Arab Spring: Democracy or caliphate?
The uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East are arguably the most significant occurrence of 2011. Spreading throughout the region like a wildfire, they have led to the ousting of decades-old dictators (Egypt, Tunisia), to widespread civil strife (Yemen) and repression (Syria), and to civil war and foreign intervention (Libya). But what does it all mean for the immediate and long-term future of the region?The understanding of the present and anticipation of the future requires an appreciation of the past. The Muslim world for the last century has been in dire straits, and if one thing were to be selected as its standout feature, it would be its subjugation to Western colonialism. Post-WWI, Britain and France divided it up into numerous weak statelets, each graced with its own arbitrary borders, flag, proxy regime, and fair share of problems to keep it internally occupied for decades to come. In sum, the colonial project bequeathed the Muslim world a recipe for perpetual instability and chaos – a carefully crafted peace to end all peace.
Notwithstanding the comprehensive extent of economic, political, cultural and ideological imposition on the Muslim world, the motivation and vigour for resistance was always present. What was originally a primarily material (armed) resistance in the occupied lands eventually became a much more wide-ranging resistance, as it encompassed the intellectual and political fronts. Intellectually, the West failed to convince the Muslims of the superiority or efficacy of secular liberalism. Politically, any amount of support the regimes in the Muslim world had (such as popular support for Nasser in Egypt) withered away as the Muslims realised that all the regimes were mere agents of foreign powers.
Thus, we saw a more complete revivalist tendency take root across the Muslim world. By the 1970s, this Islamic revival was as clear as day, and in time became the subject of both intellectual and political attention in the West. In academia, much research was conducted on the phenomenon of ‘Islamic revivalism’. In political circles, Western leaders could see that with the demise of the Soviet Union, the next challenge would come, as Margaret Thatcher intimated, from ‘beyond the Mediterranean’. Charles Krauthammer warned in January 1990, in the Washington Post, of an “unnoticed but just as portentous global intifada…an uprising spanning the Islamic world.”
The late 1900s and early new millennium, then saw Western governments do all they could to face this ‘threat’. From reinforcing their support for dictators, to going to war to remove those who no longer curried favour, to establishing more military bases in Islamic lands, to increasing anti-Islamic propaganda globally so as to show Islam as a backward regressive force that was a threat to the progress of humanity. But they were fighting a losing battle, for let alone cheap propaganda, even standing armies are not enough to stop an idea whose time has come.
The Deen and the Sultan are Twins – Explanation from Imam Ghazali
The following text is an excerpt from the book al-Iqtisad fil-I’tiqad written by the classical scholar Muhyiddeen Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him).
This section is part of his refutation of those (among the Mu’talizah sect) who claimed that there was no rational obligation for the Khilafah or Imamah, as they claimed that people can perfect themselves morally without the need for a State.
Imam al-Ghazali explained the consequences of the absence of a ruler applying Islam thus:
“The security of the world, its inhabitants and properties cannot be achieved except with an obeyed ruler (Sultan Muta`). The times of extreme sedition and chaos [following] the deaths of the rulers and the leaders bear witness to this. If this [situation] continues without another just ruler being appointed, then chaos will continue, bloodshed and oppression will become widespread, and livestock will be destroyed and industry stopped. Whoever gains power over others will loot, and none will find time for worship (‘ibadah) or gaining knowledge (‘ilm), if they manage to remain alive.
This is why it is said that,
‘the Deen and the Sultan are twins’
الدِّيْنُ وَ السُّلْطَانُ تَوْأَمَان
and it is said that,
‘the deen is the foundation and the Sultan is the guardian. That which has no foundation is doomed, and that which has no guardian will perish’
الدِّيْنُ اُسُّ وَ السُلْطَانُ حَارِسٌ، وَ مَا لا اُسَّ لَهُ فَمَهْدُوْمٌ وَ مَا لا حَارِسَ لَهُ فضَائعٌ
This is a sickness for which there is no remedy, except through a powerful and just ruler who will unify the disparate and differing views.
Hence, it is clear that the ruler is necessary for organisation of the world, and the organisation of the world is necessary for the organisation of the Deen. And the organisation of the Deen is necessary for the success and joy of the Hereafter, and this undoubtedly was the objective of the Prophets.
Therefore, the obligatory character of [appointing] the ruler (imam) is one of the essential matters from the Law (al-shar`) which may not in any way be abandoned.”
Key lessons:
1. Separation of religion and state is not recognised in Islam. In order to ensure societal affairs are addressed correctly, Islam has laid down the systems of governance for the rulers to establish, and thereby bring tranquillity to the citizens, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
2. Our situation today is far worse than that envisaged by Imam al-Ghazali. Not only do we see Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and other Islamic lands suffering under merciless occupation; not only have the traitorous rulers abandoned the application of the Shari’ah; in addition to that, they actively work to cement the occupation of our lands, and to suppress the call for the resumption of the Islamic way of life.
3. In the absence of the Khaleefah who protects the rights of the citizens, securing the basic needs becomes a daily struggle and the weak are left at the mercy of the powerful and corrupt. In such a situation, it is not surprising that ignorance of the basics of Islam, and corrupt practices become the norm for millions. If Muslims want to reform the situation of their societies, establishing Islam in authority is of the highest priority.
The Islamic ruling on protests and demonstrations
“They take their rabbis and priests to be their lords besides Allah and (they take as their Lord) Christ, the son of Mary; Yet they were commanded to worship none but Allah. There is no god but He. Praise and glory be to Him, (far is He) from having the partners they associate (With Him).”
[TMQ at-Tauba 9:31]
O liberated people of the world! Look at the oppression of the regime in Uzbekistan
28th Rajab the day when the Ummah lost its shield
Below are two links from the same website that are worth mentioning. One is a interactive map and the other the timeline and both are mashallah an excellent way of sharing the uprisings that started early this year. Please take a look and add to your knowledge of the events that took place in the Middle East and North Africa.
Imam Abu Abdullah al-Qurtubi (d. 671 AH) Imam Qurtubi said in his tafseer of the verse, Indeed, man is made upon this earth a Caliph” [TMQ 2:30]
“This Ayah is a source in the selection of an Imaam, and a Khaleefah, he is listened to and he is obeyed, for the word is united through him, and the Ahkam (laws) of the Khaleefah are implemented through him, and there is no difference regarding the obligation of that between the Ummah, nor between the Imams.” Imam al-Qurtubi also said: “The Khilafah is the pillar upon which other pillars rest”
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