Post by Prince of Destiny on Jan 2, 2006 13:08:16 GMT -5
Muslims in Need for Political Awareness
“But it is nothing else than a reminder to all the Alamin.” (al-qalam:52)
The Role of Aql (Intellect)
The Political Thoughts
The Politics
The Political Awareness
The Political Medium
The Role of Aql (Intellect)
The Aql (Intellect) plays very vital role in Islam. It is used to understand comprehensively the concept of Islamic Aqeedah and accept it. Thus, Aql (Intellect) is the only way to enter Islam. Islam compels the use of intellect, as it comprehends the rational evidences provided by Islam regarding the proof of existence and oneness of Allah (swt), the Prophet hood of Muhammad (saw) and that the Quran is from Allah alone. This way, the basis of believe in Islamic Aqeedah is build upon conviction through intellect. This process or sound proof satisfies the heart and the intellect and devoid any notion of blind faith or superstitions.
Once the Islamic Aqeedah is embedded intellectually, then intellect is used to understand the issue(s) and the revelation and using revelation as a source and applying the revelation to the issue(s) from Wadu, to abortion, cloning, to stock market, to the foreign policy of Islamic State.
Muhammad (saw) took great care of the Sahabah (raa) in proper use of the Intellect. He (saw) not only clarified the matters of the law that dealt with their actions but also laws the directed their intellect and clarified its limitation. For instance, when the sun eclipsed during the time of the Prophet (saw) on the same day that his (saw) son Ibrahim died. When people suggested that sun eclipsed because of the prophet’s (saw) son’s death, prophet (saw) told them, “The sun and moon are signs of Allah (swt). They do not eclipse for someone’s death or birth; therefore there is no relationship between two events.”
He (saw) made sahaba (ra) realize that intellect cannot be used to conjure up a reason for a ruling, unless the reason is mentioned in the Quran and claiming a reason for any ruling implies that we can comprehend what Allah (swt) intended for that ruling, which is not possible. For instance, we cannot use the intellect to infer a reason for why we perform Wadu. The intellect would probably lead one to assume that it is for the sake of personal hygiene. However, if water is not accessible then we are supposed to do Tayammum. If the reason behind Wadu is cleanliness, then why would Allah (swt) order us to wipe ourselves with dust if water is inaccessible?
The training of Muhammad (saw) in proper use of Aql (Intellect) can be seen in the Sahaba (raa). During the battle of Badr the Prophet (saw) had stationed the army at a certain location. Khabab bin al Munthir (ra) inquired from the Prophet (saw) whether his (saw) decision was based on Wahi or was his (saw) own. The Prophet (saw) replies that it was his (saw) own decision. Upon this Khabab bin al Munthir (ra) said that location was wrong one, thus, the army should be stationed around the wells so that kaffirs don’t have access to the water. This ensample clearly illustrates that Sahaba (ra) recognized the fine line between the revelation and the intellect. They never used their thinking to pass judgment on revelation.
The Political Awareness
“But it is nothing else than a reminder to all the Alamin.” (al-qalam:52
There were only six sahaba (ra) when this ayat was revealed; reminding them that Islam is for whole Alameen. In the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi Al-Arqam, Muhammad (saw) conveyed Islam to sahaba (ra) for three years in private in such a way that it appealed to their rationale, convincing their Aqal (intellect) and thus giving satisfaction to their hearts. During this period, Prophet (saw) formulated their personality by addressing their thinking about the purpose of life, the need for the creator, the belief and his Messengership. The Prophet (saw) developed and inculcated within the sahaba (ra) thoughts and behavioral patterns based on the Quran. He (saw) molded their thinking and their behavior, developing their personalities, solidifying their conviction in Islamic Aqeeda from which they extracted their thoughts and emanated their actions.
