Salamun alaykum

Salamun alaykum,

Last week the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, based in the U.S.A;  released a report -The Future of the Global Muslim Population Projections for 2010 -2030.

According to the report, the Worlds Muslim population is expected to rise from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.2 billion by 2030. This represents an increase by about 35% in the next 20 years.

In 2030 Muslims will make up 26.4% of the world’s total projected population of 8.3 billion. Presently Muslims make up 23.4% of the estimated world population of 6.9 billion.

In Europe as a whole, the Muslim population is projected to grow from 44.1 million in 2010 to 58.2 million in 2030.This reflects a  rise from 6% of the region’s inhabitants in 2010 to 8% in 2030. Though muslims will remain small minorities in Europe and the Americas they are expected to constitute a growing share of the total population in these regions.

Obviously the muslim Ummah, around the world, would definitely be receiving the above forecasts in increase of the Muslim population with great happiness and pride. But a question that begs an answer is that does the growth in numbers mean a lot to Islam?

Ultimately not. For in Islam it is the quality of muslims which is more important than quantity.

A classic example of evidence to illustrate this statement is seen from the events which unfolded, in the year 11 A.H, at time of the demise of the holy prophet. History records that only a handful number of muslims attended to perform the last funeral rites of the holy prophet whereas the larger number of muslims chose to abandon this essential religious obligation. Instead the group which was greater in quantity opted to occupy themselves in the contest for succession after the holy prophet.

The final rites were discharged by muslims who were high in standards of quality, but fewer in quantity. This is a good indicator that the quantity is of no significance. It is the quality of muslims that is critical.

Therefore we must strive to improve on our quality of taslim –submission- to leading our lives towards achieving taqwa.
It is only through our quality and not quantity that we as muslims will achieve making the world a better place, Inshallah.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah

With salaams and duas

Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat