The Shatter of God-Given Rights to Safety Security and Peace

 

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Part I  The Doctrines of Peace and Security

Disclaimer
Abstract
Definitions

Thulm (Oppression) and Fasad (Corruption)
Introduction
Qur’anic Principles of Embracing Peace and Avoiding Rancor
Bringing the Positive Impact on the Hearts of Opponents
Extremists Arrogantly Assume the Position of God
Infringing on the Security of the Public–Acts of Thulm (Injustice) and Fassad (Spoilage and Corruption)
   a) The Case of Prophet Abraham
   b) The Case of Prophets Moses and Aaron
Breaking up of Societies Acts of Fassad (Spoilage and Corrupting)
Moses Acts Wisely without Contention

Part II  Realization of Peace and Security

Achieving Peace and Security (Al-Amn) via Peace Accords
Moses Addresses the Pharos Sensibly
Banning Violent Civil Wars and Disruption
The Pursuit of Benevolence
The Good Word Eliminates Discord
The Fight is Permissible under Legitimate Godly Conditions
Prophet Muhammad Conquers Hearts with Peace
The Opening of Mecca in Peace
Prophet Muhammad Administers the God-Given Right of Security to Animals
The Early Meccan Period
The Reconciliation Approach

Part III  Radicalism

The Inception of the Extremist Wahhabi Ideology 
More Wahhabi Violations of the Islamic Doctrines
Superiority over People
Punishing People as if They Own Them
Forgiveness and Punishments are Allah’s Authority 
The Inception of the Muslim Brotherhood and its Ideology
Catastrophes of the Degenerate Ideologies
The Imposition of Distrust
The Inadmissibility of Armed Paramilitary
Gross Violations of the Words of God
  a) The Sacredness of the Soul – Capricious Killing of People
      No Concealed Plots of Death and Destruction in a Community in a Community-Fatk
      Prohibition of War on Disbelievers with Believers Dwelling Among Them  
   b) Deviating from the Muslim Ummah
   c) Disturbing Security Safety and Peace, al-Amn

Part IV  The Trust of Building the Earth

The God-Given Trust of Building the Earth
Nonviolent Revolutions
Casualties of the Civil Wars
Conclusion – A Plea to the Mindful

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By: Faysal Burhan
Published: 2018
Editor: Samr Airout

Watch a Video on the Shatter of God-Given Security and Peace

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Part I    The Doctrines of Peace and Security

Disclaimer

This educational treatise on the God-given rights of peace and security in Islam discloses the fallacy of extreme ideologies adopted by the Wahhabi creed and the Muslim Brotherhood Party. It aims to expose the extent of damage and harm that both insidious doctrines caused Islam and the Muslim people. The author is not directing this writing against any particular individual or individuals of these two groups.

Abstract

Living in peace, security, and safety is sacred in Islam. The Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims, named this God-given gift al-Amn, security. Moreover, the Qur’an implements elements of harmony and protection in promoting dynamic change in societies without violence. The prophets of God’s missionary work, along with the history and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, ‘peace be upon all,’ established and practiced moderate approaches to societal reform. Extremism of creeds and ideologies, such as Wahhabism and the Muslim Brotherhood, is a modern-day practice that violates the people’s God-given rights to security and safety. They interpret sacred texts to meet their personal and political gains. While disguising themselves in a religious mask, extremists bitterly defile the qur’anic basic welfare principles and obstruct the goal of peace in Islam.

The writing presents historical and sociopolitical accounts of extremism and expounds on its implications for global order and progress. Besides violating the qur’anic principles of peace, extremists propagate their subjective ideology in the name of Islam. The author believes violent acts disrupt peace and progress when intruding into people’s livelihoods.

Definitions
Thulm (Oppression) and Fasad (Corruption)

The Qur’an describes intrusions on people’s livelihood and security as ظلم injustice, Thulm (this pronounced like in the word thus), and فساد Fassad, meaning spoilage and corruption. Thulm implies tyranny and oppression, while the word fassad connotates disrupting the flow of progress and life patterns. Thulm and fassad are condoned at all levels, particularly violence. The Arabic word صلاح Salaa-h، means virtue, upright, goodness, righteousness, etc., and opposes Fassad and Thulm.

Introduction

The Qur’an categorizes violence and disruption of societies, fassad, as destructive and immoral. By studying the lives and stories of the prophets of God, one can acquire the proper practices for peaceful initiatives. Instead, opponents of Godliness and prophets resort to savagery and cruelty. Ultimately, violence in the name of Islam shatters its sound and profound values of peace, and its only purpose is to nurture the extremists’ wrongdoing and hunger for power.

The methodology in the Qur’an is based on effecting a change centered on fulfilling peace and social justice for all humanity. The individual’s spiritual growth and development are the mechanism of a societal elevation to higher standards of moral and ethical virtues. With this grass-roots education comes الصلاح al-Salaa-h, righteousness, the vehicle of safety, security, and peace to establishing a prosperous humanistic civilization.

Qur’anic Principles of Embracing Peace and Avoiding Rancor

Building and sustaining life is a sacred trust given to humankind. The Qur’an teaches:

He (God) brought you into being out of the Earth and enabled you to build and thrive thereon. Qur’an 11:61

Such a central principle to Islam is subsequently discussed in more detail in the section “God-Given Trust of Building Earth.” Assassinations and violent coups are blasphemy and terrors often committed in God’s name, defying His trust in humankind to build and maintain life on Earth. Violence only serves personal individual and authoritative political gains in all its forms.

Outstandingly, in his opening statement on The Sunni – Shi’i Divide, Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of the University of California (UCLA) laid a central question “What to do about the corrupt political power?” Dr. Abou El Fadl presents historical transgressions that the corrupt political powers inflicted upon the Islamic faith nation (Ummah). Extremist groups celebrate such boastful gains at the expense of Islam’s gracious faith, public security, and progress.

The Qur’an mandates sufficient guidance for nonviolent disagreements between different groups of people. For instance, no single qur’anic word implies that Muslims should fight Christian and Jewish believers for their religion. Instead, it uses explicit statements to lovingly invite the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to submit to the Creator and worship Him. Declining the invitation should not induce violence. God’s order to believers to “Say we are submitters to Him” is declared in transparent words, in a peaceful tone, and meaning to allow no cause for resentment amongst one another. The qur’anic wording yields no confusion in interpreting the text. This affirmation profoundly declares:

 Say, O People of the Book, come to a word equitable between ourselves and yourselves – that we all worship non-except God, not associate anything with Him, and not take one another as lords instead of God. If they turn away, however, then say, bear witness that we are submitters (muslims) to Him. Qur’an 3:64

Both implicit and explicit teachings of the Qur’an are clear of disruption and violence within the pluralistic societies of the entire Earth. Its textual and contextual statements are only warm-hearted and welcoming and aim to nurture peace and abolish argument that leads to agitation and fury. It is appropriate to quote Pope John Paul the Second’s statement saying:

Violence always spawns violence, and wars throw the doors open to the abyss of evil.

It is the very reason why God commands co-existence with other religions peacefully. The Qur’an states:

And dispute not with the People of the Book except with peaceful means, unless it is with those who inflict wrong and injury, and say we believe in what has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God are one God, and we are submitters to Him. Qur’an 29:46

Bringing the Positive Impact on the Hearts of Opponents

Replacing evil with goodness is one of the Qur’an’s methods to effectuate any dynamic change. The Qur’an expresses that saying:

 Since good and bad conduct cannot be alike, decently repel evil words and deeds. But, behold, whom there is hostility between you and him may become as though he is your bosom friend. Quran 41:35

Additionally, Prophet Muhammad conforms to the guidance of the Creator, addressing all people, saying:

وأتبع السيئة الحسنة تمحها و خالق الناس بخلق حسن. – رواه الترمذي

Abolish evil deeds with a benevolent one, so that evil deed vanishes, and treats people with kind manners.  -Tirmithi

Sunnah, the practice of teachings of Prophet Muhammad, perfectly applies this great dealing with all types of people from all walks of life. The wisdom in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah widely opens the doors to the most complex human experience of changing the hearts of adversaries through gentle and kind acts and manners. To sweep away all doubts, one can contemplate this revelation:

It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and those you hold as enemies. God has power over all things and is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Qur’an, 60:7

The Qur’an narrates actual stories of prophets’ interactions with people to declare this compassionate context free of any fury or violence. All levels and narrations consistently coached self-discipline and anger management in life and peacefully transformed faith and societal changes. All prophets, including Noah, David, Solomon, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Prophet Muhammad, avoided animosity in their prophetic guidance and inspiration. For example, in his call to worship God, Prophet Abraham gently addressed his father, saying:

O, my father! Why do you worship what neither hears nor sees nor does it avail you in the least? O, my father, it has been revealed to me but not to you, so follow me, and I will guide you on the right path. Qur’an 19:42

He also explains to him that:

O, my father! Serve not Satan, for Satan is a rebel against the Most Gracious, Qur’an 19:44

He then moves to caution him on the potential consequences saying:

 O, my father! Lo! I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent overtake you so that you become a comrade of the devil.

In a forceful tone, his father answers him back:

Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me for a prolonged time.

Abraham answers back with a respectful, loving response saying:

Peace be upon you! I will ask my Lord to forgive you; He is always gracious to me.

In their father-son dialogue, the faithful son politely and affectionately advises his father. Though he addresses him passionately, the father’s response to his son is aggressive and threatening. Even when his father frightens him, Abraham favorably and patiently responds with transparency saying,

Peace be upon you! I will ask my Lord to forgive you. Qur’an 19:47

The Qur’an presents believers with invitations to others without threat or intimidation. Instead, they are full of affection and patience. The Prophet Noah’s flood was God’s action since it is always God’s will to determine appropriate consequences for misdeeds. As explained below in Punishing People As If They Own Them, the Qur’an provides a similar believer-disbeliever dialogue of Prophet Noah and his disbelieving son saying:

 And it, Noah’s ark, sailed amid waves like mountains, and Noah cried unto his son – and he was standing aloof – O, my son! Come ride with us and be not with the disbelievers. Qur’an 11:42

The son replied:

I will take refuge on some mountain, saving me from the flood.

Noah confirmed:

None shall be secure today from Allah’s decision except the one He has mercy on! Qur’an 11:43

In the same context, the Pharos’ crimes against his people and his claim that he is God-worthy of worship in his denial of the Creator. Nothing is more absurd than his saying to his people, “I am your highest lord!” In the climax of this situation, God instructs Moses to:

Mildly speak to him so that he (the Pharos) might think of himself or be apprehension-filled. Qur’an 20:44

Despite the Pharaoh’s tyrannical imposition-enslaving and murdering the children of Israel–God did not forcefully impose any punishment on him or the people he ruled. Instead, God granted him the chance to submit to His free will. On the other hand, punishing the Pharos is up to God and no one else. See the section below, ‘Only God Can Punish or Forgive.’

Extremists Arrogantly Assume the Position of God

No human being is to assume the role of God. The inability to accurately and reasonably ascertain people’s hearts and minds eliminates the assumption that people can judge and punish others based on their intention. In the light of qur’anic guidance and prophets’ teachings, one finds that extremists transgress, as they please, God’s laws and rules by killing and penalizing people. With its exhaustive legal processes and cross-examinations, only a court of law can impose a penalty and punishment for wrongdoings.

Under His mercy, God allows people penitence even moments before their deathbeds. Yet, arrogantly, extremists assume their superior role in society by vetoing God’s rule of mercy. See our article’ ISIS Formulation Orientation and Destination‘ for more lunatic acts.

With logic and heart, God’s will in His ultimate supremacy is to punish or have mercy on his creations accordingly. Addressing this very point, the Qur’an states:

So, remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. Qur’an 88:21
‏88:21 فذكر انما انت مذكر

Thou are not empowered to act with authority over them. Qur’an 88:22
‏88:22 لست عليهم بمصيطر

For behold, unto Us will be their return. Qur’an 88:25
‏88:25 ان الينا ايابهم‏

Then it is for Us to call them to account. Qur’an 88:26
88:26 ثم ان علينا حسابهم

Another qur’anic passage reinforces God’s law,

 You who believe! Do not worry about those who have gone astray. Their misguiding shall not harm you. [Be assured] to God shall you all return, and He will inform you of all your doings. Qur’an 5:105

ياأيها الذين آمنوا عليكم أنفسكم لا يضركم من ضل إذا اهتديتم إلى الله مرجعكم جميعا فينبئكم بما كنتم تعملون” المائدة 105

Dr. al-Zuhaily elaborated in his qur’anic interpretation (al-Tafseer al-Munir) that the obligational duty of promoting good and rejecting wrong (al Ma’roof and al-Munkarr) should be exercised as circumstances permit. However, one must not implement the rule when there is any concern of harm inflicted on oneself or society. God does not allow any sides involved to penalize or judge others to the point where they cause damage or destruction with violence.

Infringing on the Security of the Public Acts of Thulm (Injustice) and Fassad (Spoilage and Corruption)

The Qur’an condemns acts of injustice and oppression and calls it thulm in specific passages and fassad in others. All types of violence encroach on man’s God-given rights of His creation to prosper in safety, security, and peace. On addressing this thulm infringement and fassad, the Qur’an recounts directives and prophetic stories that condemn such harmful practices. This section discusses the examples of Prophets Abraham, Moses, and Aaron’s examples.

a) The Case of Prophet Abraham

In the case of Prophet Abraham, the Qur’an speaks about Abraham’s question to his people about which believers or disbelievers deserve safety, security, and peace-al-amn. It states:

Which of us (believers or disbelievers) deserve to enjoy al-Amn, peace, and security? Respond should you know the answer? Qur’an 6:81

وكيف أخاف ما أشركتم و لا تخافون أنكم أشركتم بالله ما لم ينزل به عليكم سلطانا فأي الفريقين أحق بالأمن إن كنتم تعلمون. الأنعام81

The impelling answer follows directly in the next passage, stating that those who believe and do not mix their faith with injustice are assured al-amn. On the contrary, God rewards them for walking steadfastly on the right path and for guidance.

Those who believed and did not dress [mix] their faith with thulm; to them [truly] is the safety and security (al-amn), for they are on the right path and guidance. Qur’an 6:82

الذين آمنوا و لم يلبسوا إيمانهم بظلم أولئك لهم الأمن و هم مهتدون. الأنعام82

Security, peace, and stability are the primary elements in the growth of civilizations. ‘Building the Earth’ (see ‘God-Given Trust of Building the Earth’ below) is a trust given to human beings by God. Defying the Will of God by denying His creation of this very right is an act of thulm. Dr. Adnan Ibrahim, a prominent Islamic scholar, asserts that by robbing society of security in acts of thulm, extremists infringe on people’s God-given right to peace. Dr. Ibrahim claims that extremists overlook this fundamental al-Amn concept and embrace their actions in mischief, oppression, and injustice. A few of their horrific crimes: include killing innocents, raping women and girls, and stealing and destroying property. Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen are vivid accounts of destruction to people’s peaceful homeland. God enlightens Prophet Mohammad with peace be upon him, (p) by His speech:

يقول الله تعالى: يا عبادي إني حرمت الظلم على نفسي وجعلته محرما بينكم فلا تظالموا. صحيح مسلم 2577

My servants, I have forbidden injustice for myself and amongst you. You are not to oppress one another. Sahih Muslim 2577

Thulm and fassad devilishly cross boundaries extending beyond a definite place and time, allowing violence to spread globally. According to The World Report of 2018, in the aftermath of the Syrian conflict since 2011, over 400,000 individuals have been murdered, with another five million seeking refuge abroad and over six million displaced. A few other countries and millions of the world’s fundamental rights are affected due to an immense influx of refugees that burden the countries they move to settle in. No logic or emotions can account for this apocalypse-like incursion on the disturbed societies. All such corruption is in Islam’s name, yet this graceful faith opposes such evil work. God says:

Do the people who commit mischief think that We shall make their lives and deaths like that of the righteously striving believers! How terrible is their Judgment! Allah created the heavens and Earth to manifest the truth and reward each soul according to deeds. None shall be wronged. You have seen how God kept astray the one who took his ego as his god, for he knows and insists on doing the wrong. God sealed his hearing and heart and made a veil in his eyes. He shall not be guided but by God! Will you not remember? Qur’an 45:21-22-23

أم حسب الذين اجترحوا السيئات أن نجعلهم كالذين آمنوا و عملوا الصالحات سواء محياهم و مماتهم ساء ما يحكمون (21) وخلق الله السماوات والارض بالحق ولتجزى كل نفس بما كسبت وهم لايظلمون ( 22) أفرأيت من اتخذ إلهه هواه وأضله الله على علم وختم على سمعه وقلبه وجعل على بصره غشاوة فمن يهديه من بعد الله أفلا تذكرون. الجاثية21-22-23

b) The Case of Prophets Moses and Aaron

In a far less explicit qur’anic case, insecurity and instability are rebuked even at the cost of an out-loud worshiping something other than God in the case of  Moses and Aaron and their people. Interestingly, the Qur’an spoke of the story of Moses and Aaron, showing that civil war or what leads to civil war is fasad, spoilage, and corruption, and hence not allowed even at the cost of some followers worshipping the Golden Calf instead of Allah.

Before leaving for his meditating journey in Saini, Moses appointed his brother Prophet Aaron to watch over Israel’s children while he was meditating. He said to him:

7:142 اخلفني في قومي واصلح ولاتتبع سبيل المفسدين

You take my place among my people: act rightly and follow not the way of those who spread corruption (mufsedeen). Qur’an 7:142

After forty days of meditation, Moses returned to find some of his people worshipping the Golden Calf. Angerly, he approached his brother Aaron taking him by the beard and head, saying:

20:92 ياهارون ما منعك اذ رايتهم ضلوا
20:93 الا تتبعن أفعصيت امري

When did you realize they had gone astray? What prevented you, Aaron, from coming after me? How could you disobey my orders? Qur’an 20:92-93

Aaron assuredly replied:

‏ قال يابن ام لاتاخذ بلحيتي ولابراسي اني خشيت ان تقول فرقت بين بني اسرائيل ولم ترقب قولي20:9

He said, Son of my mother–let go with my beard and my hair!–I was afraid you would say, “You have caused division among the children of Israel and have not heeded what I said.” (i.e., do not follow the mufsedeen, the corrupt ones). Qur’an 20:94

Breaking up of Societies Acts of Fassad (Spoilage and Corruption)  

With such an answer, Moses realized Aaron’s inspiration. Aaron’s argument, attested by the words of the Qur’an, that destroying communities and inducing divisions is corruption, fassad, or spoilage–undesired and evil. A split of his people, the children of Israel, would be imminent had Aaron forced his way in stopping them from worshipping the Golden Calf. This point is clarified in the qur’anic passage,

قال ابن ام ان القوم استضعفوني وكادوا يقتلونني فلاتشمت بي الاعداء ولاتجعلني مع القوم الظالمين
“O Son of my mother! These people treated me harshly, took my patience as a weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my opponents rejoice and count me not among the wrongdoers [by forcing my way with fasad].” Qur’an 7:150

“Violence can only beard violence” and ruin communities. As per Dr. Adnan Ibrahim, destruction and impairment of society are a graver offense, given the circumstances, than the insult of not worshipping God. The creation of such havoc may obliterate the community. Still, by addressing the issue upon Moses’ return, there was a chance the Idol worshippers might return to their senses and worship God, so long as the community was still sane.

Confirming Aaron’s Godly inspiration over the damage of contention, the Qur’an states:

8:46واطيعوا الله ورسوله ولاتنازعوا فتفشلوا وتذهب ريحكم واصبروا ان الله مع الصابرين

And pay heed unto God and His Apostle, and do not dispute else you will fail, and your momentum will depart, and be patient. God is with the patient ones. Qur’an 8:46

God describes the teachings of Aaron and Moses as “dhiya’an wa noora,” shining light and illumination.

21:48 ولقد اتينا موسى وهارون الفرقان وضياء وذكرا للمتقين
And We had given Moses and Aaron the Criterion, splendor and illumination, and reminder for those who wished to walk aright. Qur’an 21:48

Moses Acts Wisely without Contention

What should not be surprising is that Moses recognized the gravity of community dysfunction at any cost–with no violence, he penalizes the maker of the Golden Calf, al- Sameri, employing isolation. He destroys the Idol and keeps the public safe and sound. For more details, see Qur’an 20:95-98.

People assemble in societies for various reasons: To establish civility and fairness, protect against wildlife, natural disasters, and enemies, support one another physically and psychologically, complement one another, etc. All such mannerisms and qualities are the building blocks of life in security and stability. Crippling such social pillars, as seen by the teaching of the Qur’an, validates the prophets of God’s definition of communal fassad.

Part II   Realization of Peace and Security

Achieving Peace and Security (Al-Amn) via Peace Accords

Quraysh tribes, the natives of Mecca, were privileged by God. He bestowed his offerings upon them by feeding them when they were hungry and assuring their safety from fear. The Qur’an highlights the significance of mutual peace and security in the form of peace accords. Such consolidating agreements effectuate stability in several ways. Some of these ensured profitability for all parties and the safety of Quraysh and merchants on their trade routes. The parties in these treaties included the Romans in Syria and the Persians in Yamen. With these accords, Quraysh found the building blocks of stability for its profitability and prosperity. For the benefit of all, peace accords included all conflicting parties. God provides people with a vivid example of how he assured the societies of their welfare by saying:

لإيلاف قريش (1) إيلافهم رحلة الشتاء و الصيف (2) فليعبدوا رب هذا البيت (3) الذي أطعمهم من جوع و آمنهم من خوف (4) قريش106

For the covenants of security and safeguard enjoyed by Quraysh, in their winter and summer trade caravans, let them, therefore, worship the Sustainer of this House of Worship.  He is the One who has fed them after hunger and provided them with security after fear. Qur’an 106:1-4

Reconciliatory agreements and peaceful accords are the vehicles for aspiration and welfare. It is by God’s mercy that people should live in peace, security, and stability. It is evident in these truthful words that the extremists were defying God’s merciful attribute to only serve their selfish purposes by causing others to live in fear and insecurity.

