Lampost Productions recently posted an excerpt from Imam
Zaid Shakir’s latest book, "Scattered Pictures-Reflections of an American Muslim“. In the
excerpt*, Imam Zaid highlights the misguided ways of the “Muslim Zionists”. The term refers to those Muslims who have
made the establishment of the Muslim Khilafa, by any means necessary, into
their life-long goal. The term Zionist
is used pejoratively as a reference to the Jews who sacrificed all their Judaic
principles and values in order to create the Zionist state of Israel. So we find these Muslim Zionists casting aside core
Islamic tenets, foolishly convinced that the means justifies the end, in the
hopes of creating an Islamic state.
While I wholeheartedly agree with Imam Zaid’s synopsis of
this regrettable development, I do wish that he could have tempered his
remonstration with a viable, holistic alternative. It seems that he throws out the baby with the
bath water when it comes to the role of Muslims in contemporary politics. Are we to step back from the big stage of the
political world and solely focus on reforming our selves? Is the world of international politics and
global economics so hopeless and vile that our only chance at success is to relocate
into our ivory towers and focus on individual acts of worship? And if there is
space for Muslim in modern politics, is it limited to the confines of the
established political machinery (ie. voting, lobbying, boycotts, political
parties, etc.)
I recall seeing a similar approach (of avoiding feasible
solutions) when it came to our scholars’ universal denunciation of
terrorism. Most Muslims realized that
killing innocents while claiming it to be an act of Islamic Jihad was haram. But no scholar ever offered a viable model on
the role of Islamic Jihad in this modern day and age.
Similarly, Muslims throughout the world realize that the
process of creating an Islamic society based on the principles of Divine
Revelation must not violate those very same Islamic principles. I think it’s fair to say that most Muslims
reject the approach of the Muslim Zionists.
But the question remains: How then can Muslims legitimately
struggle to create a society based on the Quran and Sunnah? How can Muslims live Islamically, not only on
the personal level, but also in the socio-politico-economic realms?
Have we begun to embrace the Western approach to religion
and politics as purportedly stated by Prophet Isa (as) "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's"? Is the
S-word (Shariah) becoming as difficult a topic to broach as the J-word? Granted,
there may be no practical role for Shariah and Jihad talk in our lives, but
what exactly is the legacy we will be passing on to the next generation? Last
year, in the midst of the furor over anti-Shariah legislation proposed in
various states across America, many attempted to downplay the role of the Shariah
as strictly a personal code of conduct.
Slippery slope, meet Muslims in the West.
To what end will we continue to emasculate and emaciate
the pristine teachings of our dear Prophet (saw)?
For the record, just as I do not believe the mere abolishment
of riba and the establishment of an economic system based on the Quran/Sunnah would,
by itself, usher in a period of universal Islamic justice and Divine pleasure,
I do not consider the struggle for the Khilafa and its re-establishment as a
panacea for the countless ills plaguing the Muslims. That being said, the
economic and the political struggles are equally as vital to our worldly and
other-worldly success as our spiritual and social struggles.
Are we to attain spiritual nirvana before we are allowed
to initiate pro-Khilafa or riba-free movements?
I say not all this in some jingoistic manner, attempting
to rile up the masses with faux calls for Jihad and what not. My concern is
rooted in the abdication of our collective responsibility to these foundational
principles of Islam. While it is
reasonable, even expected, that not every Muslim is capable of implementing the
principles of Jihad or the struggle for a Shariah-based society, at the very
least we must all commit ourselves to intellectually developing as well as
preserving these ideals in a manner most pleasing to our Creator.
* I realize that I am basing my conclusions on simply an
excerpt from a larger book, so I may have to adjust my analysis based on a
complete reading.
