rate is largely due to malnutrition. In developing countries, 174 million children aged 0-5 are malnourished and underweight.
- Iron insufficiency in children under the age of 2 gradually makes it hard for them to communicate and causes mental retardation.
- Only 71% of children have access to clean drinking water.7 Despite the fact that 2 million children a year (most of them under 5 years of age) die from illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water, the world remains unable to ensure clean water and good health conditions.
- More than 20 million babies (one in five) are born underweight (under 2.5 kilos). This is the major reason why every year 4 million babies die before they are a month old. Being born underweight increases by 50% the risks of contracting diabetes, cancer, and heart disease in the future.
- In the developing countries, 30 million babies do not reach their first birthday. More than 900,000 children under the age of 5 die from measles. Every year, more than 200,000 new-born babies die of tetanus. Every year, 370,000 die of whooping cough and 50,000 more die of tuberculosis. All of these illnesses can be prevented by vaccination.
 “World turns its back on children” Cumhuriyet, 30 September 2002 “1 billion children in danger” Türkiye, 22 March 2000 “It’s always the children who suffer” Cumhuriyet, 30 September 2002 “4,000 Albanian children sold” Star, 24 November 2001 “Russians are kidnapping children” Yeni Safak, 02 August 2000 |
- Every year, 2 million babies under the age of 5 die from a lack of professional care for respiratory track infections.
- Due to the discontinuation of campaigns to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic, every year 250,000 children and young people contract this fatal virus.
- AIDS, which is particularly rampant in refugee camps, has killed 3.8 million children and created 15 million orphans.
Child Labor and Exploitation
- In developing countries, 253 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 work, and between 50 and 60 million between the ages of 5 and 11 work in dangerous conditions.
In Thailand, children between the ages of 7 and 15 are forced to work in factories for 12-14 hours a day. Some of them go blind as a result.- Every year about 2 million children are sexually exploited. These children endure forced labor from the age of 10 and eventually die at about 30.
Children and War
- In the last 10 years, 2 million children have died in war. Six million more have been seriously wounded or crippled. Millions of children have been forced to use violence.19 16 million have suffered psychological trauma and 15 million have been left homeless.20 Approximately 25 million have been separated from their families.21 The number of child refugees stands at 5.43 million.22 (UN 2002)
- Unable to read the warnings posted in war-torn areas, the number of children killed or crippled by stepping on mines increases every day. In 90 countries, children have to contend with 60 million land mines placed by warring armies and rebels. Every year 10,000 children are affected.23 (UN report 2002)
- Children continue to die due to the lack of food and health services after fighting.24
 Today, 600 million children live below the poverty line. Everyone with a conscience is responsible for helping them overcome their difficult circumstances. |
- In some areas, children become soldiers in order to survive: 300,000 children between the ages of 7 and 14 are actively engaged in war and armed conflicts.25
 War’s adverse effects on children worsen every day. Tens of thousands of them have been killed by stepping on land mines. |
- More than 300,000 children throughout the world, most under the age of 10, have been abducted and forced into military service. Many girls in this situation have been subject to sexual assault.26 (UN report 2002)
The Problems of Refugees
War-induced poverty has forced many people from their lands. Although the whole world knows what these people suffered during the war, many countries do not accept refugees. These people walk for days and weeks in the cold in search of a secure place to live and are often forced to go from one country to another. Today, there are approximately 21 million refugees in the world. A few examples will be enough to explain their need for help.
Since March 1998, because of the war in Kosovo, many of the area's cities have been almost emptied. Due to harsh winter conditions, more than 300,000 Kosovans were driven from their homes and forced to walk for days, perished.
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In November 1999, no country accepted those Chechens fleeing on foot from Russian attacks. Many women, children, and elderly people died before reaching the borders of Turkey, which did accept them.
Of the world's 9 million Palestinians, 4 million live in Palestine and 5 million live beyond its borders, mostly in refugee camps. More than half of those who live inside Palestine have been displaced and forced to live in refugee camps. In other words, nearly 75% of the Palestinian people have been forced out of their homes by armed violence and continue to live under extremely harsh conditions in these camps.
As Palestinians were expelled from their homes, 531 villages were totally evacuated and 90% of them were completely destroyed by the occupying state. The Palestinians forced from their homes could not live in peace in the places they migrated to. The refugees who settled in the as-yet unoccupied West Bank and Gaza were subjected to frequent aggression and slaughter, after the June 1967 war, by air and land attacks. The worst incident came about as the result of the attack against the refugee camp at Jenin, where approximately 1,000 people died. Besides this, many refugee camps in Gaza were viciously attacked with great loss of life.27 (For a detailed discussion, see Harun Yahya, Palestine [Islamic Book Service: 2003].)
As Palestinians were expelled from their homes, 531 villages were totally evacuated and 90% of them were completely destroyed by the occupying state. The Palestinians forced from their homes could not live in peace in the places they migrated to. The refugees who settled in the as-yet unoccupied West Bank and Gaza were subjected to frequent aggression and slaughter, after the June 1967 war, by air and land attacks. The worst incident came about as the result of the attack against the refugee camp at Jenin, where approximately 1,000 people died. Besides this, many refugee camps in Gaza were viciously attacked with great loss of life.27 (For a detailed discussion, see Harun Yahya, Palestine [Islamic Book Service: 2003].)
Conclusion
The very short list of anti-Muslim activitites should be enough to stimulate to action anyone with a conscience. In fact, however, some people remain unmoved, thinking that these practices do not immediately affect them, for they are interested only in pursuing the desires of their lower self. Even if these things happened closer to them and they became more sensitive, they would still be more concerned with their own interests. For example, if they learned that civil war had broken out in a country where they do business, their main concern would be for their potential profits as opposed to the people murdered, the children killed by cruelty, or the fear and anxiety suffered by its citizens.
