This is a speech by Arif Mohammad Khan.
Courtesy of Prof. Muhammad Sharif Khan
Arif Mohammad Khan (born 1951 in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh) is a former cabinet minister in the union of India. He has had several portfolios ranging from energy to civil aviation. He is actively involved in reforming religious ideas according to the present world.[1]
If the Muslims can give up their obsession with the so called Shariah Law and focus on compassion, justice, mutual consultations and human rights, all fundamental and core Quranic constructs, they will be able to over come the sectarian divide among themselves, in addition to ensuring good governance.
Arif Mohammad Khan. The Muslim Times has the best collection of articles to promote secularism in every country of the world.
Khan was born in 1951 in Bulandshahr. Barabasti or Barah Basti is a group of 12 villages lying in Bulandshahr district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. He was educated at Jamia Millia School, Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and Shia College, Lucknow University.
Arif Mohammad Khan started his political career as student leader. He contested the first legislative assembly election from Siyana constituency of Bulandshahar on Bharatiya Kranti Dal party’s banner but defeated. He became member of legislative assembly of UP in 1977 at the age of 26.
Khan joined the Indian National Congress party and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 from Kanpur and 1984 from Bahraich. In 1986, he quit the Indian National Congress due to differences over the passage of Muslim Personal Law Bill which was piloted by Rajiv Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. He was against the triple talaq legislation and resigned because of differences with Rajiv Gandhi on this issue. Arif Bhai joined the Janata Dal and was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989. During the Janata Dal rule Khan served union Minister of Civil aviation and Energy. He left the Janata Dal to join the Bahujan Samaj Party and again entered the Lok Sabha in 1998. Khan held ministerial responsibilities from 1984 to 1990. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and later unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Kaisarganj constituency. Khan quit the BJP in 2007 because he was “being ignored in the party”.
Suggested Reading
God Is Living, So Why Does Religion Treat God As Dead?
The Prophet’s Greatest Victory According to the Quran: A Peace Treaty
Why Secularism Is Compatible with the Quran and Sunnah — And an ‘Islamic State’ Is Not
Book Review: Muslims Learning Secularism from Jesus Son of Mary
Quran gives comprehensive guidance to all major aspects of our lives.
The Quran consists of guidance and rulings mainly related to belief, ethics and worship. However there are also verses with regards to principles that apply not only to individual behavior but also to the behavior of society as a whole.
The holy Quran not only gives instructions to an individual’s personal life and his relationships with God and other people, but also the broader societal laws and ethics of governance, economic practice, family values, etc., i.e., those things that determine the collective well-being and direction of society writ large.
The primary source of Islamic Shariah is the Quran which promotes or entails:
System based upon Key principles which are in harmony with nature (Quran 3:83),
esteems knowledge, education, and learning (35:28),
values intellect (5:90).
expects high moral standards (25:63-76; 31:12-20; 23:1-11).
rejects intermediaries between God and people (Quran 2:48; 9:31-34).
condemns profiteering from religion (9:34; 2:41,79,174; 5:44; 9:9).
stands for accountability, and defiance of false authorities (6:164).
encourages consultation and representation in public affairs (42:38; 5:12).
prohibits bribery (2:188).
requires choosing leaders based upon knowledge and principles of justice (Quran 4:58).
promises justice for everyone, regardless of their creed or ethnicity (5:8).
acknowledges the rights of citizens to petition against injustices committed by individuals or government (4:148).
recognizes and protects individual right’s to privacy (Quran 49:12).
recognizes the right to the presumption of innocence and right to confront the accuser (49:12).
provides protection for witnesses (2:282).
does not hold innocent people responsible for the crimes of others (53:38).
protects the right to personal property (2:85,188; 4:29).
encourages charity and caring for the poor (6:141; 7:156).
“Then We put you on an ordained way (Shariah); so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know. [Quran 45/18]
Obedience to Allah is mandatory:
“Oh you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.” [Quran 4:59]
The above verse clearly commands the Muslims to obey Allah by referring their judgements to the Quran.
