✿ Written by: Ḥāfiẓ Khizr Ḥayāt
In one article, it was claimed that religious debates during the decline of the Abbasid era were a major reason for the destruction of the Muslim Ummah. It mentioned that at the time of Baghdad’s fall, scholars were busy in useless discussions—such as the number of angels that can fit on a needle’s tip, the permissibility of eating crows, and disputes over the size of the miswak. This situation was then compared to the present condition of Muslims, with the claim that research and discussions on religious matters are the cause of the Ummah’s downfall.
The historical events mentioned in the article are highly questionable. For example:
These are baseless claims with no credible historical references. If such incidents are true, proof should be provided. Without verified sources, these are nothing more than fictional assumptions, and cannot be taken as valid examples of historical realities.
It has sadly become common to blame the religious class (ʿulamā’) and Islamic issues for every societal failure. However:
Thus, to single out the scholars is unjust and misleading.
Issues such as:
have been discussed for fourteen centuries and will continue to be so until the Day of Judgment. Research and discussion on such matters are signs of intellectual vitality, not causes of decline.
Some individuals, by declaring religious topics as the reason for decline, are merely:
The actual reasons behind the downfall of the Ummah are not research in religious matters, but rather:
① Lack of unity
② Political and military weakness
③ Neglect of knowledge and righteous deeds
④ Economic and social instability
The article distorted history to wrongfully blame religious scholars for the Ummah’s downfall, which is completely incorrect. Religious research and discourse have always been and will remain a part of the scholarly heritage of the Ummah. Anyone who attributes decline to these matters is suffering from intellectual decay and is in need of rectifying their thoughts.
For the revival of the Ummah, we must understand our responsibilities and take practical steps, rather than blaming religion through fabricated tales.
❖ Introduction
In one article, it was claimed that religious debates during the decline of the Abbasid era were a major reason for the destruction of the Muslim Ummah. It mentioned that at the time of Baghdad’s fall, scholars were busy in useless discussions—such as the number of angels that can fit on a needle’s tip, the permissibility of eating crows, and disputes over the size of the miswak. This situation was then compared to the present condition of Muslims, with the claim that research and discussions on religious matters are the cause of the Ummah’s downfall.
❖ Critical Review of the Article
◈ Fabricated Historical Examples
The historical events mentioned in the article are highly questionable. For example:
- Debates about the number of angels on the tip of a needle
- Discussions on whether the crow is ḥalāl or ḥarām
- Arguments on the size of the miswak
These are baseless claims with no credible historical references. If such incidents are true, proof should be provided. Without verified sources, these are nothing more than fictional assumptions, and cannot be taken as valid examples of historical realities.
❖ Blaming Scholars and Religion
It has sadly become common to blame the religious class (ʿulamā’) and Islamic issues for every societal failure. However:
- At the time of Baghdad’s destruction, not only scholars, but soldiers, merchants, engineers, and rulers all failed.
- The responsibility of stopping Hulagu Khan did not lie solely with the religious class, but with the entire state apparatus.
Thus, to single out the scholars is unjust and misleading.
❖ Ongoing Relevance of Religious Discourse
Issues such as:
- Tawḥīd and Shirk
- Sunnah and Bidʿah
- Ḥalāl and Ḥarām
have been discussed for fourteen centuries and will continue to be so until the Day of Judgment. Research and discussion on such matters are signs of intellectual vitality, not causes of decline.
❖ Prejudice Against Religious Commitment
Some individuals, by declaring religious topics as the reason for decline, are merely:
- Distracting from the real issues.
- Often non-practicing themselves, wanting to live according to their desires rather than Islamic teachings.
- Irritated by discussions on Islamic practices such as the beard, miswak, or Sunnah.
❖ The Real Causes of Decline
The actual reasons behind the downfall of the Ummah are not research in religious matters, but rather:
① Lack of unity
② Political and military weakness
③ Neglect of knowledge and righteous deeds
④ Economic and social instability
❖ Conclusion
The article distorted history to wrongfully blame religious scholars for the Ummah’s downfall, which is completely incorrect. Religious research and discourse have always been and will remain a part of the scholarly heritage of the Ummah. Anyone who attributes decline to these matters is suffering from intellectual decay and is in need of rectifying their thoughts.
For the revival of the Ummah, we must understand our responsibilities and take practical steps, rather than blaming religion through fabricated tales.