These people do not care about what happens as long as it does not affect them. But if they could change places with one of the victims for only a minute, their heart would melt. If they had to fight to survive, along with seeing innocent people being murdered and forced to endure hunger and unbearable poverty, they would not be so callous and selfish.
However, believers know that the basic reason for these troubles is that people do not practice the Qur'an's moral precepts. Therefore, they consider it a matter of conscience to spread this morality among others, for being reluctant, apathetic, or unwilling to do so only prolongs the people's pain and anxiety.
In reality, the widespread nature of these problems is a sign that humanity is living in the End Times, the period that, as revealed in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas), will come before the Day of Judgment. During this time, the Qur'an's moral teachings will not be practiced and many people will live in error because they have not heard of the importance of the Qur'an's morality. At such a time, every Muslim is even more obliged to live a life of self-sacrifice as regards his or her possessions and life. In these hadiths, our Prophet (saas) tells us that strife will increase, Muslims will be oppressed and slaughtered, innocent people will be murdered, and poverty and hunger will grow worse. For example:
In the End Times, troubles from their sultans will afflict my community, so much so that all places will be problematic for Muslims. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 32)
The Hour will come when violence, bloodshed, and anarchy become common. (Muntakhab Kanz al-`Ummal)
At a time when the world will be in harj [utter confusion and disorder], fitna [strife] will appear, people will be attacked. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 12)
There will be widespread slaughter, and great strife will be seen. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 37)
Judgment Day will not come to pass until these things come true: death and slaughter will be widespread. (Musnad, 2:492, 4:391, 392)
Disorder, corruption, and fear will emerge in the West ... Corruption will proliferate. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi, p. 440)
The poor will grow in number. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi, p. 455)
Hunger and the high cost of living will spread as widely as they can. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi, p. 440)
… until innocent people are massacred, and when those on Earth and up in the sky can no longer put up with such massacres ... (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 37)
… when Judgment Day approaches and the hearts of believers are weakened for such reasons as death, hunger, strife, the loss of the Sunnah [teachings of the Prophet (saas)], the emergence of religious novelties, and the loss of means of enjoining good and prohibiting evil. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 66)
When the occurrence of such things grows more intense, the responsibility incumbent upon Muslims also increases in importance. They must urge people to put an end to anarchy, chaos, and oppression; show them the true path; and help orphans, the poor, the abandoned, children without relatives to care for them, the aged, and those experiencing hunger and misery. Those who want to win Allah's approval must strive to improve their own moral life and solving their own problems; they must also try to solve the problems of those around them, even if this means foregoing their own preferences, sacrificing their own comfort, and parting with some of their possessions. However, the believers' hope of winning Allah's approval makes them eager to fulfill these responsibilities as best as they can.
The Qur'an states that Allah makes believers responsible for supporting those in need:
What reason could you have for not fighting in the way of Allah - for those men, women and children who are oppressed and exclaim: "Our Lord, take us out of this city whose inhabitants are wrongdoers! Give us a protector from You! Give us a helper from You!"? (Surat an-Nisa': 75)
Of course, many organizations are currently working to alleviate people's hardships. But regardless of their effectiveness, they are limited to finding superficial solutions that do not really solve the problems.
Given that these problems involve all of humanity, solutions that fix the problems for a day, a week or a month are not enough. What is needed are solutions that are permanent and final. The best solution is for the Qur'an's morality to rule people's lives, for its moral teachings enjoin people to act according to their conscience and to be tolerant, conciliatory, and understanding. It requires that justice prevail and that everyone's rights are granted in full and respected, and that the rights of innocent people, the elderly, women, children, the abandoned, and those in need are respected. Thus, implementing this morality is the clear solution to all of the world's injustice, terror, chaos, slaughter, pain, and misery.
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Allah reveals this solution in the Qur'an: "Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and will recompense them according to the best of what they did" (Surat an-Nahl: 97). A good life, real contentment, security, and peace can only be enjoyed fully by adhering to the Qur'an's morality. Therefore, if most people understood this truth, all of the world's pain, anxiety, murder, trouble, injustice, or poverty would cease to exist and be replaced with peace, contentment, wealth, and ease.
Together with the dominance of high morality, justice, tolerance, and self-sacrifice, one would find compassion and mercy to be widespread among the people. Everyone's rights would be granted and respected, those who are hungry would share what little they have with others, people would take care of others, and they would do their best to promote contentment among the people. In other words, any increase in the number of people who follow their conscience leads humanity one step closer to peace and contentment.
As the Qur'an reveals, the man-made oppressive systems are responsible for all of the evil in the world: "Corruption has appeared in both land and sea because of what people's own hands have brought" (Surat ar-Rum: 41). For this reason, each individual is responsible for turning this evil into good. If the Qur'an's morality were actually practiced, all kinds of strife would disappear. Allah tells us that those who pursue their own luxury are oppressors, and commands virtuous people with awareness to work hard and sacrifice in order to end the world's strife:
Would that there had been more people with a vestige of good among the generations of those who came before you, who forbade corruption in the land, other than the few among them whom We saved. Those who did wrong gladly pursued the life of luxury that they were given and were evildoers. (Surah Hud: 116)
Allah warns those whose moral character leads them to pursue their own luxury. Those virtuous and aware people who fear and respect Him cannot see the problems that afflict human beings and yet turn a blind eye to them in order to deal with their own concerns. They cannot put aside their responsibility to go in search of small worldly gain. In the Hereafter, Allah will hold each person accountable for knowing what to do but leaving the task to others because it seemed difficult.
In such a situation, a believer must find and join with other believers to establish the Qur'an's morality throughout the world and struggle against oppression and disorder: "… spur on the believers…" (Surat an-Nisa': 84)
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