Islamophobia –
lately there has been a barrage of articles in newspapers and websites
vindicating the Islamophobic attitude of the ‘New Atheist movement’ (Richard
Dawkins, Sam Harris, Prof Lawrence Krauss, etc.) by Muslims, some left liberal non-Muslims,
and one or two atheists. This propaganda, I feel is mainly fuelled by
vociferous and almost confrontational remarks of these so called ‘New Atheists’.
I do not intend to defend the New Atheists and any of their
‘incrementing’ remakes that are floating around different forms of press and social media. But, I assume, that the readers are aware of the backdrop of the statements made. So
just to give couple of examples:
A tweet from Professor Dawkins: “Islam is comforting? Tell that to a woman, dressed in a bin bag, her
testimony worth half a man’s and needing 4 male witnesses to prove rape.”
Sam Harris quoted from ‘Letter to a Christian Nation’: “The idea that Islam is a ‘peaceful religion
hijacked by extremists’ is a fantasy, and is now a particularly dangerous
fantasy for Muslims to indulge.”
I do not wish to go into any of the aforementioned remarks
(attitude towards Islam/Muslims) at this point. Why? Because I want readers to
take away the same reaction to equally qualifying hung-up statements of phobia
that are deeply imbedded in the Islamic creed. The odious attitude towards
non-believers, polytheists, Christians, and Jews is completely intertwined
within the fabric of Islam and its doctrines. The mainstream view (Muslims and
Non-Muslims alike) ignores the reality of Islam's central tenets, and the
notion that the Fundamentalists’ or Islamists' beliefs are really only a warped
minority position is completely false. A much factual reflection of the
inherent nature of Muslim faith-system can be effortlessly derived directly
from Qur’an, authentic Hadith, and works of much revered scholars of the past
and the present.
To begin with, it is clear that Islam claims supremacy above everything. A
vast majority of Muslims mainly in the western countries are perhaps not aware
that all Muslims are required to submit to one of Islam's main foundations “al‐Walaʹ waʹl-Bara”, which has two
major prerequisites of true faith: al-
Wala’, A manifestation of sincere love for Allah, his prophet and the
believers; wa’l-Bara an expression
of antipathy and disgust toward falsehood and its adherents (al‐walaʹ waʹl-bara
– By Shaykh Muhammad Saeed al‐Qahtani). Therefore, it is a duty incumbent upon
every Muslim to express total loyalty to Islam and total disavowal of
everything else. It is one of Islam's main foundations and is of paramount
importance, second only to Tawhid, which is acknowledgement of the oneness of
God. Sheikh Hamad Ben Ateeq, said: “In the
Book of Allah (Qurʹan) there is no ruling more apparent and significant than
the ruling of al‐Walaʹ Wal Baraʹ, after the requirement of Tawhid and the
prohibition of its opposite” (An‐Najaat wal‐Fakak, p.14). Islam requires
from each and every Muslim a complete submission to Allah and an unconditional
obedience to the code of unity of Loardship and unity of Worship. The evidence
is clear from the Qurʹan and the Sunnah that allegiance is demanded by the
declaration of faith since this is an essential part of its meaning. A very
distinguished scholar of Sunni Isalm, Ibn Taymiyyah said, ʹThe declaration of faith, ʺThere is no god but Allahʺ, requires you to
love only for the sake of Allah, to hate only for the sake of Allah, to ally
yourself only for the sake of Allah, to declare enmity only for the sake of
Allah; it requires you to love what Allah loves and to hate what Allah hates.ʹ
It also requires you to ally yourself to the Muslims wherever you find them and
to oppose the disbelievers even if they are your closest kin.” [Ibn Taymiyyah,
al‐Ihtijaj biʹl‐Qadar, p.62]
Yes that is correct, “…
oppose the disbelievers even if they are your closest kin”. Further
clarified by an eminent Arabian Islamic Salafi scholar Sheikh Muhammad Ibn
Abdul Wahhab, “Islam of a man can never
be accepted, even if he abandons polytheism, unless he shows enmity towards the
disbelievers and polytheists, as Allah says in Surat al‐Mujaʹ dilah, verse: 22,
“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making
friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were
their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people)”
(Majmuatat ‐ Tawhid, p.19)
Essentially this gives rise to the concept of Islamic
supremacy, which therefore, makes Islam more of an ideology than a religion.