“therefore, proclaim openly that which you are commanded and turn away form Al-Mushrikoon. TRULY, We will suffice you against the scoffers who set up along with Allah another Illah, they will come to know.” (Al-Hijr 15:94-96). Before this ayat was revealed, Muhammad (saw) made sure the Sahaba (ra), developed a conviction in the Aqeeda, without it, any movement seeking a change, Sahaba (ra) would be force to compromise in the face of confrontation or conflict. It was for this reason that the Prophet (saw) took such care and effort in developing strong and dynamic Islamic personality based on the Aqeeda. He created Aqeeda so strong in them that it had the power to make an Ummah from a small, motley group in the oasis of Yathrib and inspire it to triumph over all the enemies and carry Islam to all the corners of the world. The Prophet (saw) presented the Muslims as an organized group intent on challenging and changing the society, its values, ideals, practices, emotions, and systems of ruling and the organization of life’s affairs. Thus through such demonstration, the Muhammad (saw) initiated the crisis succeeding in making the thoughts of Islam the main theme of discussion not only in Mecca but also in Roman and Byzantine Empire. Once the Aqeeda was thoroughly embedded in their hearts and Minds of Sahaba (ra), they had no hesitation in obeying the Islamic rulings. They understood the meaning of the above ayat and prepared for shouldering the responsibility of carrying the Message of Islam to the world.
Muhammad (saw) took every possible opportunity to create political awareness in the sahaba (ra). For Instance, during the digging of the ditch, the sahaba (ra) came across a rock, which they could not break. The Prophet (saw) struck it three times and at each blow he (saw) boosted the morale of the Sahaba (ra) and made them realize that to have hope in Allah, and regardless of the strength of the enemy Muslims should not deter them from confronting the enemies. In another hadith he (saw) said that the group that conquers India are saved from hell fire. Through such other narrations Muhammad (saw) was constantly developing political awareness in them.
Vitality of a nation is measured by its interaction in the political scene. During the seerah of Prophet (saw), he formed Islamic state with robust policies which were geared towards challenging supremacy of Quraish, He designed the policies such a way that he was able to isolate Quraish tribes from each other through treaties of neutrality, such treaties he was able to drag Quraish into battles, and proved that Islamic state is a entity not to be reckoned with.
When Muhammad (saw) died, he left behind an army of statesmen. Death of Muhammad (saw) did not hinder the sahaba (ra). Before his death, Prophet (saw) created the environment in which sahaba (ra) lived was ripe for as statesman to blossom. They were highly involved in both the political struggle to establish and maintained the Islamic state. For instance, Abu Bakr (ra)’s political awareness saved the Islamic state from chaos when he tackled the issue of people who refused to pay zakah (the people of Ridda), and sending off Army of Osama to take care of Romans at the same time. Such moves deterred the Romans and Persians from attacking causing them to think again and again about any vacuum after the death of Muhammad (saw). The political environment continued to exist and remained strong for a long time. The Ummah continued to produce people at the level of the statesman, whether in the position of ruling like Salahuddin ayubi and sultan abdul hameed II or outside government affairs like Ibn Taymia and Ahmed bin Hanbal. In short, the Islamic momentum continued to be strengthened by the existence of statesmen who continued to be produced as a result of the Islamic culture and way of life.
The Prophet(saw) and sahabah (ra) continued to struggle against the ignorant system of Mecca and its leaders, uncovering their erroneous laws and habits and the wickedness of their ideas and concepts and proposed Islam as the alternative. Therefore, their work was like a double edge sword: demolishing the errant ideology and stray concepts by demonstrating its contradiction with human nature, building over their ruins the concepts of Imaan and proving their conformity with human nature because they are from Allah(swt) the one and only and the creator of mankind. The is the example of the Messenger of Allah(swt). Whoever shies away from this task is failing to uphold the sunnah and the method of the Prophet(saw). The Ummah must undertake the ideology, thoughts, values and systems. This should be done by disclose the corruption inherent in the prevailing ideologies, and systems. In following method of the Prophet(saw) the Ummah must refute capitalism, democracy, communism, nationalism and every other ….ism. Non Islamic practices, systems, values, cultures and laws must be challenged. The awareness of the Ummah must be raised so that we reject these thoughts as un-Islamic.
