Concepts of Hizb ut-Tahrir: Page 51 – 60

The state implements the Islamic Shar’a upon all those who hold citizenship, whether Muslim or otherwise. With regards to non-Muslims they should be left to practise their own belief and worships. They are treated in the matters of foodstuffs and clothes according to their religion within the framework of public order. The matters of family affairs amongst themselves, such as marriage and divorce, will be settled according to their religions. As for the rest of the Islamic Shari’ah like matters of transactions (mu’amalat), penal code, ruling and economic systems, they are implemented upon all citizens, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. With regards to Muslims, the state implements the entire Islamic Shari’ah upon them, whether in the area of worship, morals, transactions, penal code and so on. The duty of the state is to implement Islam completely and to consider its implementation upon non-Muslims as Da’wah for them to Islam. This is because the Sharee’ah is universal to mankind; and the state implements it in every country under its rule in order to convey the call to its people. The secret of success behind the Islamic conquests is to deliver the call to Islam to the non-Muslims.

Islam has an ‘aqeedah from which a system emanates. This system consists of the Sharee’ah rules derived from the detailed evidences. Islam has demonstrated in its system how its rules are to be implemented via the Sharee’ah rules. The Shar’ai rules which demonstrate the manner of implementation are the method (Tareeqah); and all rules beyond that are parts of the idea (fikrah). Accordingly, Islam is a fikrah (idea) and Tareeqah (method). Thus, the ‘aqeedah and the Shar’ai rules which solve man’s problems make-up the fikrah, and the Shari’ah rules which demonstrate the manner of implementing these solutions, protecting the creed and the way to carry the da’wah are the Tareeqah. Islam’s Tareeqah is of the same nature as its fikrah and it is a part of Islam. It is not allowed to confine the call for Islam to only demonstrating its fikrah but rather the call must also include the Tareeqah as well. Therefore, the mabda’a (ideology) is a combination of the fikrah and Tareeqah. The belief in the Tareeqah is as important as the belief in the fikrah. It is necessary that the Tareeqah and the fikrah be an indivisible whole, linked together tightly such that nothing but the Islamic Tareeqah is used in the implementation of the Islamic fikrah. Both of them form Islam by which it is governed and for which the call is conveyed. Since the Tareeqah exists in the Shari’ah, it should be restricted to that which the Shari’ah has brought and what is derived from its texts. As the rules of the fikrah were included in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, likewise the rules of the Tareeqah were also embodied in the Qur’an and Sunnah. When Allah (swt) says;

“And if you fear treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly.” [TMQ Al-Anfal:58]

This is from the rules of the Tareeqah. Also, the saying of the Prophet (saw),

“Don’t wish to face the enemy and if you face him, be patient”, is from the rules of the Tareeqah. Subsequently, all the rules of the Tareeqah, like all other rules, are derived by ijtihad from the Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma’a and Qiyas. Since the Sunnah is an explanation of the Qur’an, the fikrah is summed up in the Qur’an and detailed in the Sunnah. The Tareeqah is also summed up in the Qur’an and detailed in the Sunnah. It is obligatory to take as the light of guidance Sayyidinaa Muhammad (saw), the Messenger of Allah. We should take the rules of the Tareeqah from his deeds, which exist in his Sirah (life) and from his speech and consent as we take them from the Qur’an, since all that is Shari’ah. We make our example in understanding the Sirah, the rightly guided Khulafa’a and all the other Sahabah; and we make our rational understanding the effective means in the understanding and derivation (of rules) according to the Shar’ai method.

The Shar’ai rules that explain the way of implementation indicate actions. These actions must be performed, whether related to implementation or to carrying the da’wah. These actions cannot be viewed as a means, because means (waseelah) are a device used when performing an action. These means differ when the actions differ, and they change according to the situation and are determined by the type of action. Therefore it does not take one form. However the actions indicated by the Tareeqah do not change, rather they should be performed based upon the text. So it should be noted that no action other than that explained by the Shar’a could be undertaken. Additionally, no action should be undertaken except in the context defined by Hukm Shar’ai.

