Shariffa Carlo
It does not matter whether we were raised in Islam or any other religion; at some point, we all must accept Islam for ourselves. Once we have done this, there is supposed to be a change that comes us as Muslims who have accepted Islam. Our behavior as Muslims is rarely the same as the behavior of one who does not practice Al Islam. This change is the Muslim character. For the most part, it is a change from pure self-interest (for some - at any cost) to interest in pleasing Allah. A prime example of this is Wahshiy Bin Harb. This is the slave who killed Hamzah b. Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle. He had been promised his freedom if he killed Hamzah. In his own words, "I had very little interest in it (the battle) beyond obtaining my freedom." He hid behind rocks and bushes to keep himself out of danger while he stalked his victim. He killed the prophet's uncle for purely selfish worldly gain. On the other hand, this is the same man, who after accepting Islam, killed the worst person of the time. He killed Musaylimah. About this, he said, "...I departed with the army, taking with me the lance with which I had killed the Prince of Martyrs, Hamzah bin Abdul-Muttalib. I had taken a vow either to kill Musaylimah or at least die as a martyr." (Portraits From the Lives of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, Vol. 3, pp. 25-31). This man's intentions had made a complete turnaround as did his methodology. He no longer cowered behind rocks for refuge, he went out to kill the enemy of Islam with pride and honor, and he did not fear death. He went seeking redemption or martyrdom. This is the character of Islam.
Another example is that of Nu'aym bin Masud. Nu'aym was a man who in jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic times) was known for "...squandering his money in the taverns of the Jews who would entertain him lavishly." At first, "he rejected the message of truth, for fear it would come between him and his pleasures" On the night of the battle of the confederates, he stole away from his encampment with the enemies of Allah and secretly took his shahadah with the Prophet. He returned to his people and used his position among them to break the alliances they had formed. By the Help of Allah, this man succeeded in getting the enemies of Allah to abandon their plans. He gave up the "pleasures" of this life for the promise of Jannah. He then became one of the standard bearers for the Muslim, marching before the army, an act which boldly symbolized his disdain for this life and his desire to enjoy the next. (Portraits From the Lives of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, Vol. 3, pp 90-99).
These men curved their desires for worldly gain and worldly pleasures in favor of seeking the pleasure of Allah. They showed the true example of Islamic character, and they are but two among many who did the same. Unfortunately, today, any talk of fighting for Allah is confined to battling the self and/or small battles in a court or a political arena. When a young man talks of leaving his studies to go fight in Bosnia, Palestine, Kashmir or any site of Islamic Jihad, people call him foolish, fanatic or just plain crazy. If he even talks of giving up his studies to increase his dawaa work, he is condemned. The love for this life has become very deeply rooted into the modern Islamic character. We rationalize that "small" harams like involving ourselves in Western politics is the lesser of the evils. We trust those who do us harm and would continue to harm us as long as they have the power to do so. In spite of Allah's warning,
And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain, and you hope from Allah what they do not hope; and Allah is Knowing, Wise. Surely We have revealed the Book to you with the truth that you may judge between people by means of that which Allah has taught you; and be not an advocate on behalf of the treacherous. (4:104-105)
And:
Surely We revealed the Taurat in which was guidance and light; with it the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) judged (matters) for those who were Jews, and the masters of Divine knowledge and the doctors, because they were required to guard (part) of the Book of Allah, and they were witnesses thereof; therefore fear not the people and fear Me, and do not take a small price for My communications; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unbelievers. And We prescribed to them in it that life is for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and (that there is) reprisal in wounds; but he who foregoes it, it shall be an expiation for him; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unjust. (5:44-45)
And,
And We have revealed to you the Book with the truth, verifying what is before it of the Book and a guardian over it, therefore judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires (to turn away) from the truth that has come to you; for every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed. And that you should judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires, and be cautious of them, lest they seduce you from part of what Allah has revealed to you; but if they turn back, then know that Allah desires to afflict them on account of some of their faults; and most surely many of the people are transgressors. Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah? O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. But you will see those in whose hearts is a disease hastening towards them, saying: We fear lest a calamity should befall us; but it may be that Allah will bring the victory or a punishment from Himself, so that they shall be regretting on account of what they hid in their souls. And those who believe will say: Are these they who swore by Allah with the most forcible of their oaths that they were most surely with you? Their deeds shall go for nothing, so they shall become losers. O you who believe! whoever from among you turns back from his religion, then Allah will bring a people, He shall love them and they shall love Him, lowly before the believers, mighty against the unbelievers, they shall strive hard in Allah's way and shall not fear the censure of any censurer; this is Allah's Face, He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing. (5:48-54).
