Millati Islami Step Four

4.    We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

searching: to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something: as a : to examine in seeking something

fearless: free from fear : BRAVE

 moral: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ETHICAL

inventory a: an itemized list of current assets: as (1) : a catalog of the property of an individual or estate (2) : a list of goods on hand b : a survey of natural resources c : a list of traits, preferences, attitudes, interests, or abilities used to evaluate personal characteristics or skills

 

As we began Step Four of Millati Islami, we must first know what we are being asked to do. As Muslims, striving for excellence in all of our affairs, we take an intense look into ourselves, first seeking guidance from Allah. To put step four another way, using the definitions as given above, we look very carefully, with courage, into what traits and personal resources we have that may or may not be beneficial to our service to Allah and our fellow man.

 

There is much in this life that can and does lead us away from the path that we chose when we become Muslims. Unbecoming character traits that have developed over several (and in some cases, many) years are not always simple to rectify. The pull of this existence is many. But strive, exist and even thrive we must. This is the commandment from our Lord, Allah.

 

(beginning of footnote) 1

The life of this world has been made attractive and desirable to mankind.   Unlike some other religions, Islam does not negate this love nor deem it as inherently evil.  Rather, they are natural desires, which Allah created in us and only need to be channeled into what Allah has allowed or encouraged and not allowed to control our actions and beliefs even in disobedience to Allah Most High.  So this life is a temporary place of testing which determines our permanent condition in the life hereafter. 

 

The Prophet (saw) said: (translation)

"Surely, this dunya is sweet and fresh.  And Allah makes you the heirs of it and then watches what you do.  So beware of this dunya and beware regarding women."

 (from the hadith of Muslim)

 

A Muslim is not ordered to turn his back on the things of this life like the asceticism, which the Christians and others innovated.  Rather, a Muslim is commanded to seek, exploit and uses these things in obedience to Allah and in furthering the cause of raising Allah's deen (religion) in the land.  Allah said:

{Translation {Then, we sent after them from our prophets and we sent Isa the son of Maryam and we gave him the Injeel and we placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy but asceticism they innovated we did not prescribe it for them except for seeking the pleasure of Allah which they did not maintain as it should have been maintained.  So we granted those who believed among them their reward and most of them are corrupt.}  Al-Hadeed:26  [1](end of footnote 1)

(beginning of footnote 2)

As we see the news, read the newspaper, and surf the internet, we read about the suffering of the Muslims in this area, the disgrace they face in that area, the famine they are experiencing in this place and the economic crisis they are experiencing in that place.

After hearing or reading this, many ask “What is the cause?”, “Why this disgrace?” We (Muslims) were a people who dominated the world, a people who were followed and did not follow, a people who possessed the riches of the earth, a people who were examples for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. So, many ask the obvious question, “Where did we go wrong?”  “Why the change?”

Some say that it is America’s fault. That America is to blame for the problems of the Muslim Ummah. Others blame the United Nations.  And still others say it is due to our lack of education and wealth.

However, none of these responses seem to answer the question correctly. So what is it? The answer is simple. This is the price of sin. This is the price we are paying for our sins.

 

Allah says, (translation)

And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. [Ash-Shura 30]

And Allah says: (translation)

That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves. And verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower. [Al-Anfaal 53] [2] (end of footnote 2)

 

It is a good course of action for all people to be conscious of how we treat other people, the land and Allahs’law. It is absolutely vital that the Muslim exercise this consciousness each day if he/she is to remain within the bounds of his/her faith. And as recovering/repentant Muslims, it is no less than a life and death matter. And we think and believe in terms of spiritual death. That we must remain ever diligent in inventorying our mindset, motives, heart and desires cannot be stressed enough. This, in Millati Islami, is the essence of step four.

 

[1] From Ad-Dunya by Salim A. Morgan

[2] From The Price We Pay for Sin by Abu Umar Gyasi McKinzie

 

 

 

Millati Islami Step Four Worksheet (use extra paper if there is need)

 

1.        As Muslims, striving for ______________ in all of our affairs, we take an intense look into ourselves, ________________________________.

 

2.        We look very carefully, with courage, ___________________________ we have that may or may not be beneficial to our service to Allah and our fellow man.

 

 

3.        This life is a _____________________________, which determines our permanent condition in the life hereafter. 

 

4.        A Muslim is commanded to _____, _______ and uses these things in obedience to Allah and in furthering the cause of raising Allah's _____ in the land.

 

5.        It is a good course of action for all people to be conscious of how we treat _____________, __________ and __________.

 

6.        That we must remain ever diligent in inventorying our _______, _______, ______and ________ cannot be stressed enough.

 

7.        We (Muslims) were a people who dominated the world, a people who were followed and did not follow, a people who possessed the riches of the earth, a people who were examples for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. What would be your reply to the questions, “Where did we go wrong?”  “Why the change?”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Please complete these Ayah (verses) from the Qur’an

·          And whatever of misfortune befalls you, _______________________________________________ [Ash-Shura 30]

·         

That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people _____________________________________. And verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower. [Al-Anfaal 53]

 

 

 

MILLATI ISLAMI  MUSLIM 12-STEP RECOVERY/REPENTANCE PROGRAM