Ever since the Ummah lost the understanding of political nature of the Aqeedah, she is entangled in numerous dilemmas, one more serious than other, as she is been victim of the schemes of her enemies and adversely influenced by their political actions. Her affairs have become like clay in the hands of the potter, to be shaped by the kuffar however and whenever they wish in a fashion that suites their interests. The most, Muslim Ummah can do in such situations is responding with knee-jerk reactions and reaching inconclusive answers that will alleviate the matter but don’t eradicate it. A current case in point is the boycott of US and Israeli goods that is taking place in the Middle East in response to the massacres of Muslims in Palestine and Muslims demonstrating all around the globe. The outpouring of support is a good sign of an improvement in our view towards our Islamic obligations and interests but it must be understood that the situation requires a more calculated and far-reaching response. One of the reasons for this shortcoming is the failure to appreciate the nature of the problem. The only way Muslim Ummah can solve its problem is by understanding its problems. And its problems can be understood only when Muslim Ummah possess Political awareness. Muhammad (saw) said: A Muslim cannot bit from same hole twice.”
This political culturing, whether it is culturing by the Islamic thoughts and rules or by following the political events, will create the political awareness and cause the Ummah to shoulder her fundamental mission.
Political Thoughts
Political thought is of the highest types of thought. Political thought is that which is concerned with taking care of the affairs of the Ummah. The highest level of political thought is that which is related to man and the world from a particular point of view. The Islamic Aqeedah is a political idea, so it is a political thought; this is because it is spiritual and political. The political Aqeedah of Islam is complete and comprehensive; it addresses all of life's affairs, and the human relations in it. It looks after these affairs and relationships whether related to ruling, economics, social relations, education, internal or external policies of a state, or be they related to the relationship between the ruler and the ruled or the relationship of the state with other states, nations or peoples. "And we have revealed to you The Book explaining all matters".[TMQ 16:89]
Politics
Politics or Siyasah is looking after the affairs of the Ummah (nation) internally and externally. It is carried out by the state and the Ummah. Khalifah is the one who care for the Muslims affairs. none other than the Ameer has the authority and no one is allowed to care for the peoples affairs except the Khulafaa. The Sultan or authority is caring for the peoples affairs in a binding fashion. In other words, carrying out the rulers responsibilities is restricted to the ruler. Absolutely no one else is permitted to carry out these responsibilities. This is because the Shar'a delegated the authority and the task of care taking to the sultan (Khaleefah) and whoever is appointed by the Khaleefah. If an individual other than the Imam or one appointed by the Imam, assumes the responsibility of ruling and looking after the affairs of the people he will be acting against the Shar'a and thus his action would be Batil (invalid) and every invalid action is Haram.
Political Awareness
Since the Islamic Ummah is obliged to carry the Islamic Dawah to all mankind, it is mandatory upon Muslims to set their relations with the world, aware of its conditions, comprehending of its problems, knowledgeable of the motives of states and peoples, following up the political actions in the world, observing the political plans of the states in terms of the styles used to execute their plans, the manner of their relationships with each other, and the political maneuvers carried out by these states. Therefore, being political aware, Muslims realizes the reality of the situation in the Muslim world in the light of the understanding of the international situation in order to know the actions and styles needed to establish their state and carry out their Dawah to the world.
If knowledge of every state's policy in the world is a matter that no Muslim politician can do without, knowledge of the nature, secrets, plans, styles and means of the superpowers, in general terms, is of extreme importance to every Muslim. Detailed and practical knowledge of these matters, following up the various changing daily events, with the complete realization of the bases and foundations of the policies of the superpowers is an essential for every Muslim politician or even thinker.
Knowledge gives the analysis of actions, events, intentions and goals are therefore a necessity. In order to understand the enemy's intentions toward the state and Ummah, one must first be aware of the statement of the enemy and the circumstances in which the statement was made. Secondly, one must be aware of the enemy’s actions and the circumstances surrounding their actions. Thirdly, one must be aware of the enemy's relationships and the status of these relationships. Without the above three points, one cannot know the intentions of the enemy. Knowing the above three points requires details: statements made must be known in detail, kept up with, and followed up, so that their context is known.