‫وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رغدا من كُلِّ مَكَان ٍفكَفَرَتْ بأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوع ِوَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ. النحل112
God set the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous with provisions coming to it from everywhere.  When it turned unappreciative of God’s blessings, He deemed its people to the hardship of starvation and insecurity to be the requital for the deviation from Allah’s righteous path. Qur’an 16:112

Moses Addresses the Pharos Sensibly

To assure security and stability, in yet another of Moses’s stories, God directs him to address the Pharos wisely and gently despite his extreme oppression against the people he rules. Allah asks Moses:

20:44 فقولا له قولا لينا لعله يتذكر او يخشى
“So, say to him [to the Pharos] lenient words, perhaps he will reflect or take heed.” Qur’an 20:44

Ending thulm and fassad can indeed be done peacefully, not harshly by provoking words and violence.

Banning Violent Civil Wars and Disruptions

Violent civil wars are a satanic game yielding mass murder and destruction that turns once-peaceful communities into utter battlefields. They, moreover, demolish the infrastructure of countries. The magnitude of ruins and casualties the populous suffers is immense and almost impossible to measure. Nevertheless, the American civil war statistics show five more deaths for every three soldiers who died (See ‘Casualties of Civil Wars’ below). Such losses may also result from the lack of food and, water, medicine and the inability to assist civilians during this turmoil.

Islamic mainstream resources, the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, mandate resist warfare and violent riots. God outlaws such evil deeds, commanding all people to establish peace and justice in His declaration:

  إن الله يأمر بالعدل والإحسان وإيتاء ذي القربى و ينهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر والبغي يعظكم لعلكم تذكرون. النحل90
Indeed Allah enjoins the doing of justice and ihssan, goodness and kindness beyond and above justice, and the giving to the kindred. He forbids indecency, evil mischief, and oppression; He admonishes that you may be mindful. Qur’an 16:90

The Pursuit of Benevolence

Allah teaches that good and evil deeds are not held equal in consequences:

ولا تستوي الحسنة و لا السيئة ادفع بالتي هي أحسن فإذا الذي بينك و بينه عداوة كأنه ولي ‏حميم
34 فصلت
Turn away evil with what is more benevolent, and behold, the man between whom and yourself there is enmity shall become your warmest friend. Qur’an 41:35

The Godly guidance for defeating evil with benevolence is a broad principle. Pursuing generosity, patience, and peaceful means in effecting a change in a community are the Qur’an’s remedy for defeating wrongdoings. Prophet Muhammad affirms to his people that,

إن الله رفيق يحب الرفق ويعطي على الرفق ما لا يعطي على العنف وما لا يعطي على سواه.
صحيح مسلم

Allah is benevolent. He endorses forbearance and kindness. He rewards for pursuing peaceful means in a way that is incomparable to any other reward. –Muslim

 The Good Word Eliminates Discord

Allah instructs all people to communicate gracefully and lovingly. He warns the man that Satan continually seeks to encourage people’s relationships with mischief. Satan’s way is “yanzaghu,” the Arabic verb for cunningly manipulating people’s thoughts so they may harm one another.

. ‏وقل لعبادي يقولوا التي هي أحسن إن الشيطان ينزغ بينهم إن الشيطان كان للإنسان عدوا مبينا53 الإسراء
And tell my servants that they should speak most courteously. Verily, Satan is always ready to stir up discord amongst them, for Satan is human’s open foe! Qur’an 17:53

Such an inspirational and Godly revelation outlines that those who use peaceful words and non-provoking hate speech will join with Allah, but those who speak harshly to create corruption will be with Satan. Ultimately, those who side with the Benevolent Allah are the rewarded believers.

The Fight is Permissible under Legitimate Godly Conditions

Islam emphasizes that change in society must follow compassionate, peaceful means. In his book, The Great Theft, Wrestling Islam from the Extremists,  Dr. Abou El Fadl and Dr. Adnan Ibrahim, a prominent Islamic scholar, stress that retaliation and battles in Islam are conditionally permissible. Examples of these conditions include defending people against assaults by an external threat and responding to invasion and attack. The three major battles, Badr, Uhud, and the Trench, were encounters against non-believers aiming at the Muslims’ obliteration.

These attacks made it necessary for the Muslims to defend themselves. Among the permissible fights is against those bringing harm to peaceful communities. This may include continued fighting after several failed reconciliation efforts between the two fighting groups. After this fight is over, a follow-up friendly reconciliatory attempt is demanded by the revelation of Qur’an 49:9. For more on permissible fight conditions, see our ‘Foreign Policy of Islam.’

Prophet Muhammad Conquers Hearts with Peace

Despite Quraysh’s ferocity in Mecca and the hypocrites’ hostility of Medina against Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) maintained peaceful practices. He persisted in nonviolent policies with all conflict sides. However, Ibn Abi Salul, the hypocrites’ head, betrayed the Muslim army in a treachery act hours before the Meccans and Muslims’ crucial encounter. He split away from the Muslim army with 300 people and returned to Medina. The hypocrites’ two-faced actions harmed Prophet Muhammad and Muslims on many occasions despite the Muslims’ pursuit of peace with them.

The hypocrites accused the Prophet’s wife of fornication and plotted vicious rumors to harm the Prophet, his family, and the Muslim community. Though he had the upper hand, the Prophet took no violent reaction to such harmful and distressing actions. On the contrary, he humbly insisted on pursuing peace by all grace.

The Opening of Mecca in Peace

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, (p) re-entered Mecca amazingly with no bloodshed. His compassionate plans allowed the Meccans to prepare for peace and emancipation rather than fight or feud. Ten thousand fighters surrounded Mecca, and the Prophet convinced the prominent Meccan leader Abu Sufyan to have Mecca surrender. He assured him of safety for all his people by announcing that,

 “Anyone who enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe! Anyone who stays inside his house is safe! Anyone who enters the Sacred House of God is safe! Anyone who drops his weapon is safe!” 

Interestingly, Abu Sufyan, in some sources, was not yet a Muslim and was still practicing the pagan faith. But later converted to Islam after his conscious, fulfilling converse experience with Muhammad. The Prophet’s peaceful entry into a city full of hate had succeeded. He entered Mecca with his head bowed in humility to God, who had granted him a bloodless return to a city and a society full of hostility against Islam’s new faith.

Upon entering the city, Prophet Muhammad did not force any Meccan to convert to Islam; instead, of committing to a peaceful society despite the different creeds. Both Muslims and others lived in harmony and exercised mutual respect. He declared emancipation and amnesty to all Meccans though he was fully capable of revenge. It is hugely significant for the messenger of peace to teach the message of peace peacefully. He conquered people’s hearts with his faith-filled with love and mercy regardless of any belief or aggression.

Prophet Muhammad Administers the God-Given Rights of Security to Animals

To Prophet Muhammad, the God-given rights to security are not limited to people but apply to animals and other creations. On his way to open Mecca city, Prophet Muhammad rerouted the 10,000 people army to preserve the right to peace and security of a dog and her puppies. He sets a guard over the animals to ensure their safety. The considerations of the upcoming battle to open Mecca and his sovereignty over Arabia did not tempt the Prophet Muhammad to deprive a dog and her puppies of their God-given right to peace and safety.

The Early Meccan Period

In the early phases of establishing Islam in Mecca, Muslims suffered humiliation, torture, and execution. Prophet Muhammad never permitted retaliation or violence in return. Instead, he endured suffering and practiced patience. The Prophet, moreover, adopted his faith-driven peaceful acts. He asked some of his companions to migrate to Abyssinia on two occasions. He asked the wealthy companions to pay for the slaves under torture and agony by their masters and set them free.

Other faith-driven actions kept the Meccan community undisturbed. The Prophet held his meetings secretly and asked his people not to proclaim their faith publicly. He urged them to pray quietly, not loudly, which induced arguments and violence in the community.

Prophet Muhammad had planned to gradually and patiently spread the word of peace; thus, he did not cause any misunderstanding or misjudgment. Such wisdom is rooted in perseverance, benevolence, and forgiveness. However, a spark of public revolt could quickly flare up into a bloody tribal or civil war that defeats God’s Will for security and stability–al-amn. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad wisely established an everlasting goal to overcome hatred with respect, love, and compassion.

The Reconciliation Approach

A genuine word of love and care is far more helpful for positive change. The Hudaybiyah treaty with the tribe of Quraysh in Mecca stands out as positive evidence of a peace accord between conflicting parties. Soon after the agreement was signed, God revealed to Prophet Muhammad the revelation of Al-fat-h, the Grand Opening, endorsing his reconciliatory deal and reflecting Islam’s spirit in pursuing peace. His community’s peace, security, and stability were priorities in Muhammad’s pursuit of success for his society.

Mecca represents a period of weakness and defeat, and Medina represents the era of dominant power for Muslims. In both opposite phases, however, Muslims maintained their beliefs of ultimate decency and wisdom.

Part III  Radicalism

The Inception of the Extremist Wahhabi Ideology 

In the first half of the 1800s, Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab had a personal claim and opinion that Muslims had deviated from true Islam. He pronounced this belief without any legitimacy of the original Islamic ruling. Muhammad Aal-Saud was a leader of a little town (Diriyah) in Najd of the Arabian Peninsula and had a vast appetite for authoritative power. Abdul-Wahhab and Aal-Saud’s interests led to an agreement to expand and spread Wahhabi’s misleading ways of thinking. To list a few of his misconceptions, Abdul-Wahhab wrongly accused Muslims of shirk (associating others with God), innovating in religion, worshipping graves, and glorifying monuments and saints.

The new Saud-Wahhabi union rounded up the non-educated Bedouins of Najd and trained them to launch attacks against other peaceful Muslim communities in Arabia. The wrongly educated, well-trained Bedouins ruthlessly killed as many as ten thousand Muslims and slew over one hundred prominent scholars. The Wahhabi-Saudi savages advanced into Arabia disrupting people’s lives and destroying inspirational Islamic artwork designs in mosques and historical buildings. Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab considered this fabulous heritage as a matter of associating human-made art with God. The Saud-Wahhabi forces falsely claimed they were liberating Mecca and Medina from shirk and infidelity. Instead, they were harming Islam and causing immense physical and emotional damage to Muslims. This irrational and ill-conceived campaign had broadly started destabilizing the Islamic national community, Ummah.

In this context and with an appeal to common sense, fundamental questions must be tackled. First, could such Saudi barbarism and lunacy of the Wahhabi ever be mandating qur’anic/prophetic guidance of avoiding violence as set by God and exemplified by Prophet Muhammad? Common sense tells us NO! It was merely their greed for tyranny. Was this Saudi-Wahhabi union only a group of “corrupt political powers” that Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA alluded to while addressing the topic of the Sunni-Shi’i Divide? The answer is that this group has contradicted the core values of peaceful Islam. They pretended that their purpose was to purify and clear Islam of misconceptions. Still, their violent and disruptive actions and wicked deeds revealed their dishonesty and hunger for vicious power and tyranny.

According to his hateful views, Abdul al Wahhab pretended to educate Muslims better. His acts of destruction, murder, and slain speak to a mindset of killing Muslims and distorting Islam and its dignified image. The Wahabi-Saudi merger enhanced their malignant violation of peace in the region when they formed and re-formed the three Saudi States to fight the Ottoman Islamic Empire (1517-1923) for 132 years demise 1923. Colonial Britain had its hands immersed in the ending of the Ottoman Islamic Empire.

The Qur’an teaches that a soul cannot be executed except by a due legal (court of law) process and in fairness and that there shall never be a slaying without a criminal cause.

وكتبنا عليهم فيها أن النفس بالنفس والعين بالعين والأنف بالأنف والأذن بالأذن والسن بالسن والجروح قصاص فمن تصدق به فهو كفارة له ومن لم يحكم بما أنزل الله فأولئك هم الظالمون. المائدة45

And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and wounds is legal retribution. And whoever gives up their own right as a deed of charity diminishes one’s sins. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then these are the wrongdoers. Qur’an 5:45

Let this verse from the Qur’an speaks for itself:

‏4:93 ومن يقتل مؤمنا متعمدا فجزاؤه جهنم خالدا فيها وغضب الله عليه ولعنه واعد له عذابا عظيما
But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally. Allah has become angry with him, cursed him, and prepared a significant punishment for him. Qur’an 4:93

Superiority over People

The Qur’an holds as noble the deeds stem from the humble, pure intentions of the hearts and minds of believers. But unfortunately, the Wahhabi ideology set its beliefs as superior to all people, whether Muslims or otherwise, to produce a self-serving doctrine based on arrogance and an illogical mindset stemming from a lack of liberal education.

O humankind, indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you nations and tribes (lita’arafu) so that you may know and deal with one another in kindness. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you [righteousness in the sense of the extent of cooperation]. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and Acquainted. Qur’an 49:13

Punishing People As If They Own Them

The extremists’ ideology in general and the Wahhabi’s in this context calls for religious authority and policing of people as if they and their religion are simply property. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and Earth. Only He, the Owner and Creator, can have mercy, punish or forgive as He wills. The Qur’an states:

‏لله مافي السماوات ومافي الأرض وإن تبدوا مافي أنفسكم أو تخفوه يحاسبكم به الله فيغفر لمن يشاء ويعذب من يشاء والله على كل شئ قدير. آل عمران 284.

 To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the Earth. Allah will hold you accountable if you show what is within yourselves or conceal it. Then He will forgive whom He will and punishes whom He will, and Allah has the power over all things. Quran 2:284

By penalizing people as they please, extremists outlaw God’s role in judging others. It is only their pretension that they are Muslim Jurists. None of their actions convey education or wisdom. Allah (SWT) says:

ولو شاء الله مااشركوا وماجعلناك عليهم حفيظا وماانت عليهم بوكيل

They would not have taken false gods if it had been Allah’s plan. But We made you not one to watch over their doings, nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs. Qur’an 6:107

God asks Muslims to inform others gently, respectfully, and lovingly. They are not to deal with those who do not listen to what is righteous in any other way.