This ideology explicates a doctrine that seeks to subjugate or exterminate
falsehood, and requires a firm repudiation of what it considers to be
unIslamic. One might argue that supremacy is inherent in Islam, inasmuch as it
claims to be the one true religion and a flawless way of life. A Pakistani
Islamic theologian, philosopher, and one of the noted scholar, Dr Israr Ahmed in
his ‘Call of Tanzeem-e-Islami’ writes, “…
two important but largely forgotten features of our Deen that I absorbed from
the writings of Maulana Maududi included an all-embracing conception of Islam
as a complete code of life that demands its own ascendancy and,
correspondingly, a comprehensive and holistic view of the obligations of a Muslim
that particularly takes into account the inescapable duty to strive for the
supremacy of Islam”.
Islamic supremacy is therefore the belief of, and/or
promotion of the belief, that Islam is superior to any other religion and
ideology, and therefore, Muslims are to religiously dominate over all other
faiths. In Political terms ‘Islamic Supremacy’ can be describe as a political
ideology that perpetuates and maintains the socio-political dominance of Islam
and in turn Muslims. It is therefore, a mandatory call of duty pronounced upon
each and every Muslim anywhere in the world to endeavour towards establishing
absolute supremacy of Islam, and to strictly abide by its guidelines at all
times.
Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah says, “There
is no doubt that whoever does not believe in the obligation to rule by what
Allah has revealed to His Messenger is a disbeliever. Whoever sanctions another
to rule a people in whichever way he pleases, without reference to what Allah
has revealed, is a disbeliever. He may claim to be just, but there is no people
who would not claim to be just, even if this justice were only discernible to
the powerful amongst them.ʹ Indeed many of those who like to call themselves
Muslims still rule according to the traditions of their people, traditions
which have nothing to do with the Revelation of Allah, such as the ancient
Bedouin codes of honour. Their princes were to be obeyed and they thought that
their traditions were more appropriate to their people than the Shariʹah
revealed by Allah. This is disbelief. Many people have accepted Islam yet rule
only by force of habit which, like an addiction, demands its own continued
observance. If any of them come to realise that it is not permitted for them to
rule by anything other than by what Allah has revealed, yet still refuse to do
so, and endorse a rule that is against what Allah has revealed, then they are
disbelievers.ʹ [Majmuʹat at‐Tawhid, ch. 12)
So this injunction of anything but the rule of by way of
Allah and his Messenger is loud and clear, and whoever goes against it is a ‘Disbeliever’. This in its self is a
topic for another day, but, with this ambition of Islamic Supremacy in mind
there are many Islamists whom deceitfully label any form of critique of Islam
with an exaggerated case of Islamophobia. In principle if we define the term
Islamophobia, it is, prejudice against, hatred towards, or irrational fear of
Muslims. In a secular society there is no room for this form of prejudice,
hatred, and irrational fear of Islam, or any other religion for that matter!
BUT, if we denounce this, then surely we have to denounce religious belief that
promotes any form of Religious Phobia as well. Unbeknown to a vast majority of
Muslims, the orthodox Islam has a severe case of intolerance towards non-believers,
Christians, and Jews. For instance:
Qur'an (5:51) - "O
you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are
friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then
surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people."
Tafsir Ibn Khatir:
Allah forbids His believing servants from having Jews and Christians as
friends, because they are the enemies of Islam and its people, may Allah curse
them. Allah then states that they are friends of each other and He gives a
warning threat to those who do this, (And if any among you befriends them, then
surely he is one of them.) Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Umar ordered Abu Musa
Al-Ash`ari to send him on one sheet of balance the count of what he took in and
what he spent. Abu Musa then had a Christian scribe, and he was able to comply
with `Umar's demand. `Umar liked what he saw and exclaimed, "This scribe
is proficient. Would you read in the Masjid a letter that came to us from
Ash-Sham'' Abu Musa said, `He cannot.'' `Umar said, "Is he not pure'' Abu
Musa said, "No, but he is Christian.'' Abu Musa said, "So `Umar
admonished me and poked my thigh (with his finger), saying, `Drive him out
(from Al-Madinah).
Arbitrating above verse in this day and age would tantamount
to a detestable form of phobia against Christianity! Also a much touted about
Hadith that one of the most prominent Sunni Muslim Islamic scholar of the
latter half of the twentieth century, Shaikh Al-Uthaymeen fails miserably to
defend is narrated by Muslim, 2167. [Or
see Hadith - Sahih Bukhari Book 25, Number 5389, Narrated AbuHurayrah ] Prophet
Mohamad said: “Do not initiate the
greeting of salaam to a Jew or Christian, and if you meet them in the street,
push them to the narrowest part of the road."
