Muslims in The West

 

Muslims in the West Iyad Hilal & Sajid Karim

 

Contents

I ntroduction ntroduction____________ ________________________ ______________________ ______________________ ________________________ ______________________ __________ 3 1.0 I nte ntegg r at atii on on____________ ________________________ ______________________ ______________________ ________________________ ____________________ ________ 3 1.1 Concept Con cept of Integrat Inte gration ion_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 4 1.2 Concept of the American Melting Pot  _________________________________________________  _________________________________________________ 4

 2.0 The We West ste er n Soc Socii ety___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____ __ 5 2.1 Integration and Melting P ot translates into:  ____________________________________________  ______________________________________ ______ 6 2.2 Concept of the Melting Pot from the Muslims point of view:  _______________________________ 6

 3.0 E ff ffe ects cts of I nte ntegr ati on_______ n__________ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ___ 7  4.0 Ways to inte integg r at ate e tthe he Musli M uslim ms___________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ ________________ ____ 7  4.1 A New M ethodology for Understanding Islam  __________________________________________  ___________________________________ _______ 8 4.2 Involvement in the Political Process  ___________________________________________________  _______________________________________ ____________ 9 4.2.1 Historical Historic al background backgroun d on the American Political Politica l Culture_ ______________________________________ _______________________________ ______ 10 4.2.2 Reality of the System______________ System____________________ _____________ _________________ _________________ ______________ ______________ _______________ ________ 10 4.2.3 Influence of the Capitalist on the Media_________________ Media________________________ ______________ _________________ ________________ __________ ____ 11 4.2.4 Role of Minorities Minoriti es in the American System_________________________________________________ ________________________________ _________________ 12 4.2.5 Islamic Ruling on Participating in the American Elections  _____________________________________  ________________________________ _____ 13 4.2.6 Some may argue:  ________________________________________________________________  ________________________________ ______________________________________ ______ 13 4.2.7 Running for a Congressional Position Position______ _____________ ______________ ______________ _________________ ________________ _____________ __________ ___ 14 4.2.8 One question remains remains_______ ______________ _____________ _____________ _________________ _________________ ______________ ______________ _______________ ________ 14

 5.0 N ot to i nte ntegr ate but to cure the Soci Soci ety___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ ______ ______ _____ 14 6.0 The T he P r op ophe het't'ss (saw ( saws) s) S tand tand in M ecca___________ _______________________ ______________________ ____________________ __________ 15 6.1 What did the Prophet (saws) do ___________________________________________________  _________________________________________ ? __________ 16 6.2 Muslims in Abysinia and West  ______________________________________________________  ______________________________________________________ 18

7.0 I mpa pact ct of of the West Weste er n SSociety ociety on tthe he M usli m ______  ___ s ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ _____ 18 7.1 Muslim Musli m Youth You th____________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ 18 7.2 Islamic Isla mic School Sc hoolss and Masjid Mas jid______________________________________ ________________________________________________________ __________________ 20 7.3 Minority Thinking  ________________________________________________________________  ________________________________________________________________ 20 7.4 Ame America rican n Fiqh F iqh___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 21 7.5 Unity Un ity of the t he Muslim M uslim Umm ah _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 22 7.6 Objective of the Muslims in the West  ________________________________________________  ________________________________________________ 23

C onclusion onclusion___________ _______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ________________________ _______________________ ___________ 24

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Introduction Muslims in the past were very effective in carrying the Islamic Message to other nations. When traveling to various lands, Muslims realized they had a responsibility to carry the Islamic Message. Due to their awareness of this responsibility they were able to change or influence the society rather than the society influencing them. One thing that assisted the carrying of the Islamic Message was the existence of the Islamic State in the political arena. The IslamicIslam State in symbolized the Islamic Message in a practical manner for all nations to witness. It applied a comprehensive manner so people could see its justice. Accordingly, Islam was able to expand to the known world at a very rapid rate. Muslims during the existence of the Islamic State used to travel to Western nations equiped with a comprehensive understanding of Islam. Consequently, they were able to influence the society. However, during the 19th century Muslims started immigrating to the U.S. But were not equiped with a comprehensive understanding of Islam thus they started to loose their identity. Many internal as well as external factors led to the official dissolution of the Islamic State in 1924. Muslim lands were plundered and divided by the colonialists for their interest. These events resulted in mass migration of Muslims to Western nations which were oblivious to the Islamic ideology. During the last three decades there has been a strong revival for Islam in the Muslim world. Due to these events the Muslims in the West are searching for their responsibility while residing in Western nations. The awakening in the Muslim world has stimulated the minds of the Muslims towards their responsibility. We will discuss some of the many problems Muslims are facing in Western nations as well as their responsibility. Amongst the many problems to be discussed are: Integration Melting Pot Western Society Political Process Prophet (saws) Stand in Mecca Minority Thinking New Methodology for Understanding Islam Western Oriented Fiqh In this booklet we hope to provide a platform from which the Muslim in the West can base their actions.

1.0 Integration The Muslims in the West and particularly in America are being encouraged to become elements of  their respective society. The proponents of integration in America attempt to prove their point by reminding us of the success of various ethnic groups, such as the Jews, who are part of the melting pot and have an influence on the system. Proponents of this perspective see it as permissible for 3

 

Muslims to integrate into the American society. They have formed many organizations to help integrate Muslims into the American melting pot. In many Islamic centers and schools the educational curricula is directed towards achieving integration. Unfortunately, our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the assimilative forces of the American culture. The reality of the Islamic ideology and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) in Mecca needs to be injected into our veins and minds. Through his (saws) example we will be able to understand the reality of the Islamic ideology and whether it can coexist with any other ideology.

1.1 Conc C once ept of I nteg nteg r ati ati on The Dictionary of Social Sciences defines the word integration as "making a whole out of  elements." One of the processes of "making a whole" is achieved through " a change or reconciliation of values" possessed by various groups in the society. Integrating into any society implies that the group accepts to be an element of the society. While, the process of integration leads the group to accept the values, norms and ideals of the society. Furthermore, integration may also lead the group to offer some of its cultural attributes to the society that can be accommodated by the system at large. Thus, the group would be a part of the society accepting its way of life. However, in any process of integration, the group which seeks to integrate has to drop its core values. This phenomenon is necessary because the group is integrating with something they look up to; otherwise, this would not be the path embarked upon by the group.

1.2 Conce C oncep pt o off the A mer i can can M elting P ot  The term melting pot is extensively used in the American process of integration. The Harper Collins Dictionary of American Government and Politics defines it as "... each succeeding wave of  immigrants to the United States blends into the general society." The Dictionary of American Social Change, provides a much precise definition of the term. "Melting Pot, the conception which saw America as a land which brought various peoples together, offered them a heaven and a home, and an opportunity to become something other and better than they had been: Americans." The concept of the melting pot does not end at this juncture. The Dictionary of Social Change mentions that the process involves indoctrination of the "... Anglo Saxon backgrounds" which "included freedom and intelligence, but that Europeans were "slave minded," and needed to throw off their heritage and "learn" new methods of thought and action." The dictionary also states that " ... the melting pot as an equalitarian aspiration did prove stimulating to many immigrants, more so to reformers or to nativists who rejected assimilation process." During the International Islamic Law Conference held in Los Angeles, U.S., a supervising judge of  the Los Angeles Superior Court portrayed the American melting pot to the Muslims as " this country 200 or 300 years ago because they had been descriminated against in their land of origin, whether Catholics, Jews, deists, or just plain unbelievers. A cardinal principle developed in the United States, and that is that the Church and State must be separate. Religion in America was a matter for local option ever since the first Pilgrims landed. If Virginia had started out as an Anglican colony, Massachusetts as Puritan, and Pennsylvania as Quaker, with the passage of time they had gradually gone through a much wider conception and wider liberty. But, if you will, all within Protestant limits." (Islamic Horizons Feb '88) The discussion of these concepts will be based on these definitions because the American society employs them and this is the society Muslims are encouraged to integrate with. Thus, the concept of  integration and melting pot should be viewed from the American cultural vantage point. 4

 

Sometimes, we fail to realize what type of culture or society the integrationist Muslims are proposing for us to integrate with ? The issue is what type of society the Muslims are being lured to integrate with and whether that society is based on Islamic principals or not ? First, let us look at the Western societies then we will discuss the Islamic point of view on the issue of integration.

2.0 The Western Society The ideological makeup of the Western nations including America is capitalism/democracy. Some people would like to think that there is no contradiction between capitalism/democracy and Islam. However, a basic understanding of the facts would prove otherwise. The foundation of the Western culture is based on the notion that the Creator has no role in the makeup of the society. The relationship of the Creator is limited to the personal relationship. In other words, there is a separation of Church and State. The authority is vested with the people. It is the people and not the Creator who defines the makeup of the society. In contrast, the Islamic ideology is based on the idea that the Creator defines all relationships regardless of whether in the private or public sphere. The public relationship extends to the political, economic, social, and educational systems. The private relationship extends to the relationship between Man himself and his relationship with Allah (SWT). The Western culture makes people the focal point in society. Accordingly, the system's rules and regulations are not based on the concept of the Creator Who regulates life. The Western system lacks the influence of the relationship of the Creator to human beings. In the Sunday Times (1/12/92) an article stated, " a truly Islamic State would be one in which a faith, a way of life, was embodied in government. This is the most radical and challenging message of all. Western liberal democracies are entirely predicated on the idea that government has nothing to say about moral and spiritual issues." The article goes on to mention " The liberal west is constructed on a spiritual vacuum and this may well turn out to be a real political failing. The lesson of Islam may, in the long run, prove to be that a society must believe in something if it is to be a society at all." The democratic system bestows the authority to legislate laws for their affairs on the people. In Islam, the laws to conduct the life are revealed by the Creator, Allah (SWT). Islam does not grant anyone the right to legislate laws. There are many ayahs or verses in the Quran which instruct the Muslims to follow only the revelation. And rule between them by what Allah revealed to you, and do not follow their vain desires from the truth which came to you. (5:48) Islam provides the individual with the opportunity to understand the revelation and to apply it to his/her situation. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: "The authority to legislate belongs to none but Allah." ( 12:67) Judge Nuss at the Islamic Law Conference describes this very contradiction between Islam and Western societies. " Actual practice is what might be some of the concerns by both Muslim and Westerner. Is the fact that the Islamic social system also involves God as an integral part of that situation while we demand the seperation of Church and State ? Or might it be due to the fear of  non-Muslims that your society demands a political system in which God is the ultimate sovereign ? Can your legal system, which I understand is simultaneously religion and law, both natural and positive law, exist in our order here in the United States, which seems to me spends an inordinate amount of energy to expell any reference to God?" (Islamic Horizons Feb '88) These are just two of many contradictions between Islam and democracy. We have focused on only one of the concepts being the role of the people and the Creator in Islam and Western societies. We 5

 

have not even discussed the contradiction between how Islam organizes the society with its public and private laws and how Western societies organize it.

 2.1 I nte ntegr ati on and M elt ltii ng Pot tr ansla nslattes i nto nto: By analyzing the process of integration and melting pot and the composition of the Western societies and the Islamic society, we will come to the understanding that: If Muslims integrate with the Western societies it will lead to the following: As Muslims we might be able to give theAmerican society parts of Islam. At the same time we will be forced to discard some aspects of Islam. The question is are we allowed to alter and turn Islam to suit our situation ? If so, which part of Islam do we keep and which part do we throw away ? The Muslims who are calling for integration with the Western society are utilizing Islamic plaforms ( i.e. masajid, schools, and Islamic gatherings) for their call. One can not help but wonder if they care for Islam and Muslims. If so, how can they call to discard certain elements of Islam by calling for integration. Do they really believe that some parts of Islam that will be discarded as inferior to the other parts ? Are they saying that Allah (SWT) did not do an adequate job in revealing this part of Islam over another part ? It is true, those who desire integration with a system admire the system, especially when it is ready and willing to absorb them. Obviously, one would not integrate into something deemed as corrupt. If we choose to integrate, we must believe that Islam is inferior to Western society. Essentially, Muslims are being led to plea their case to the butcherer that is butchering them. Muslims are demanding justice, while they posses the source of justice, Islam. Integration would translate into Muslims saying to Allah that He (SWT) did not reveal a comprehensive Deen (ideology). Rather, it is Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, and the founders of Capitalism, who are providing us with the correct and a comprehensive ideology.

 2.2 C once ncep pt of the the M elt ltii ng Pot fr om the M uslim uslimss poi nt of vi vi ew: One of the concepts that was rendered regarding melting pot was: " America as a land which brought various peoples together, offered them a heaven and a home, and an opportunity to become something other and better than they had been: Americans." For Muslims the implication gathered is that the melting pot gives us something more than what we are: a chance to become Americans, not Muslims. However, Allah (SWT) has made us into a one Ummah. We are not Saudi, Palestinian, Pakistani, or American Muslims. We are only Muslims, even though we may be divided and reside in various parts of Allah's world. A deeper reflection on the concept of the melting reveals that it involves indoctrination of the "... Anglo Saxon backgrounds" which "included freedom and intelligence, but that Europeans were "slave minded," and needed to throw off their heritage and "learn" new methods of thought and action." Truly, the "slave-minded" immigrants as the dictionary mentioned were in need of  assimilation due to their lacking a strong ideology. It was natural for them to assimilate and in this process be indoctrinated with the Anglo Saxon background. However, can the description of the immigrant lacking a strong ideology be ascribed to the Muslims? Unfortunately, the present Muslim Ummah, not just the Muslims in the West are mentally defeated. We are in such a position that some of our own brothers and sisters are humiliating us by encouraging us to adhere to the "Anglo-Saxon backgrounds" which the European "slave minded" immigrant had to follow. If we were not in such a degraded position as an Ummah then we would not be addressing the Muslims with the issue of integration and assimilation into a Kufr society. 6

 

The situation of the Muslim Ummah has reached to a pitiful level when it abandons the strong ideology it possesses, Islam. The sad situation of the Muslim Ummah is somewhat understandable due to the experiences it went through with colonialism, nationalism, patriotism, tribalism, imperialism, ethnocentrism, capitalism, and communism. The side effects from these corrupted modes of life have caused the Ummah to forget the ideology it possesses. It has forgotten its "heritage" of providing more than 1400 years of justice and peace to the entire world to the point that it's now asking justice from its enemies. The Muslims in the West who are being encouraged to assimilate, have to grasp the reality of  Islam: that it cannot be reduced to a set of prayers or a set of laws pertaining to diet and clothing attire. Islam is not an individualistic or spiritual relationship. The statements made by an English  journalist during the Salman Rushdie incidents summarizes the issue of Islam as a comprehensive way of life. " ... the Home office must know that some of their (Muslims) beliefs, at least at face value, are not compatible with a plural society: Islam does not know how to exist as a minority culture. For it is not just a set of private individual principles and beliefs. Islam is a social creed above all, a radically different way of organizing society as a whole." (Times - 7/8/89) From this brief discussion on the issue of integration, melting pot, Western society, and Islamic society one can easily understand that Islam is not compatible with any system. It cannot co-exist with any other ideology. As for those of us who are calling for integration, they should be aware of  the seriousness of their actions. If Muslims integrate with Western society, they will experience the same results as they experienced from colonialism, nationalism, patriotism, capitalism, or communism.

3.0 Effects of Integration The educational board and the media work together on conditioning the minds of people into accepting the myth that it is the masses who have the authority in the land. The shallow concepts of  liberty, freedom, democracy and peace strike a resounding chord in the hearts of the people. These concepts are highly welcomed by the immigrants due to their fleeing from oppressive regimes. The outcome from integration are groups left with their history, kinds of food they consume, and their personal lifestyle. They lose any sort of identity or core values. The Muslims will looses their identity and purpose on Earth. The minorities are overwhelmed by the American identity and its values. Accordingly, the melting pot is designed to contain groups of people. A vivid example are the Afro-Americans. For centuries, the system has been able to contain them. The issue of integration should not be taken lightly. The American process of integrating individuals and ethnic groups is extremely powerful. It is a process by which different nationalities, ethnicities, religions, or cultures are assimilated into one American Mosaic. The establishment tries hard from the very beginning to assimilate the immigrants into its culture. The educational curricula revolves around the concept of integration. The political process encourages minorities to be a part of the system, and the media tops it off by giving the impression that the people have the ultimate authority.

