Many of the Muslims have been struck by the affliction of fatalism. It is well known that the Prophet (saw) in many hadeeth foretold the domination of Islam over the world, including both the East and the West. There are also many narrations speaking of the return of the Khilafah. However these narrations for some have become a source of apathy where they advise the Muslims that they should not undertake political actions in order to establish the Khilafah rather they should wait for its promised return.

We need to realise the error of this view. In order to do that a clear distinction needs to be made between Aqeedah and the Promises of Allah (swt) and the Shari’ah rules which provide the stimulus and direction for the actions of the believer.

The subject matter of the Aqeedah is the subject matter of belief and creed. This refers to how the most basic questions that human beings must answer are understood. Such as ‘what is the purpose life?’, ‘how did man appear in the universe?’ and ‘what happens after death and does life have any bearing upon it, meaning is there a relationship with this life and what is after this life?’. The answer to these questions form the belief, creed or Aqeedah of the Muslim. The primary concern of these questions is with understanding the reality of this Dunya. Hence, Muslims believe that Allah (swt) created man in order to worship Him and that He (swt) will account man in the Hereafter for every action undertaken in this life whether it was in obedience to Allah (swt), and following His guidance, or not. He (swt) sent Messengers for mankind with His guidance, which was conveyed to them through the Angels.

This Aqeedah alone does not direct any actions, albeit all actions must be based solely upon the Aqeedah. For actions Allah (swt) revealed guidance in the form of Ahkam Shari’ah. So the Islamic economic system, the Islamic ruling system as well as the way to worship Allah (swt) in the Ibadah cannot be comprehended merely through acknowledging the Aqeedah alone. Rather, Ahkam Shari’ah are needed. As a further illustration of this point, Muslims know and believe that Allah (swt) is Ar-Raaziq (the provider of sustenance). So He (swt) sustains the human beings and the animals and everything else in this universe. However this does not mean a Muslim should sit at home and wait for the sustenance (Rizq) to arrive automatically. Rather, one must follow the command of Allah (swt),

“Disperse in the Earth and seek from the Bounty of Allah” (TMQ al-Jumu’ah, verse 10)

As another example Muslims believe that Allah (swt) is An-Naaser (the helper). That is that victory lies in the hands of Allah (swt), yet Muslims are obliged in their actions to follow the Hukm Shari’i and prepare their forces due to the order of Allah (swt) in the Qur’an.

“..and prepare for them (the enemy) all you can of force” (TMQ al-Anfal, verse 60)

Hence it must be clear that all actions must be derived from Ahkam Shari’ah and are not neglected due to the belief and trust (Tawakkul) that Allah (swt) controls all things, which is in any case an unchangeable belief regardless of ones actions. In fact, a well known incident occurred with the Prophet (saw) and one man who left his camel untied said to the Prophet (saw) “I trust in Allah”. The Prophet (saw) replied, “Tie it up and (then) have trust in Allah”.

Hence despite having strong Iman in the victory being from Allah (swt) and knowing that Allah (swt) will establish the Mu’mineen (believers) in authority, Muslims must still perform the relevant actions that Allah (swt) obliged. Sitting back, not doing anything but hoping for the Victory, even if this is accompanied with many Du’aa is Haram. Struggle to implement this Deen, like the struggle of the Sahabah (ra) who struggled in the battlefield and challenged the leaders of the Quraysh is obligatory. Then it can be said to Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement that one did ones utmost. This is what is demanded by the Shari’ah rules.

Whilst there are many Hadith that the Prophet (saw) spoke of the return of the Khilafah and Allah (swt) promising the believers of His victory, the Qur’an also obliges Muslims to follow and obey the commands of Allah (swt) related to the methodology of creating change. This is just like the Prophet (saw) who prepared for the battles and obeyed the Shari’ah rules relating to preparation. He (saw) did this whilst knowing that Allah (swt) had promised that Islam would dominate. The Sahabah too never waited around knowing that the Deen would dominate. Rather, they followed the Hukm Shari’i and remained firm in their Iman that Allah (swt) would give the victory and support He had promised them.

Similarly, today we are required to undertake the relevant set of actions in order to re-establish the Khilafah and we can not merely wait for the victory of Allah to descend. This would lead to the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgement for neglecting to undertake an obligation i.e. a Wajib, not only a Wajib but one for which the Prophet (saw) was prepared to give his life for. So unless the Muslims realise this and give it the same value and proceed according to the Shari’ah rules the Deen will not be established in the lives of the Muslims nor in their societies as this can only occur through the struggle to re-establish the Khilafah in accordance with the Shari’ah rules.