If a dispute arises about any matter between the Muslims or between the rulers and the ruled, they should turn to the Qur’an and the Sunnah for a decision and they should all submit to the decision. Thus Muslim countries should acknowledge the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger as the final authority and to turn to these and to submit to their decisions in all problems of life. Their constitution and laws should not contradict the Quran as the following verse indicates;
“Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taghut, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray.” [Quran 4:60]
Taghut refers to laws and ideas that contradict the Quran and Sunnah. Therefore Muslim countries’ constitution, legislation body and courts should not contradict the Quran.
“And when it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger,” you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.” [Quran 4:61]
The above verse implies that hypocrites are averse to Quranic laws.
If we looked at Secularism, we notice that it stipulates a separation of religion from life’s affairs (politics). If this is the case, does that make sense? How can man’s purpose in life be separate from his life’s affairs?
The Quran is very clear that it was sent for our guidance and to establish justice;
We have sent our messengers with Clarifications. And We revealed with them the Book (of Allah) and the STANDARD, so that people may establish Justice. [Quran 57:25]
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a leader who ruled according to the revelation from God, in ALL matters pertaining to politics, diplomacy, economics, social system, judiciary/penal system and many other areas.
‘And so (O Muhammed) judge/rule [Hukm] among them in accordance with God’s revelations to you’ [Quran 5:49]
This verse of Quran is not a verse that Secularism would agree with, nor could Secularism accept the constitution of medina document due to its clause:
‘In case of any dispute or controversy, which may result in trouble the matter must be referred to Allah and Muhammad‘
The Prophet (ﷺ) was commanded by Allah to rule by Allah’s revelation and not by people’s opinions. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ruled according to Quran and hence he was not a secular leader as falsely alleged by mirza followers;
‘Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of GOD’s revelations to you, if they turn away, then know that GOD wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked. [Quran 5:49]
And Allah and His prophet said there is no political system in Islam, after the death of the prophet. They did not describe any. But, the Quran repeatedly talks about compassion, justice and religious freedom.
The First Amendment of US constitution clearly explains that a state religion is tantamount to forcing one religion down the throat of every one.
The first casualty of Shariah Law is religious freedom of the non-Muslims and minority religious view. Even the previous prophets were Muslims and preached Islam. There was always talk about justice and compassion but no governance. Look at Jesus Christ and John the Baptist.
So Allah and His prophet are for secularism. Short sighted Mullahs are for the Shariah Law of their imagination. Period!
Suggested Reading:
Shariah and Constitution: A Personal Journey
https://themuslimtimes.info/2016/09/17/shariah-and-constitution-a-personal-journey-5/
Considering that Islam has for 1400 years consistently been associated with a holistic system, which includes ruling, economics and political affairs, the word ‘Islamism’ adds nothing to the word ‘Islam’ and is therefore irrelevant and mostly used to mislead non-Muslims (and Muslims alike), in order to make a distinction without a difference.
According to mirza followers ‘criteria’ of what an ‘Islamist’ is, the Prophet Muhammed (saaw), who ruled Madinah according to revealed divine law, would himself fall into many mirza followers definition of an Islamist! Seeing as Muhammed’s teachings constitute what we call Islam, ‘Islamism’ is a useless modern description.
So Allah and His prophet are against secularism; since it stipulates a separation of religion from lifes affairs (politics). If this is the case, does that make sense accoridng to the Quran? How can man’s purpose in life be separate from his life’s affairs?
Many mirzais allege that the Prophet (saaw) and the Companion-Caliphs were all just pragmatic secularists, whose authority came merely from being a ruler, not an executive of revealed law!
This is despite the blatant fact that the Prophet Muhammed (saaw) was a leader who ruled according to the revelation from God, in ALL matters pertaining to politics, diplomacy, economics, social system, judiciary/penal system and many other areas.
‘And so (O Muhammed) judge/rule [Hukm] among them in accordance with God’s revelations to you.’