4.0 Ways to integrate the Muslims Muslims are encouraged to integrate into western society, in order that we will not be able to expose the system and will in time become oblivious to the nature of Islam. Judith Kipper of the Brookings Institution says "It's much better to have Islamic parties lawfully elected in Parliament, and therefore accountable, than to have them to operate as clandestine and subversive groups." (L.A. Times 1/26/92) The Kufr system whether in the Muslim world or in the West has the ability to contain groups. In the same article a senior administration official mentions "We have to be smarter in dealing with Islam than we were in dealing with communism 30 or 40 years ago." 7

 

In Britain, a solution was proposed to the Muslims in which "Muslims can maintain their fundamental beliefs while giving up any other demand to the British way of life, and if Muslims accept such compromise, we must help them in practicing their belief and in their own institutions" (Al Ahram 10/25/1987) In France, Michel Noir, the Mayor of Lyon said the mosque (being constructed in Lyon, France) would help the regions 120,00 Muslims integrate into French life. (Albuquerque Journal 6/15/92) Specific Methods Amongst the other plans designed to integrate the immigrants, two specific well-organized plans to integrate the Muslims with the Western culture are: 1. A New Methodology for  Understanding Islam. 2. Involvement in the Political Process. Much emphasis is being placed in these two areas. The former will dilute the understanding of  Islam in the minds of the Muslims and in Particular the youth. While, the political process will contain the immigrants. Due to the gravity of these plans we will provide specific details and examples to bring the point home.

4.1 A N ew M Me etho hod dolog log y for Unde Underr sta stand ndii ng I sla slam m The traditional wave of attack has begun once more on the Muslims. The attack is to control the mind of the Muslims. The educational tool should not be perceived as harmless, on the contrary this this was the tool that was used to demolish the Islamic State where many battles could not have achieved. One of the tools employed by the missionaries to destroy the Khilafah (Islamic State) was to provide a Westernized methodology for understanding Islam to the Muslims in Europe. The consequence was the emergence of Westernized Muslims in the Muslim world who preached a "new brand of Islam." The kuffar were able to demolish the entity of the Muslim Ummah and then colonize the Muslim World. Even though, the Muslims were able to drive out the imperialists they were not aware of  their agents in the Muslim world. These agents are still present in the Muslim world with the likes of King Fahd, Saddam Hussein, Hafiz Assad, Nawaz Sheriff, and others. They are teaching an unwarranted brand of Islam which was not revealed by Allah (SWT) to His Messenger MUhammad (saws). The curricula in the Muslim world gives the impression of such erroneous concepts as Islam did not provide a political framework. In the past, the new methodology for understanding Islam was preached in the Muslim world by scholars who were overwhelmed by the Western culture. Scholars such as Mohammed Abduh preached a type of Islam which viewed jihad as only a defensive war in efforts to reconcile Islam and the Western culture. These "scholars" had an impact on the Muslims in the Muslim world. However, the same effect is not true for the Muslims in the West due to their great distance from the Muslim world. In the West, the governments are uneasy about the large number of Muslims. The governments can no longer ignore the massive Muslim population which they fear can act any time due to a sincere call of Islam. Muslim students are returning to the Muslim World from studies in the West, with Islamic personalities and carrying the responsibility of bringing Islam into the political arena has 8

 

been observed. The West now realizes the danger and the severe consequences that it may have to deal with. To handle such problems it is promoting a Westernized form of Islam and using Muslims to achieve their objectives. The same conspiracy has surfaced in many of the Western nations. Institutions such as universities have been sponsored by "...wealthy contributors from Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf oil states in the hopes that eventually the school will have 200 elite students and serve as one of the main centers of learning of Europe's 25 million Muslims..." (L.A. Times 2/8/92) The following are some of the objectives outlined by the Institute as mentioned in the article: " With the complexity of life today," said Zuhair Mahmoud, 39, the institute's director, " we need a place to teach and explain Islam in a European context." Mahmoud, meanwhile, contends that the main purpose of the school is to integrate Islam with European values. "We admire the civil traditions of Europe-its great principles of democracy, freedom, and reason," he said. " We would like the chance to show that we practice an Islam that is open and tolerant. We will give Islam an interpretation that is most adaptive to European society," Mahmoud said, " For example, polygamy, sanctioned in the Koran and practiced in some Muslim societies, would be discouraged at the institute because it conflicts with European traditions of monogamy." Judaism, he said, will be used as an inspiration for the Muslim students. " We feel that our Jewish friends once faced the same intolerance we see today," said Mahmoud. " Today the Jews are accepted. We think that in 20 to 30 years, Islam will be as accepted in France as Judaism." In addition to the building of universities symposia are often being held to discuss the integration of  Muslims. Such a symposium was held in Germany on the subject of Muslims in Europe (Feb. 6-8, 92). Amongst the many issues discussed, emphasis was placed on the practical issues connected with the full integration of Muslims in the West. A scholar from Sweden, Ake Sander, suggests " the possibility of founding an Islamic university in Europe that would instruct the new religious leaders on how to guide Muslim integration in the Western environment." The article mentions that one of the other scholar in the symposium proposed that " training imams in the West would alleviate the self-imposed alienation perpetuated by imams coming from the Islamic world." The symposium also provided practical examples of European countries in their efforts to integrate Muslims. (The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Summer '92, Vol. 9, # 2) We would like to ask such directors who is it that gave them the sovereignty which solely belongs to Allah (SWT)? What gives such people the right to twist and manipulate the deen of Islam according to their whims and desires that has been defined by Allah (SWT)? It is imperative for the Muslims to be aware of such conspiracies and to take all the needed actions to see such plans fail. These conspiracies could prove to be very disastrous in the near future. We should be fully aware that there is only ONE Islam. The Muslim Ummah is always being offered a "new improved version of Islam." We should realize that there is only ONE Islam. We should take Islam as is. The Deen does not need cosmetic surgery or contentual alterations. Islam is designed by Allah (SWT), the Creator of everything. He is All Knowing and All Aware. We should have a feeling of assurance that Islam is able to satisfy and fulfill our needs.

4.2 I nvo nvolve lvem ment iin n the P oliti olitica call P Prr oce ocess The other tactic which the West employs is encouraging Muslims to be a part of the political system. Many Muslims fall victim to this trap by having a naive understanding of the political culture in Western nations.

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To understand any system one must understand the issue comprehensively. Before discussing whether it is halal or haram to cast a vote in the American election we have to understand the system. 4.2.1 Historical background on the American Political Culture

The American Revolution was motivated by two main concepts: the first is freedom and independence from the colonial European countries and the second is the general interests of the country, which the "founding fathers" viewed as venerable as long as the country remained under colonization. A core elite group organized the people and led them and started the revolution against the colonial powers. They were able to obtain their independence by force and after great sacrifices. They fought the war of independence first, and then the civil war to preserve the Union. In addition, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Thomas Paine and others were from this elite group of White Anglo Saxon Protestant descent. The political system was established by this same "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" elite in a manner to guarantee its superiority and control of events. Since different minorities lived in this society on immigration, the strong ideology which the system built, and the desire of the elite to preserve their privileges had the society to become into a melting pot which melted the differences between the various elements of this society. This illustrates the importance of this melting pot to homogenize this society. Since the American Revolution was based on the ideas of freedom, democracy, and the sacred rights of the individual, the elite was careful in choosing a political system which would preserve their privileges on one hand while making it appear that the people are the ones who are ruling themselves by themselves ( the rule of the people by the people). This produced the presidential system which is unique amongst the man made laws that exist today. It also produced the Congress with its legislative powers and the judiciary system. * The term " White Anglo Saxon Protestants" (WASPs) refers to the nations dominant force in its direction. Then there was the separation of these three different powers to guarantee the checks and balances, and to preserve the goals which the American Revolution came to achieve. At the same time, efforts were made to encourage the minorities to participate in the political process, sothe thepeople, systemby will if itfor is the built on the idea of the supremacy of the people, and the rule of theappear people,asand people. 4.2.2 Reality of the System

A close and careful look at the American system reveals that the group that is in charge are the capitalist. This is evident in the presidential elections where the only people who can compete are the wealthy and those who are supported by the wealthy. This is true even in the mayoral elections. The candidates chances of winning and his ability to attract the people depends on how much money the candidate is able to raise. Politicians do not become prominent and reach top positions until the wealthy promote them. This was the case with Henry Kissinger who became known only after he worked for the Rockefellers. The president of the United States does not apply his own policy; instead, he applies what has been already agreed upon. The two major parties-the Democratic and the Republican- may differ only slightly on this policy. Each president follows the agenda and it is not imaginable that the American policy is a combination of actions which is not connected together where each president pursues his own agenda regardless of the policy of his predecessors. 10

 

As for the legislative branch, people do not vote on any law until the major corporations or interest groups sponsor the law and make the people aware of it through the news media and other means, and then the people will have a chance to vote on it. Even the Congress comes under intense pressure from the major corporations and lobbying groups when it discusses any proposed legislation. In the very rare case when people approve a law that the major corporations dislike, the law remains on paper (as what happened, few years ago, in the much publicized case in California when the people voted in favor of a law that controls the insurance companies and it never saw the light). This is also evident in president Roosevelt statement when he said that, "the trouble with this country is that you can't win an election without the oil bloc, and you can't govern with it." (The Seven Sisters pg 87) In addition, the making and applying of domestic policy (on the level of city, state, or federal government) and the foreign policy depend on different means and organizations, (i.e. think tanks, research institutes, media, and lobby groups.) The system considers the lobby groups as part of it and not something that is different from it. The Zionist lobby, the lobby for the tobacco companies, the auto makers lobby, and the TV companies lobby are part of the system. They are similar to NASA, the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and the CIA. All of this is clothed in an attractive democratic cover, where it appears as if the people are ruling themselves by themselves despite the fact that the capitalist are the group which is running this country. After the influence of the capitalists on the system became evident, legislation was passed to limit the amount of contributions that an individual can give to any candidate. Even this did not prevent the candidates to pursue other means which can't be prevented by law like fund raising dinners with the cost of plate reaching $1000. For example, president Bush attended a fund raising dinner in San Francisco and collected $800,000 where the price of tickets reached $1000 each. Therefore, the Capitalists remain in charge, and they are the only ones who can make a president, and in turn he chooses his cabinet from amongst them as what happened with president Reagan when he chose George Shultz the president of Bechtel, to be his secretary of state. And despite the fact that the president is bound by the laws that Congress passes, and the CIA is subject to the same laws, these laws are violated in many cases as what happened with the much publicized Iran-Contra case when the Congress was the last to know. When the matter became public, few people were held accountable, and nothing was done to the major players: Reagan and Bush. In Summary, the American system was not formed in such a way that it can be influenced by any outside group. The elite group is the one who runs and controls the country. Furthermore, in order to keep the people involved with the system, public opinion has to be formed accordingly. The American media is not totally free, and there is a relationship between the media, defense industries, intelligence establishments. The chief editors of the major newspapers can't face their own board of directors whose members are affiliated in a way or another with the defense establishments or organizations associated with the Department of Defense. 4.2.3 Influence of the Capitalist on the Media

The major TV stations are owned by multi- national corporations (i.e. NBC is owned by General Electric). More evident is the national news which is sponsored by these major corporations. These corporations have a huge influ- ence on the media. Bob Woodward said that he and the chief editors of the Washington Post use to contact the former director of the CIA, William Casey, frequently to take the agency's opinion and consult it on publicizing scandals concerning its covert operations.

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New York Times admits that its corre- spondent Leslie Gelb cooperated with the CIA during the Carter administration in 1978 to recruit journalists in Europe to publish news which make the public opinion sympathetic to the neutron bomb at the time. The CIA depends on agents that convey unfounded stories to the American and European media after such stories are published in the third world media. Ac- cording to John Stockwell who was over seeing the CIA activities in Angola, inorder to make the American journalists in Europe publish certain reports about Angola, the CIA agreed with African head of states and guerrilla movements like UNIT to do things that will be published in the Angolan and African press, then the CIA will recruit local journalists to send these reports to other journalists in Europe to provide strong proofs of what the CIA is trying to propogate. Crescent Intl. Arabic Edition Feb. 1992. All of these things are covered with a democratic cover so the people think it is a real democracy, and the voter thinks that he is electing the president, and he is the one who votes on the legislation. 4.2.4 Role of Minorities in the American System

There is a great need to integrate the minorities within the system and encourage them to participate in the political process. Otherwise, they may be a source of instability. As a result, there is a need to homogenize society. minorities likevoters the Blacks, Arabs, Hispanics, the Latinos can'tthe form a bigThese percentage of the even ifMuslims, they voteJews, all together. The otherand votes form a big majority. It is worthwhile to note that all these groups voted for Mondale and Dukakis and both lost the elections. The candidate can't stay in the race without the support of the wealthy. The voters choose from the two people who are accepted by the wealthy. At the end, it is this elite group who determine the winner. It was not surprising when former president Richard Nixon said about one of the Republican candidates that he has no chance of winning because he is outside the main stream. So, if David Duke or Pat Buchanan have no hope in winning because they are outside the main stream since the first is a former member of the KKK and the second is an isolationist, how can then a Muslim influence this system? When Israel was created, the American administration objected to its recognition, but president Truman changed his stand and the state department changed its position for various reasons, among them the influence of Jews on Truman at the time. The Jewish lobby was established and from that time continues to pressure Congress to provide financial aid for "Israel". However, this lobby can't change anything if the president decides to pursue a certain policy, as was evident when Congress voted to stop the loan guarantees to "Israel". Because there are Muslims who live in this country, voices are heard here and there calling for the establishment of Islamic lobby groups, and in other cases calling upon the Muslims to participate in the American elections. These calls are in response to the activity of the Jewish lobby on one hand and due to the encouragement of American politicians like Mckloski and Jessie Jackson on the other hand. As we said the system in this country wants to get the different minority groups to participate in the political process which can only be influenced and directed by the elite which put forward the goals and the plans. Therefore, all minorities will be working on such an agenda without realizing it. Louis Farakhan expressed this clearly when he said that the cities black mayors are no more that managers in stores owned by a white man. The American system, and the European countries for that matter, are concerned about Muslim presence in their countries and they are working to integrate the Muslims into their systems. If they are successful the Muslims who live in the United States and Europe will be separated from the rest of the Muslim Ummah. This could cause the Muslims in the West to feel 12

 

that they need to concentrate on solving their own and leave the East with its own problems and concerns. 4.2.5 Islamic Ruling on Participating in the American Elections

Before giving the Islamic verdict on this matter, we need to point out that we, as Muslims, have to follow Islam in all matters of life, not differentiating between prayer and trade, or between fasting and Jihad, or between pilgrimage and participating in the American elections. Thus it is Islamically unacceptable to study what things break abolution and follow accordingly, while taking lightly the subject of participating in the American elections or not abiding by the rule if it is allowed or forbidden. By scrutinizing the American elections, the following points can be concluded: 1. Participating in the American elections means that the Muslims have to work according to the agenda of the previously mentioned elite group and what it stands for. The act of voting would imply on behalf of the Muslims the acceptance toward the system along with its foundation, ideals, and the governmental structure. This eventually will cause the Muslims to integrate in the melting pot and become an indistinguishable part of the society where the only thing that is left to them from their Islam is belief and worship only. 2. Electing a person falls under the concept of Wilayah (alliance, support, and help). It is haram for a Muslim to have alliance with the kuffar. Muslims will be asking a kafir to look after their affairs through a capitalistic/democratic system. All of these acts give a upper hand to the kuffar over the Muslims. 3. A presidential candidate usually runs under the banner of the Republican or Democratic Party. Accordingly, to vote for a candidate implies an agreement towards the foundation of the party. In other words, Muslims will be supporting concepts such as separation of state and religion. All of these above mentioned points lead towards a ruling that it is haram to participate in the American political process. 4.2.6 Some may argue:

Since Muslims are living in the US. and are paying taxes they can participate in the American elections. This argument is invalid because Muslims who live in this country are like the Muslims who lived in Mecca for the first 13th year of the Prophet (saws)'s dawah. The Sahabah were living under the Kufr system but were not submitting to it or being part of it. Muslims in the West can play a similar role of the Sahabah. Participating in the American elections is a way to achieve objectives for the Muslims. This arguments is also invalid because such participation does not achieve all the objectives. Even by living under a Kufr system Muslims have to abide by Islam where the ends do not justify the means. Since Prophet Yousef (as) was part of a Kufr government then it is allowed for Muslims to participate in a Kufr system. It is not acceptable to argue that we can use the evidence from the story of Prophet Yousef (as) since he was part of a Kufr government to justify our participation in the American elections. Because this matter falls under the category of the shariah (laws) of people before us who have their own separate shariah (laws) ( the shariah of the people before us is not a shariah for us). In addition, we have an example in the life of Prophet Muhammed (saws) when he refused an offer from his tribe to become a king within their system. Furthermore, we do not have clear evidence that Yousef was in a position to rule or legislate rather he was in an administrative position. 13

 

Participating in the elections is in the interests of Muslims. This is not a proof because what is in the interests of Muslims has to be bound by Islam and not the other way around. In addition, necessity is also not a proof either. It is true that we have to study this matter, but we are bound by the Islamic evidence. This is because we want to avoid judging Islam by our own logic. In Islam, good is what Islam judges to be good, and evil is what Islam judges to be evil. 4.2.7 Running for a Congressional Position

In the U.S. Congress one of the roles of a Congressmen is to legislate laws on the basis of the U.S. Constitution. As Muslims, Allah (SWT) has not granted us the permission to legislate laws on the basis of the U.S. Constitution. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran regarding ruling the people by Islam: Those who do not rule by what Allah has revealed they such are the kafiroon. Those who do not rule by what Allah has revealed they such are the zalimun . Those who do not rule by what Allah has revealed they such are the fasikun . (5:44-47) And rule between them by that which Allah revealed to you, and do not follow their whims and beware that they may deviate you away from some of which Allah revealed to you. (5:49) 4.2.8 One question remains

Is it allowed for a Muslim to run for the election and is it allowed to elect a Muslim? To answer this question we say that it is allowed for a Muslim to run for the election under the conditions that he uses Islam as the base for his ideology, voting, and questioning. In addition, the candidate must run as an independent and not through any of the existing secular parties because secularism is Kufr. However, although we say that such thing is allowed, achieving it is not imaginable for now.

 5.0 Not to integrate but to cure the Society There has been calls for the Muslims to participate in Western political institutions to cure society's ill, but not actually integrate. Proponents of this view are encouraging Muslims to patch problems of the society by applying Islam in a piecemeal fashion. Truly, it is the responsibility and the duty of the Muslim Ummah, who posses Islam to solve the problems of non-Muslims as well as Muslims. However, the guidelines on changing the society has to be from Islam. To further explain this point, Allah (swt) has ordered the Muslims to pray and also guided us on the actions pertaining to the prayers. In the same manner Allah (swt) has guided us how to the problems society.the Some of the theon Seerah of solve the Prophet (saws) of on the changing society are:guidelines which can be observed from The Prophet (saws) was not attempting to patch the problems of the society as Muslims are doing today. He (saws) did not view each problem separately, rather he (saws) viewed these problems as symptoms emanating from the unjust system. Accordingly, the Prophet (saws) was working to change the system and not patching the system that was being applied. Unfortunately, Muslims view symptoms such as poverty or homelessness in the Western societies and in the Muslim World as problems. In fact, poverty or homelessness are the by products of the unjust systems. The Prophet (saws) did not present any solution isolated from the Islamic Aqeedah. In fact the ayahs being revealed in Mecca were addressing society's concepts or values comprehensively. The societal ills in America cannot be solved just by severe punishments. For example the problem of drugs and alcohol cannot be solved just through severe punishment. Rather, concepts such as aqeedah, freedom and liberty of the individual needs to be addressed. America has witnessed problems that occurred in its history due to the prohibition of alcohol. The country had to spent 14

 

huge amounts of dollars to enforce the law. On the other hand, when the ayahs prohibiting the drinking of alcohol was revealed the Islamic State used very minimal effort to enforce this Quranic injunction. The smooth transition was due to the society revolving around the correct aqeedah. Unfortunately, Muslims are just trying to solve the issue materially, without addressing the concepts or ideas that the society revolves around. Although, there was successful efforts made by Muslims in New York to drive out the drugs and alcohol from their locality. But again this approach is limited to blocks however the approach should be towards the society. To assume that each neighborhood will in such a manner is only an assumption. A System is required to regulate all neighborhoods. The Prophet (saws) implemented the Islamic Aqeedah as well as the Islamic rulings in Medinah comprehensively. Applying Islam completely and not parts of Islam will solve the problems of the society. Islam is an organic deen and is a complete Message which points to a comprehensive solution. A partial solution will never solve the problem. The methodology of changing the society which is outlined by Islam has to be followed. The claim that Muslims cannot adopt a methodology 1400 years old is invalid. Man 14,000 or 1,400 years ago is still the same. Man still has the same organic needs and instincts. All what has changed are the tools to satisfy the human need. After all the methodology outlined by the Prophet (saws) is revelation. To claim it as not being viable implies accusing Allah (swt) of not being able to foresee the future. Both the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) provide vivid details on the methodology of  curing the ailments of the society. The Prophet (saws) was living in Mecca and we are aware of the massive problems the society was confronted with such as poverty, orphanage, adultery, cheating, and wealth in the hands of the few. The Prophet (saws) was able to establish the society based on Islam. How he performed these actions must be our methodology. In the following ayahs, Allah (swt) is reminding us that the Prophet (saws) was guided by the revelation. Nor does he (Muhammad (saws)) speak of his own desire. It is not except the revelation that is revealed. (53:3-4) Whoever obeys the Prophet obeys Allah. (4:80) Say: this is my way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge, I and whoever follows me. (12:108) Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah a good example for whosoever hopes for Allah and the last day and remembers Allah much.(33:21) It is obligatory for the Muslims to obey the Islamic rulings on every issue including the methodology of curing the illness of society. The emphasis has to be placed upon the Seerah of the Prophet (saws). The methodology of dealing with the society as well as the course of action needed to establish the State was revealed and thus it is obligatory for us to follow the same methodology.

 6.0 The Prophet's (saws) Stand in Mecca The issue of integration is not a new issue facing the Muslim Ummah. In fact, the first Muslim who faced this issue was our Prophet Muhammad (saws). There are many incidents from the books of  Seerah on this subject. The following are some incidents that occurred. The Prophet (saws) on numerous occasions was approached by the leaders of the Quraysh for the purpose of integration of the haqq (truth) into batil (falsehood). In one such incident Utbah ibn Rabiah, one ofinthe of position Mecca, came inside declared: " You as you know an chiefs honored in your tribethe andProphet possess(saws) a highhouse statusand in our lineage. But are, you have innovated amongst your people a grave matter by which you have created dissension in the 15

 

community, undermined their religion and declared their forefathers unbelievers who are doomed to hell. So listen to me, I am going to offer you some options to consider so that you may accept some of them." The Messenger of Allah (saws) asked him to go on. Utbah continued, " O son of  my brother, if you want money by this matter which you have brought unto us, we will collect for you of our money till you become the richest amongst us. And if you want honor, we will make you chief and overlord over us, deciding on nothing without you. And if you want dominion, we will make you a king over us. But if it is a vicious vision which you see which you cannot send away from you, we will arrange medical treatment for you, and we spend generously until we cure you of it. " After Utbah had finished the Prophet(saws) replied from Surah Fussilat and rejected the offer. Allah (swt) revealed Surah al Kafiroon in which He (swt) says: Say O you disbelievers I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. Nor will I worship that which you have been accustomed to worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your deen and to me my deen. (109) This surah clearly crushes any concept of co-existence between Islam as a system and any other system. Each society has a social order or one way of life. Two ways of life cannot exist in a society. Islam wanted to stand alone, be the dominant force and not be compromised with other ideologies. From these incidents of the Seerah of the Prophet (saws) it is very vivid that the Prophet (saws) did not call for the integration of the Sahabah in Mecca.

6.1 What W hat d dii d tthe he Pr op ophet het ( saw saws) s) do ?  Since the Prophet (saws) did not call for integration, what was he (saws) doing in Mecca ? Initially, the Prophet (saws) formed a group of people who responded to the call of Islam. These people are known to us as the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with all of them). During this initial period, which lasted three years, Islam was conveyed to the people privately. In this stage, the objective was to develop the Islamic personality within the Sahabah. The Islamic personality required from the person to take Islam and not the status-quo prevalent in the society. The Prophet (saws) laid much emphasis on this group to understanding the Islamic Aqeedah. He (saws) realized that this group would be able to overcome the consequences of the intellectual struggle which was to come soon. After three years of deep understanding of the Islamic Aqeedah, the Prophet (saws) was ordered by Allah (swt) to enter the next stage. In this stage, the Prophet (saws) opened his daw'ah to the society of Mecca. He openly called the people to believe in Islam. In one such incident he (saws) went on top of the hill of As Safa and proclaimed to the people of Mecca: "Tell me, if I were to inform you that some cavalry were about to attack you would you believe me ?" They said, "Yes, we have not experienced anything except truthfulness from you.' He then said, " I am a warner to you before a severe chastisement." In the public stage, the Prophet (saws) presented the Sahabah as an organized group that was intent on challenging and changing the society, its values, ideals, practices, emotions, and system of  ruling and the organization of life's affairs. The Prophet (saws) demanded the conversion of the people 's allegiance from the system of Kufr to the system of Islam. The Prophet (saws) did not even try to patch the problems of the system in Mecca. Because these were not were problems but rather symptoms. The problem was the system itself, and poverty, adultery, cheating the by-products of the system.

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Accordingly, the Prophet's (saws) movement was geared to uproot the system and its ideology altogether and was not in the pursuit of trying to patch the symptoms. He (saws) was intent on changing all the relationships which existed in the Meccan society. These relationship included the Creator and Man, Ruler and Subjects, Husband and Wife, Parent and Child, and Master and Slave. In other words he wanted to radically change the system with the system of Islam. In Mecca, although the Prophet (saws) witnessed the persecution of many Muslims who were slaves, he never called for a drive to collect money to free the Muslim slaves. Sahabi such as Abu Bakr (RA) on his own initiative freed the slaves. It would be foolish for the Muslims to cater to the symptoms such as homelessness or poverty because all of these symptoms are due to the application of Capitalism. What is needed from us is to uproot Capitalism altogether and replace it with the Islamic ideology. To achieve this objective the Prophet (saws) was ordered to criticize the system. The Prophet (saws) along with the Sahabah exposed the corruption of the Meccan system. Accordingly, our objective should be to show to the non-Muslims the ability of the Islamic Aqeedah to satisfy man's intellect. To show them that it is Islam and only Islam that can solve the problem of man and not corrupt ideologies such as capitalism/democracy. Our role as Muslims should be to expose the corruption caused by these ideologies and not to be part of these ideologies. Our role should be that of the Sahabah when they openly declared such ayahs as: Have you seen himneedy. who gives lie to religion ? That is he who repels the orphan. And urges not the feeding of the (Surahthe 107:1-3) Woe unto the defrauders. Those who when they take the measure from mankind demand it in full, but if they measure unto them or weigh for them, they cause them loss." (Surah 83: 1-3) Both of these ayah are attacking the social and economic status-quo of the society in Mecca. They were openly exposing the corruption of the society. For these reasons the Prophet and the Sahabah went through such torturous events as the boycott. Our dawah to the Muslims should be on the same principle. We must explain to our fellow Muslims the corruption and the causes of our decline. There are many examples of erroneous concepts that Muslims are still hanging on to that we can address. Amongst them are: Nationalism and Patriotism Separation between Islam and State Compatibility of Islam and West Conspiracies of the rulers of the Muslim world against the Ummah Taking Islam only as a spiritual religion The Western establishment realizes the danger that the Muslim can cause by playing the role of  Sahabah. The Muslims have the ability to demolish the shallow concepts which prevail in the Western society. To prevent such activities the Western countries employ many tactics to lure the immigrants to integrate with their culture. Among such tactics is the media which portrays few immigrants that have become popular. While they fail to show the masses who live in the innercities. The media fails to show the problem of homelessness, poverty, and many other byproducts of the system.

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6.2 M usli uslim ms in i n A bysini ysinia a and and West  West  There are comparisons being offered to the Muslims in the West, with regards to the Muslims that were living in Abysinia while the Prophet (saws) was in Mecca. By scrutinizing the history the following observations can be made: Muslims who were living in Abysinia were part of a movement to establish the Islamic State. In the West some Muslims are in a movement while others are not. Muslims in Abysinia emigrated from the persecution in Mecca they were suffering from. While, the majority of Muslim in the West have emigrated for entirely different reasons. Muslims were living on temporary basis in Abysinia. While, the majority of the Muslims in the West have plans to live permanently. The Prophet (saws) told the companions that the ruler in Abysinia was just. While, the rulers in the Western countries are oppressive. Muslims in Abysinia did not cut their ties with the Muslims in Mecca. In contrast, the Muslims in the West are being encouraged to weaken their ties with the Muslims in the Muslim world.

7.0 Impact of the Western Society on the Muslims In the process of living in the West Muslims are encountering tremendous difficulties. A British editor writes " British society is causing far more trouble for Muslims in Britain than they could ever cause in return." (Times 4/27/91) The situation is not only limited to the Muslims in Britain in fact the situation extends not only to the Muslims in the West but to the entire world. Because there is no single piece of land which implements Islam in a comprehensive manner. The rules, regulations, concepts, and society of West run against Islam in every aspect. The Muslims are trying to cope with many issues. Political integration is one of many issues facing the Muslim Ummah. Other issues are: Muslim youth Mosque and School Minority Thinking Fiqh for the Muslims in the West Muslim Unity Objective of the Muslims in the West Before attempting to answer the issues facing the Muslims in the West. We have to acknowledge the fact that Allah (SWT) has revealed Islam to provide guidance to mankind. The guidance implies that we recognize that Islam has the authority to regulate our life. We cannot have the attitude of  taking the guidance of Allah (SWT) in our ibadat (acts of worship) while leaving the guidance in matters concerning politics, economics and ruling to the others. We have to recognize that Islam is an organic deen meaning that all of its components have to be implemented for it to provide us with the guidance. Rejecting any part of Islam is equivalent to rejecting the whole of Islam.

7.1 Musli M uslim m Y outh uth The Prophet (saws) used to tell the people to look after the shabab (Youth), because it was they who supported the dawah. While the elders rejected it. In fact, the majority of the Sahabah in the movement of Muhammad (saws) in Mecca were from the youth. A young person, by today's standard a teenager, by the name of Musab bin Umayr was sent to Medinah by Muhammad (saws) for the purpose of teaching Islam to the Muslims, calling others to Islam, and creating the public opinion for the emergence of the Islamic State in Medina. The books of Seerah are full of incident of these youth in their struggle alongside the Prophet (saws) to have Islam dominate the world. 18

 

The Muslim youth of today face the same challenge of bringing Islam once again to dominate the world. Allah (SWT) has blessed us with the opportunity of reviving this deen. The question that arises is how was the Prophet (saws) able to create such dynamic personalities in these young people and how can we motivate the youths to follow the footsteps of the Sahabah? The Prophet (saws) instilled in the Sahabah the Islamic Aqeedah. The Islamic Aqeedah created a huge momentum to work for the deen of Islam. Furthermore, the Sahabah took the Islamic Aqeedah as a basis for their thinking and action. So when a Sahabi had committed zina he immediately came to the Prophet (saws) asking the Prophet (saws) to apply the hudd (punishment) on him. This Sahabi thought and based his action on the Islamic Aqeedah when he went to the Prophet (saws) for the application of the hudd. Unfortunately, the way the aqeedah is instilled in Muslims and particularly the youth in a very distorted and erroneous manner. The Prophet (saws) had his Sahabah accept Islam through an intellectual manner. Meaning they applied their intellect into arriving to the conclusion of the oneness of Allah (SWT) and the Messengership of the Messengers. Once, the Aqeedah was embedded in the minds and hearts of the Sahabah they had no hesitation in obeying the Islamic rulings. They did not discriminate between the rulings related to wudu or jihad in the way of Allah (SWT). The Islamic Aqeedah did not produce a defeated or apologetic mentality. Ironically, our Aqeedah today is constructed in the opposite manner. Muslim are forced into accepting the existence of Allah (SWT) without even discussing it. This belief is similar to a Christian's belief in the trinity. A Muslim would take the belief in Allah (SWT) because their father or mother are Muslims. By taking the belief emotionally he/she would discuss, twist and bend the rulings of Allah (SWT) for their benefit. This act is quiet contrary to the behavior of the Sahabah. They believed in Allah in an intellectual manner. They obeyed the rulings without twisting or manipulating it. To save our youth in deed general all Muslims we have to construct the Islamic Aqeedah in the manner ordained by Allah (SWT). Islam is not a passive deen. It is very powerful, it motivates masses, and calls for action. We have to provide the youth with Islam which is not only prayers or the rituals. If we teach our youth the Islam which concerns only with the rituals the result is very evident. The Times writes about the situation of Muslim youth in Britain as " .. Muslim children are being educated in secular British schools with English as their first language and British culture in place of their own. British education emphasizes independence of thought, and young Muslims are not impressed by the empty repetition of Islamic rituals and pieties of uneducated imams." (4/27/91) Islam offers much more than what the Western culture has to offer. The Islamic ideology provides an Aqeedah based upon intellect. Once, this Aqeedah is built, Islam lays down for Muslims the course of action needed to spread the ideology. The problems that the youth encounter in the Western society ( i.e. alcohol, drug abuse, dating, etc) can only be solved through instilling the Islamic Aqeedah in the correct manner and providing a society based upon Islam. The latter solution is not available at the present time, so the only way to solve the problems of the youth is through the Islamic Aqeedah. The Islamic ideology and in particular the Aqeedah has to be given to the youth as a whole we cannot discard some parts of it or compromise in it. For instance, the Islamic Aqeedah ordains that Allah (SWT) is the only legislator. If we expect our youth to have the Islamic personality then we cannot encourage or facilitate means which contradict this ordinance by encouraging them to vote for a person who will legislate laws on behalf of his/her constituents. 7.2 Islamic Schools and Masjid 19