On shielding this Hadith from criticism Shaykh Uthaymeen
said, " What this [Hadith] means is,
do not give them lots of space when you meet them, so that they have plenty of
room and you are constricted; rather continue in the direction in which you
were headed, and if there is to be any constriction, make it for them. It is
well known that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when
he saw the kuffaar (such as the Jews who lived in Madeenah), did not push them
so that they ended up against the wall, and neither did his Sahaabah (may
Allaah be pleased with them) after they conquered other regions. So what is
meant is that just as you should not initiate the greeting with them, you
should not make way for them if you meet them; rather you should keep going in
the direction in which you were headed, and let them be constricted if the road
is not wide enough. There is nothing in this hadeeth to put people off Islam,
rather it is a manifestation of the pride of the Muslim, and shows that he does
not humble himself before anyone except his Lord.” [Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn
'Uthaymeen, 3/38,]
There are many instances in Hadith literature that indicate
that a Muslim should only chose a believer as a friend. Abu Dawud (41:4815) - "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he
makes his friend."
Abu Dawud (41:4832) - The Messenger of Allah [said] "Do
not keep company with anyone but a believer and do not let anyone eat your food
but one who is pious."
Bukhari (59:572) - "O
you who believe! Take not my enemies And your enemies as friends offering them
(Your) love even though they have disbelieved in that Truth (i.e. Allah,
Prophet Muhammad and this Quran) which has come to you."
A very clear explanation of the above verse and hadiths,
straight from the horse’s mouth. [Please watch the video before reading
further]:
After watching the video, one should have a bonafide
question, that in any civilised society, would Muslim communities not be
completely up in arms, had this form of prejudice towards Muslims were to be
inculcated by Christians or Jews?
Hard-line Muslims would most probably be outraged, and, therefore, would
successfully incite protests to curb this from of treatment and attitude if it were
to be sermonised by Christian or Jewish clerics. So how do Muslims justify this
form of hate mongering derived very clearly from the teachings of Islam is
beyond me.
This hadith [Muslim, 2167, or Sahih Bukhari Book 25, Number
5389, Narrated AbuHurayrah] and verse (5:51) are not the only ones. For
example: "Whoever resembles a
people, he is one of them." [Mitsnad Ahmad, 2/50 Abu Dawud with ahadeeth
of good narration #4031. It has been authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih
al•Jami'#6149 3rd ed]. The Qur’anic scripture and Hadith literature have
many other injunctions prohibiting Muslims to befriend, imitate, or to take
disbelievers as supporters under any circumstances except in 2 cases:
- In hope of the disbelievers’ conversion and acceptance of Islam as the One true faith.
- In ‘fear a danger’ from the disbelievers. Although, in fear of a danger Muslims are only allowed to show friendship to the disbelievers outwardly, but never inwardly (meaning in their heart).
Qur’an 3:28. "Let
not the believers take the disbelievers as friends instead of the believers,
and whoever does that, will never be helped by Allah in any way, unless you
indeed fear a danger from them. And Allah warns you against Himself, and to
Allah is the final return”
Tafsir Ibn Khatir:
Allah prohibited His believing servants from becoming supporters of the
disbelievers, or to take them as comrades with whom they develop friendships,
rather than the believers. Allah warned against such behaviour when He said,
(And whoever does that, will never be helped by Allah in any way) meaning,
whoever commits this act that Allah has prohibited, then Allah will discard
him. Similarly, Allah said, (O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your
enemies as friends, showing affection towards them), until, (And whosoever of
you does that, then indeed he has gone astray from the straight path.) ﴿60:1﴾.
Allah said, (O you who believe! Take not for friends disbelievers instead of
believers. Do you wish to offer Allah a manifest proof against yourselves) ﴿
4:144 ﴾, and, (O you who believe! Take not the Jews and
the Christians as friends, they are but friends of each other. And whoever
befriends them, then surely, he is one of them.) ﴿5:51﴾Allah
said, after mentioning the fact that the faithful believers gave their support
to the faithful believers among the Muhajirin, Ansar and Bedouins, (And those
who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you do not behave the same,
there will be Fitnah and oppression on the earth, and a great mischief and
corruption.) ﴿8:73﴾.Allah said next, (unless you
indeed fear a danger from them) meaning, except those believers who in some
areas or times fear for their safety from the disbelievers. In this case, such
believers are allowed to show friendship to the disbelievers outwardly, but
never inwardly. For instance, Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Ad-Darda' said,
"We smile in the face of some people although our hearts curse them.''