On examining those actions which are defined by the Shar’ai rules related to the Tareeqah, we find that they are materialistic actions achieving tangible results. They are not actions aimed at achieving non-tangible results, even though both actions achieve the same value. For example, supplication (dua’a) is a materialistic action that achieves a spiritual value, and jihad is also a materialistic action that achieves a spiritual value. However, dua’a, although being a materialistic action, it achieves a non-tangible result which is the reward even if the intention of its performer was to achieve a spiritual value. This is in contrast to jihad, fighting against the enemy is a materialistic action which achieves a tangible result, e.g. the opening of a fortress or city, or killing the enemy and the like, even if the intention of the mujahid was to achieve the spiritual value. The actions of the Tareeqah are materialistic actions that achieve tangible results and they differ from other actions. Therefore, dua’a is not taken as a method for jihad, though the mujahid prays to Allah. Likewise, preaching is not taken as a method to deter the thief, though he is advised and instructed. Allah (swt) says,

“And fight them until persecution is no more, and all deen is for Allah.” [TMQ Al-Baqarah:193]

Allah (swt) also says;

“And for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands.” [TMQ Al-Maidah:38]

It is completely unacceptable that all actions used to implement the Islamic Fikrah be those actions that achieve non-tangible results. This is contrary to the nature of the Islamic Tareeqah. In this respect there is no difference between actions used to implement the rules related to the solving of the problems or actions used to convey the Islamic da’wah. Salah, for example, is considered part of the fikrah, and the Tareeqah of its implementation is the state. It is not permissible for the state to use education and instruction alone as a Tareeqah to make people perform the salah. Rather the state has to punish anyone who abandons prayer, for example by material actions such as imprisonment, even though the state undertakes education and instruction. Similarly carrying the Islamic da’wah is part of the fikrah, and the Tareeqah of its implementation by the state is jihad, i.e. fighting against the enemies. So it is not permissible for the state to use the reading of Sahih Al-Bukhari as a method to remove the materialistic obstacles from the way of the da’wah. Instead the state must use jihad as a Tareeqah which is the materialistic fight against the enemies. The same applies to all actions related to the Tareeqah.

It must be noted that though the action indicated by the Tareeqah is a materialistic action which achieves tangible results, this action should be directed by the commands and prohibitions of Allah with the intention of earning Allah (swt) pleasure. The Muslim must also be dominated by his awareness of his relationship with Allah, so he seeks nearness to Allah through salah, dua’a, recitation of the Qur’an and so on. He must also believe that Nasr is from Allah. It is necessary that Muslims maintain taqwa established in the heart to implement the rules of Allah. It is also necessary to make dua’a and to remember Allah (dhikr), and to maintain the relationship with Allah whenever undertaking all actions.

This is regarding the Tareeqah being Shar’ai rules which we must follow and are not allowed to disagree with and concerning these actions and the fact they achieve tangible results. However in regards of achieving the results, we should follow the practical principle, which means that actions should be based on the thought and it should be for the sake of a specific goal. This is because the sensation of a reality connected with the previous information should produce thought. This thought should be linked with the action and the thought, and action should be for the sake of a specific objective and all this should be based on the iman, in order to keep the individual permanently in the atmosphere of iman. It is not permitted at all to separate action from thought or from the specific objective or from iman, since this separation, no matter how small, is very harmful on the action itself, on its results and to its continuity. This specific objective should be understood and clear for each individual who wants to perform any action before they can embark on this action. It is also obligatory that the sensory perception be the basis, i.e. the understanding and thought be the result of sensation and not of mere hypothetical assumption or imagination. The sensation of the reality should be carried to the brain thus generating, together with any previous information (on the issue) brain activity, which is the thought. This is what guarantees depth in thinking and productivity in the action. Sensory perception leads to intellectual sensation, i.e. sensation that is strengthened in the individual by the thought. For example, the sensation of the carriers of the da’wah, once they have understood the da’wah becomes stronger than before. It is dangerous for humans to jump from sensation to action without thinking. Such behaviour will never change the reality. Instead it will make the person succumb to reality and become reactionary proceeding in life with declined thinking and making reality the source of thinking rather than the subject of the thinking. Therefore, sensation should first lead to thought, and then this thought should lead to action. This is the approach that enables man to rise above the reality and enables the effort to move to better situations in a radical way. Any person acting on the basis of his sensation alone will never be able to change the reality but rather adapts himself to it. Thus he will remain backward and in a state of decline. While the one who senses the reality then thinks of the methodology of changing it and then acts according to this thought is the one who changes the reality according to his ideology, and changes it completely. This is the type of person who complies with the radical method, which is the only method to resume the Islamic way of life. This is because this method mandates that thought should result from sensation (of the situation) and this thought be crystallised in a way that the blueprint of the Fikrah and the Tareeqah are well understood. The individual will then understand the ideology correctly leading him to undertake the action. In such a way a complete radical change occurs in the thought, so man proceeds then to prepare the people, societies and environment with this thought, producing a radical change in public opinion after generating general awareness of the ideology (as a Fikrah and Tareeqah). Based upon this and through the ruling authority the ideology will be implemented radically, without accepting any gradual or patchwork implementation. Such a radical method necessitates that the thought should arise from sensation, be linked to the action and aim at a specific objective. Nothing could lead to this except the deep thought.