[Quran 5:49]
This verse of Quran is not a verse that Secularism would agree with and thus refutes mirza followers lame arguments.
short sighted qadianis are for taghut, Period
you wrote; “prophet said there is no political system in Islam, after the death of the prophet. They did not describe any..”
Hence your own statement refutes secularism since its a political system.
Responses from the Quran to secularism:
Would Allah (swt) mention how humans should live in any aspect of their lives in accordance with his purpose?
Does man think that he will be left aimless?
[Quran, 75:36]
Can humans always determine there own criteria of what is good for them, and build a system of life around it?
It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. God knows and you do not know
[Surat al-Baqara: 216]
Was the Prophet peace be upon him a secular ruler? Did he seperate religion from public affairs?
‘Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of GOD’s revelations to you, if they turn away, then know that GOD wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked.
[Quran 5:49]
What does the Quran say about Majorities being able to make decisions?
“And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray.”
[Quran, sura al-Anaam 116]
Was the Prophet Muhammed (saw) rule a non-religious authority?
“No, by your Lord, they will not believe until they ask you to judge between them in what they disagree about and then they shall find in themselves no impediment touching your verdict, but shall surrender in full submission.” [Al-Qur’an 4:64]
What to do in times of disagreement?
O ye who believe! obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination. (Quran4: 59).
Can Muslims use other Ideologies to supplement it’s viewpoint to public affairs?
Say (O Muhammad): “Shall I seek for judge [HAKAMan] other than Allah? – when He it is Who hath sent unto you the Book, explained in detail.” They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it hath been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.
[Quran 6:114]
so instead of bowing to taghut and misreprenting the Quran, you should be honest to what the verses actually teach.
Instead of mud slinging one can decide which verses are primary for the time that we live in, when the prophet is no longer among us and passed away some 1400 years ago and which are secondary.
I believe principles of compassion, justice and mutual consultation emphasized in the Quran rule and are primary. In many ways these are the principles followed for good governance in many a non-Muslim countries, which is completely absent in the so called Muslim countries.
Why cannot the Muslims see that it does not make a difference, whether you cut a finger, a hand at the wrist or the elbow, a foot or the nose of the thief or put them in jail or control them by surveillance cameras or other modern technology. The real issue is whether you are able to do it justly to the weak and the strong.
Perhaps the only country that cuts hands delivers the punishment to those who steal small things and the royal family gets away with stealing the resources of the whole of the country. Go figure!
Shariah and Constitution by Zia H Shah
https://themuslimtimes.info/2015/10/16/shariah-and-constitution-by-zia-h-shah/
Thanks brother Zia. Exactly. (but regarding the last para: no, it is not only in that royal country, but everywhere, that the small crooks are punished very severely and the big ones are hardly caught (bankers for instance).
Principle of justice and consultation emphasisied in the Quran have been practised during the rashidun caliphate in which the Muslims practised those verses related to public affairs such as the various societal, economic and judical laws.
The early Muslims practised good givernance and excelled in learning by practising the shariah.
The abbasids, andalusians and early ottomans were largely successful in meeting justice and in their pursuit of beneficial knowledge through practising the Quranic verses in relation to public affairs. None of the successful caliphate were secular but rather the great ages of our ummah was when they practised sharia.
With regards to injustice and oppression, then that has been and still is widely done by many secular leaders of the ummah.
Just being secualr does not equate justice as can clearly been seen across the ummah. The fact is that the majority of the secular states and leaders of the ummah; are corrupt and/or tyrants.
so far secularism is failing us. Why should muslims persist on a failing ideology? Especially when success came to the early generations through the quranic laws.
The prophet adviced us not to fall in the same hole twice.
From Progressive Islam
HOW TO FOLLOW ‘ISLAM’ RIGHTLY IN 21ST CENTURY?
How to follow Allah and Sunnah or the life of Muhammad saw) professionally as a role model for Muslim in this 21st Century?
The Prophet Muhammad was a perfect man in the context of his time, We do not need to follow his actions in a literal sense, but, only in the context of our time.