16:82 فان تولوا فانما عليك البلاغ المبين
But if they turn away, you only must preach the clear Message. Qur’an 16:82

Not even the Prophet should have the upper hand over people, but by the right word where Allah asks him to deliver the message and pass knowledge peacefully and understandably. Afterward, all their affairs are in the hands of Allah’s Will. Allah is saying:

من يطع الرسول فقد اطاع الله ومن تولى فما ارسلناك عليهم حفيظا
Whoever pays heed unto the Apostle pays to heed unto God, thereby; and as for those who turn away-We have not sent you [O Muhammad!] to be their keeper governing their activities. Qur’an 4:80

A prominent Islamic scholar Al-Fakhr al-Razi states in his Grand Tafseer (Interpretation of Qur’an) that Allah told Prophet Muhammad (p) that his job is not to impose religion on people by force but to educate them and equip them with sound knowledge. They are then left to practice their own free will to choose the path they want to follow.

ولا تطرد الذين يدعون ربهم بالغداة و العشي يريدون وجهه ما عليك من حسابهم من شيئ و ما من حسابك عليهم من شيئ فتطردهم فتكون من الظالمين. الأنعام52

Push not away those who call morning and evening upon their Lord in their desiring to see his face; it belongs not unto you to pass any judgment on them, nor does it belong unto them to pass any judgment on you. Therefore, if you drive them away, you will become one with an unjust cause. Qur’an 6:52

What Islamic rule did the Wahhabi ideology build its authority over people when God did not permit even the Prophet to control people or pass judgments over them? The answer is an overwhelming hunger for influence and power, defying God’s rule, even at the expense of human souls, well-being, the right to life, and freedom of belief.

Read more on the pandemic of Wahhabism.

Forgiveness and Punishments are Allah’s Authority

The Qur’an distinguishes between the prophets’ rightful tasks and those of God. The role of accountability is one God reserves for Himself, not man. As for the Prophet Muhammad, he was no different than any other man. His task, and hence the task of all believers, was to convey the message as the subsequent revelation explains,

  وان مانرينك بعض الذي نعدهم او نتوفينك فانما عليك البلاغ وعلينا الحساب
الرعد40
And We will either let you see part of what We threaten them with or cause you to die, for only the delivery of the message is (incumbent) on you while calling (them) to account is Our (business). Qur’an 13:40

Throughout the Qur’an, God speaks of punishing people or towns when they harm or abuse His prophets and rebel against His commands. A few of God’s punishments are the drowning of the Pharos, Noah’s flood, and Thamud and Lot’s people’s destruction. God does not give authority to any human being–neither to the prophets nor their followers–to punish others. See Qur’an 51:31-46 for several accounts of God’s wrath and ultimatums to transgressors. 

The Inception of the Muslim Brotherhood and its Ideology

The end of the Islamic Ottoman Empire in 1923 triggered Muslims trained in Islamic Jurisprudence and otherwise to reinstate the Caliphate, the Islamic Empire. Abu al-Ala al-Mawdudi (d.1979) maintained a top-down authoritative approach starting with the head of state and governmental institutions. He was influenced by Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (d.1897), who strictly argued that a Caliphate must rule in a political puritan Islamic state. However, this approach proved lacking in structural integrity and foundation.

Al-Mawdudi and al-Afghani’s ideology focused on their philosophical thoughts rather than core Islamic wisdom, morality, and values. On the other hand, Al-Azhar University scholars who represent mainstream Islam philosophies, such as Muhammad Abduh (d.1905), maintained that Muslim leaders’ focus must be on reestablishing grass-roots spirituality and moral virtues through elaborate educational systems. They sought spiritual guidance firmly rooted in the purification of hearts, citizenship, and collaboration with all faith communities. The Islamic leadership should follow the trail that Prophet Mohammad walked on steadily and confidently.

According to Dr. Ali Gomoah, the previous Grand Mufti of Egypt, in 1928, Hassan al-Banna (d. 1966) started the Muslim Brotherhood organization against his mentor and spiritual leader’s advice, Shaykh al-Safi of Dar Al Uloom, in Egypt. Britain exerted considerable military and political influence on the Egyptian Monarch, King Farooq during this time. Moreover, the Ottoman Empire had dissolved only five years prior, leaving Al-Banna fertile ground to recruit members for his cause.

The Muslim Brotherhood party’s by-laws and policies were politically motivated and adopted the top-down philosophy of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Abu al-Ala al-Mawdudi. They prioritized governance over education and social welfare. Hasan al-Banna and Sayyed Qutb were convinced that an Islamic state no longer existed, so they dedicated their lives to taking over existing Muslim-majority governments, deeming them non-Islamic or blasphemous-“kufar.” Al-Banna and Qutb did not follow Prophet Mohammad’s practical, constructive approach to building and maintaining a unified society as if running away from hard work and responsibility.

Catastrophes of the Wicked Ideologies

Genuine believers are raised and trained in spirituality, moral traits, and deep-in-the-heart awareness of God-taqwa. Contrary to that, ideologies like Wahhabis and the Muslim Brotherhood are politically charged by untrained amateurs falsely presenting themselves to the masses as scholars of the highest eminence.

An objective examination of the Muslim Brotherhood’s by-laws discloses a political organization’s ideology in a religious disguise. It had established a secret, militant wing to overtake governments at any cost. Unfortunately, this organization steered the youth generation under a false umbrella of religion. It preyed on their innocence, kindness, and gentleness to radicalize Islamic faith concepts and implications in their minds and hearts. They convinced them they would be committing blasphemy if they did not follow them.

Since the establishment of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, constant violence and instability have plagued the Middle East region. Their brutality has reached its ugliest scenarios beyond any imagination. For example, since its independence in 1945, Syria alone experienced ten executed coups and eighteen unsuccessful attempts between 1958 and 1970. Also, several armed revolution attempts were destined to fail. See the following links for details.

http://internationalrelations.org/syria-muslim-brotherhood/ 

http://www.ikhwanwiki.com/index.php?title=‫‫أحداث_حماه_عام_1964

https://sites.google.com/site/syrianmuslimbrotherhood/

The Muslim Brotherhood has disgracefully deprived the region of much-needed social, political, and economic stability rooted in al-amn. This ideology misinterpreted the sacred texts to serve its evil purpose that provoked the chaotic situation in the Middle East today. Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Morocco have enjoyed remarkable progress in technology, agriculture, and the building of needed infrastructure since the Salafi, Wahhabi or the Muslim Brotherhood’s disruptive ideologies fassad did not inflict these countries.

Dr. Ali Gomaa, the previous Grand Mufti of Egypt, expressed the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology in an analogy to the rebuilding of the pyramids of Giza upside down! His statement means this ideology has little to no foundational education in Islam. Additionally, Dr. Abou El Fadl states in his book The Great Theft, Wrestling Islam from the Extremists, “It is not surprising that neither al-Afghani nor Mawdudi were trained jurists.” The author believes that the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology is a definite case of the “corrupt political power” of Dr. Abou El Fadl.

The Imposition of Distrust

The Muslim Brotherhood never admits its use of violence. On the contrary, doing so bred more fassad–distrust and confusion, leading to suppression. The frequent invocations and violence they practiced forced governments to clamp down on people and repress the freedom of expression and speech. Consequently, governments, civic institutions, and businesses exhausted their resources in containing violence instead of investing in the country’s improvement and progress. The violations of the Muslim Brotherhood of people’s rights are extreme acts of injustice and tyranny-them, as presented in the following video.

https://youtu.be/BgkT3Z16_hU

Inadmissibility of Armed Paramilitary

The armed paramilitary force within a community can be dangerous, disrupting peace and security. Armed groups can quickly become thugs, especially when things do not go their way. An armed political paramilitary group can threaten any governing system and cause insecurity and instability. The question of the impermissibility of armed groups within the Muslim Ummah can be answered historically.

