Ikhtilaf or difference of opinion between Muslims has existed as long as Islam itself. Whilst it is healthy to have a diversity of views it can also be problematic if differences are not resolved. It is argued that difference of opinion causes sectarianism, partisanship and conflict within societies.
Indeed the enemies of Islam use such differences to “divide and conquer” the Muslim lands. The US invaders in Iraq for example have stoked up sectarian strife in Iraq between Sunnis and Shia’s- so that they could take control of the country.
On the other hand it is argued that difference of opinion that allows nations to have more than a single view held by those in authority and power – this allows accountability, different angles about problems, policies and actions – this is a strength a nation possesses, if managed correctly.
Many view that uniting the Muslims on a single view is an impossible task. They see different opinions held by various schools of thinking, ulema and their followers and groups to be too deep-rooted to be overcome. They feel that followers of different opinions will never accept each another’s differences over fiqh or other matters.
It is such understandings that often leave some confused, despondent and apathetic about bringing unity for the Muslims by re-establishing the Khilafah. In this article we seek to examine the issues surrounding difference of opinion and how they will be resolved under the leadership of the Khilafah state.
What is a legitimate Difference of Opinion?
If an individual holds an opinion that a woman can wear western clothing and dress as she pleases in public, or that democracy is a valid form of government, or that acceptance of the state of Israel is permissible- then all these opinions are rejected as valid opinions because there is no basis for them from Islam- rather they are built on other than an Islamic basis.
Muslims are increasingly aware that the opinions held about such matters have to be based upon Islam and they therefore have to have Shari evidences to be acceptable. If these opinions are not based upon Quran, Sunnah, Ijma of the Sahaba, Qiyas or principles deduced on the basis of these – then the opinions cannot be accepted by Muslims.
Indeed Allah (swt) mentioned in the Quran “But no, by your lord they can have no Iman, until they make you the judge in all disputes between them” TMQ An-Nisa: 65
“And if you differ in anything amongst your selves refer it to Allah and His Messenger” TMQ An-Nisa: 59
If an opinion is based upon Islamic text then Muslims can accept it. If the opinion is based upon an individuals mind, whim or desire then it is not allowed to accept it.
Some may question about differences in opinion in technical or political matters. For example what is the best location for a highway, school or hospital? These matters are left to those that possess specialist technical knowledge to provide informed recommendations and judgements. This is because on the basis of textual evidences the building of highways, schools and hospitals is permitted. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of those in ruling or in those in charge of a project to decide where the highway, school or hospital is to be built. The location is to be decided to serve the purpose and this is permitted in shariah.
As long as an opinion is based upon daleel (evidence) from Islam then Muslims should accept this is as an Islamic opinion, even if they do not follow it themselves. This is where the differences between the scholars of Islam occurred. Their view regarding the opinion that they deduced to the best of their ability, was that they were correct with the possibility they could be wrong as differences of opinion can only arise where the Islamic rule is not clear cut – therefore a possibility of error exists.
Indeed the Prophet (saw) said, “Whosoever does Ijtihad and errs therein shall have one reward. And whosoever performs Ijtihad and is correct shall have a double reward.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Resolving the Differences of Opinion
It is well known that individual sahaba had differences of opinion. An example of such a difference is between Abu Bakr Sadiq (RA) and Umar (RA). When Abu Bakr (ra) was the Khalifah, he paid equal grants to all the Sahabah (raa). He (ra) did not distinguish between the early Muslims and the new Muslims. When the Islamic State started receiving larger funds through the liberation of various lands, Abu Bakr (ra) continued to distribute the wealth equally. Umar (ra) and some of the Sahabah (raa) insisted that the earliest Muslims should be given preference over the later converts. Abu Bakr (ra) told him that he was aware of the differences that Umar (ra) had mentioned; however, his opinion was that distributing the funds equally was better in the sight of Allah (swt) than the principle of preference.
When Umar (ra) became Khalifah, he replaced Abu Bakr’s (ra) adoption of equality with his principle of preference. Umar (ra) did not like to pay the same amount to those who fought against the Prophet (saaw) and those who fought with him. Accordingly, he gave a larger amount to the early Sahabah (raa) who fought in Badr and Uhud and the relatives of the Prophet (saaw).
When Abu Bakr (ra) was the Khalifah, Umar (ra) left his understanding and enacted the decree of Abu Bakr (ra), as did the judges, governors, and all Muslims. However, when Umar (ra) became the Khalifah, he obliged the enactment of his opinion and the others implemented it. On the basis of this the following shari principles have been deduced.
“The Imam’s decree settles the disagreement”
“The Imam’s decree is executed openly and privately”
All Muslims including the scholars, have to follow the opinion adopted by the Khalifah. They do not have accept it as the correct opinion and can maintain their opinion and teach it, whilst their obedience should be to the opinion that the Khalifah adopts.
Due to the level of understanding and the presence of many foreign forms of thinking leading to non Islamic opinions in Muslim societies – when the Khilafah state is established it will need to immediately present a constitution based upon daleel (evidence) on the basis of the Islamic sources. This will allow the Islamic opinions adopted by the state to be made clear to the citizens in a rapid manner. Citizens would be obliged to follow the constitution because this would be what the Khalifah adopts and the Muslims would be obliged to follow it. Even if some differed with the rules; as long as the rules were Islamic they would be obliged to follow.
In conclusion, Muslims can only accept opinions that are based upon Islamic evidences. All other opinions cannot be taken, Differences of opinion amongst Muslims have occurred in the past and will occur in the future. The correct framework to handle them is through the Khilafah state - as any other route will merely lead to confusion, conflict, anarchy and chaos. The Khalifah has the right to adopt rules and opinions on the basis of Islam; initially this will be by adopting a constitution to cover all aspects of life’s affairs - Muslims would be obliged to follow even if it differed with their understanding.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Bush Used Bombs Against the Muslim Ummah – Obama will use “Smart Power”
As George W Bush leaves office - Barack Obama and his team have been busily preparing to take power in America. Not satisfied with the effectiveness of Bush’s murderous blood letting of Muslims, that included the industrialised slaughter of more than a million Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama and his team have been devising more effective ways to tackle Islam and Muslims. The approach taken by Bush in his “war against terror” is considered a failure by the new US administration.