Politically being aware doesn’t necessarily mean to keep up with the present events but also to learn from the events occurred in the past. Such lessons from the past could be tactical. For instance, US spy plane. This history could have been facts that do not change with the circumstances and therefore must be studied. A Muslim must be aware of the latter part of history when reading it so as not to adopt that event in other than the circumstances in which it occurred, for he will commit same mistakes like others in the past did.
Thus political awareness serves the purpose of understanding the dangers to shield the Ummah from them, thus securing the state and the Islamic Ummah and the carrying of the Islamic Dawah to the world.
Decline of the Muslim Ummah
The absence of the thoughts and rules that emanate from the Aqeedah has had the greatest impact on the life of Muslims
Political awareness is necessary to revive the Ummah
For the Muslim Ummah today to achieve revival, she must make the Islamic Aqeedah the basis for her life and establish ruling and authority on that basis. In other words, she must address the daily problems by the rules that emanate from this Aqeedah i.e. by the divine rules solely in their capacity as commands and prohibitions from Allah. Only then will revival be achieved with certainty. As a matter of fact, not only will revival take place but the true revival will occur. Only then will the Ummah return to her previous position of glory and world leadership. Therefore, the Ummah must be cultured by the political culture starting before anything else with its rational Aqeedah i.e. its comprehensive idea about the universe, man and life. This Aqeedah must be taught as a political idea and not only as a spiritual idea. Then all political thoughts that emanate from it, as well as the means and goals, which are built on it, must be part of that culture (to the Ummah).
Ahadith
he Messenger said: "Any person Allah has placed in (a position) to foster the peoples affairs and he does not give them his advice he will not even smell the scent of Jannah (paradise)". And the saying of the Messenger : "Anyone who took charge of any Muslims and he died while he was deceiving them Allah will prevent him from entering paradise (Jannah)". And: "There will be leaders over you, (who will do things) you recognise (as part of the Deen), and you don't recognise. Whoever recognised he would be relieved (of sin), and whoever denied (the wrong), he would be safe". But what about he who accepted and followed. They said: Shouldn't we fight against them. He said: "No, as long as they prayed". And Whoever awakens and his concern is not for Allah, he does not belong to Allah. And: Whoever awakens not concerned with Muslims (affairs) is not from them.
“But it is nothing else than a reminder to all the Alamin.” (al-qalam:52)
The Role of Aql (Intellect)
The Political Thoughts
The Politics
The Political Awareness
The Political Medium
The Role of Aql (Intellect)
The Aql (Intellect) plays very vital role in Islam. It is used to understand comprehensively the concept of Islamic Aqeedah and accept it. Thus, Aql (Intellect) is the only way to enter Islam. Islam compels the use of intellect, as it comprehends the rational evidences provided by Islam regarding the proof of existence and oneness of Allah (swt), the Prophet hood of Muhammad (saw) and that the Quran is from Allah alone. This way, the basis of believe in Islamic Aqeedah is build upon conviction through intellect. This process or sound proof satisfies the heart and the intellect and devoid any notion of blind faith or superstitions.
Once the Islamic Aqeedah is embedded intellectually, then intellect is used to understand the issue(s) and the revelation and using revelation as a source and applying the revelation to the issue(s) from Wadu, to abortion, cloning, to stock market, to the foreign policy of Islamic State.
Muhammad (saw) took great care of the Sahabah (raa) in proper use of the Intellect. He (saw) not only clarified the matters of the law that dealt with their actions but also laws the directed their intellect and clarified its limitation. For instance, when the sun eclipsed during the time of the Prophet (saw) on the same day that his (saw) son Ibrahim died. When people suggested that sun eclipsed because of the prophet’s (saw) son’s death, prophet (saw) told them, “The sun and moon are signs of Allah (swt). They do not eclipse for someone’s death or birth; therefore there is no relationship between two events.”
He (saw) made sahaba (ra) realize that intellect cannot be used to conjure up a reason for a ruling, unless the reason is mentioned in the Quran and claiming a reason for any ruling implies that we can comprehend what Allah (swt) intended for that ruling, which is not possible. For instance, we cannot use the intellect to infer a reason for why we perform Wadu. The intellect would probably lead one to assume that it is for the sake of personal hygiene. However, if water is not accessible then we are supposed to do Tayammum. If the reason behind Wadu is cleanliness, then why would Allah (swt) order us to wipe ourselves with dust if water is inaccessible?