Al-Bukhari said that Al-Hasan said, "The Tuqyah is allowed until the Day
of Resurrection.'' Allah said, (And Allah warns you against Himself.) meaning,
He warns you against His anger and the severe torment He prepared for those who
give their support to His enemies, and those who have enmity with His friends,
(And to Allah is the final return) meaning, the return is to Him and He will
reward or punish each person according to their deeds.
Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Ibn Abi Ad-Dahqanah said, "`Umar bin Al-Khattab was told, ‘There
is young man here from the people of Hirah (in Iraq, who were Christians) who
is a proficient scribe. Why do you not appoint him as a scribe' `Umar said, `I
would then be taking advisors from among the disbelievers.'' The Ayah 3:18 ["O you who believe! do not take for
intimate friends from among others than your own people, they do not fall short
of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has
already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is
greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you
will understand."] and the story about `Umar testify to the fact
that Muslims are not allowed to use Ahl Adh-Dhimmah to be scribes in matters
that affect the affairs of Muslims and expose their secrets, for they might
convey these secrets to combatant disbelievers.”
This deep-seated paranoia is installed amongst most Muslims that
the rest of the world especially Christians and Jews are out to get them. And
that the Kuffar are always at work in corrupting the Ummah. For this very
reason there are numerous proscriptions in orthodox Islam that again a vast
majority of Muslims either, do not know, or simply do not follow.
In the book ‘Imitation of the Kuffar’ Dr. Nasr al-Aql
(affiliated with Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah) writes, “Muslims are strictly forbidden to imitate the disbelievers or the
Kuffar. In Islamic terminology al-tashbeeh, refers to imitating the Kuffar in
matters of belief, worship, habit, and behaviour. It also refers to imitating the
impious, whether they are sinful Muslims, or even the ignorant Muslims. So
generally whatever is typical of the Kuffar in, beliefs, worships, habits, and
behaviours, and whatever that contradicts the Qur'an and Sunnah is imitation of
the Kuffar. The orthodoxy of Islam teaches the Muslims that imitation would
always result in heinous acts”. Therefore these teachings are to abided by
all Muslims all the time, because, the imitator apparently, in most cases,
develops an admiration for the Kuffar, and admiration for their religion, their
habits, their behaviours and their deeds, an admiration for what the Kuffar
have won through their corruption and falsehood. The Islamic scholarship
believes that this admiration leads Muslims to reject the Sunnah, and the truth
and guidance which the Messenger delivered. It is their belief that if one
imitates a people he is agreeing with them, he is pleased with and admires
their doings.
"Whoever contends
with the Messenger after guidance has become clear for him, and he follows
other than the way of the believers, We shall leave him to it and land him in
Jahannam what an evil refuge." (an-Nisaa' 4:115).
Dr. Nasr al-Aql furthermore draws the conclusion that
similarities between the imitator and the imitated cause a common appearance
between the copier and the copied. Leading to an attraction from the heart, a
commonality in speech and deeds which affects faith. All of this must be
avoided by the Muslims. The Prophet Mohamad warned against imitating the
Kuffar. He said, "Whoever resembles
a people, he is one of them." [Mitsnad Ahmad, 2/50 Abu Dawud with a
hadeeth of good narration #4031. It has been authenticated by Al-Albani in
Sahih al Jami' #6149 3rd ed.]