In an address to the US Senate Hilary Clinton the new US Secretary of State said, “We must use what has been called smart power – the full range of tools at our disposal. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy.”
In the New York Times it was reported that Hilary Clinton described smart power as “It means using all the levers of influence — diplomatic, economic, military, legal, political and cultural — to get what you want.”
The US will try to repair the damage done to its reputation and its foreign policy effectiveness by employing new tactics. Muslims today are aware that the US is a colonialist power and its foreign policy objectives will never change. The British and other colonialist nations before them employed the same change in tactics when military power and killing failed. British foreign Secretary David Milliband said whilst on trip to India that the West “could not kill [their] way out of the problems of insurgency and civil strife” and suggested that the West needs to use more than military means.
This shift in tactics from military colonialism to political, cultural and economic colonialism is nothing new to the US and her colonialist cronies. They still aim to exploit weaker nations for the benefit of their corporations and the capitalists behind them. They have a long history of using agent rulers and corrupting the politics of the Muslim world. Culturally, the West has used the media to carry its viewpoint about life and has exported its ideas to the Muslim world. Economically, even the rich Gulf States are tied to the dollar and the international financial institutions that allow the West to exert its influence over them. The US knows that she can never subdue the Muslim World by military means alone and therefore seeks to use all the means at disposal.
The reason why the West can try to continue to exploit the Muslim Ummah is because the rulers of the Muslim countries allow them to do so. They could quite easily expose the plans of the Kuffar against the Muslims and thwart them. This is regardless of the US using military power or “Smart Power”. The rulers in the Muslim lands fail to do their duty.
It is only the leadership of the Khilafah state that will allow the liberation of the lands of the Muslims from military, political, cultural and economic chains imposed upon her by the West and its agents. Indeed Muhammad (saw) told us that the Khalifah is the shield of the Ummah- a shield that has been removed resulting in the blows being dealt to the Ummah. Whilst these rulers are in place, the West will continue to exploit the Muslims – the terms may change from “shock and awe” to “smart power”. One thing that remains constant is the treachery of the rulers of the Muslims.
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'id that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said "On the Day of Judgment there will be a flag for every person guilty of treachery. It will be raised in proportion to the extent of his guilt; and there is no guilt of treachery more serious than the one committed by the ruler of men" [Muslim]
In an address to the US Senate Hilary Clinton the new US Secretary of State said, “We must use what has been called smart power – the full range of tools at our disposal. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy.”
In the New York Times it was reported that Hilary Clinton described smart power as “It means using all the levers of influence — diplomatic, economic, military, legal, political and cultural — to get what you want.”
The US will try to repair the damage done to its reputation and its foreign policy effectiveness by employing new tactics. Muslims today are aware that the US is a colonialist power and its foreign policy objectives will never change. The British and other colonialist nations before them employed the same change in tactics when military power and killing failed. British foreign Secretary David Milliband said whilst on trip to India that the West “could not kill [their] way out of the problems of insurgency and civil strife” and suggested that the West needs to use more than military means.
This shift in tactics from military colonialism to political, cultural and economic colonialism is nothing new to the US and her colonialist cronies. They still aim to exploit weaker nations for the benefit of their corporations and the capitalists behind them. They have a long history of using agent rulers and corrupting the politics of the Muslim world. Culturally, the West has used the media to carry its viewpoint about life and has exported its ideas to the Muslim world. Economically, even the rich Gulf States are tied to the dollar and the international financial institutions that allow the West to exert its influence over them. The US knows that she can never subdue the Muslim World by military means alone and therefore seeks to use all the means at disposal.
The reason why the West can try to continue to exploit the Muslim Ummah is because the rulers of the Muslim countries allow them to do so. They could quite easily expose the plans of the Kuffar against the Muslims and thwart them. This is regardless of the US using military power or “Smart Power”. The rulers in the Muslim lands fail to do their duty.
It is only the leadership of the Khilafah state that will allow the liberation of the lands of the Muslims from military, political, cultural and economic chains imposed upon her by the West and its agents. Indeed Muhammad (saw) told us that the Khalifah is the shield of the Ummah- a shield that has been removed resulting in the blows being dealt to the Ummah. Whilst these rulers are in place, the West will continue to exploit the Muslims – the terms may change from “shock and awe” to “smart power”. One thing that remains constant is the treachery of the rulers of the Muslims.
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'id that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said "On the Day of Judgment there will be a flag for every person guilty of treachery. It will be raised in proportion to the extent of his guilt; and there is no guilt of treachery more serious than the one committed by the ruler of men" [Muslim]
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Forming the Islamic Political Angle
Throughout the Muslim world, there is a reawakening of political thought based upon Islam. Many Muslims having realised that Islam is not just about rituals and religious rites are increasingly following events and occurrences and trying to view issues from the Islamic perspective. The thinking of years gone by, where Muslims would view the politics and occurrences in the world – from the angle of Western capitalism are fast fading. The battle for Muslim hearts and minds that some Western politicians talk about is about reversing the increasing trend for Muslims to view issues on the basis of Islam. The desire of the west is that Muslims form their thinking on the false and rotten basis that the West would like Muslims to embrace.
In order to further refine this reawakening of Islamic political thought – Muslims today need to have a more precise understanding of politics and Islam. Muslims must understand that Islam provides a special angle for them when viewing events in the world and without it their politics will be weak and ineffective- even if they understood the realities of events and occurrences well.
