All
praise is due to Allah. Peace & blessings on our beloved Prophet (pbuh), his
family & his companions.
As to what follows;
This is a humble attempt to discuss significant Islamic misconceptions that have arisen recently in light of events in the Muslim world. Please bear patiently as I proceed, bi'idnilAllah.
Allah Azawjal has described the Quran as, “This is the Book; in it is guidance, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.” (Al-Baqarah:2)
The guidance in the Quran then is unconditional, timeless, and doubtless.
Furthermore, Allah azawjal states in the Quran, “...I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Al-Ma'idah:3)
Thus, by perfecting Islam, Allah Azawjal has gifted Muslims with a comprehensive guidance in the form of the Quran. Guidance, that covers all aspects of life from the public government to the private existence.
It is incumbent upon Muslims to refer all matters of our lives back to Islam & utilize the Quran, the hadith & the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) as the ultimate resources.
“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and the people in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day that is best in terms of consequences."(Al-Imran:59)
Recently, dynamic events have reshaped the governmental structures of the Muslim world. Consequentially, these events have compelled Muslims to adopt opinions without due investigation or diligence. It is unfortunate to hear well-meaning Muslims affirming oaths & avowing misplaced allegiances. As Muslims it is our responsibility to reflect, what does Islam teach about governance & rulers?
Please consider that the role, character & responsibility of a ruler in Islam is well defined.
The primary role of Muslim ruler is to govern using the Quran & the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) as the basis of the law. This is evident in the Quran, in the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) and in the lives of the four Khulafah (ra) who followed him.
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra) is his first sermon as a khalifah said, “Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. If I disobey Allah and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience.”
Additionally, Allah azawjal reminds us, "And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the disbelievers."(Al-Ma'idah:44) “And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the wrongdoers."(Al-Ma'idah:45) "And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the rebellious."(Al-Ma'idah:47)
In other words, a ruler/king/president/sultan who does not rule by the Quran is a disbeliever, a wrongdoer, and rebellious.
There is another word used by Allah azawjal to describe such a rebellious & a disbelieving ruler.
“Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith are supporters of the Taghout: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein forever.”
As to what follows;
This is a humble attempt to discuss significant Islamic misconceptions that have arisen recently in light of events in the Muslim world. Please bear patiently as I proceed, bi'idnilAllah.
Allah Azawjal has described the Quran as, “This is the Book; in it is guidance, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.” (Al-Baqarah:2)
The guidance in the Quran then is unconditional, timeless, and doubtless.
Furthermore, Allah azawjal states in the Quran, “...I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Al-Ma'idah:3)
Thus, by perfecting Islam, Allah Azawjal has gifted Muslims with a comprehensive guidance in the form of the Quran. Guidance, that covers all aspects of life from the public government to the private existence.
It is incumbent upon Muslims to refer all matters of our lives back to Islam & utilize the Quran, the hadith & the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) as the ultimate resources.
“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and the people in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day that is best in terms of consequences."(Al-Imran:59)
Recently, dynamic events have reshaped the governmental structures of the Muslim world. Consequentially, these events have compelled Muslims to adopt opinions without due investigation or diligence. It is unfortunate to hear well-meaning Muslims affirming oaths & avowing misplaced allegiances. As Muslims it is our responsibility to reflect, what does Islam teach about governance & rulers?
Please consider that the role, character & responsibility of a ruler in Islam is well defined.
The primary role of Muslim ruler is to govern using the Quran & the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) as the basis of the law. This is evident in the Quran, in the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) and in the lives of the four Khulafah (ra) who followed him.
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra) is his first sermon as a khalifah said, “Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. If I disobey Allah and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience.”
Additionally, Allah azawjal reminds us, "And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the disbelievers."(Al-Ma'idah:44) “And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the wrongdoers."(Al-Ma'idah:45) "And he who does not rule by what Allah sent down, it is they who are the rebellious."(Al-Ma'idah:47)
In other words, a ruler/king/president/sultan who does not rule by the Quran is a disbeliever, a wrongdoer, and rebellious.
There is another word used by Allah azawjal to describe such a rebellious & a disbelieving ruler.
“Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith are supporters of the Taghout: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein forever.”
(Al-Baqarah:257)
"Do you not see those who allege to believe in what is revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They desire to seek judgment from the Taghout, although they are commanded to disbelieve in it, and Satan desires to lead them far astray."(Al-Imran:60)
The key word in the ayaat above is Taghout (one who rules by anything other than the law of Allah azawjal/one who replaces the law of Allah azawjal with something else). Such a ruler is a disbeliever, a wrongdoer, and rebellious.
Classical & contemporary scholars of Islam (may Allah's mercy be upon them) have detailed other qualities of a Taghout.