If Muslims still follow the ancient Islamic law as above, do you think Muslim can pursue their dream? No!
Can Muslim man and woman make great progress and produce super works of science, culture, art and aesthetics, as well as Islam in the best way, and thus represent to the world.
Think about that?
However Arab people feel so proud to uphold their ancestor tradition from one generation to the next generation.
Nowadays, Saudi Arabia still ban women to drive car, women have to have a guardian when she go outside. Its unbelievable, women still treat inequality with men.
Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people
until they change it themselves (with their own soul ) . QS .13:11.
And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have Knowledge. QS 29; (43)
Therefore, we,Muslim really need to change the old interpretation to the modern interpretation on 21 st. Century.
Muslim should also make great progress and produce super works of science, culture, art and aesthetics, as well as Islam in the best way, and thus represent to the world.
Read detail
http://ilovemodrenislam.blogspot.co.id/2016/04/how-to-follow-islam-rightly-in-21st.html?m=1
All ❤️
God Is Living, So Why Does Religion Treat God As Dead?
https://thequran.love/2017/07/17/god-is-living-so-why-does-religion-treat-god-as-dead/
For good governance we can draw inspiration and ideas from the Quran, the Hadith or the Muslim history. The trouble with the so called Shariah Law is that its promoters have boxed their thinking into a limited and medieval mind set. They want to sell it as a package deal. Their package includes some good ideas and some terrible ones and they want to force it down the throat of every one and do not acknowledge the good that already exists.
These myopic obsessed minds have an axe to grind and do not acknowledge any thing good in the non-Muslim civilizations including the Western civilization that has given them the modern science and technology and the information age. The promoters of “Shariah Law,” are always cutting the branch that they are sitting on.
From a devout religious perspective all good ideas about justice, compassion and good governance can be listed under a comprehensive commentary of the Quran.
But the myopic Muslim zealots want to limit all wisdom to their political or religious leaders and fail to acknowledge that God and His teachings are infinite and they cannot box or crib the infinite into their finite and limited thinking.
Peace and love!
the problem with secularism is that in essence it wants to seperate our purpose of life from public afffairs of life which does not make sense according to the way of the Prophets and is not rational.
Secularism then results in a materialistic re-interpretation of man’s purpose of life, and the imposition of this purpose in place of a former non-materialistic purpose – with no conclusive reason why one is superior to another. Secularism then naturally ends up being non-neutral to this central question of human purpose, while fooling the people as pretending to be neutral!
If Secularists like mirza followers lived in 7th century Madinah, they would probably demand the Prophet Muhammed (saw) remove from the Constitution (sahifa) of Madinah the clause: ‘if any fall into dispute, refer it to Allah and his Messenger’ because Madinah has a Jewish minority which doesn’t recognise him as Allah’s messenger.
Ironically the mushriks of quraish were pretty much secular for many generations proir to Quran revelation and they have been described in the Quran as misguided and ignorant. The arabs by in large were secular before the advent of the prophet, and history shows they were in terrible condition. It was through the quranic laws that the arabs, turks, kurds, levant, morrocans and iraqis became successful in their public affairs.
Shariah laws can be impleneted in any time not just the middle ages as alleged by many secualrists. Principles of sharia law that emphasise justice, accountability and moral responsibility. Also Muslim community must consent through Bayah (pledging allegiance after a decision/election process) to the appoint Caliph. The Quranic laws are for all times, not just the middle ages as claimed by many secularists.
Promoters of shariah law in the past not only acknowledged the good in the non-Muslim civilizations but also corrected and developed such beneficial knowelde or tools for example, medicine learnt from greeks, paper invention from chinese, use of zero from indians and many more.
it is just your own imagination that the Muslims who promote shariah have medieval mindset. As if those who oppose quranic laws are somehow open-minded and have modern mindset?!
the secular zealots want to limit the quranic teachings and copy the jahil mindset of the pagan makkans. The mushrik of quraish and the munafiq of madina during the prophet’s time; were secular and thought the Quran had no benefit in public affairs.
if secularists like typical mirza followers lived in madina during the Prophet’s time, they would object to the madina constitution, since the laws were based upon revelation and also in matters of disagreement between muslims; they were obliged to get judgment from the Quran through the prophet.