Building Politicians
An effective politician has to have clear thinking about what his politics are about. This means that he has to develop an angle on the basis of which he views events and occurrences. If he does not possess this angle then he would be confused in a fog of often-conflicting situations, events and occurrences. He would be become ineffective in achieving his aims and his politics would be chaotic and contradictory.
In the Western world, kafir politicians have a very precise angle with which to view events and occurrences. They view it from the basis of capitalism and its fundamental ideas like secularism, democratic principles, the notion of freedoms and pursuing ones interests. When they engage in politics they understand that the nations foreign policy is about securing the national interest. They understand how to view other nations and what to seek in any relationship from them. Domestically they are aware of what the meaning of the state’s responsibility in looking after the affairs of the people is. They have ideas about how individuals should live their life, what the rights of people should be. They are aware of their ideology and embrace it and view the world through the framework laid down by it.
They also develop political concepts as they engage in political life gaining experience- through the political traditions in their countries. They learn self-preservation, duplicity, spin, justification and lying to cover their tracks when they are involved in potentially scandalous activities. They learn that the way to judge an issue is not about right and wrong rather it’s about how it meets with their interests; they pick up the ability to use incidents to their advantage and the disadvantage of others. They understand that there is a public face that they must portray a certain image in public regardless of what they truly feel and think. They learn that in their politics it’s the law of the jungle and a person may be a friend on one day and an enemy on the next. It is in this way that the western politician develops an angle about how to view events and occurrences- and what political actions he feels are important to him and his country.
Islam condemns most of the characteristics that are acquired by western politicians. As well as condemning the basis used by them to form an angle on the basis of which to engage in politics. Islam seeks to build politicians on the basis of the values of its unique principles and values. Instead of selfishness for example, Islam builds selflessness, instead of using dirty tactics to achieve an agenda Islam encourages truthfulness and frankness. Islam teaches that what a Muslim wants for himself he wants for his brother- the West predominantly teaches that individual interests come first before those of all others.
For the Muslims, politicians carrying the Islamic viewpoint almost disappeared during the decline of the Uthmani Khilafah. The colonialist enemies of Islam succeeded in poisoning the political thinking of the Muslims and distorting their political angle. They introduced and inflamed many alien political thoughts – like nationalism where Muslims from Arabia started viewing themselves distinctly from Muslims from Istanbul. After the Islamic state was destroyed in 1924 - politics in the Muslim Lands became dominated by socialistic or capitalistic ideas. The politicians and the political movements that worked within the state structures that replaced the rule of Islam became totally ineffective and were merely used as tools. Their political angle was devoid of Islam and as can be witnessed today is only fundamentally concerned with their remaining in power.
A list of such people involved in politics in the Muslim lands in the past century includes– Mustafa Kamal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jamal Abdul Nasser, Anwar Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, Saddam Hussain, Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharaff and Benazir Bhutto. All of these individuals were very far from the politics of Islam and all served the interest of Western powers rather than their own people. Those that wanted to build their nations tried to do so on a weak political basis – the likes of Jamal Abdul Nasser had the weak basis of Arab Nationalism upon which to base his politics.
All engaged in a political system that was installed by the West and built upon Western concepts. For this reason it was not possible that anyone from within government or parties working within the system bring any good for the Muslims. The colonialists appreciate that as long as the angle held by politicians of the Muslim world is corrupted they can carry on with exploiting their lands.
It is for this reason that a band of Muslims began to culture themselves about Islam as an ideology and a way of life so that once again there would exist a political block amongst the Muslims that would allow the decline of the Ummah to be reversed.
The fruits of this study of the Islamic culture can be seen far and wide throughout the Muslim world and beyond. However as the Khilafah state has not yet been established- true political experience is lacking. For Muslims politics is about accounting the state when not in power and practically looking after the affairs of the ummah domestically and internationally when in ruling. In the absence of the state the most important and vital political work is that to establish a the Khilafah state- for Muslims to engage in any other type of political activity, through the existing government structures or to attempt to secure every immediate interest that ummah faces would be a distraction from the vital political issue- the re-establishment of the Khilafah state.
The Special Angle
When engaging in politics the Muslim must understand his viewpoint and his angle correctly. If he does not then it is possible for others to manipulate him for their agenda. If the angle and the viewpoint are not clear in the mind then this may lead the individual have weak political will that may lead him to abandon his aims.
The angle for politics that is taken on the basis of Islam is distinct and unique and therefore it may be described as the special angle. The special angle will act like a compass for the Muslim politician that will lead him to the correct political action and steer him in the correct direction.
The special angle from which Muslims should view events is not based upon their whims or desires rather it comes from their aqeeda. From the Islamic texts it is well established that Islam came to mankind as a deen and the angle of la-illa-ha-il- Allah is the prism from which all events must be seen. This means that the hukm shari rules and the understanding of the Islamic ideology are the lens through which the Muslim politician views occurrences.
The special angle of a Muslim towards events, occurrences and the issues faced in life must be built upon Islam and its rulings. It should not be built upon factors such as benefit or utility as is the case for the capitalists. This would corrupt the politics of that individual, movement or indeed the state. Understanding the why, where and the agendas of different political actors is not enough to engage politics effectively.
Forming the Islamic Political Angle
In normal circumstances for Muslims to form the special angle would be a simple matter. If Islam was implemented in state and society the concepts of the Islamic ideology would be well established in society and therefore in the individuals. The unfortunate situation that Muslim societies face today, where societies are based upon a jumble of ideas rather than having Islam as the basis of society leads to a corruption in the angle held by politicians.