The training of Muhammad (saw) in proper use of Aql (Intellect) can be seen in the Sahaba (raa). During the battle of Badr the Prophet (saw) had stationed the army at a certain location. Khabab bin al Munthir (ra) inquired from the Prophet (saw) whether his (saw) decision was based on Wahi or was his (saw) own. The Prophet (saw) replies that it was his (saw) own decision. Upon this Khabab bin al Munthir (ra) said that location was wrong one, thus, the army should be stationed around the wells so that kaffirs don’t have access to the water. This ensample clearly illustrates that Sahaba (ra) recognized the fine line between the revelation and the intellect. They never used their thinking to pass judgment on revelation.
The Political Awareness
“But it is nothing else than a reminder to all the Alamin.” (al-qalam:52
There were only six sahaba (ra) when this ayat was revealed; reminding them that Islam is for whole Alameen. In the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi Al-Arqam, Muhammad (saw) conveyed Islam to sahaba (ra) for three years in private in such a way that it appealed to their rationale, convincing their Aqal (intellect) and thus giving satisfaction to their hearts. During this period, Prophet (saw) formulated their personality by addressing their thinking about the purpose of life, the need for the creator, the belief and his Messengership. The Prophet (saw) developed and inculcated within the sahaba (ra) thoughts and behavioral patterns based on the Quran. He (saw) molded their thinking and their behavior, developing their personalities, solidifying their conviction in Islamic Aqeeda from which they extracted their thoughts and emanated their actions.
“therefore, proclaim openly that which you are commanded and turn away form Al-Mushrikoon. TRULY, We will suffice you against the scoffers who set up along with Allah another Illah, they will come to know.” (Al-Hijr 15:94-96). Before this ayat was revealed, Muhammad (saw) made sure the Sahaba (ra), developed a conviction in the Aqeeda, without it, any movement seeking a change, Sahaba (ra) would be force to compromise in the face of confrontation or conflict. It was for this reason that the Prophet (saw) took such care and effort in developing strong and dynamic Islamic personality based on the Aqeeda. He created Aqeeda so strong in them that it had the power to make an Ummah from a small, motley group in the oasis of Yathrib and inspire it to triumph over all the enemies and carry Islam to all the corners of the world. The Prophet (saw) presented the Muslims as an organized group intent on challenging and changing the society, its values, ideals, practices, emotions, and systems of ruling and the organization of life’s affairs. Thus through such demonstration, the Muhammad (saw) initiated the crisis succeeding in making the thoughts of Islam the main theme of discussion not only in Mecca but also in Roman and Byzantine Empire. Once the Aqeeda was thoroughly embedded in their hearts and Minds of Sahaba (ra), they had no hesitation in obeying the Islamic rulings. They understood the meaning of the above ayat and prepared for shouldering the responsibility of carrying the Message of Islam to the world.
Muhammad (saw) took every possible opportunity to create political awareness in the sahaba (ra). For Instance, during the digging of the ditch, the sahaba (ra) came across a rock, which they could not break. The Prophet (saw) struck it three times and at each blow he (saw) boosted the morale of the Sahaba (ra) and made them realize that to have hope in Allah, and regardless of the strength of the enemy Muslims should not deter them from confronting the enemies. In another hadith he (saw) said that the group that conquers India are saved from hell fire. Through such other narrations Muhammad (saw) was constantly developing political awareness in them.
Vitality of a nation is measured by its interaction in the political scene. During the seerah of Prophet (saw), he formed Islamic state with robust policies which were geared towards challenging supremacy of Quraish, He designed the policies such a way that he was able to isolate Quraish tribes from each other through treaties of neutrality, such treaties he was able to drag Quraish into battles, and proved that Islamic state is a entity not to be reckoned with.
