God says
You are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for (the good of) mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God*.…. Q3:110
History has shown – this promise is bound to lapse whenever Muslims fail to live up to their faith.
We have neglected the condition to act for the good of mankind, hence, lost the status promised in the verse. This can best be understood in the light of 2 : 143 and notes as under:And thus We have willed you to be a community of the middle way,* so that [with your lives] you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you.** -- Q.2: 143
* I.e., a community that keeps an equitable balance between extremes and is realistic in its appreciation of man’s nature and possibilities, rejecting both licentiousness and exaggerated asceticism or so called fundamentalism.
** I.e., “that your way of life be an example (and attraction) to all mankind , just as the Apostle is an example to you.
Now If the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; …. Q3:110
Do you think that most of them (who deny Our messages) listen and use their reason? No, they are but the cattle – no, they are even less conscious of the right way! -- Q.25:44
Prophet said
1. “Whoever has the knowledge to answer a question (but) he conceals it, shall earn the girdle of fire on Resurrection Day” – H: Ahmed, Ibn Daud and Tirmizi. Ibn Majah from Anas.
2. “The learning from which no benefit is derived is like the hoarded wealth of which nothing is spent in the way of God.” – Ahmed and Darimi. N: Abu Hurairah.
3. “To impart knowledge to one who does not deserve it is like putting on a necklace of emeralds, pearls and gold to the neck of a swine”-- H: Ibn Majah. N: Anas.
4. “By Him in whose hand is my life, you must enjoin (the doing of) what is right and forbid (the doing of) what is wrong, otherwise it is near that God will send chastisement upon you from Himself. You will then call Him but you will not be responded to!” *-- H: Tirmizi. N: Huzaifa.