Politics is often defined as looking after the affairs of the people – meaning that politicians act to address how the problems, needs and wants of the people might be met. In this age the Muslim Ummah faces many issues- in the Muslim world there is military, political and cultural occupation, hunger, starvation, inadequate opportunities for education and health care systems that do not work even for those that can afford to pay. Considering this is the condition of many Muslims around the globe – it would be only natural for individuals to try to address these issues
Many of those that start off sincerely trying to improve the situation of the people but often end up becoming corrupt and tools of the ruler in the Muslim world today. In some places in the muslim world trying to do something for the people is outlawed, often carrying punishments of imprisonment and torture as this type of activity, talk or even thought is seen to be a threat to the existing regime. In these circumstances many political movements have come and gone, or have been transformed to become something that is very far from the vision of their founders.
Before Muslims embark on an attempt to bring change or address the needs of the people, they need to form a very clear angle on the basis of which they will engage their work upon.
The Islamic Political Angle must be based Upon the Islamic Ideology.
The Islamic ideology is the basis upon which a Muslim conducts his life – and this applies to the politics he engages in. Therefore his political angle must be built upon Islam and the correct ideological understandings of what Islam is. He must view the realities and occurrences from this basis.
For example if some Muslims were to claim that power sharing in the existing regimes was the way to implement Islam, and they were to demonstrate in reality that they have indeed been successful in applying parts of Islam. He would reject their call on the basis of understanding the Islamic ideology, as there cannot be any partial implementation of Islam and co-existence of the system of Islam with the system of kufr. This would be a fundamental understanding of the Islamic ideology, which would allow the Muslim politician to form the correct angle about the issue.
Similarly if others were to claim that democracy is the way to bring good for the Muslims – he would reject their call as democracy is kufr and is contrary to the Islamic belief.
Some claim that the Khilafah is a distant reality and not likely to be established soon; in the meantime let us work for some immediate aims like helping individuals in the locality. If the angle was based upon the Islamic ideology – the individual would understand that whilst helping individuals in his community is an act of charity and is an action that Allah (swt) will reward for – but if his angle were correctly formed, it would tell him that his actions towards re-establishing Khilafah were more of a priority. He would give no consideration to the thinking Khilafah was a long way from establishment or not. In this way the correct understanding of the Islamic ideology is indispensable in forming the correct political angle.
If the fundamental understandings of the Islamic ideology are weakly held in the minds of those that seek to bring political change then, it is easy for them to be diverted and even abandon their political call. Therefore those that are interested in bringing political change must be very diligent in culturing themselves with the Islamic ideology otherwise they may stumble at the first hurdle. The political angle of a Muslim politician must always remain anchored to the Islamic ideology and he must never deviate away from this. The Muslim must first develop his sight i.e. his concepts with which to see, then he must develop his understanding of the world around him, events and incidences and then he must undertake his political actions- which today must be centred around reviving the ummah and re-establishing the Khilafah.
In order to further refine this reawakening of Islamic political thought – Muslims today need to have a more precise understanding of politics and Islam. Muslims must understand that Islam provides a special angle for them when viewing events in the world and without it their politics will be weak and ineffective- even if they understood the realities of events and occurrences well.
Building Politicians
An effective politician has to have clear thinking about what his politics are about. This means that he has to develop an angle on the basis of which he views events and occurrences. If he does not possess this angle then he would be confused in a fog of often-conflicting situations, events and occurrences. He would be become ineffective in achieving his aims and his politics would be chaotic and contradictory.
In the Western world, kafir politicians have a very precise angle with which to view events and occurrences. They view it from the basis of capitalism and its fundamental ideas like secularism, democratic principles, the notion of freedoms and pursuing ones interests. When they engage in politics they understand that the nations foreign policy is about securing the national interest. They understand how to view other nations and what to seek in any relationship from them. Domestically they are aware of what the meaning of the state’s responsibility in looking after the affairs of the people is. They have ideas about how individuals should live their life, what the rights of people should be. They are aware of their ideology and embrace it and view the world through the framework laid down by it.
They also develop political concepts as they engage in political life gaining experience- through the political traditions in their countries. They learn self-preservation, duplicity, spin, justification and lying to cover their tracks when they are involved in potentially scandalous activities. They learn that the way to judge an issue is not about right and wrong rather it’s about how it meets with their interests; they pick up the ability to use incidents to their advantage and the disadvantage of others. They understand that there is a public face that they must portray a certain image in public regardless of what they truly feel and think. They learn that in their politics it’s the law of the jungle and a person may be a friend on one day and an enemy on the next. It is in this way that the western politician develops an angle about how to view events and occurrences- and what political actions he feels are important to him and his country.
Islam condemns most of the characteristics that are acquired by western politicians. As well as condemning the basis used by them to form an angle on the basis of which to engage in politics. Islam seeks to build politicians on the basis of the values of its unique principles and values. Instead of selfishness for example, Islam builds selflessness, instead of using dirty tactics to achieve an agenda Islam encourages truthfulness and frankness. Islam teaches that what a Muslim wants for himself he wants for his brother- the West predominantly teaches that individual interests come first before those of all others.
For the Muslims, politicians carrying the Islamic viewpoint almost disappeared during the decline of the Uthmani Khilafah. The colonialist enemies of Islam succeeded in poisoning the political thinking of the Muslims and distorting their political angle. They introduced and inflamed many alien political thoughts – like nationalism where Muslims from Arabia started viewing themselves distinctly from Muslims from Istanbul. After the Islamic state was destroyed in 1924 - politics in the Muslim Lands became dominated by socialistic or capitalistic ideas. The politicians and the political movements that worked within the state structures that replaced the rule of Islam became totally ineffective and were merely used as tools. Their political angle was devoid of Islam and as can be witnessed today is only fundamentally concerned with their remaining in power.