When Muhammad (saw) died, he left behind an army of statesmen. Death of Muhammad (saw) did not hinder the sahaba (ra). Before his death, Prophet (saw) created the environment in which sahaba (ra) lived was ripe for as statesman to blossom. They were highly involved in both the political struggle to establish and maintained the Islamic state. For instance, Abu Bakr (ra)’s political awareness saved the Islamic state from chaos when he tackled the issue of people who refused to pay zakah (the people of Ridda), and sending off Army of Osama to take care of Romans at the same time. Such moves deterred the Romans and Persians from attacking causing them to think again and again about any vacuum after the death of Muhammad (saw). The political environment continued to exist and remained strong for a long time. The Ummah continued to produce people at the level of the statesman, whether in the position of ruling like Salahuddin ayubi and sultan abdul hameed II or outside government affairs like Ibn Taymia and Ahmed bin Hanbal. In short, the Islamic momentum continued to be strengthened by the existence of statesmen who continued to be produced as a result of the Islamic culture and way of life.
The Prophet(saw) and sahabah (ra) continued to struggle against the ignorant system of Mecca and its leaders, uncovering their erroneous laws and habits and the wickedness of their ideas and concepts and proposed Islam as the alternative. Therefore, their work was like a double edge sword: demolishing the errant ideology and stray concepts by demonstrating its contradiction with human nature, building over their ruins the concepts of Imaan and proving their conformity with human nature because they are from Allah(swt) the one and only and the creator of mankind. The is the example of the Messenger of Allah(swt). Whoever shies away from this task is failing to uphold the sunnah and the method of the Prophet(saw). The Ummah must undertake the ideology, thoughts, values and systems. This should be done by disclose the corruption inherent in the prevailing ideologies, and systems. In following method of the Prophet(saw) the Ummah must refute capitalism, democracy, communism, nationalism and every other ….ism. Non Islamic practices, systems, values, cultures and laws must be challenged. The awareness of the Ummah must be raised so that we reject these thoughts as un-Islamic.
Ever since the Ummah lost the understanding of political nature of the Aqeedah, she is entangled in numerous dilemmas, one more serious than other, as she is been victim of the schemes of her enemies and adversely influenced by their political actions. Her affairs have become like clay in the hands of the potter, to be shaped by the kuffar however and whenever they wish in a fashion that suites their interests. The most, Muslim Ummah can do in such situations is responding with knee-jerk reactions and reaching inconclusive answers that will alleviate the matter but don’t eradicate it. A current case in point is the boycott of US and Israeli goods that is taking place in the Middle East in response to the massacres of Muslims in Palestine and Muslims demonstrating all around the globe. The outpouring of support is a good sign of an improvement in our view towards our Islamic obligations and interests but it must be understood that the situation requires a more calculated and far-reaching response. One of the reasons for this shortcoming is the failure to appreciate the nature of the problem. The only way Muslim Ummah can solve its problem is by understanding its problems. And its problems can be understood only when Muslim Ummah possess Political awareness. Muhammad (saw) said: A Muslim cannot bit from same hole twice.”
This political culturing, whether it is culturing by the Islamic thoughts and rules or by following the political events, will create the political awareness and cause the Ummah to shoulder her fundamental mission.
Political Thoughts
Political thought is of the highest types of thought. Political thought is that which is concerned with taking care of the affairs of the Ummah. The highest level of political thought is that which is related to man and the world from a particular point of view. The Islamic Aqeedah is a political idea, so it is a political thought; this is because it is spiritual and political. The political Aqeedah of Islam is complete and comprehensive; it addresses all of life's affairs, and the human relations in it. It looks after these affairs and relationships whether related to ruling, economics, social relations, education, internal or external policies of a state, or be they related to the relationship between the ruler and the ruled or the relationship of the state with other states, nations or peoples. "And we have revealed to you The Book explaining all matters".[TMQ 16:89]
Politics
Politics or Siyasah is looking after the affairs of the Ummah (nation) internally and externally. It is carried out by the state and the Ummah. Khalifah is the one who care for the Muslims affairs. none other than the Ameer has the authority and no one is allowed to care for the peoples affairs except the Khulafaa. The Sultan or authority is caring for the peoples affairs in a binding fashion. In other words, carrying out the rulers responsibilities is restricted to the ruler. Absolutely no one else is permitted to carry out these responsibilities. This is because the Shar'a delegated the authority and the task of care taking to the sultan (Khaleefah) and whoever is appointed by the Khaleefah. If an individual other than the Imam or one appointed by the Imam, assumes the responsibility of ruling and looking after the affairs of the people he will be acting against the Shar'a and thus his action would be Batil (invalid) and every invalid action is Haram.