For example, Prophet Muhammad disbanded the treacherous armed tribe of Nadheer in Medina to threaten the community’s stability. Likewise, he disarmed the tribes of Khayber and established reconciliatory treaties with them. Similarly, the second Caliph, Umar Ibn al-Khattab, banished the treasonous tribes of Najran from Arabia to Iraq to preserve the community’s established amn and the prevention of fassad.

These historical manifestations prove the wickedness of the Wahhabi and the Muslim Brotherhood… disrupting life, polarizing and splitting societies, and murdering civilians and government personnel. Moreover, the Wahhabi and the Muslim Brotherhood are separate from mainstream Islam. Their pursuit of power shattered the solidarity and unity of the Islamic nation-Ummah.

Gross Violations of the Words of God

Extremists groups such as Wahhabi and the Muslim Brotherhood defiled the core teachings of Islam in at least three significant areas, which are: the sacredness of the soul, deviating from the mainstream Ummah, an act of fassad as seen above in “The Case of Moses and Aaron,” and the breaching of security- al-Amn.

a) The Sacredness of the Soul – Capricious Killing of People

On several occasions in the Qur’an, God addresses the sacredness of human souls. Therefore, preserving and saving the human soul is a priority in Islamic laws, and killing humans without a just cause is prohibited. 

من اجل ذلك كتبنا على بني اسرائيل انه من قتل نفسا بغير نفس او فسادفي الارض فكانما قتل الناس جميعا ومن احياها فكانما احيا الناس جميعا

For this reason, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a human being, unless it is in the course of justice for murder or bloody crimes on the earth, it shall be as if he murdered all humanity.  And whoever saves one life, it would be as if he saved the life of all humankind.  Our Messengers came to people with evident truth, yet many of them continued to transgress in the earth! Qur’an 5:32

وماكان لمؤمن أن يقتل مؤمنا إلا خطا ومن قتل مؤمنا خطأ فتحرير رقبة مؤمنة ودية مسلمة إلى أهله إلا أن يصدقوا فإن كان من قوم عدو لكم وهو مؤمن فتحرير رقبة مؤمنة وإن كان من قوم بينكم وبينهم ميثاق فدية مسلمة إلى أهله وتحرير رقبة مؤمنة فمن لم يجد فصيام شهرين متتابعين توبة من الله وكان الله عليما حكيما 92ومن يقتل مؤمنا متعمدا فجزاؤه جهنم خالدا فيها وغضب الله عليهه ولعنه وأعد له عذابا عظيما. النساء 92-93

It is not conceivable that a believer will slay another believer unless it is a mistake. If one kills a believer by mistake, there is the duty of freeing a believing person from bondage, whether slavery, extreme poverty, crushing debt, or oppression. And pay compensation to the victim’s family unless they forgo it through charity. If the victim was a believer and belonged to a tribe at war with you, free a believing person from bondage. If the victim was a believer and belonged to a tribe with whom you have a peace treaty, you should pay the compensation to his family in addition to freeing a believing person from bondage. For those who find this settlement beyond their means, two consecutive months of Abstinence, as in Ramadan, are ordained through repentance from Allah. And Allah is the Knower, the Wise. Qur’an 4:92

ومن يقتل مؤمنا متعمدا فجزاؤه جهنم خالدا فيها وغضب الله عليه ولعنه وأعد له عذابا عظيما. 4:93

And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his reward shall be Hell, eternally abiding therein, and God will be angry with him, curse him, and for him is prepared great retribution. Qur’an 4:93

The mass and indiscriminate murders the Wahhabi-Saudis committed in Arabia, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen grossly violated God’s Words from past to present. However, the course of history provides that these countries’ populations are an excellent example of humbleness throughout their walks of life. They peacefully live their daily lives worshiping their Gracious Creator and caring for their families’ and communities’ affairs.

No Concealed Plots of Death and Destruction – Fatk

Bravery and honesty are traits of believers. The Prophet Muhammad wisely and firmly responded to a few Medinan people who had suggested  assassinating ‘sanadeed Quraysh,‘ the Meccan leaders of Quraysh, stating:

إِنَّ الإِيمَانَ قَيْدُ الْفَتْكِ، لا يَفْتِكُ مُؤْمِنٌ”-الإمام أحمد بسندٍ صحيح

“[الايمان ] The Faith of Islam prevents fatk; the believer does not ‘yaftik.” [yaftik from the Arabic word fatk meaning concealed-plotted death, i.e., poison, assassinate, drown, deceive, planned transport failure, use of explosive, betray, and more of the evil work.] … Muslim

Gutless acts are only acts of cowardliness. Facing opponents and intellectually engaging with them on mutual concern issues is the noble method that Prophet Muhammad taught in bringing about a solution. Vandalism and destruction of property are only heinous acts of fatk.

Prohibition of War on Disbelievers with Believers Dwelling Among Them  

The accusation of shirk (partnering others with God in worship) and infidelity that Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab professed was simply a ruse. Al-Banna, followed by Sayyed Qutb, wrongly made themselves the guardians of Islam and Muslims. Their threatening of public safety was deemed evil in God’s law, for Allah does not command evil.

Allah ordered Muslims not to fight the pagan Meccans, who barred them from performing the pilgrimage to the Sacred Mosque, to be careful that there were no unknown believers among the Meccans. The protection of all people’s lives and rights, whether believers or non-believers, is mandatory by Allah.

The Qur’an tells the story of this historic event in the next two revelations:

‏‏وهو الذي كف أيديهم عنكم وأيديكم عنهم ببطن مكة من بعد أن أظفركم عليهم وكان الله بما تعملون بصيرا
24الفتح

 And He is who, in the valley of Mecca, restrained their hands from you, and your hands from them, after He had enabled you to defeat them; God saw indeed what you were doing. Quran 48:24

Shortly before the Truce of Hudaybiyah, a detachment of Quraysh warriors, estimated between thirty and eighty men, attacked the Prophet’s camp. Muslims, under his leadership, overcame them and took them prisoners of war. After the signing of the treaty, they were released unharmed.‏

هم الذين كفروا وصدوكم عن المسجد الحرام والهدى معكوفا أن يبلغ محله ولولا رجال مؤمنون ونساء مؤمنات لم تعلموهم أن تطؤوهم فتصيبكم منهم معرة بغير علم ليدخل الله في رحمته من يشاء لو تزيلوا لعذبنا الذين كفروا منهم عذابا أليما. الفتح25

They denied the truth and debarred you from the Inviolable House of Worship  [i.e., the Kabah], preventing your offering from reaching its place of sacrifice. And had it not been for the believing men and believing women [in Mecca], whom you might have trodden down, [i.e., killed. After the Prophet’s and his followers’ exodus to Medina, some Meccans – both men and women – had embraced Islam but had been prevented by the pagan Quraysh from emigrating. As a result, their identities were not generally known to the Muslims of Medina. (If Muslims were allowed to fight to enter Kabah, they would have unwittingly killed some unknown Muslims.) 