"Do you not see those who allege to believe in what is revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They desire to seek judgment from the Taghout, although they are commanded to disbelieve in it, and Satan desires to lead them far astray."(Al-Imran:60)
The key word in the ayaat above is Taghout (one who rules by anything other than the law of Allah azawjal/one who replaces the law of Allah azawjal with something else). Such a ruler is a disbeliever, a wrongdoer, and rebellious.
Classical & contemporary scholars of Islam (may Allah's mercy be upon them) have detailed other qualities of a Taghout.
- Intoxication with wealth and power and its use as a measurement for truth.
- Fear of people believing in the unseen (Allah Azawjal).
- Imprisonment and killing of their own citizens and general people.
- Casting spells on the Ummah.
In
the vast history of Islam, the infamous taghout is Fir'aun (Pharoah).
One who exclaimed, "O my people! Does not the
dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing
underneath me? What! see you not then?” (Az Zukhruf 43:51).
And we know from the Quran how Allah Azawjal sent Musa (as) to
establish the law of Allah & then destroyed Fir'aun.
The landscape of the Muslim world today is similar to times of Musa (as). The exception is that today we have multiple Fir'auns ruling over us, replacing the law of the Quran with their own law, oppressing the people, and usurping the wealth of the Ummah.
Al-Sauds of Saudi, Al-Thanis of Qatar, Al-Sabahs of Kuwait, Al-Khalifahs of Bahrain, Al-Saids of Oman, etc Al's, none rule by Shariah. The law of these nations is a man-made law subservient to the rulers & defiant to the Shariah.
Heeding the commands of Allah Azawjal in the Quran & the message of khalifah Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra), Muslims do not owe any obedience to a taghout. And a taghout should be replaced with one who will establish the law of Allah Azawjal on the land (the Shariah), enjoin the good & forbid the evil.
Lastly, I am not any scholar. All that I have said here can be found in the classical books of Islam written by righteous scholars like Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Imam Al-Izz bin Abdus-Salam, Shaykh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyah, Imam Sayid Qutb, Imam Mohammed Al-Maqdisi and in the tafseer of the Quran by Imam Ibn Kathir (Raheemullah). And indeed what I have enclosed is a fragment of this detailed topic. I urge you to do your own research & study these classical resources of Islam. It is our responsibility.
I will close Insha'Allah with the precious & inspiring message of Rabi Ibn Amir (ra) to General Rustum before the battle of Qadasiya in 637.
Replied Rabi ibn Amir (ra) to Rustum's question, “What brought you here?”, “God sent us, and He brought us here in order to lead whom He wills from the worship of the creation to the worship of the Creator; from the narrowness and oppression of this world to the space and abundance of the hereafter; and from the injustice of other religions to the justice of Islam. He has sent us with His religion of His creation, to call them to Him.”
All praise is due to Allah. Any mistake herein is mine alone. And Allah knows best.
The landscape of the Muslim world today is similar to times of Musa (as). The exception is that today we have multiple Fir'auns ruling over us, replacing the law of the Quran with their own law, oppressing the people, and usurping the wealth of the Ummah.
Al-Sauds of Saudi, Al-Thanis of Qatar, Al-Sabahs of Kuwait, Al-Khalifahs of Bahrain, Al-Saids of Oman, etc Al's, none rule by Shariah. The law of these nations is a man-made law subservient to the rulers & defiant to the Shariah.
Heeding the commands of Allah Azawjal in the Quran & the message of khalifah Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra), Muslims do not owe any obedience to a taghout. And a taghout should be replaced with one who will establish the law of Allah Azawjal on the land (the Shariah), enjoin the good & forbid the evil.
Lastly, I am not any scholar. All that I have said here can be found in the classical books of Islam written by righteous scholars like Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Imam Al-Izz bin Abdus-Salam, Shaykh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyah, Imam Sayid Qutb, Imam Mohammed Al-Maqdisi and in the tafseer of the Quran by Imam Ibn Kathir (Raheemullah). And indeed what I have enclosed is a fragment of this detailed topic. I urge you to do your own research & study these classical resources of Islam. It is our responsibility.
I will close Insha'Allah with the precious & inspiring message of Rabi Ibn Amir (ra) to General Rustum before the battle of Qadasiya in 637.
Replied Rabi ibn Amir (ra) to Rustum's question, “What brought you here?”, “God sent us, and He brought us here in order to lead whom He wills from the worship of the creation to the worship of the Creator; from the narrowness and oppression of this world to the space and abundance of the hereafter; and from the injustice of other religions to the justice of Islam. He has sent us with His religion of His creation, to call them to Him.”
All praise is due to Allah. Any mistake herein is mine alone. And Allah knows best.
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