Political Awareness
Since the Islamic Ummah is obliged to carry the Islamic Dawah to all mankind, it is mandatory upon Muslims to set their relations with the world, aware of its conditions, comprehending of its problems, knowledgeable of the motives of states and peoples, following up the political actions in the world, observing the political plans of the states in terms of the styles used to execute their plans, the manner of their relationships with each other, and the political maneuvers carried out by these states. Therefore, being political aware, Muslims realizes the reality of the situation in the Muslim world in the light of the understanding of the international situation in order to know the actions and styles needed to establish their state and carry out their Dawah to the world.
If knowledge of every state's policy in the world is a matter that no Muslim politician can do without, knowledge of the nature, secrets, plans, styles and means of the superpowers, in general terms, is of extreme importance to every Muslim. Detailed and practical knowledge of these matters, following up the various changing daily events, with the complete realization of the bases and foundations of the policies of the superpowers is an essential for every Muslim politician or even thinker.
Knowledge gives the analysis of actions, events, intentions and goals are therefore a necessity. In order to understand the enemy's intentions toward the state and Ummah, one must first be aware of the statement of the enemy and the circumstances in which the statement was made. Secondly, one must be aware of the enemy’s actions and the circumstances surrounding their actions. Thirdly, one must be aware of the enemy's relationships and the status of these relationships. Without the above three points, one cannot know the intentions of the enemy. Knowing the above three points requires details: statements made must be known in detail, kept up with, and followed up, so that their context is known.
Politically being aware doesn’t necessarily mean to keep up with the present events but also to learn from the events occurred in the past. Such lessons from the past could be tactical. For instance, US spy plane. This history could have been facts that do not change with the circumstances and therefore must be studied. A Muslim must be aware of the latter part of history when reading it so as not to adopt that event in other than the circumstances in which it occurred, for he will commit same mistakes like others in the past did.
Thus political awareness serves the purpose of understanding the dangers to shield the Ummah from them, thus securing the state and the Islamic Ummah and the carrying of the Islamic Dawah to the world.
Decline of the Muslim Ummah
The absence of the thoughts and rules that emanate from the Aqeedah has had the greatest impact on the life of Muslims
Political awareness is necessary to revive the Ummah
For the Muslim Ummah today to achieve revival, she must make the Islamic Aqeedah the basis for her life and establish ruling and authority on that basis. In other words, she must address the daily problems by the rules that emanate from this Aqeedah i.e. by the divine rules solely in their capacity as commands and prohibitions from Allah. Only then will revival be achieved with certainty. As a matter of fact, not only will revival take place but the true revival will occur. Only then will the Ummah return to her previous position of glory and world leadership. Therefore, the Ummah must be cultured by the political culture starting before anything else with its rational Aqeedah i.e. its comprehensive idea about the universe, man and life. This Aqeedah must be taught as a political idea and not only as a spiritual idea. Then all political thoughts that emanate from it, as well as the means and goals, which are built on it, must be part of that culture (to the Ummah).
Ahadith
he Messenger said: "Any person Allah has placed in (a position) to foster the peoples affairs and he does not give them his advice he will not even smell the scent of Jannah (paradise)". And the saying of the Messenger : "Anyone who took charge of any Muslims and he died while he was deceiving them Allah will prevent him from entering paradise (Jannah)". And: "There will be leaders over you, (who will do things) you recognise (as part of the Deen), and you don't recognise. Whoever recognised he would be relieved (of sin), and whoever denied (the wrong), he would be safe". But what about he who accepted and followed. They said: Shouldn't we fight against them. He said: "No, as long as they prayed". And Whoever awakens and his concern is not for Allah, he does not belong to Allah. And: Whoever awakens not concerned with Muslims (affairs) is not from them.