The prohibition for Muslims for imitating the Kuffar
includes the idolaters, the Jews, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, the
Sabians, the heretics as well as others. So Muslims are forbidden from all of
what is specific to the Kuffar in worship, in manners, and apparel. Just as
when the Prophet saw Abd Allah Ibn Umar wearing two garments died in saffron he
said to him. "Indeed these are the
garments of the Kuffar so do not wear them.” This hadith insinuates that
the Muslim is interdicted to even wear a garment which is specific to the
Kuffar. (Imitation of the Kuffar’ Dr. Nasr al-Aql)
Moving on to another aspect of Islam, which I find
completely anti-pluralistic, especially due to presence of a large number of
Muslims who coexist in today’s diverse communities in major cities around Europe,
UK, and the US. Through the teachings of Islam it becomes extremely difficult
to develop a cordial inter-faith and cross-community relations, as Islam askes
Muslims to denounce festivities of the Kuffar. For instance greeting the Kuffar
on Christmas and other similar holidays of theirs’ is Haraam by Ittifaaq
(consensus of the scholars), as Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn al-Qayyim said in Ahkaam
Ahl adh-Dhimmah, “Congratulating the
Kuffar on the rituals that belong to them is prohibited by consensus, as is
congratulating them on their festivals by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or
‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on…”. It is also prohibited for a Muslim
to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than
congratulating them, as it implies taking part in their celebrations and affirming
their false beliefs. Furthermore, Muslims are also forbidden to imitate the
Kuffar by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out
sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc. because the Prophet Muhammad
said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” i.e. a Kaffir. This hadeeth
was authenticated by a great deal of scholars including Abu Dawood, Ibn
Hibbaan, Ibn Hajar, Az-Zarqaani, Adh-Dhahabi, Al-Haythami, Al-’Iraaqi,
As-Sakhaawi, As-San’aani, Muhammad Jaarullaah As-Sa’di, Ahmad Shaakir, Ibn
Baaz, Al-Albaani, Ibn `Uthaymeen, and others.
Ibn Taymiyyah, in his book Iqtidaa’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem
Mukhaalafatu Ashaab’il-Jaheem (In Pursuit of the Straight Path by Contradicting
the People of the Hellfire), said, “Imitating
them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false
beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the
opportunity to mislead the weak”. Therefore, a slightest indulgence by a
Muslim towards anything of this sort is a sin”.
In Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, (3/369)
says that it is Haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on occasions of the
Kuffar, because it is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part
in their celebrations even if he does it out of politeness, friendliness,
shyness, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islam and
it makes the Kuffar feel proud of their ways and festivals. An Arab Islamic
lecturer Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid adds that Ibn al-Qayyim said, “It is not permissible for the Muslims to
attend the festivals of the mushrikeen, according to the consensus of the
scholars whose words carry weight. The fuqaha’ who follow the four schools of
thought have stated this clearly in their books… Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a
saheeh isnaad from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab that he said: “Do not enter upon the
mushrikeen in their churches on the day of their festival, for divine wrath is
descending upon them.” And ‘Umar also said: “Avoid the enemies of Allaah on
their festivals.” Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a jayyid isnaad from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn
‘Amr that he said: “Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs and celebrates
their New Year and festival and imitates them until he dies in that state, will
be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” [Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,
1/723-724]”.
When all is said and done, I fully concede that Islam does
not allow the hatred towards disbelievers to manifest through acts of
transgression against innocent people living in a peaceful society. Qur’an: “Allaah does not prevent you from dealing
justly and kindly with those who have not fought against you nor expelled you
from your homelands. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity.” [Meaning
of Quran 60:8]. While Muslims are required to love and hate for the sake of
Allaah, they are also commanded to be fair and deal with people fairly and
kindly. Unjustly transgressing against non-Muslims’ personal safety and
property is strictly forbidden in Islam. However, the formulaic wellspring of
complete belief in the notion of Walaa’ (loyalty) and baraa’ (disallegiance)
are essential foundations of Islam. Therefore, love and hate for the sake of
Allah is one of the guiding principles of true and complete Islamic faith. Shaykh
Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan commented, “Walaa’
and baraa’ (the islamic system of loyalty) is a must. The religion (of a
person) is not valid without both of them.”
Just a while ago Yusuf Estes a renowned televangelist was
fiercely reprimand and relegated as he sermonised that Islam does not require
anyone to hate any of the people. He added that he doesn’t want a religion that
requires him to hate some people. Regarding Yusuf Estes’s preaching, Shaykh
‘Abdur-Rahman Muhyiud-Deen, (Former Professor at the Islamic University of
al-Madeenah and Mufti at the Prophet’s Masjid) said, “This poor, misguided person does not know about Islam. Someone who
says that Islam does not include any hatred, and (this includes) that it does
not include love either, since love and hatred [are inseparable]... This is
Liberalist philosophy. The Shaytan (Devil) has spoken upon this person’s tongue
when he said there is no hatred, since there would be no love either, as a
logical result. Impossible. You must hate disbelief and its people. You detest
disbelief and its people. Could you watch the cross being worshipped and say:
Be happy, there’s nothing (wrong) with that, or it’s nothing?! He would either
be happy, or say there is nothing wrong. There is absolutely something wrong here,
why is that? Because everything that is worshipped besides Allah is an enemy to
Allah! All of mankind are required to worship Allah, (O Mankind!) What?