This deep thought is in need of that which initiates it, develops it and enhances it. Additionally the radical method (of change) requires building people and preparing society with the Islamic Ideology. Generating this deep thought and the preparing of people by the ideology requires from those who work for the change to undertake a detailed study of Islam and society. This cannot be achieved except through culturing the mind with information. Study is the easiest and shortest way to communicate information to the mind in order to help generate the thought.

Islam has its own specific method of study. Following this method alone produces the results of this study. This method mandates that the information be studied to be practised, and the one who studies them should receive them in an effective intellectual way that affects their emotions. This makes their feeling of the life and its responsibilities the result of an effective thought, so as to produce in the one who receives the information the warmth, enthusiasm, thought and broad knowledge simultaneously, making the implementation an inevitable result. This method generates understanding in the individual and ability to communicate that which they understand in an effective manner. It broadens the thought and connects it with the feeling and also provides the individual with the facts he or she needs to address the affairs of his or her daily life. Abstract study for the sake of knowledge only should be avoided, so that the individual does not become a walking book. This study should not also be by abstract preaching and instructions; otherwise it becomes shallow and void of the warmth of iman. Similarly the one who studies Islam should not consider the study only as academic knowledge and theoretical preaching. Rather, they should consider it harmful to the work of da’wah and potentially distracting and paralysing it if it was received as such.

To achieve the objective for which the action was performed, it should be conceived that achieving this objective requires seriousness, attention and adherence to the duties obliged by the Hizbi responsibilities in addition to the obligations placed by Islam. Islam has ordered us to perform specific obligations and refrain from certain things covering financial, physical and emotional aspects. Amongst such obligations, some are compulsory and obligatory on everybody, and some are above the compulsory (fards) and obligatory (wajib), fulfilled optionally by those who have intellectual and spiritual elevation. They are those who want to increase their nearness to Allah (swt). Fulfilling these obligations is necessary to achieve the objective. Therefore, everyone should compel their souls and force themselves to fulfil the compulsory obligations in all their aspects; financial, physical and emotional, in order that the hope in achieving the objective exists.

In order that the action be productive it is necessary to define the place where to commence the action and the people with which the work is to be started. Indeed Islam is universal and views all of humankind as the same. In the da’wah, Islam gives no weight to the difference of environment, situation and place etc. Islam considers all humankind as having the ability to embrace the da’wah, and considers Muslims responsible for carrying this da’wah to all of humankind. Despite this, carrying the da’wah to Islam cannot start globally, for if such a start took place it will fail and will not lead to any result. Instead, it should start with the individual, and end with the world. Therefore, the da’wah should be carried in a place where once it is established, this place becomes the starting point (nuqTat el-ibtidaa). Thereafter, this place or any other place where the da’wah was established is then considered as a departure point (nuqTat el-inTilaq) from which the da’wah will proceed on its course. This place or other places are then considered as a support point (nuqTat el-irtikaz) in which the state will be established. Then the state establishes the da’wah in this place and proceeds in its natural way, the way of jihad. However it must be known that although the places are taken as locations for action in every point, it is the da’wah, not the place, which transfers from one point to another and the da’wah transfers simultaneously in all the places where it works. Though it is necessary to define a place to be the starting point after which there will be a departure point and a support point, but determining the place of these three points is not within the sphere which man controls, because man does not possess such knowledge. This issue is within the sphere which dominates man. Man should only proceed in his action within the sphere which he controls. Whereas the actions which are in the other sphere will occur according to the Will and Decree of Allah (swt).

With regards to determining the starting point, it is surely the area where the person in whose mind the first spark of the da’wah is ignited and whom Allah has prepared to convey it, lives. More than one person may share the same sensations, but the person whom Allah has prepared to convey the da’wah would not be known until he appears. The da’wah starts then in the area where he lives, and that area would be the starting point.

The definition of the area which will be the departure point depends on the readiness of the societies, because societies are not the same in their thoughts, emotions and systems. Therefore the area in which the society and the atmosphere are more conducive towards the new idea becomes a departure point. More than likely the area which was the starting point will also be the departure point. though that is not inevitable, since the most favourable place to be the departure point is that place where political and economic oppression prevails, and where atheism and corruption have become excessive and prevalent.

With regards to the support point (nuqTat el-irtikaz), this depends on the success of the da’wah in a specific society. Any place where the da’wah does not create impact on the society and could not create a suitable environment for itself cannot be considered as a support point (nuqTat el-irtikaz) regardless of how great the number of the people who carry the ideology. However, the place where the Fikrah and the Tareeqah are embraced by the society and they dominate its environment is suitable as a support point (nuqTat el-irtikaz), irrespective of the number of people who carry the ideology.

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