How much more clear must Allah be? Here is the answer to those who say we suffer if we do not compromise. Allah knows your suffering, and He knows the best remedy as well. We convince ourselves that if we do not seek this option, Muslims will die as a result of the political decisions of countries like the United States. This may be true. Muslims will die, and while the lives of the Muslim are more sacred than the Kaaba itself, Allah's messenger never compromised his deen to save the life of one Muslim. Instead, Allah and His messenger emphasized how this sacrifice of life was indeed an honor and a duty for the Muslim.
Allah told us,
And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; andgive good news to the patient. 2:155)
And
Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward (4:95).
And
Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew. (9:41).
And
Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask thee for no exemption from fighting with their goods and persons. And Allah knoweth well those who do their duty. (9:44).
And
But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper. (9:88).
And
Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme (9:111).
And
You shall believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle hard in Allah's way with your property and your lives; that is better for you, did you but know! (61:11)
The true believer knows that suffering for the sake of Allah is a part of our deen. The true believer knows that his life and his property are at stake. The true believer knows that he must be willing to trade it all. The true believer knows his reward, a great reward, is from Allah and with Allah and will never be lost. We can not allow our fears and our suffering to make us join in with those who so severely disobey Allah. In doing so, we become a part of them. We are aiding them in this process of disobedience and shirk in order to maybe, eventually guide them? What kind of logic is this? I will jump into a septic tank in hopes of cleaning off those who are swimming in it, and I am using the najass water to do the job? Do I not notice that now I am as dirty as they are? Who are we fooling?
We can not erect a sturdy house on a shaky foundation. We are Muslims. We must build our foundation from the cement of the Quraan and the examples and teaching of our great prophet. For those who say that these are different times so we must employ the methods available to us now to solve the unique problems of our times, I answer first, remember the words of Allah,
Shall I then seek a judge other than Allah? And He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) made plain; and those whom We have given the Book know that it is revealed by your Lord with truth, therefore you should not be of the those who doubt. (6:14).
Then I remind them of the example of our great prophet:
Did not the prophet have a time when he was politically weak? Did he not have a time when his people were dying? And at this time, did he not have a solution which would give him more power than we have ever been offered in this time? Yet, he did not acquiesce to his love for his followers or his knowledge about the sacredness of the life of the Muslim. Instead, he either sent them to a place where they were safe (Ethiopia), or he and his followers suffered, content in the knowledge that the reward was with Allah. The story is as follows:
The Muslims were being persecuted in Makkah. They were being tortured, blinded and killed. They were suffering heavily at the hands of the oppressors, the Makkans. During this time, the prophet was offered a deal. He would be given any wealth he desired or be made king over them. Think about this. As King, he would have had full authority to implement Islamic law and to protect and save his people. Yet, he refused. He refused this offer, because it involved allowing the Makkans to worship their idols freely. The prophet only had to stop criticizing Makkan religious practices. (Sounds familiar? In order to be a part of the Western political process, we can not antagonize the other voters or they will band against us. We must take on an I'm OK, you're OK attitude. Even worse, we also have to connect ourselves with and participate in a system that is ruling with a constitution other than the Quraan and the Sunnah. This is an outright act of shirk - which is far worse than what they asked of Rasool Allah, but I digress...)
The prophet adamantly refused this offer, instead, he later sent his weaker followers to Abbysinia (Ethiopia) where they would be far from harm and persecution. In this time, the Muslims of Makka were even boycotted. Still the prophet did not acquiesce to bargaining with them. He kept enduring the torture and death of his people. Our beloved prophet lost friends and family during this time, but he never compromised. The Biography of the Prophet: Lessons and Examples, Mustafa Al Sibai, pp. 29-30).
Was all of this refusal because he had less heart or intelligence than we do? Authu billah!!! It is not as if he had no options, but was the prophet of Allah, showing us how to deal with these situations. We are supposed to learn from him. Yet, we keep insisting that we know better for this time. Allah gives power to whom He pleases, when He pleases. We must always remember this, and stop trying to rush Allah.
Allah says,
Say: "O Allah! Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power. (3:26).
So what are we supposed to do, if we do not allow ourselves to enter into Western, kafir politics? My teacher, Abu Al Baraa Ghassan Al Baraqawi once told me that we are as those in the Makkan period. We are weak and oppressed. The Kafirs have the upper hand over us. Many of us are infants in our faith, and we have no political power. In order to return to the glory of Islam, we must do exactly as the prophet did. We must begin by building the faith of the Muslims. We must teach them their aqeedah, their deen. Then, the people themselves will change the system. They will create the Islamic state because it is already a part of them. When all the people are submitting to the will of Allah, the political powers will no longer have power. They will have no followers.
I interpret this to mean that we have to start with the Muslims. We have to teach them, help them lose the elements of jahiliyah which has crept into their hearts. We have to show them the true Islam. We have Muslims who refuse to pray. We have Muslims committing every sin under the sun and denying that it is a sin. We have Muslims praying to graves and using amulets to protect themselves from Shaytan. We know that many of us are not in the position to think about fighting yet. However, does this lack of power give us the right to put aside the lessons we learned from our great prophet? No. We must still follow his methods. The problem with this is that it is hard. It means that if we are in a place where we are being oppressed or persecuted, we must migrate to a place where it is safer. The lessor of the evils is not compromise, it is sacrifice. We must leave the luxury of the West and return to lands where Muslims are able to worship in peace.
Now, I am not a fool. I know that there is no truly Islamic country. But there are places of lessor evil. There are places where you can worship in peace and not have to deal with persecution and torture. There are places where sin is not open and normal while piousness is the stranger. We have not fallen that far yet. The problem is that while we can survive in these places, we will not have that extra TV set, or that model of the year car. We will have to lower our living standards. While we are in these places, also, we will have to work. We will have to educate ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our city and our country (in that order) about the true Islam. We will have to do as our beloved prophet did, build the faith of our fellow Muslims. Once we do this, the people will demand a change in the Muslim country, and if Allah Wills (Inshallah) we will win. Once we win - even one true Muslim nation, the rest will fall in place. At the very least, we will have one nation on this earth that will protect the Muslim. At the very Best, we will have an Islamic Empire that will bring human rights, peace and protection to every nation on earth.
For those with no faith that it can be done - please look to the example of our great Prophet. Who would say that this illiterate Arab could have accomplished what he accomplished? He did exactly this. He strengthened his nation with a diet of faith and patience. He nurtured their faith with commands and practices, and finally he indulged them with victory. All with the Help and Blessings of Allah.
We do not have to compromise. As long as we trust in Allah, we can have success and victory. We must fight with our lives and our property now and then. Now, we fight with them by sacrificing them while we build the Muslim ummah, and then we will fight with them by either physically fighting or by sending our sons and our husbands to fight. Either way, our fates are with Allah as are our rewards.
Brothers and sisters, in this situation, the answer when we can not get the best in halal is not to run to haram. In this situation, the answer is patience. Because Allah has promised victory to the Muslims, He just never promised it would come without sacrifice. And patience is a true sign of the Islamic character.
May Allah Strengthen us to meet this challenge and give us the patience to do what we have to do to achieve the true victory, the victory of Allah built on a foundation of halal. Ameen.
Subhanak allaahuma wa bihamdik/Glory & praise/gratitude is to You OH Allaah, ash-hadu allaa illahaa illa Ant/I bear witness there is none that has the right to my worship but You, astaghfiruka wa a tubu Eellaik/I ask Your forgiveness and repent unto You.
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