 

7.2 I slam slamii c Schoo Schools ls a and nd M  Ma asji sjid  d  The building of Islamic schools and masajid is much needed. We need masajid to establish the prayers and other obligations. Muslims are in need of Islamic schools for their children. However, the problem lies in the Muslims realizing that this is not their only duty. Our responsibility extends to more than just building masajid and schools. The problem will not be solved by just having schools or mosques. The problem is much deeper than the proposed solution of masajid and schools The educational process is not achieved schools but through family, media, society, relationships in the society, andjust ideology as through well. Therefore, schools or the masajid in the West alone will not offer a comprehensive solution to the problems facing the Muslims. The media and the society with its relationship plays a vital influence in the educational process. Muslims will be able to solve the problem of Western influence when the whole society is built upon the Islamic ideology. One of the other reason the schools and masajid in the West have played a minimal role in thwarting the influence of Western culture or at least providing an Islamic atmosphere around the facility is due to the personnel running the facility. A study done by an Imam in London which was published in the Times (4/27/92) illustrates the leadership of the Muslim communities as " ...variously distributed between ... the "petrodollar" leaders (who "act as agents of sponsor countries to create an Islamic image of their sponsors"), the "professional" leaders and "traditional" religious leaders.." Unfortunately, the "professional' leader take their positions as a profession rather than a responsibility. While, the "traditional" religious leaders take Islam only as a spiritual religion. Regarding the "petrodollar" the study reveals that " Saudi Arabia, the leading petrodollar power in the Muslim world, has helped to fund about 800 of the 1000 mosques in Britain, distributing as much as much as 50 million pounds. In the Gulf war, ... they (masjid) were told to damp down protests on behalf of Iraq and were given tracts supporting the Saudi view to hand out to their congregations." The Muslim Ummah has to understand that any money granted from the " Muslim countries" has strings attached to it. One of the most common strings attached is to not talk about the political system in Islam. Simply, the money is given in the form of a bribe instructing the authorities of the masajid not to speak on certain aspects of Islam. The influence of the bribery extends to the Islamic schools as well. It is not surprising to see the Muslim children coloring the countries of the Muslim Ummah with its artificial borders and their respective flags. Educational tools such as these are used to implant the separation of the Ummah. Whereas, the students should be taught that the separation of the Ummah is the single biggest cause of our decline. Such curricula besides other factors result in one part of the Muslim Ummah suffering from famine while the other part living under air conditioned houses.

7.3 M inori inoritty Thi Thinki nking ng The Muslim population in the West is smaller in contrast to the population of others. This statement is true if we separate ourselves from the whole body of the Muslim Ummah. Allah (SWT) made us one Ummah, consequently we should not let the environment promote a minority's view. The revelation laid much emphasis on this concept of one Ummah. Both the Quran and Sunnah have heavily emphasized this vital issue. Accordingly, the Muslim Ummah in the West should not have the mentality of a minority. Very often calls, for minority rights are heard in the Muslim community. A meeting of Muslim foreign ministers was held in Istanbul. In which the Saudi Foreign Minister suggested a Muslim minorities conference upon theNasif request of King Fahd. SuchLeague a conference was portrayed held in Mecca on August 4-6, 1992. Dr. Abdullah of the Muslim World (RABITA) Muslims in Palestine

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and Lebanon as minorities. Unfortunately, RABITA is putting the Muslims as minorities even though Palestine and Lebanon are Muslim lands. By such a behavior we are accepting ourselves to be a part of the system as a minority. The Prophet (saws) in Mecca, never called for minority rights even though they were few in numbers. If the Prophet (saws) had called for minority rights most of us would not be Muslim today. The reason the majority of the world is Muslim is due to the attitude of the Prophet (saws) and his Sahabah: even though they were few in numbers, they were calling for a radical and comprehensive change to the society in Mecca. The Prophet (saws) was not calling for few human rights but rather He (saws) was telling his Sahabah that a time will come that between the region of Iraq and Yemen they will be able to walk without any danger. Consequently, the Prophet (saws) was calling for World Order based upon Islam. In other words, the Prophet (saws) was calling for the abolishment of the existing system of  Jahilliyah in Mecca in favor of Islam. After thirteen years of hard work He (saws) was able to provide a radically different society based upon "La illaha illal Allah." The Muslim Ummah should not have defeated mentality. We should enlighten ourselves with the Islamic ideology. This ideology has proven its justice, mercy, and joy to the entire world.

7.4 A mer i ca can n F i qh Some Muslims claim that since the Muslims in the West are minorities, this constitutes grounds for establishing a new and improved fiqh. For instance, the preposterous claim is made that some of the rules of the "classical" fiqh cannot be applied in an un Islamic Society, for example interest. First of all to have a minority mind set is alien to Islam as pointed out earlier. The Prophet (saws) called for a comprehensive establishment of Islam. This was the attitude of the Prophet (saws) from the very beginning of the Dawah. Thus, Muslims should not think of themselves as minorities. Secondly, it is true that the Muslims in the West will encounter problems with many issues such as riba. It is natural for the Muslim to face many problems, because the problems are emanating from an alien system. However, this is not an excuse to disregard part of Islamic laws or mold Islam into  just rituals so that t hat it may coexist with capitalism. Regarding the laws or rulings in Islam they are of two types: 1. Rules related to individual such as praying, fasting, etc. Every Muslim has to abide by these types of worship whether Islam is applied or not in the society and whether the person is living in Mecca or Paris. 2. Rules which cannot be applied except through the Islamic Khilafah State, such as applying the Hudud (punishment), carrying the Islamic dawah through jihad, and collecting jizya. It is not the responsibility of the individual to apply any punishment on behalf of the State. Islamically, this responsibility cannot be carried out on an individual level. This principle applies whether he/she is residing in Mecca or Paris. Whether a Muslim lives in the Islamic State or not he/she has to abide by the rules related to the individual such as the prayer. By living in a non Islamic society it does not signal a green light for Muslims to justify, patch, compromise, or alter the rules of Allah (SWT). It should be engraved in us that there is no justification for minority's fiqh. There has been a call for an American Fiqh for the Muslims in America. In the Islamic Horizons (Vol. 17, Jan - Feb 1988) an article addressed these points: Need for an "American Fiqh." Need to answer our own problems and not importing solutions. 21

 

There is a tremendous gap between the Ulema from overseas and the ones resid ing in North America. The Ulema across the Atlantic cannot answer our problems due to the fact that they do not know what the Muslims in America are encountering. Scholars overseas are not qualified to rule on issues of fiqh in North America. The article provided such examples to illustrate the points: 1. A Muslim Woman dissolved her marriage in an American Court, while the husband refuses to accept the divorce. 2. The woman accepted Islam, while her husband remained a Kafir. 3. Adoption, parent - child abuse. 4. Wills, inheritance, and burials. What is really needed is at least one mujtahid in each generation. This mujtahid should fully comprehend the issue and the texts of Shariah. If this needs acquiring technical knowledge from experts in a particular field then he/she must pursue this. The issue is not where the issue occurs or where the mujtahid is situated. It is definitely an invalid criteria. Rather, the question should be: has the mujtahid understood the issue ? Every mujtahid is qualified to practice ijtihad in any issue in any place if he/she meets the requirements. And One of  the requirements is to understand and study the issue carefully to the point that the mujtahid exhausts his/her efforts. As for the issue of suggesting an American woman accepting Islam while her husband remained a Kafir, this is not a new issue at all. This incident happened at the time of Prophet Muhammad (saws). His daughter Zaynab accepted Islam while her husband remained a Kafir. So we should go back to the text and study it to acquire the Islamic ruling on this matter. As for the other issues such as adoption, wills, inheritance, and burial, these have rules which are discussed and cannot be changed at all. As for the new issue, this needs a mujtahid to extract rulings, whether this happens in the East or the West. Muslims do not need American Fiqh. Furthermore, this term itself is wrong. There is no Egyptian, Pakistani, American or Palestinian Islam in order to have a Egyptian, Pakistani, American or Palestinian fiqh. There is one Islam and one Fiqh. By claiming the need for an American Fiqh is to divorce the Muslims living in U.S. from the body of the Muslim Ummah. Muslims all over the world are one Ummah and cannot be separated. Even if the Muslims are temporarily living under more than 46 regimes.