@ p4rv3zkh4n your religious bigotry is very revealing in your comment. ====
I thought —p4rv3zkh4n—is Ahmadiyyah Muslim, actually he is Not.
(p4rv3zkh4n ) wants to follow the interpretation of Islam ( Al Quran and Hadith) from Saudi Arabia’s clerics where Al Quran and Hadith are the book of constitution.
The result of Saudi Arabia’s clerics interpretation of Islam are as following.
1. Create conflict among Muslim
2. Create discrimination against non Muslim
3. Create poverty, there is no freedom of religion, expression and speech.
4. Create civil war between sunni group and Syiah group as we see in Middle East
5. There is no peace, happiness and prosperity.
6. Create backward toward the time of Pegan or Prophet Muhammad pbuh — 1400 years ago—primitive life—
Till to day women are forbidden to drive car
Till to day barbaric punishment at front of people like: flogging—-beheading—- cut off hand etc
Till today women are imposed to wear Burqa.
Till today women are forbidden to shake hand with male.
Till today the system of segregation between male anfd female.
Till today male treate female as second class or slave.
Etc. Etc
These kind of primitive Syariah law that you want to apply in 21th century? Come on?
All our love❤️
Progressive Muslim
Unfortunately Somi is unable to understand why ladies should wear hijab, why, if possible, they should not shake hands with men. These ‘habits’ do not make ladies slaves nor second class, but give them honor and first class status. – When traveling around the world I have noticed that in Pakistan, Jordan, Indonesia more ladies own their houses (alone in their name) then in the ‘Western countries’. Second class? inferior? I do not think so. – Once upon a time I had a land lady in full burka (in Jordan). She was a Lady Doctor and bossy like anything. Everyone around her was shaky (inferior?). But these are all voluntary guidance. There is (should be) no compulsion in religion…
definitely not (If Secularists like mirza followers lived in 7th century Madinah, they would probably demand the Prophet Muhammed (saw) remove from the Constitution (sahifa) of Madinah the clause: ‘if any fall into dispute, refer it to Allah and his Messenger’ because Madinah has a Jewish minority which doesn’t recognise him as Allah’s messenger). We love the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, on of course would have accepted his authority with love and compassion and humility. In the current period we respect our Khalifa, whom we believe is rightly guided. However, he himself says that he has no political ambition at all and acts only as a spiritual advisor.
p4rv3zkh4n your religious bigotry is very revealing in your comment. You cannot use the simple name of the Ahmadi Muslims. So it is obvious that living in a country with you and your “Shariah Law” would be hell for so many.
This is one of the things that we mean by secularism, religious freedom and respect for every one regardless of religion or sect and security from the bigotry of people like yourself and your “Shariah Law.”
This is not only secularism but also the religious freedom preached by the holy Quran. Your lack of knowing that also castes very serious doubt on your understanding of the other verses of the Quran.
somi seems to be against the laws of the Quran when it comes to public matters such as social rules, hudood, hijab and judical matters.
If you are not a Muslim; then stop pretending to be Muslim, you are only fooling yourself.
Quran lays down certain moral guidance and values, thats why we have certain regulations between genders.
When did i say we should follow saudi?
Following Quranic laws in our public affairs and rulings is obligatory and was agreed upon by the early Muslims, who excelled in education, science, inventions, justice and lived in peace.
@ p4rv—-If you are not a Muslim; then stop pretending to be Muslim, you are only fooling yourself.==
Before accussing me further, you better know me first.
Read here.
Progressive Muslim who want to correct the old-false interpretation of Islam. To make Islam is a great again.
http://ilovemodrenislam.blogspot.co.id/p/in-name-of-allah-beneficent-merciful.html?m=1
All our ❤️