Why are the Muslims Poor and Backward?

Some people claim, on every occasion, that Islam is the cause of the current miserable state of the Islamic world. How should we respond to them?

Many of the Muslim states are - unfortunately- financially behind most of the western countries. There are many reasons for it.

Here are some of the reasons why Muslims have fallen behind in the last few centuries:

Not Practicing Islam Properly:

History shows us that we rose and prevailed in proportion to our devotion to Islam, and that we were destroyed and humiliated to the extent that we moved away from Islam. The main reason for our destruction and humiliation today is not Islam, but our moving away from Islam.

Ignorance:

As Muslims, we have to be well-equipped in both religious and exact sciences. The second main reason for our backwardness is our alienation from religious and exact sciences. Attributing our current backwardness to Islam means not knowing Islam at all, especially when we are very backward in terms of Islamic life and exact sciences.

The Pressure of Our Enemies:

On the other hand, our Islamic nation has been under constant pressure of some unbelievers and oppressors for centuries, especially the crusades, and we have not been given the opportunity to develop. They have never got off our back with their terrible hostility in the last three or four centuries of our history. It is very difficult for a nation to resist all those alone.

Not being able to unite as Muslims, not being able to establish Islamic unity:

As of today, there are nearly two billion Muslims in the world and more than fifty countries, in which Muslims are in majority. Despite this - unfortunately - we are in bits and pieces. Without unity, our ascent and dominance are impossible. This road passes through a serious and strong Islamic union.

Poverty:

“Our enemy is ignorance, exigency and conflict. We will make jihad against these three enemies with the weapon of art, knowledge and alliance.” (1)

Unfortunately, our lack of technique, science, technology and industry is one of the most important factors causing us to fall behind. We are not hopeless. We believe that we will reach higher levels in technique, science, technology and industry, and we see its signs a lot.

"...do you not see that nothing apart from the most basic subsistence is left in the hands of Muslims? The rest is either stolen or seized by the European infidel tyrants or the dissemblers of Asia." (2)

Badiuzzaman Said Nursi expressed loudly at a time when the Islamic world and Muslims were in a very bad situation, and today we hear the footsteps of this cry very loudly:

“Be hopeful! Among the revolutions in the future, the most sonorous sound will be the sound of Islam!” (3)

"...whenever the people of Islam have adhered in earnest to their religion, they have advanced proportionately, achieving significant progress. Witness to this is the greatest master of Europe, the Islamic state of Andalusia. But whenever the Islamic community has been slack in religion, it has sunk into wretchedness, and declined." (4)

(1) Badiuzzaman, Said Nursi, Divan-ı Harb-i Örfî.

(2) The Flashes - 169

(3) Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Sunuhat.

(4) The Letters - 376

Nur Way