300 Torches Illuminating Our Path from the Other End of the World
What is the purpose of a torch? It reminds us of the path we have lost, the destination we aim to reach, and illuminates our way, enabling us to walk with firm steps. We need torches to find the path of Islam, which we, as an ummah, have forgotten and lost in these days. In this article, we will collectively reflect and try to illuminate our path.
Firstly, let’s recall the beginning of the path we have lost. The Islamic faith does not distinguish between the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak, the white and the black; it treats everyone equally. When prayer time comes, everyone stands shoulder to shoulder without discrimination. During Hajj, they all perform Tawaf and stone the devil with a single Ihram. In Islam, superiority lies only in piety. If Islam were discriminatory, would it have been possible for Bilal ibn Rabah, a black and formerly enslaved man, to say “Allah is One” while Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab persisted in denial? We are fortunate to have started on this path because we did not enter this path through a different way; we were born into it. Yet, we respond to this blessing not with gratitude but with ingratitude. Now, while we only remember Allah in difficult times and are lazy in worship when we place our worldly distractions in front of Him, we find ourselves in negligence.
From Animism to Islam
Our news comes from Indonesia, the country with the world’s largest Muslim population and the fourth most populous country globally. Indonesia, consisting of thousands of islands, has 87% of its population as Muslims. In recent days, on the island of Sulawesi, one of the large islands in the country, about 300 people from the Tau Taa Wana tribe, who previously adhered to Animism, embraced Islam.
In a ceremony held at the Al-Furkan Mosque on the island, these 300 people declared their faith by reciting the Shahada and became Muslims. Interestingly, most of the tribe members, belonging to this group of 300, do not speak Indonesian. Despite living in this region for about 8000 years, the tribe speaks its own language, Pamona. It is astonishing that within a tribe, oblivious to the outside world, residing on an island at the other end of the world, 300 individuals found, learned, and chose Islam amid such challenges. This stark contrast with our ingratitude amidst all our blessings reflects our shortcomings. Islam, once again, demonstrates its greatness, universality, and status as the true religion. Just as 1400 years ago, when Bilal ibn Rabah, a known slave, was granted Islam while the wealthy of that time still existed, today Islam reaches 300 people in a tribe on an island in Indonesia, without discrimination between rich and poor, free and enslaved. These 300 Muslims become torches reminding us of our path. May Allah make us among those who find their way with a torch and be guides like torches for those who come after us. Peace be upon you.
