The question of who is responsible for the downfall of Muslims — whether it's political parties or Muslims themselves — is complex and deeply rooted in both historical and contemporary realities. To understand this properly, we need to consider both political narratives and Islamic teachings.
1. The Political Narration
From this view, many argue that external factors and political factors, both internal and external, are largely responsible:
(a) Political Parties are Responsible
(i) Many political parties claim, that the opposition party is responsible for the downfall of Muslims
(b) Corrupt Leadership
(i) Many Muslim countries have been plagued by authoritarian regimes.
(ii) These leaders often prioritize power over Islamic values or the welfare of their people.
(iii) Many are backed by global powers for strategic reasons, not Islamic justice.
(c). Global Politics & Neocolonialism
(i) Interference in the Middle East, coups, wars, and economic manipulation have destabilized many Muslim nations.
(ii) Examples: Iraq, Libya, Syria, Palestine, and others.
Political narrative often says: Muslims are victims of a global system designed to suppress them.
2. The Islamic Perspective
Islam, however, puts the focus inward. The Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet (Hadith) consistently highlight the importance of both individual and community responsibility.
(a) Divine Law of Cause and Effect
This verse suggests that decline is not random or purely due to external forces. Rather, spiritual, moral, and ethical decay precedes political weakness.“Surely, Allah does not transform the state of a community until they take it upon themselves to change what lies within their own hearts and actions.” — Rephrased Translation for Better Understanding of Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11)
(b) Neglect of Islamic Teachings
(i) Muslims have drifted away from Qur'an and Sunnah in personal lives, governance, economy, and justice.
(ii) Islam was meant to be a complete way of life (deen), but many have reduced it to rituals alone.
(c) Disunity
(i) Sectarianism and racism have divided Muslims.
(ii) Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Do not envy one another, do not hate one another... Be slaves of Allah, brothers." (Sahih Muslim)
(d) Lack of Knowledge and Action
(i) Widespread ignorance of authentic Islamic teachings and lack of sincere action leads to decline.
(ii) Islam emphasizes ‘ilm (knowledge) and ‘amal (action).
Islamic narrative says: Muslims have declined because they abandoned Islam in its true form
So, Who Is Responsible?
Both Are Responsible, but from an Islamic worldview, internal failure takes precedence over external blame.
(a) Political powers have undeniably played a role in creating unrest and fostering injustice.
(b) However, Islamic teachings stress that external enemies succeed only when internal faith is weak.
(c) True revival must begin within the Muslim individual and community — spiritually, morally, intellectually, and socially.
(d) Political parties and systems may exploit, oppress, or fail the Muslim world — but they often rise because of internal decay.
(e) Muslims themselves — when they abandon core Islamic values — create the vacuum that corrupt leaders and foreign powers exploit.
How can Muslims Revival happen ?
(a) Returning to Qur’an and Sunnah
(b) Building unity
(c) Seeking knowledge
(d) Establishing justice
(e) Holding leaders accountable
(f) Reviving Islamic spirituality and ethics
(g) Implementing practical Islam into lives, family and the society.
❝Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.❞ — Qur'an 13:11