Analyzing the Importance of Collectivism and Party Building by Following the Footsteps of Muhammad (PBUH)

Rahimia Magazine (January,2015)

Birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is commemorated in the month Rabi-ul-Awal with gratitude and faithfulness. His birth was a great blessing for mankind as the purpose of his arrival was to free mankind from injustice, oppression and exploitation. Analyzing different dimensions of his life and struggle is not only a source of eternal salvation but also provides a definite path of success in this world. It is extremely important to analyze the strategy adopted by him to counter the contemporary system of oppression and inequality. It will help us to devise our own path of action to fight against exploitative systems of our times.

It is an undeniable fact that an individual; no matter how great he is; cannot bring about a sustainable social change entirely on his own. Thus, the most significant aspect of his struggle was to establish an organized and trained party since it is indispensable for the success of any revolutionary movement. In terms of literal meaning, party stands for a group of people who have a common goal, unity of thought and a definite action plan to achieve that goal. It is a historical fact that ruling elite and powerful groups in any exploitative system refuse to address and fulfill the needs of the poor and helpless of society. Majority of people who accepted his message and joined his collective struggle belonged to the weak and oppressed portions of the society. Muhammad (PBUH) linked these deprived ones in a chain and channelized their collective effort against the existing system of injustice. He prayed to Almighty: “O my Lord! Keep me alive in the company of underprivileged, give me death in the company of underprivileged and raise me in the company of underprivileged on the Day of Judgment.”

His teachings eliminated intimidation and psychological supremacy of national and international exploitative systems thereby installing self-esteem, courage and confidence among his companions. At a time when Rome and Persia were the dominating super powers of the world, he categorically predicted: “Cyrus (Persian Emperor) will die and there will be no one to succeed him. Caesar (Roman Emperor) will die and there will be no one to succeed him. And verily, their wealth will be distributed in the path of Allah among the weak and deprived ones.” (Sahih Bukhari). Slowly but steadily, a considerable portion of Qureish integrated on his message of equality of mankind and liberty from all sorts of exploitation. These companions of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)faced extreme opposition and hardships in the hands of their own families and tribes.Major hostility and atrocities were imposed by prominent economic and political leaders who were the operators and direct beneficiaries of the established exploitative system.

For approximately thirteen years, there was a fierce rivalry between these two parties. Under the leadership of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), there were youngsters like Abu Bakr, Umer, Usman, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Saad Bin AbiWaqas, Hamza, Saad and Masab (Allah pleased with them all) on one side, while old and experienced lot of Abu Jehl, Abu Lahab, Waleed, Utba, Shaiba and their associates were on the side. Gradually, organized party of Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions defeated the exploitative system and its operators due to their clarity of purpose, knowledge, skills and discipline. This enabled them to establish a society based on human freedom and social justice. Today, there is a dire need to follow the path of Muhammad (PBUH) and establish an organized party backed by public support so that the goal of a just economic, political and social system may be realized.

Translation: Mr.Muhammad Usman, Faisalabad