The tragic image of Aylan Kurdi has become the face of the current refugee crisis that is being termed as the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. Some estimate that 3000 people on a daily basis are becoming refugees, mainly emanating from the places of western imperialist intervention, such as Syria, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. These refugees are predominantly Muslims whose life, honor, and livelihood have been violated by western imperialist ambitions. The situation is massive and the consequences are exceptionally horrendous. We have many players behind the anguish and suffering of these Muslims. In addition to the western powers, whose interventions have left the lives of millions of Muslims in these areas in appalling conditions in their pursuit of bottomless greed for resources and control, we have the surrounding Muslims rulers going about coasting and enjoying their lives despite the millions of Muslim children, women, and men fleeing the abhorrent conditions created by ongoing conflicts around them. Alas, in their feeble attempt to escape thousands perish. The Mediterranean Sea has swallowed many of those who tried to flee from persecution. Further, many refugees die due to neglect, hunger, cold, and maltreatment by host countries.
It is critical to consider why these refugees are choosing European countries over Muslim countries. As reported by BBC, “one Facebook (European) user wrote: We will tell our children that Syrian migrants fled their country to come to Europe when Mecca and Muslim lands were closer to them.” This absurd situation arises due to unflinching draconian immigration laws that these Muslims states have enacted to keep themselves in their indulgent and decadent state of affairs. Germany on the other hand eased regulations and announced to take in 800,000 refugees. In contrast there remains a deafening silence from the majority of Muslim states—while, even the ones who take in these refugees fail to make concerted efforts to rehabilitate them. This is in sharp contrast to the Ottoman Khilafah which not only took in 15th century Jewish refugees fleeing European persecution but also made them feel at home. Moreover under the Khilafah, Jews flourished ushering in a golden age.
What will we say in front of Allah SWT on Judgment day when Aylan and thousands like him will plead in front of Allah SWT for justice and accounting for the inaction of 1.7 billion Muslims? What will the rulers of the Muslim states say in front of Allah SWT? Will Erdogan, Turkish President, say that he was busy honoring agreements made to keep the Jewish entity safe? Will Salman, Saudi King, say that he was busy suppressing voices of reason at home and aiding anti Sharia forces in Syria? Will Sisi, Egyptian President, say that he was busy crushing Muslims and honoring the enslavement pacts made with the Jewish state? Will Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir Dubai, say that he was busy promoting vices at home and the first to sponsor idol worship in the Arabian Peninsula after Islam cleaned it out? Will the Ulema say that they were busy singing praises of rulers and couldn’t find time to account and exhort them to protect the honor and dignity of Muslims? Will leaders of the Muslim armed forces say that they were too busy to protect the interests of the colonialist over the pressing needs of the Muslims? Will the rest of the Muslims say that they couldn’t account the rulers, ulema, leaders of armies, and prod them to action?
This issue can’t be solved solely by donating money or only by creating buzz on the social media, rather, it requires concerted effort to re-establish Khilafah on the path of the Prophethood. All Muslims who have been touched deeply by this tragedy should realize that there is no short cut to stop this calamity and others like this except by working tirelessly to re-establish authority for the Deen-e-Islam again. May Allah SWT help us bring the Khilafah on the way of Nabuwah that will not spare any resource to protect and honor Muslims. Ameen!
The Prophet Mohammed (SAAW) emphasized the issue of Khalifah (Imam) in the hadith:
“Only the Imam is a shield, behind whom you fight and you protect yourself with, so if he orders by taqwa and is just then he has reward for that, and if he orders by other than that then it is against himself” (reported by Muslim)