[Students reply, (Worship your Lord).] [2:21] It is a must to love Allah, (You
do not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having mutual love
for those who have opposed Allah [and His Messenger]) [58:22] There are some
people who take(things) less than Allah... As what? (As partners, loving them
as they love Allah. However, the people who believe have stronger [love for
Allah]) [2:165] Love and hatred are found in the heart, however they appear
outwardly, just as eman (faith) is found in the heart and appears on the limbs
as well. Eman is in the heart, love is in the heart, and hatred is in the
heart. They (all) become manifest on the limbs, as Allah, the Mighty and
Exalted, has said. (Refer to Soorah al-Baqarah [2:143] and how Allah referred
to prayer as eman, while prayer consists of outward movements and statements)
This is similar to how a tree contains water, right? When a tree receives
enough water it becomes green. When it receives less water, it turns yellow.
When the water is scarce, what happens? It dies! Similar to this is eman - when
it is alive in the heart, it has righteous deeds that extend and increase it,
since it may increase or decrease. How? By righteous actions. It increases with
good deeds and decreases with bad deeds. It is not possible for the tree of
eman to be green in such a bankrupt person’s heart. Rather it is dead! He does
not hate disbelief and its people?! Think about the idols, huh? What did
Ibrahim do to them? What did he do to them? Maa shaa’ Allah, playing games...
Relics (of art or ancient civilizations)! Leave them as relics, what do you
think? Their idols! What did Ibrahim do? (He then broke them into pieces,
except for a large one they had) [21:58] He challenged their faith! Allah made
Ibrahim a patron ally! Did he hate for Allah’s sake or not? Did he break their
idols or not? He the Messenger, what did he do with the idols of Quraysh when
he came to Makkah? Did he leave them (as relics)? Huh? Did he leave them – O
people! – What did he do? He broke them, how many of them? (The truth has
come...) [17:81], and what? (And falsehood has perished)... Did he break them
or not? Allahuakbar. As for him saying, “There is no hatred (in Islam),” why is
there no hatred? How is there no hatred? This poor person does not know about
Islam! He is astray, leading others astray, he and those who follow him.
[Someone reminds the shaykh of a hadeeth...] Well done! He has reminded us with
the hadith (Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah #1728): ‘The strongest handhold
of eman is to love for Allah’s sake and to hate Allah’s sake.’….” (Jumu’ah
prayer on the 16th of April 26, 2013)
I know most Muslims would find this bumf as a rank
treachery, or an egregious propaganda. But, whenever any Islamist plays the
‘Islamophobia’ card, they should first impartially reflect on the teachings of
Orthodox Islam. These teachings demand supremacy, these teachings mandate detestation
of people and what it considers to be their falsehood, these teachings edict Muslims
to not befriend disbelievers, these teachings firmly instruct its adherents to abstain
from imitating the disbelievers (Kuffar), these teachings exhort anti-pluralistic
commands, these teachings stress on manifestation of enmity by all Muslims towards
disbelief and the people who hold these beliefs, and these teachings even pronounce
Muslims to be disbelievers if they do not completely submit to the rule of
Islam, as Shaikh Ibn Taymiyyah says, “There
is no doubt that whoever does not believe in the obligation to rule by what
Allah has revealed to His Messenger is a disbeliever”.
Al‐Walaʹ waʹl-Bara is a sacramental obligation placed upon
all Muslims, and for Muslims to not acknowledge this extreme prejudice against
disbelievers, is to persist in a state of obstinate denial. Therefore, as an
end note, I would like to once again quote Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah:
“The declaration of
faith, ʺThere is no god but Allahʺ, requires you to love only for the sake of
Allah, to hate only for the sake of Allah, to ally yourself only for the sake
of Allah, to declare enmity only for the sake of Allah; it requires you to love
what Allah loves and to hate what Allah hates.ʹ It also requires you to ally
yourself to the Muslims wherever you find them and to oppose the disbelievers
even if they are your closest kin.” [Ibn Taimiya, al‐Ihtijaj biʹl‐Qadar, p.62]
Sources:
