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muhammad332
09-14-2014, 11:25 AM
This is from Exploring Islam website:

What constitutes a legitimate and a true Islamic state

By: Abdullah Rahim

It is one thing to seek power and revenge out of emotion and anger, but another to establish an Islamic state. If we are not good enough to do the second, then let us at least be brave enough to refrain from doing the first in the name of God!

We are responsible for our actions. If we come across an argument that questions the validity of our action, then the onus is on us to either revise our thought or to find an honest counter argument in our conscience. Without this or that, we may find ourselves at doors of hell in the hereafter. This is even more important when our actions affect human beings’ lives and also influence how Islam and Muslims will be perceived by the rest of the world.

The following 15 points refer to some of the requirements and principles related to those who are after or are part of a so called Islamic state. Ignoring even one of the following can make the situation ‘state versus Islam’ rather than ‘Islamic state’:

1. Establishing an Islamic State is not an obligation:

Contrary to a common belief by many Muslims. We do not have any evidences in the reliable sources of Islam that obliges us to work towards establishing an Islamic state. Having an Islamic state is of course helpful and it will lead to some duties for both the state and the citizens, however there is no basis to argue that this is an obligation.

2. According to the Qur’an no state or head of state can be imposed on Muslims:

The basis of making an Islamic state is Shora (42:38). This is what differentiates a legitimate state from a non-legitimate one. This means people delegate the selection of the head of the state to their elected representatives. This may also materialise in the form of voting. In any case, source of political authority is people, not arms and force of a particular group. The prophet (pbuh) did not told people of Medina that he wanted to establish a state in their land. It was the people of Medina who demanded the prophet to do so.

3. It is not implementing Shari’ah, but implementing Justice that is the main sign of an Islamic state:

The first and the foremost duty of an Islamic state is to bring justice to the land (4:58). Contrary to what many believe, implementing the Shari’ah is not the sign of an Islamic state. Everyone can punish a thief or regulate financial transactions. It is establishing justice that is a definite sign of an Islamic state. This of course does not mean that this is the only sign.

4. An Islamic state looks for excuses to ignore and forgive, it is not keen to punish

The most important attitude of an Islamic state should be the attitude of rahmah (passion and mercy). This was also the attitude of the prophet (pbuh) towards both Muslims and non-Muslims. On the basis of this the prophet (pbuh) was not keen to find criminals to punish them. He would not send his companions around to look at every corner of the land in a hope to find someone who was committing a punishable act. On the contrary he would ignore such criminals unless they would create anarchy in the land or were brought to the justice by other citizens or would themselves insist to be punished. Even in these cases the prophet (pbuh) would look for excuses to reduce the level of punishment for the person.

5. There is no basis in Islam to force people to become Muslim or leave their homeland

None of the wars at the time of the prophet (pbuh) were to force Islam to others. Islam does not mean submitting to Muslims! It means submitting to God. God does not appreciate forced submission otherwise He would have obliged people to accept His religion (2:256). The offensive wars at the time of the prophet (pbuh) were all based on the Sunnah of the Almighty ‘specific’ for the time when a messenger is sent to a nation (58:21). According to this Sunnah once the direct addressees of a messenger reject the message for no other reason but their own arrogance, their punishment will start at this very world and continues to the hereafter (9:13, 14). This is why the rejecters from among the people of Noah (pbuh) were punished and this is also why the rejecters from among the people of Muhammad (pbuh) were punished. Jaziya (non-Muslim tax) too was a form of punishment for those people of the book ‘at the time of the messenger (pbuh)’ who rejected him despite knowing the truth of his message (6:20). At our time no one has any authority to threaten others to force them to become Muslim. Just as no one has any authority to demand jaziya from non-Muslims in a Muslim land. All the verses of the sura of Taubah that are normally referred to in order to force people in Islam are specific to the messenger (pbuh), his companions and the rejecters at his time. This is all God’s business not ours!

6. There is a difference between infidel (kafir) and non-Muslim

Non-Muslim is the one who is not Muslim. Based on the Qur’an, infidel (kafir) is one who rejects the truth out of arrogance. This is in particularly the case when God sends a messenger and the messenger, with the help of divine support, clarifies the truth for its direct addressees. At our time, no one can claim that he has clarified the truth for others and no one can claim that the reason for which a person has rejected the truth is in fact arrogance. Therefore at our time we cannot call non-Muslims, infidels (kuffar). We cannot assume the role of a messenger of God or God Himself!

7. According to the Qur’an, Shia and Sunni sects are both Muslims

The criteria for being part of the community of Muslims according to the Qur’an is accepting God and His prophet (pbuh) and establishing payers and paying zakah (9:11). Both Shia and Sunni sects are doing this. They are therefore both equally Muslims.

8. Taking the life of a human being is a punishable crime unless it is for one of the two reasons listed in the Qur’an

Life is a precious gift of the Almighty. We are not allowed to kill even animals without God’s permission, let alone a human being. According to the Qur’an there can only be two reasons why a human being may be executed. The first is to punish a murderer, the second is to punish one who systematically and forcefully works to create anarchy and insecurity in the land (e.g. armed groups of bandits). Any other act of killing is equal to murder and punishable in this world and the hereafter (5:32, 33).

9. Killing civilians (non-combatants) is forbidden

The women of Quraysh used to be very influential in encouraging their men to fight with Muslims. Yet, according to reports, the prophet (pbuh) did not allow harming them and when heard that a non-combat woman had been killed, became angry with the person who was responsible for this (Bukhari, 4:52:257, Muslim 19:4319).