A list of such people involved in politics in the Muslim lands in the past century includes– Mustafa Kamal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jamal Abdul Nasser, Anwar Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, Saddam Hussain, Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharaff and Benazir Bhutto. All of these individuals were very far from the politics of Islam and all served the interest of Western powers rather than their own people. Those that wanted to build their nations tried to do so on a weak political basis – the likes of Jamal Abdul Nasser had the weak basis of Arab Nationalism upon which to base his politics.
All engaged in a political system that was installed by the West and built upon Western concepts. For this reason it was not possible that anyone from within government or parties working within the system bring any good for the Muslims. The colonialists appreciate that as long as the angle held by politicians of the Muslim world is corrupted they can carry on with exploiting their lands.
It is for this reason that a band of Muslims began to culture themselves about Islam as an ideology and a way of life so that once again there would exist a political block amongst the Muslims that would allow the decline of the Ummah to be reversed.
The fruits of this study of the Islamic culture can be seen far and wide throughout the Muslim world and beyond. However as the Khilafah state has not yet been established- true political experience is lacking. For Muslims politics is about accounting the state when not in power and practically looking after the affairs of the ummah domestically and internationally when in ruling. In the absence of the state the most important and vital political work is that to establish a the Khilafah state- for Muslims to engage in any other type of political activity, through the existing government structures or to attempt to secure every immediate interest that ummah faces would be a distraction from the vital political issue- the re-establishment of the Khilafah state.
The Special Angle
When engaging in politics the Muslim must understand his viewpoint and his angle correctly. If he does not then it is possible for others to manipulate him for their agenda. If the angle and the viewpoint are not clear in the mind then this may lead the individual have weak political will that may lead him to abandon his aims.
The angle for politics that is taken on the basis of Islam is distinct and unique and therefore it may be described as the special angle. The special angle will act like a compass for the Muslim politician that will lead him to the correct political action and steer him in the correct direction.
The special angle from which Muslims should view events is not based upon their whims or desires rather it comes from their aqeeda. From the Islamic texts it is well established that Islam came to mankind as a deen and the angle of la-illa-ha-il- Allah is the prism from which all events must be seen. This means that the hukm shari rules and the understanding of the Islamic ideology are the lens through which the Muslim politician views occurrences.
The special angle of a Muslim towards events, occurrences and the issues faced in life must be built upon Islam and its rulings. It should not be built upon factors such as benefit or utility as is the case for the capitalists. This would corrupt the politics of that individual, movement or indeed the state. Understanding the why, where and the agendas of different political actors is not enough to engage politics effectively.
Forming the Islamic Political Angle
In normal circumstances for Muslims to form the special angle would be a simple matter. If Islam was implemented in state and society the concepts of the Islamic ideology would be well established in society and therefore in the individuals. The unfortunate situation that Muslim societies face today, where societies are based upon a jumble of ideas rather than having Islam as the basis of society leads to a corruption in the angle held by politicians.
Politics is often defined as looking after the affairs of the people – meaning that politicians act to address how the problems, needs and wants of the people might be met. In this age the Muslim Ummah faces many issues- in the Muslim world there is military, political and cultural occupation, hunger, starvation, inadequate opportunities for education and health care systems that do not work even for those that can afford to pay. Considering this is the condition of many Muslims around the globe – it would be only natural for individuals to try to address these issues
Many of those that start off sincerely trying to improve the situation of the people but often end up becoming corrupt and tools of the ruler in the Muslim world today. In some places in the muslim world trying to do something for the people is outlawed, often carrying punishments of imprisonment and torture as this type of activity, talk or even thought is seen to be a threat to the existing regime. In these circumstances many political movements have come and gone, or have been transformed to become something that is very far from the vision of their founders.
Before Muslims embark on an attempt to bring change or address the needs of the people, they need to form a very clear angle on the basis of which they will engage their work upon.
The Islamic Political Angle must be based Upon the Islamic Ideology.
The Islamic ideology is the basis upon which a Muslim conducts his life – and this applies to the politics he engages in. Therefore his political angle must be built upon Islam and the correct ideological understandings of what Islam is. He must view the realities and occurrences from this basis.
For example if some Muslims were to claim that power sharing in the existing regimes was the way to implement Islam, and they were to demonstrate in reality that they have indeed been successful in applying parts of Islam. He would reject their call on the basis of understanding the Islamic ideology, as there cannot be any partial implementation of Islam and co-existence of the system of Islam with the system of kufr. This would be a fundamental understanding of the Islamic ideology, which would allow the Muslim politician to form the correct angle about the issue.
Similarly if others were to claim that democracy is the way to bring good for the Muslims – he would reject their call as democracy is kufr and is contrary to the Islamic belief.
Some claim that the Khilafah is a distant reality and not likely to be established soon; in the meantime let us work for some immediate aims like helping individuals in the locality. If the angle was based upon the Islamic ideology – the individual would understand that whilst helping individuals in his community is an act of charity and is an action that Allah (swt) will reward for – but if his angle were correctly formed, it would tell him that his actions towards re-establishing Khilafah were more of a priority. He would give no consideration to the thinking Khilafah was a long way from establishment or not. In this way the correct understanding of the Islamic ideology is indispensable in forming the correct political angle.
If the fundamental understandings of the Islamic ideology are weakly held in the minds of those that seek to bring political change then, it is easy for them to be diverted and even abandon their political call. Therefore those that are interested in bringing political change must be very diligent in culturing themselves with the Islamic ideology otherwise they may stumble at the first hurdle. The political angle of a Muslim politician must always remain anchored to the Islamic ideology and he must never deviate away from this. The Muslim must first develop his sight i.e. his concepts with which to see, then he must develop his understanding of the world around him, events and incidences and then he must undertake his political actions- which today must be centred around reviving the ummah and re-establishing the Khilafah.
