A widespread concept that is passed to the Islamic Ummah is the concept of the Tadarruj or ‘Gradualism’. This ‘methodology’ follows the logic that Islam is a Deen that is massive and it is impossible to radically implement Islam. Therefore one must seek to gradually implement the Shari’ah rules and this will take place over a long period of time gradually bringing Islam back to the life of the Muslims. This process would normally occur through sharing power with the existing government and through working within the system.

After which certain arguments are brought as a justification for this view such as ‘the revelation of the Qur’an was in stages and as problems arose the Qur’an addressed them in that manner’. The fact that Allah (swt) prohibited alcohol in three stages is quoted as an example of this gradualism.

A further argument is brought in by principles such as, ‘That which cannot be completely attained should not be completely left’. Hence, it would be argued, some Islam is not as bad as no Islam, thus a gradual approach is acceptable.

It is important that the Islamic Ummah realises that none of these are legal (Shari’i) arguments in Islam and that this concept is not only invalid but contradicts definitive evidences in Islam. The first point to bear in mind is that the concept that Islam is impossible to implement would mean that Allah (swt) had sent an impractical Deen! This is in contradiction to the belief that Islam is the only practical Deen for mankind which Allah (swt), the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, had perfected. Allah (swt) states in the Qur’an,

“Allah does not place a burden upon a person except that which he is capable of.” (TMQ al-Baqarah, verse 282)

So Allah (swt) states that He would not place upon the Ummah an obligation that she couldn’t achieve and was impossible for her, so the resumption of Islam is a possibility and a responsibility.

The idea that it is impossible to establish Islam radically is at the heart of this pragmatic and supposedly practical argument. This is not only in contradiction with Islam but is a flawed view of the reality of political change. It was a radical change, which the Prophet (saw) brought about 1300 years ago. It was also a radical change that brought the corrupt doctrine of Communism and also a radical change which a brought about Capitalism in Russia in the early 90’s to replace Communism, and if this is the case with the false Aqeedah and system then how can it be impractical for the correct Aqeedah. So the concept of the Islamic Revival being impractical is a false notion and reflects a defeatist outlook to the Ummah and towards Islam itself.

As for the claim that the Qur’an was revealed gradually and therefore can be implemented gradually, this is a statement that is in contradiction with the Qur’an and how it was revealed. Firstly the Qur’an was revealed according to the problems, questions, debates and political scenarios that occurred. This in Islam forms a branch of Ulum ul-Qur’an (Sciences of the Qur’an) known as the Asbab un-Nuzul (The causes of revelation).

As an example for this, the following is an incident that Bukhari has narrated (Vol. 6 No 109): ‘Urwa narrated that Az-Zubayr quarrelled with a man from the Ansar because of a natural mountainous stream at Al-Harra. The Prophet (saw) said, “O Zubayr, irrigate (your land) and then let the water flow to your neighbour. The Ansari said, “O Allah’s Messenger (saw) he is your cousin.” At that the Prophet’s face became red (with anger) and he said, “O Zubayr irrigate (your land) and then withhold the water till it flows up to your wall and then let it flow to your neighbour”. So the Prophet (saw) enabled Az-Zubayr to take his full right after the Ansari provoked his anger. The Prophet (saw) had previously given an order that was in favour of both of them. Regarding this Az-Zubayr said, “I think that this verse was revealed in this connection,

“But no, (I swear) by your Lord! They have no Iman until they make you (O Prophet) the judge in all their disputes and then they find no resentment in their souls regarding your judgement and they utterly submit to it” (TMQ al-Nisa’a, verse 65)

Hence, any time a legal problem arose that required a Hukm the Qur’an addressed it. There are narrations wherein the Sahabah (ra) approached the Prophet (saw) and he kept silent until Allah(swt) revealed the Hukm on the issue. An example of this is what has been narrated by al-Bukhari. Jabir (ra) narrates that “the Prophet (saw) and Abu Bakr (ra) came on foot to pay me a visit (during my illness) at Banu Salama’s (dwellings). The Prophet (saw) found me unconscious, so he asked for water and performed the ablution from it and sprinkled some water over me. I came to my senses and said to the Prophet (saw): ‘O Messenger of Allah! What do you order me to do regarding my wealth?’ Then the narration states that he was silent until the verses concerning inheritance were revealed. (al-Bukhari Vol. 6 No. 101).

So all judgments and rules that took place were always addressed by Islam and as soon as the Hukm was revealed it was implemented immediately. There were no instances of gradualism in implementing any of the divine rules. It is clear that there was no case where the Messenger (saw) ignored the Hukm of Allah(swt) and delayed its implementation, this would be tantamount to accusing the Messenger (saw) of ruling by other than that which Allah(swt) had revealed, which is Kufr.

The ruling by Islam and the prohibition of ruling by Kufr whatsoever are matters that are known definitively from Islam and are not open to interpretation. Hence, gradual implementation in authority, or in sharing authority, would not be allowed under any shape or form.

Allah (swt) has stated in the Qur’an,

“Whosoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed then such are the disbelievers” (TMQ 5:44).

Ibn Kathir in his Tafseer of this verse states the views of Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) and many of the other Mufasireen that anybody who does not believe in the validity of the Shari’ah or even one rule of the Shari’ah that is known by Islam is a Kafir, and the ruler who rules by other than Islam and believes it acceptable is a Kafir, however the one who rules by Kufr acknowledging that he is doing so commits Kufr that is less than Kufr i.e. a major sin. (Ibn Kathir ‘Tafseeru Qur’an Al Atheem’ Vol. 2 pages 60-66). Hence the way of gradualism and power sharing is not permitted and is clearly not the method of Islam to create political change.

So it should be clear that any attempt at utilising the democratic structures that currently exist either through holding ministerial posts in governments that rule by Kufr would be prohibited. As would supporting Kufr political parties in their application of Kufr systems in the Islamic lands, in order to achieve some influence in the political decision making process. Similarly putting forth bills that attempt to apply some aspects of the Shari’ah rules and then voting on them would definitely be prohibited as this would be making the decision of man sovereign over the Hukm of Allah and this is something that is in complete contradiction with the Islamic Aqeedah.

So such ideas must be shunned and it should be realised that they are only barriers to the Islamic Ummah changing her situation and re-establlishing the Khilafah.