9 comments:
Salaam Naeem,
While understanding your point, I believe that any step taken on the road to implementing the Quran and Sunna is a step in the right direction. Sure, universal justice will not happen right away. But, by taking small (or large)steps towards the ultimate goal is certainly better than doing nothing or just isolating ourselves from the rest of society. The fact that several states have taken steps to prohibit shariah law should not impede us from making efforts to improve ourselves and society. After all, Allah promises us in the Quran that if we are patient and persevere in the struggle, we will ultimately win and Islam will prevail over ALL religion
WA,
Greg
Salam Br.Naeem,
You also have to consider the political environment that Imam Zaid is coming from. In his position, he cant offer an alternative before some bigot jumps on him. Alternatives arent usually initiated by the Ulama (except for the Shia Hezbollah). The only scholar who I can think of offering a "moderate" alternative in the last couple decades is Shaykh Abdullah Azzam (his son Hudaifah Azzam is also doing good work). Good Muslims like Khattab in Chechnya didnt need Ulama to hound them to go protect the Ummah, while not being to extreme - he himself initiated the discussion on what Jihad today should be. Remember, even Salahudeen had Ulama opposing him saying that the Muslims where to weak to defend themselves from the crusaders.
With people like Imam Zaid, we should understand their political climate. Outside the west, we should initiate that discussion of "modern" jihad and expect vehement opposition, but also very good advise from pious people and shuyukh.
AA- Greg
"I believe that any step taken on the road to implementing the Quran and Sunna is a step in the right direction"
I agree with you, but I fear that too many Muslims are losing track of this 'right direction'. There is a strong, almost inescapable, force of secularist thought that is minimizing the import of the role of religion in politics and economics. Are we Muslims falling prey to this force?
"by taking small (or large)steps towards the ultimate goal"
Who is taking these steps? Sadly, I don't see anyone (including myself)...
AA- Anon,
I realize the almost-hostile environment that currently exists in the US and Europe, but to waht extent will Muslims continue to muzzle their teachings? So much so that the next generation will see no role for Islam in politics or economics? Very dangerous, don't you think?
AA Naeem,
The recent political events taking place in the middle east and north africa have given me cause for hope. Perhaps I'm being naive. But, I view the recent election by the arab populace for the implementation of Islamic values as a defeat by those who champion western influences and so-called progressive Muslims(as defined by secularists). This gives me cause for hope. Perhaps this "fever" will spread throughout the greater Muslim world. But, hey, I'm an optimist.
Greg
Br.Naeem, have you heard of Sheikh Imran Hosein? I don't agree with everything he says, but I think he is a very good analyzer and goes into depth with issues that many scholars shy away from.
This blew me away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeqn1L275Tk
Salaam brother Naeem,
The way I understand it, Muslims should engage in giving dawah to others about both Islam's spiritual and political solutions to issues in life. I've always heard of Muslims making a distinction between spirituality and politics and believing that politics is "dirty" therefore we should leave it...if they're talking about participating in the current political climate (engaging in elections, coalition building, backroom deals) then yes I agree with them that we should avoid all that, since the current political climate is not conducive towards bringing about real societal change based on Islamic values. But I don't think avoiding the current political climate should excuse us from talking about political Islam and all that entails. Yes calling for the correct political implementation of Islam won't result in a magical solutions to all the problems we face but when you look at the Seerah, Allah's Help will always be there to assist us through our hurdles. We will receive His blessings in all our endeavors and ultimately Allah guarantees that the Haqq will prevail. So as long as we sincerely believe in that, this should give us the strength to go out and explain to others (particularly Muslims) what Islam offers towards dealing with the world's political, social, economic problems.
AA- Anon,
Yes, I'm very familiar with Sh. Imran Hosein. I find so many of his talks to be greatly thought-provoking. Its truly a shame that not enough of the mainstream takes him seriously. I would love to hear some sort of response from the big name scholars on what Sh Imran has to say...
AA- R,
"this should give us the strength to go out and explain to others (particularly Muslims) what Islam offers towards dealing with the world's political, social, economic problems."
And I fear even this, the process of calling others to the other facets of Islam (political, economic), is being undermined with all the pressure against Shariah and the like. We simply need to step up and keep the holistic spirit of Islam alive.
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