India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Calling for urgent introspection and reform within the Muslim community, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Secretary Mohammad Shafi Madni on Saturday said the Ummah must reclaim its moral, social and intellectual leadership to fulfill its responsibility toward society at large.
Addressing a special gathering at the JIH headquarters, Madni urged Muslims to rediscover their Qur’anic role as Khair-e-Ummat—the “best community” raised to promote goodness and justice. He said the gap between this ideal and present realities demands serious self-assessment and collective reform.
Madni began by underscoring the importance of sifat (qualities), describing them as the foundation of the Ummah’s identity and mission. Referring to Qur’anic teachings, he said Muslims were entrusted with guiding humanity through ethical conduct and social responsibility, but warned that this role is being steadily eroded.
Expressing concern over religious decline, Madni noted that Islam is increasingly reduced to rituals rather than practiced as a comprehensive way of life. He said neglect of core obligations such as prayer, fasting and zakat—despite the presence of mosques and institutions—reflects a weakening of genuine faith and obedience, which he described as a major obstacle to meaningful transformation.
He also highlighted a growing moral crisis within the community, pointing to the erosion of values such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, justice, modesty and patience. “Without moral strength, the Ummah cannot guide others,” he said, warning that ethical decline has diminished social harmony and mutual respect.
A key theme of the address was the lack of unity among Muslims. Madni criticised divisions based on sect, region and caste, calling them un-Islamic and damaging. He strongly opposed the categorisation of Muslims as “backward” or “forward,” arguing that such labels fragment the community and weaken its collective capacity. The absence of coordinated planning and shared platforms, he said, has led to wasted resources and missed opportunities.
Madni also expressed concern over the weakening of Amr bil Ma’ruf wa Nahi anil Munkar—the collective responsibility to promote good and prevent wrongdoing. While acknowledging individual efforts, he said the absence of a community-wide commitment has contributed to moral decay.
On intellectual challenges, he spoke about the widening divide between religious and modern education. He stressed that Islamic scholarship and contemporary sciences should complement each other, warning that the decline of critical thinking and ijtihad (independent reasoning) has left the community ill-equipped to respond to modern realities.
Addressing socio-economic issues, Madni emphasised the importance of halal livelihoods, financial discipline and social justice. He criticised the lack of an organised zakat system, estimating that tens of thousands of crores in potential zakat funds remain unutilised due to poor planning and transparency. Properly managed, he said, zakat alone could significantly alleviate poverty.
He also condemned extravagant spending on weddings, dowries and social customs, saying such practices burden families, delay marriages and push many into debt. Reducing wasteful expenditure, he argued, could serve as a powerful instrument for social reform.
Highlighting the role of youth and women, Madni said Muslim youth possess talent and technological skills but lack guidance and leadership opportunities. With structured support, he said, they could become agents of positive change. He also praised the growing participation of Muslim women, noting their increasing contribution to social and organisational work.
In the context of rising polarisation and misinformation, Madni urged Muslims to act with patience, wisdom and strategic thinking, avoid emotional reactions, and uphold peace and justice while placing trust in Allah.
Madni said the Muslim community in India, with a population exceeding 200 million, possesses immense human and material resources. Unity, disciplined planning and sincere reform, he said, are essential to overcoming present challenges. He called upon scholars, leaders, youth and organisations to work collectively, warning that failure to act could result in more difficult times ahead.