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Only Khilafah not SOFA will end Iraq’s Misery
On the 27th of November 2008, whilst the world’s media focussed it’s attention on the attacks in Mumbai - the Iraqi puppet government of Nouri Maliki signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US. Some believe that the signing of this agreement is a victory for the Muslims of Iraq – spelling a defeat for the US and its crony Britain and an eventual end to the occupation.
According to the agreement the US will have to withdraw 150,000 troops from all cities, towns and villages by June 30, 2009 and from all of Iraq by December 31, 2011. Additionally, the Iraqi government is taking responsibility for military affairs in Baghdad’s Green Zone. So-called private security contractors (mercenaries) will lose their legal immunity. US military operations and the arrest of Iraqis will only be allowed after seeking Iraqi permission. The agreement states no US military bases are to be left behind when the last US troops leave in three years time.
Whether or not the US actually implements what it has signed up to remains to be seen. Whatever the form of government the US leaves in place - one thing is certain it will not be to serve the interests of the Muslims of Iraq. Rather the government will be riddled with individuals that are working for the US interests.
Due to the US no longer being able to sustain an indefinite occupation Iraq it will have to think again about how it will plunder the natural resources of Iraq. Addressing the issue of the Middle East at a conference Robert Gates the US secretary of Defence said, "I can assure you that a change in administration does not alter our fundamental interests, especially in the Middle East"
The occupation of Iraq has opened the eyes of Muslims both in Iraq and elsewhere. It has highlighted that the various forms of government in the Muslim world are politically corrupt and unsuitable for actually looking after the affairs of people. Kingships, Islamic republics and dictatorships are not natural forms of government for Muslims. The fact of the matter is that instead of doing what any legitimate government should do – i.e. look after the needs of their people – those in government in the Muslim world are too busy trying to enrich themselves and the colonialists that prop up their seats of power.
The Western world has shown clearly that it and its ideology has failed to look after the affairs of the people properly. They have created an evil form government that cares nothing for other people’s blood and honour as we have witnessed in Iraq. They have created societies with huge economic difficulties as can be witnessed in the US and Britain after the “credit crunch” - where millions are in debt and risk losing their homes. More and more Muslims are no longer looking to the West for guidance on how to run the affairs of society. Arab nationalism failed in Iraq and led to a weak leadership that allowed the US to occupy Iraq.
The Muslims of Iraq and the rest of the world have no choice. They must implement the Khilafah ruling system- this is their system, that presents their deen. Baghdad was once the seat of the Khilafah and after occupation and turmoil needs Islam to be implemented once again. There is no choice for Muslims as to what type of ruling system to have.
Allah (swt) said, “Indeed, ruling belongs to Allah” [TMQ 12:40]
And our beloved Muhammad (saw) said “The prophets ruled over the children of Israel, whenever a prophet died another prophet succeeded him, but there will be no prophet after me. There will soon be Khulafa’a and they will number many.” They asked ‘what then do you order us?’ He said “ Fulfil the Bay’ah to them one after the other and give them their dues for Allah will verily account them about what he entrusted them with.” [Muslim]
The SOFA agreement will not bring an end to the misery and suffering of the Muslims of Iraq- nor will the puppet regime that will be installed by the US if it leaves Iraq as agreed. It is only the Khilafah that can return society to peace and tranquillity by implementing Islam.
According to the agreement the US will have to withdraw 150,000 troops from all cities, towns and villages by June 30, 2009 and from all of Iraq by December 31, 2011. Additionally, the Iraqi government is taking responsibility for military affairs in Baghdad’s Green Zone. So-called private security contractors (mercenaries) will lose their legal immunity. US military operations and the arrest of Iraqis will only be allowed after seeking Iraqi permission. The agreement states no US military bases are to be left behind when the last US troops leave in three years time.
Whether or not the US actually implements what it has signed up to remains to be seen. Whatever the form of government the US leaves in place - one thing is certain it will not be to serve the interests of the Muslims of Iraq. Rather the government will be riddled with individuals that are working for the US interests.
Due to the US no longer being able to sustain an indefinite occupation Iraq it will have to think again about how it will plunder the natural resources of Iraq. Addressing the issue of the Middle East at a conference Robert Gates the US secretary of Defence said, "I can assure you that a change in administration does not alter our fundamental interests, especially in the Middle East"
The occupation of Iraq has opened the eyes of Muslims both in Iraq and elsewhere. It has highlighted that the various forms of government in the Muslim world are politically corrupt and unsuitable for actually looking after the affairs of people. Kingships, Islamic republics and dictatorships are not natural forms of government for Muslims. The fact of the matter is that instead of doing what any legitimate government should do – i.e. look after the needs of their people – those in government in the Muslim world are too busy trying to enrich themselves and the colonialists that prop up their seats of power.
The Western world has shown clearly that it and its ideology has failed to look after the affairs of the people properly. They have created an evil form government that cares nothing for other people’s blood and honour as we have witnessed in Iraq. They have created societies with huge economic difficulties as can be witnessed in the US and Britain after the “credit crunch” - where millions are in debt and risk losing their homes. More and more Muslims are no longer looking to the West for guidance on how to run the affairs of society. Arab nationalism failed in Iraq and led to a weak leadership that allowed the US to occupy Iraq.
The Muslims of Iraq and the rest of the world have no choice. They must implement the Khilafah ruling system- this is their system, that presents their deen. Baghdad was once the seat of the Khilafah and after occupation and turmoil needs Islam to be implemented once again. There is no choice for Muslims as to what type of ruling system to have.
