el-baghdadi.com: A common comment I hear from Muslims is that a government based upon “real Islam” will be a just and prosperous government. While as a Muslim I do believe that Islam enjoins justice & liberty, and that Islam has something to say beyond the private realm, the main issue here is the dangerous concept of a “real” Islam – and by “real”, I mean somehow “official”. The fact is that we’ll never agree over an interpretation of Islam. It has always been that way, and it’s a good thing. I will refer you to a powerful precedent to demonstrate exactly this point.
In 36-7 AH Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son in law and fourth Caliph was at war with a radical religious sect called the Kharijites. Ali sent his own cousin, Abdullah bin Al Abbas, to negotiate with the them, with instructions that ought to be set in gold.
Now bear in mind Ali is one of the most knowledgeable people about the Qur’an, as was Abdullah bin Al Abbas, but Ali advised Abdullah not to use the Qur’an in arguments with the Kharijites. He explained: “Do not debate them by the Qur’an, for it is open to interpretation; it does not speak, but humans speak about it.”
Now in my honest opinion this is one of the most libertarian, non-authoritarian interpretations of Islam ever, and another reason to love & respect Ali. He could have easily appealed to his Islamic authority to establish an “official” interpretation; it was certainly politically expedient for him to do so. But instead, he opted to live by the principle that there shouldn’t be an official interpretation – not even his own.
Now, in the absence of an official interpretation we’ll have to settle our debates extra-textually using reason, logic, and common interests. Therefore the idea of a government based upon “the right Islamic rulings” is an illusion and a dangerous one at that. It is an invitation for strife not only with non-Muslims but among Muslims.
Categories: Asia
Ali advised Abdullah not to use the Qur’an in arguments with the Kharijites. He explained: “Do not debate them by the Qur’an, for it is open to interpretation;
To me, the above statement does not appear to be correct. I shall appreciate if any Ahmadi scholar can elaborate further.
Tahir
tabari, ibn athir and ibn kathir clearly recorded that ibn Abbas (ra) argued with the kharijites by using the quran and some events of the Prophet’s life.
quran is clear that the authorities should rule and judge by the quran. as mentioned in chapter 5.
secularism is against the objectives of caliphate as secularism completely disregards the Quran in terms of politics, education, moral values in public, judicial and legislative branch.
the so called slogan of secularists that claim that quran has no role in public life in muslim countries is wrong and contradicts the essence of Islam.
Religious or Secular Governmen?
It is true that any one who does not rule according to what Allah has revealed is Cruel; is Faasiq; is kaafir. That is true according to the verses of the Quran. But it does not mean that it is obligatory to establish an Islamic government.
Take the case of Hazrat Ibraheem a.s. He had some differences with the king (Nimrood) of that time. What were the differences? Did Abraheem a.s. argue with the king about his type of government? Or was he trying to tell people not to worship idols?
We know that there was no conflict about the type of government, secular or Islamic.
I believe that if any one has the free hand and complete freedom to do what he likes in the matter of setting up of a government, then it would be better for him to establish a kind of government with principles as described in the Quran. If he/she would not do that then he/she will be cruel, and faasiq and kaafir.
Also, we may say that all those who have been ruling or may be ruling now (muslim or nonmuslim rulers), if they have free hand, if they do not rule as per instructions in the Quran, they are all Cruel, Faasiq and Kaafir. But it does not mean that any one has the right to rise against them to establish the government by Shariyat.
I mention the great scholar, Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifah Rz.a. He gave advice that Muslims should never rise against any established government.
The prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. migrated to Madinah. The people there welcomed him and requested him to take charge of their affairs. He kindly agreed and took over. When he went there, he did not say that he had come with Shariyat so every one should get ready to follow the Shariyat. People gave him the mandate to do what he liked.
In order to implement the laws of Shariyat on people, the people should be ready morally and spiritually to take the load of Shariyat. Laws cannot be forced on people. Try enforcing all laws of Shariyat on people in Pakistan now as they are, They will cry out. Whether they will be improved people in the end or not, but they will cry out and they will say that they do not want to be ruled by Shariyat.
In present day Pakistan, there are two types of laws; the common law and the law of Shariyat. If any one is told that he/she will be charged under the law of Shariyat, they cry out and ask the police not to charge them under any Shariyat clause.
Even if there is a true Islamic government in a country, do we know that Maulvis understand the true teachings of Islam? We see that compulsion is being practiced in Islam. There is death penalty for changing religion. The scale of giving something is not the same as taking something. Maulvis like that non-Muslims should come into Islam. But they do not like or allow any one to leave Islam. That is not Islam.
There are so many mistakes, wrong notions, like misunderstanding about Jihaad. The real Jihaad is the improvement of the self, i.e. getting rid of bad habits and bad desires. Also, after self improvement, Jihaad means to go out preaching the good teachings of Islam peacefully. But we see the killing of non-Muslims in the name of Allah. Where is the true knowledge of Islam?
The Muslims are divided into 73 sects, each sect is happy with what they believe. Such people are called polytheists (Mushrik) in the Quran. Will the Mushrikeen enforce the laws of Shariayat for us??
I feel that even if a truly religious government will be formed, it will be the best secular government. That will be looking after the welfare of the whole nation without interfering in their race or religion. The nonmuslims will have complete liberty and safety and rights. That is what is needed.
I believe that if any government allows freedom to all religions (practicing, teaching and preaching), there is no need for anything else and Muslims should not ask for anything more and the Muslims should not interfere in the matters of that government. The Muslims should happily help and serve that government and practice their own faith.
No prophet in the world came to establish a government. That was not their primary purpose (mission). There is no politics in Islam. A shade of religious politics is allowed but there is not to be a political religion. May Allah bless us all and guide us to safety. Ameen.
where the quran and sunnah is silent about then we can do ijtihad.
yes islam proclaims justice and to study science and use God given gift of intellect, but there are very few established laws in the quran that should not be abrogated.
Read more: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/10/separation-of-church-and-state/a-secular-constitution-for-a-pluralist-people-atheist-ireland-submission-to-constitutional-convention#ixzz2iVFKmXzT