10. The motivation is Islam not emotion

The prophet (pbuh) did not fight people due to being angry with them or to avenge or to scare them off. He fought them because this was what God wanted him to do. No matter how one may have been treated by others, no matter how oppressed a nation is, they can only seek a solution based on the principles of Islam. They need to submit to God rather than their emotions and anger.

11. There is no slavery in Islam

Islam only regulated a practice that was firmly established in most of the world at the time of the prophet (pbuh). Regulations of Islam about slavery are working towards its elimination rather than development. There is no basis at our time to seek slaves in the name of Islam.

12. There is a difference between bid’ah (religious innovation) and new practices

Bid’ah (religious innovation) by definition relates to any religious act that is not originated in Islam but is added to the corpus of Islam as part of the religion of Islam. By this definition, acts that are not within the context of religion (e.g. sitting on chair) or acts that are within the context of religion but are not claimed to be part of the religion of Islam (e.g. reading the Qur’an together) are not acts of bid’ah.

13. Prisoners of war are not executed

First, just as killing non-combatant is not allowed in Islam (point 9), keeping a non-combatant as a prisoner or ransom is also not allowed. Second, there is no basis in Islam for executing or harming the prisoners of war. They should be released either for free or in return for a legitimate demand or according to the contracts between the nations. As long as they are kept as prisoners they should be treated well.

14. War does not justify inaccuracy

According to the reports, when the army of Islam was marching towards Mecca to capture the city, the prophet (pbuh) appointed one of his companions to guard a dog who was feeding his poppies in their way. This is in fact an illustration of attitude of Ihsan in the prophet (pbuh) as instructed in the Qur’an, 4:125. In no circumstances a Muslim is allowed to create disorder and expand violence and chaos in order to achieve what he/she perceives as an Islamic objective.

15. Following agreements supersedes the welfare of Muslims

The Qur’an (8:72) instructed Muslims in Medina to help those Muslims in Mecca who were under oppression. Then an exemption was given: Unless this means going against those non-Muslims with whom Muslims have signed an agreement. Following agreements is so important in Islam that the Muslim state was forbidden to help oppressed Muslims since this meant breaking agreement with the oppressing non-Muslims.

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The above are 15 of the points directly related to any group of Muslims who are after establishing an Islamic state. I can only repeat what I started this writing with:

"It is one thing to seek power and revenge out of emotion and anger, but another to establish an Islamic state. If we are not good enough to do the second, then let us at least be brave enough to refrain from doing the first in the name of God."
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BilalKid
09-20-2014, 02:26 AM
Has this been made already? where is it ^o)
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saif-uddin
09-21-2014, 11:52 AM
The Original post reeks of ignorrance,

starting with point 1.

1. Establishing an Islamic State is not an obligation:

Contrary to a common belief by many Muslims. We do not have any evidences in the reliable sources of Islam that obliges us to work towards establishing an Islamic state. Having an Islamic state is of course helpful and it will lead to some duties for both the state and the citizens, however there is no basis to argue that this is an obligation.

There are Several Ayaat concerning Judgements and Rulings, which cannot be implemented, if an Islamic state is not established.

It is an Obligation for the Muslimeen to strive to establish the Shariah of Allah ta'ala, through all halaal means available.

only the corrupt will be content or happy with a rotten system like Democracy.

:jz:
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saif-uddin
09-21-2014, 11:56 AM
Next pont that reeks of Ignorrance ...

3. It is not implementing Shari’ah, but implementing Justice that is the main sign of an Islamic state:

The first and the foremost duty of an Islamic state is to bring justice to the land (4:58). Contrary to what many believe, implementing the Shari’ah is not the sign of an Islamic state. Everyone can punish a thief or regulate financial transactions. It is establishing justice that is a definite sign of an Islamic state. This of course does not mean that this is the only sign.

once again the person who wrote th above is doesn't seem to realise that the Shariah Law of Allah ta'ala exists to Establish Justice,

to claim that we should establish Justice without implementing any Law is absurd and ignorrant.

Justice cannot be Established without the Implementation of Law,

wihtout Law, you cannot maintain order, and without order, you have nothing but Anarchism.

:jz:
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greenhill
10-11-2014, 04:26 PM
Peace be to you, br.muhammad332

This is your first post since you have been a member, I noticed. Should I be welcoming you? :p

Welcome to the forum. But 3 weeks on, this remains your only post and no introduction? ^o)

Nice post, applicable on an individual level too. But the quote about seeking power...revenge.. and Islamic state. are they not mutually exclusive? I reckon it is all about intention.

So, will we hear from you again... . . .Or have the counters/stats gone haywire?


:peace:
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Taalibul ilm
10-16-2014, 04:02 AM
I agree with brother saif-uddeen. Some of the points listed are product of jahaalat. Looks like it was written by a modernist.

This ones the most laughable:

7.
According to the Qur’an, Shia and Sunni sects are both Muslims
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Taalibul ilm
10-16-2014, 04:05 AM
13. Prisoners of war are not executed

First, just as killing non-combatant is not allowed in Islam (point 9), keeping a non-combatant as a prisoner or ransom is also not allowed. Second, there is no basis in Islam for executing or harming the prisoners of war. They should be released either for free or in return for a legitimate demand or according to the contracts between the nations. As long as they are kept as prisoners they should be treated well.

Incorrect. Prisoners may be killed of taken for ransom. There is ikhtilaaf between the madhabs on this point.
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