The word “crisis” did not used to be a common word in Muslim countries before World War II. This is because there did not exist any crisis other than what occurs naturally, and life went on as normal and as calm as it usually did; and this was due to what Islamic laws there were at the time.

After World War II, armies of foreign laws and new political system invaded our countries. We then started to hear the word crisis. This became widespread to the extent that our life became overwhelmed by housing crisis, marriage crisis, education crisis, unemployment crisis, international loan crisis, inflation crisis, woman crisis, poverty crisis, dictatorship crisis, etc.

In reality these are not real crises but only exist within the framework of laws of the East and West. If the Muslims were to go back to Islam in its entirety, they would go back to how they lived half a century ago in peace and confidence, security, health and prosperity as well as leading a life free from those man-made crises.

So how did those problems and crises came about in the Muslim countries and what are their solutions. In his book “Crises and their Solutions” of 96 pages, the author, grand ayatollah imam Muhammad Shirazi addresses 15 main crises dominant in Muslim countries and offers solutions to them.

In the case of ‘marriage crises' he states; early marriage was the norm in the past and therefore there were no problems, sexual corruption and immorality. Whereas today many grueling conditions have been created either by the government or by the people themselves, which effectively serve as barriers to marriage.

“Crisis of general backwardness” – is a modern crisis which prevailed to include all Muslims culturally, educationally, and technologically. This came about because of the increasingly restrictive laws, which denied the various kinds of freedoms and prevented the creation of institutions and provision of free elections. These laws effectively prevented the general education of the masses through various means.

Crisis of unemployment and borrowing. This is one of the greatest crises which came about due to a number of reasons – some of them being the excessively large number of clerical and civil servants and the wars which the country engages in because of the government's incompetence and authoritarian policies and nepotism.

Crisis of inflation – this is brought about because government incompetence and lack of visions, engagement in wars, unemployment, bureaucracy and excessive size of the clerical and civil service.

Crises of Poverty – this is brought about by a number of factors such as increasing laws restricting freedom of work and movement, the freedom of the use of the permissible entities such as forests, mines, etc.

Crisis of Despotism – this is a significant crisis upon which many other crises depend. This is the result of incorrect system of government and the lack of free political parties and constitutional institutions as well as the absence of free and fair elections.

In concluding his book, imam Shirazi presents three aspects, which he considers imperative if these crises are to be overcome:

1. The absolute necessity of adherence to the glorious Qur'an and its teachings. The Qur'an has provided the solutions to such problems. In this respect imam Shirazi cites many remedies facilitated by the glorious Qur'an.
2. Finding solutions to these problems requires proper and real education all round, as well as the creation of institutions to promote progress in this field.
3. To posses, practice and promote the virtues of perseverance and kindness in all areas of life. We should learn how to keep our nerves, and to have complete control over ourselves and our conduct and behaviour. We should realise that silent rational thinking is louder and more effective than shouting, quarreling, accusation and insults.

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