7.5 Un Unii ty o off the M usli uslim mU mmah Until 1924 the Muslim Ummah was represented by the Islamic State, which was initially founded by the Prophet (saws). From the time of the Prophet (saws) till the 1920's the Muslims were in a state of unity. Khalifah Abu Bakr (Ra) established a solid precedent on the issue of the unity of the Muslims and the State when he waged Jihad on those who refused to pay Zakat to the State. Consequently, Abu Bakr (RA) emphasized the central authority of the State as well as the unity of  the Muslim Ummah. Towards the end of 1800, there were many provinces such as in India which were not in direct control of the Khalifah or the Sultan. However, the Muslms in India still gave their allegiance to the Sultan in Istanbul. We must not generalize one period of our history over the rest. It's true that in certain times of our history Muslim were not in a complete state of unity. However, this should not 22

 

be an excuse for us to be disunited. We should refer back to the Quran and the hadith to emphasize in ourselves the obligation of being united. The Prophet (saws) in more than one hadith instructs the Muslims to have only one Khalifah, the Prophet emphasized this point by instructing to kill the second Khalifah if he exists.When the bay'a (oath of allegiance) has been taken for two khalifs, kill the latter of them - Muslim Whoso comes to you, while your affairs has been united under one man, intending to divide your staff or dissolve your unity, kill him. - Muslim Furthermore, the Prophet (saws) described this Ummah as one body, if one part of the body hurts then the whole body hurts. Also when Allah (SWT) addresses the Muslims in the Qur'an He (SWT) addresses them as one indivisible entity not separate ones. The unity of the Muslim Ummah was destroyed when the colonialist divided amongst themselves parts of Khilafah (Uthmani Khilfah). These colonialist with the help of their agents promote nationalism, and patriotism in the Muslim Ummah. After the official abolishment of the Khilafah in 1924, Islam was no longer implemented comprehensively. The Islamic Khilafah State since then has ceased to exist. Thus the full implementation of the Islamic ideology has also ceased to be implemented. Some countries pick  and chose from the Shariah laws concerning particular issues such as divorce, marriage, etc. While, some countries such as Turkey declare as secularist nations. In the past as well as in the present, the structure of each and every system in the Muslim country is based upon Kufr.

 7.6 Object Objectii ve of the M usli uslim ms iin n the We West  st  The objective of Islam and thus of the Muslims, is provided by Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) revealed Islam. Accordingly, it is Allah (SWT) who has the authority in the objective of Islam. Since Allah (SWT) has addressed the Muslims, regardless of our locality, as one Ummah, the objective of a Muslim living any where in the world is the same. There can be no differentiation of  objective of Muslims living in Mecca or of Muslims living in Tokyo. Both have the same objective as prescribed by Allah (SWT). Again, the objective of Islam and thus of the Muslim Ummah as mentioned earlier is: A. To implement Islam completely B. To carry the Islamic Message to the others. The Muslim Ummah not only the Muslims living in the West have to recognize that in order to achieve the objective of Islam the existence of a State is a necessity. The dawah of the Prophet (saws) in Mecca was based upon creating the State in which Islam was applied and carried to others. Due to the official abolishment of the Islamic State in 1924, the Muslims have to again reestablish the State which the Prophet (saws) created in Medina. In this process, the role of the Muslims may differ depending on where he/she lives. Although the role may differ, the objective of  reestablishing the Islamic State has to be the same. By working for the reestablishment of the Islamic ideology does not mean that we ignore the problems we are facing. Working for Khilafah does not mean that we stop earning our living until the Khilafah comes. Solving the current problems and establishing the Khilafah have to be taken care off. Muslims all over the globe must realize the Unity of the Ummah of Muhammad (saws). Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: The example of Muslims in their love and kindness towards each other is like the example of the human body. If one organ of the body suffers then the whole body will 23

 

work together to relieve the suffering. Consequently, the human body handles each problem of the body in a systematic manner. The human body does not treat the suffering of its organs in an isolated manner. The human body searches for the main cause of its suffering. However, this one body is not behaving in such a manner. Muslims are being encouraged through scholars, organizations, and regimes to break the unity of the Muslim Ummah. We are being encouraged to handle each problem in an isolated manner. We are not dealing with the suffering in a comprehensive manner. Muslims are not searching for the main cause of it's suffering.

Conclusion The Sahabah and many generations of Muslims have realized their responsibility. The Muslim Ummah understood that the responsibility was bestowed upon them by Allah (SWT). Consequently, the Muslim Ummah realized its importance. The responsibility of the Muslim Ummah is: 1. To Implement Islam comprehensively on an individual as well as on the State level. 2. Carrying the Islamic Message to others. To achieve both objectives the Prophet (saws) established the State in which he had full authority to implement Islam. The existence of the State is required to implement Islam. From the very early days of Islam, it was evident to the Muslims that Islam was for all people of  the world and not just for Arabs. Allah (SWT) made it very explicit that the objective of this Deen is to dominate over all other systems of life, i.e. capitalism or communism. It is He Who has sent His Messenger with the Truth that it may prevail over all other Deen and enough is Allah for a witness. (48:28) It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to cause it to prevail over all deen, even though the pagans may detest it. (9:33) During the critical stages of the dawah, such as during the battle of the Khandaq (ditch), when the Muslims were terrified, the Prophet (saws) reminded Muslims of the good news that they would conquer Persian, Roman, and the Yemeni empires. Thus, the Prophet (saws) was able to change their course of thinking about self -security to providing self-security to the people of the world. The Prophet broadened their concern, thinking, and objective. Consequently, the Prophet (saws) always emphasized the role of the Muslim Ummah as the liberator of mankind. The Muslims were quick to realize their duty of liberating mankind from oppression. It was no wonder that they were able to carry Islam to all of the known world at that time even with the limited means of transportation at a rapid rate, which history had never before witnessed. The Islamic State throughout most of its history occupied itself by liberating lands. Most of this was accomplished through Jihad. Jihad is not to force individuals to become Muslims, but to eliminate the obstacles which are blocking the Islamic dawah from reaching the people. The Prophet (saws) and Sahabah implemented such a methodology. When the masses witnessed the justice from the rulings of the Islamic ideology the masses became Muslims, such that whole towns and nations accepted Islam, again a phenomena which history has never witnessed. There some incidents as in Malaysiaofand where peoplepersonality became Muslims throughwere individual efforts. such The non-Muslims theIndonesia region saw the its Islamic of the Muslim traders who traveled to that area and also the impact of the State in the political arena of  the time encouraged the masses to become Muslims. 24

 

The Muslim Ummah fulfilled the role of: Thus we have made you a Just Ummah that you may witness over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves. (2:143) The Ummah carried the Message of Islam to other nations thus fulfilling the role of witnessing over the nations. While, the Prophet(saws) is a witness over us for handing us this duty. The Muslim Ummah should realize its great responsibility of providing guidance to humanity. The Ummah which has been bestowed the Islamic ideology should not settle for anything less. The Muslims in the West as part of the Muslim Ummah should not beg for minority rights while we are suppose to provide justice. We should not loose our identity by integrating into a kufr system. Muslims have to be cautious to the call for melting into the Western society. We have to be alert for not working for the agenda set by others.

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