Allah (swt) said, “Indeed, ruling belongs to Allah” [TMQ 12:40]
And our beloved Muhammad (saw) said “The prophets ruled over the children of Israel, whenever a prophet died another prophet succeeded him, but there will be no prophet after me. There will soon be Khulafa’a and they will number many.” They asked ‘what then do you order us?’ He said “ Fulfil the Bay’ah to them one after the other and give them their dues for Allah will verily account them about what he entrusted them with.” [Muslim]
The SOFA agreement will not bring an end to the misery and suffering of the Muslims of Iraq- nor will the puppet regime that will be installed by the US if it leaves Iraq as agreed. It is only the Khilafah that can return society to peace and tranquillity by implementing Islam.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Afghanistan Needs a Khalif not an 'Acceptable Dictator'
The British Ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles has been reported as saying that it would be “a positive thing” if in five to ten years time “an acceptable dictator” could be found to run Afghanistan.
After years of rhetoric by the likes of Bush and Blair that Britain and the US want to spread democracy to benefit the Muslim world – this statement by Cowper-Coles should convince those to whom it still has not dawned that the Western Powers only seek to gain influence and resources for themselves. It is glaringly obvious that there is a game of nations being played out in Afghanistan due to its strategic location.
The tragedy is that some Muslims still believe that only the Western Powers can help them run the affairs of state. The truth of the matter is that the Western powers will hoodwink them and play upon this insecure mentality- in order to gain advantage for themselves. One only needs to look at the fate of Musharraf and the damage that he has done to the Muslims of Pakistan to see what the fruits of cooperation with kafir colonialist are.
The words of Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles show that far from giving the Muslims of Afghanistan democracy, which has failed under the stooge Hamid Karzai – the West seeks a tyrant that will oppress the Muslims of Afghanistan and secure the interests of the British and their kind.
Muslims do not have to look far to find a solution to their political problems.
“Surely, in the Messenger of Allah, is the best example for those who believe in Allah and the Last day and remember Allah often” TMQ 33.21
Our beloved prophet (saw) left the Muslims an example of how to rule. It is not by democracy or by dictatorship – rather it is by the rule of Islam and the Khilafah. A system that was implemented for 1342 years and un-rivalled in history in its success.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
After years of rhetoric by the likes of Bush and Blair that Britain and the US want to spread democracy to benefit the Muslim world – this statement by Cowper-Coles should convince those to whom it still has not dawned that the Western Powers only seek to gain influence and resources for themselves. It is glaringly obvious that there is a game of nations being played out in Afghanistan due to its strategic location.
The tragedy is that some Muslims still believe that only the Western Powers can help them run the affairs of state. The truth of the matter is that the Western powers will hoodwink them and play upon this insecure mentality- in order to gain advantage for themselves. One only needs to look at the fate of Musharraf and the damage that he has done to the Muslims of Pakistan to see what the fruits of cooperation with kafir colonialist are.
The words of Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles show that far from giving the Muslims of Afghanistan democracy, which has failed under the stooge Hamid Karzai – the West seeks a tyrant that will oppress the Muslims of Afghanistan and secure the interests of the British and their kind.
Muslims do not have to look far to find a solution to their political problems.
“Surely, in the Messenger of Allah, is the best example for those who believe in Allah and the Last day and remember Allah often” TMQ 33.21
Our beloved prophet (saw) left the Muslims an example of how to rule. It is not by democracy or by dictatorship – rather it is by the rule of Islam and the Khilafah. A system that was implemented for 1342 years and un-rivalled in history in its success.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
Monday, 25 August 2008
Russia’s Rulers Have the Will to Act- Muslim Rulers Have None.
The duty of a head of state or ruler is to look after the affairs and interests of the nation. It is the purpose of ruling- to practically apply solutions to issues faced by the people both domestically and internationally.
In recent weeks the rulers of Russia sent their military to Georgia - to send out a message that they will not tolerate foreign interference in countries that are strategically important to them. It is apparent that Russian Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev view Georgia to be nation that must be firmly under Russian influence- if not control. For this reason they have acted to achieve Russia’s interests.
Being well aware of the American plan to besiege it- the Russian leadership had a will to act. They saw that their national interests were being threatened – so they saw it as their duty to take action.
One has to ask the question when was the last time that rulers in the Muslim world acted for Islam on the international arena? It is unfortunate that whilst Allah (SWT) has blessed the Muslim Ummah with hidayaa in the form of kitaab and sunnah - the rulers in the Muslim countries choose not to view events and occurrences in the world on the basis of this guidance. The rulers of Turkey and Pakistan sometimes act to protect their borders – but this is based upon nationalism. Others may raise issues internationally but these are usually mere gestures to give the impression that they are acting to do something.
The rulers in the Muslim world view Islam as not have anything to do with politics. What Muslims want today are rulers that view issues on the basis of Islam. Is the occupation of lands, oppression and killing of the Muslims not an important political issue in the sight of Islam? Is the increase in food prices that leads Muslims to desperation and poverty not an important issue on the basis of Islam? Is the corruption of the Muslim youth by satellite channels and other forms of media that promote vile Western behaviour not something that ought be stopped?
The truth of the matter is that – because the rulers in the Muslim lands do not follow the Islamic ideology- they whatever their initial intentions, become politically weak and corrupt. Rather than following Islam, their priority becomes preservation of their positions of power, authority and lavish lifestyles- for this they are prepared sacrifice the interests of their people.
To keep their seats rulers in the Muslim lands will go to great lengths to silence the Islamic political voices that oppose them and their colonial patrons- it is not uncommon for such dissent to be met with imprisonment, torture and the spilling of blood. They spare no expense in equipping their intelligence agencies to persecute the believers, so that they may continue to rule. At the same time they submit to the will of other nations. Instead of working for Islam and the Muslim Ummah they assist their enemies to occupy her lands. The US and Britain could not have occupied Iraq and Afghanistan without the assistance of these tyrants.
Muslims are increasingly aware that it is the Islamic ideology that shows them how to view their interests and that their rulers are totally impotent when it comes to addressing these.
The rulers are the reason the Ummah continues to find itself in a declined situation. To break the shackles of this misery the Muslims need to make their voices heard and call for the establishment of the Khilafah. This is so that the Muslims as an ummah can have a leadership that is prepared to pursue and protect its interests- defined on the basis of Islam. The Khalifah will not be like the current rulers- sitting in opulent palaces and mansions - only concerned with engaging in the politics of self-preservation.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
In recent weeks the rulers of Russia sent their military to Georgia - to send out a message that they will not tolerate foreign interference in countries that are strategically important to them. It is apparent that Russian Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev view Georgia to be nation that must be firmly under Russian influence- if not control. For this reason they have acted to achieve Russia’s interests.
Being well aware of the American plan to besiege it- the Russian leadership had a will to act. They saw that their national interests were being threatened – so they saw it as their duty to take action.
One has to ask the question when was the last time that rulers in the Muslim world acted for Islam on the international arena? It is unfortunate that whilst Allah (SWT) has blessed the Muslim Ummah with hidayaa in the form of kitaab and sunnah - the rulers in the Muslim countries choose not to view events and occurrences in the world on the basis of this guidance. The rulers of Turkey and Pakistan sometimes act to protect their borders – but this is based upon nationalism. Others may raise issues internationally but these are usually mere gestures to give the impression that they are acting to do something.
The rulers in the Muslim world view Islam as not have anything to do with politics. What Muslims want today are rulers that view issues on the basis of Islam. Is the occupation of lands, oppression and killing of the Muslims not an important political issue in the sight of Islam? Is the increase in food prices that leads Muslims to desperation and poverty not an important issue on the basis of Islam? Is the corruption of the Muslim youth by satellite channels and other forms of media that promote vile Western behaviour not something that ought be stopped?
The truth of the matter is that – because the rulers in the Muslim lands do not follow the Islamic ideology- they whatever their initial intentions, become politically weak and corrupt. Rather than following Islam, their priority becomes preservation of their positions of power, authority and lavish lifestyles- for this they are prepared sacrifice the interests of their people.
To keep their seats rulers in the Muslim lands will go to great lengths to silence the Islamic political voices that oppose them and their colonial patrons- it is not uncommon for such dissent to be met with imprisonment, torture and the spilling of blood. They spare no expense in equipping their intelligence agencies to persecute the believers, so that they may continue to rule. At the same time they submit to the will of other nations. Instead of working for Islam and the Muslim Ummah they assist their enemies to occupy her lands. The US and Britain could not have occupied Iraq and Afghanistan without the assistance of these tyrants.
Muslims are increasingly aware that it is the Islamic ideology that shows them how to view their interests and that their rulers are totally impotent when it comes to addressing these.
The rulers are the reason the Ummah continues to find itself in a declined situation. To break the shackles of this misery the Muslims need to make their voices heard and call for the establishment of the Khilafah. This is so that the Muslims as an ummah can have a leadership that is prepared to pursue and protect its interests- defined on the basis of Islam. The Khalifah will not be like the current rulers- sitting in opulent palaces and mansions - only concerned with engaging in the politics of self-preservation.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Thank You For Your Services General Musharraf
In an interview with Fox News, when asked about the possibility of granting General Musharraf asylum in the USA, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice made the statement.
“This is an issue that is not on the table, and I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan.”
After his unstinting support for US policy in Pakistan, now that Musharraf’s usefulness to the US has ended – the US is making it clear that it owes him no favours. It seems that the future of General Musharaff is not even on the table to be discussed as far as Condoleeza Rice is concerned.
Musharraf has served the US as a loyal hound – by amongst other things, letting the Americans use Pakistani air space and bases to attack Afghanistan, permitting the establishment of FBI offices in every major city and giving the green light for the US to bomb and kill Pakistani citizens.
No one yet knows what the fate of Musharraf will be, as he is said to have sought immunity from future legal action before being ousted from office. If history is anything to go by it will not be a very pleasant for the General.
The new leaders of “democratic” Pakistan ought to learn a lesson from this. The colonialists like Britain and America will only support them as long they work to secure their colonial designs for Pakistan and the region. Once they have served their purpose they too will be disposed of and forgotten.
Pakistan has been plagued with rulers that bend to the will of other nations, instead of looking after the needs of their people. It is the current political set up that ensures that there is always an alternative ruler for the likes of the USA to use to further her aims. This will continue until the current political system is uprooted completely and replaced.
The yo-yoing between military and “democratic” rule has left Pakistani society in tatters and the people in misery. The only escape from this is to bring Islam to all of life’s affairs- by establishing the Khilafah State as the political system.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
“This is an issue that is not on the table, and I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan.”
After his unstinting support for US policy in Pakistan, now that Musharraf’s usefulness to the US has ended – the US is making it clear that it owes him no favours. It seems that the future of General Musharaff is not even on the table to be discussed as far as Condoleeza Rice is concerned.
Musharraf has served the US as a loyal hound – by amongst other things, letting the Americans use Pakistani air space and bases to attack Afghanistan, permitting the establishment of FBI offices in every major city and giving the green light for the US to bomb and kill Pakistani citizens.
No one yet knows what the fate of Musharraf will be, as he is said to have sought immunity from future legal action before being ousted from office. If history is anything to go by it will not be a very pleasant for the General.
The new leaders of “democratic” Pakistan ought to learn a lesson from this. The colonialists like Britain and America will only support them as long they work to secure their colonial designs for Pakistan and the region. Once they have served their purpose they too will be disposed of and forgotten.
Pakistan has been plagued with rulers that bend to the will of other nations, instead of looking after the needs of their people. It is the current political set up that ensures that there is always an alternative ruler for the likes of the USA to use to further her aims. This will continue until the current political system is uprooted completely and replaced.
The yo-yoing between military and “democratic” rule has left Pakistani society in tatters and the people in misery. The only escape from this is to bring Islam to all of life’s affairs- by establishing the Khilafah State as the political system.
Abdur Rahman Siakhi
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