When we look at the world around us, it gives us a lot of pain. But that is a sign of a heart that is not dead. Not fully anyway. Dead hearts don't feel anything. They just are dead.

Things are what they are in the world. Problems of every kind and description abound. 

The point is first to do our best to understand them. And then to set about systematically to address them -- and looking for solutions for them.

Search for solutions is neither easy nor short-lived. It sometimes extends over years and decades. And sometimes even generations.

The important thing is never to give up. But to continue looking and searching. 

It is Allah's promise in the Qur'an that you look hard enough, and Allah will guide you to the answers:

Walladheena Jaahadoo Feenaa,
La-Nahdiyannahum Subulanaa!

Allah's world is sweet and wonderful -- such as it is. And there is a lot of room for hope and optimism. 

And where there is none, hope must be generated. Optimism must be created. 

It is a candle that must be lit in every heart.

That is what Islam came into this world to do. 

And that is the job of the Muslims today: to light that fire of hope in every heart.

To tell everybody what the Qur'an says:

A-laa Inna Nasrallahi Qareeb!

Meaning: Good days are just around the corner. Keep up the effort. Don't lose heart. 

The world needs to be shown that there is a better way -- with better likely outcomes. 

That is part of the job of Muslims in today's world. To rise to levels of being part of the solution. And not just be part of the problems that plague the world.

END