It will burden them with guilt, without knowing [had it not been for this, you would have been allowed to fight your way into the city, but you were forbidden to fight] so that [in time] God might admit to His grace whom He chooses. Had they [who deserve Our mercy and they whom We have condemned] been discernible [to you], [Lit., “had they been separated from one another”: i.e., the believers and the pagans among the Meccans. We would indeed have imposed grievous suffering [at your hands] on such of them as were bent on denying the truth. Quran 48:25

God forbade the Muslims from raging war to enter Mecca because of the unknown believers who could be casualties of this war, as explained below. The blood of believers may not be spilled, even at the cost of banning a battle against the pagans. This historic event was a revelation in the Quran to all humankind to learn how to protect humanity from disruption and violence.

Given the above qur’anic passage, how could Muhammad ibn Abdulwahhab conduct vicious-bloody wars against believers practicing the tenets of belief, in the heart of Arabia and within the cities of Mecca and Medina?

 حدثنا حجر بن خلف : سمعت عبد الله بن عوف يقول: سمعت جنيد بن سبع يقول: قاتلت رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – أول النهار كافرا وقاتلت  معه آخر النهار مسلما قال كنا تسعة نفر سبعة رجال وامرأتين وفينا نزلت: ولولا رجال مؤمنون ونساء مؤمنات
ابو يعلى في مسنده والطبراني

In the above Arabic narration, Junaid ben Sab’ih is reported as having said:

In my early days, I fought the Prophet Muhammad as a disbeliever. But I defended the Prophet Muhammad in my latter days as I became Muslim, and the verse “And had it not been for the believing men and believing women [in Mecca], whom you might have trodden down” [i.e., 48:25] was revealed on our behalf. We were nine; seven men and two women.  -Al-Tabarani and Abu Ya’la

b) Deviating from the Muslim Ummah

The Muslim Brotherhood and Wahhabi groups did not heed the word of God to unify the community. As presented in “The Case of Moses and Aaron – The Breaking of a Society – Fassad (Spoiling and Corrupting),” splitting the Ummah is considered fassad. No divisions are allowed, even for the worship of deities besides Allah. Allah made His guidance about this topic so explicitly clear:

3:103 واعتصموا بحبل الله جميعا ولاتفرقوا

And continue to hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah and break not loose from it. Qur’an 3:103

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad said:

‫عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أنه قال: قال رسول الله: إن الله لايجمع أمتي على ضلالة و يد الله مع الجماعة و من شذ شذ الى النار– صحيح البخاري

God ordained that in unity, the Ummah, as a whole, will not go astray, and indeed God favors unison. Whoever deviates (by dishonoring the consolidation rule) deviates, i.e., deemed to the Hellfire. –Bukhari

In support of the unity of Muslims, the previous Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ali Gomaa, explains that one either chooses to be a member of the Ummah or the two choices cannot coexist.

c) Disturbing Security Safety and Peace, al-Amn

Al-Amn is the vehicle for a prosperous society because it is the component of security and safety that allows a community to grow. The growth of human civilization is dependent on constructive socioeconomic and sociopolitical factors. Allah, the Creator, commands Muslims to be innovative in striving to beautify all aspects of life. The Qur’an describes the attributes of genuine believers by saying:‏

3:114 يؤمنون بالله واليوم الاخر ويامرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر ويسارعون في الخيرات واولئك من الصالحين

They believe in God and the last day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and zealously strive to excel in good works: These are al-Saliheen (the Good-doers who augment the human potential). Qur’an 3:114

In another beautiful passage, Allah confirms that:

38:29 كتاب انزلناه اليك مبارك ليدبروا اياته وليتذكر اولوا الالباب

Here is a Book that We have sent down to you. It is full of blessings, that they may reflect upon its signs [genuinely think through its theories, principles, investigate and discover its predictions, expressions, concepts, and matters], and that men of understanding may receive admonition [i.e., to authorize, invent and advance life]. Qur’an 38:29‏

When nations establish elemental growth and set the stage for development and progress, spirituality and mind-liberating education assure continued advancement and prosperity.

With security, al-amn, the qur’anic guidance opens the gates to humanity’s ongoing life-building process. 

Part IV   The Trust of Building the Earth

The God-Given Trust of Building Earth

The contextual and subject matters of the Qur’an guide humankind to flourish during their lifetime. God grants people the values of reasoning, choice, and creativity. All religions preach that the human being is the vicegerent of God on Earth. God entrusted humankind to facilitate and assist in the growth and advancement of welfare on planet Earth.

‏والى ثمود أخاهم صالحا قال ياقوم اعبدوا الله مالكم من إله غيره هو أنشاكم من الأرض واستعمركم فيها فاستغفروه ثم توبوا إليه إن ربي قريب مجيب. هود61
He (God) brought you into being out of the Earth and enabled you to build and thrive thereon. Qur’an 11:61

God mercifully made all that existed on Earth and in the heavens at human beings’ disposal so everyone could attain prosperity and a good life.

وسخر لكم مافي السماوات ومافي الأرض جميعا منه إن في ذلك لآيات لقوم يتفكرون. الجاثية 13

And He has made subservient to you, [as a gift] from Himself, all that is in the heavens and on Earth: [I.e., by endowing man, alone among all living beings, with a creative mind and, thus, with the ability to make conscious use of the nature that surrounds him and is within him] in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think! Qur’an 45:13

After making the heavens and Earth accessible to humankind and giving people the faculties to improve, God also sets out rewards for those who try to enhance life by pursuing cooperation, benevolence, and perseverance.

وهو الذي جعلكم خلائف الأرض ورفع بعضكم فوق بعض درجات ليبلوكم في ما أتاكم إن ربك سريع العقاب وإنه لغفور رحيم. الأنعام 165
“He is the One who made you His vicegerent in the Earth, and He raised some of you above others in ranks to test you by what He has given you. Surely, your Lord is efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is Forgiver, Most Merciful.” Quran 6:165

 ثم جعلناكم خلائف في الأرض من بعدهم لننظر كيف تعملون. يونس14

Then We made you successors on Earth after them [the people of Thamoud] to see how you would perform. Qur’an 10:14

‏ليسوا سواء من أهل الكتاب أمة قائمة يتلون آيات الله آناء الليل وهم يسجدون ويسارعون في الخيرات يؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ويأمرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر وأولئك من الصالحين. آل عمران 114-113

They are not all the same; from the Scripture, people are an upright nation; they recite God’s revelations during parts of the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the last day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and zealously strive to excel in good works. These are righteous believers. Qur’an 3:113-114

Improving everyday life is imperative for achieving a more positive attitude. Ali Ibn Talib, the Fourth Caliph, teaches Muslims, “A loser is the one whose two days are the same.” He encouraged Muslims to pursue a better tomorrow. Best of all, teaching this is the golden advice of Prophet Muhammad:

إذا قامت الساعة وفي يد أحدكم فسيلة فليغرسها
Even when the Day of Judgment is happening, and there is a tiny sprout (seedling) in your hand, you should continue to plant it. –Bukhari and Ahmad

See our ‘Innovations: An Integral Part of Muslim’s Life‘ article.

Nonviolent Revolutions have many peaceful marches worldwide. Seventy-five percent of all revolutions pursued a nonviolent approach to nonviolent solutions, knowingly or unknowingly following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad in creating a positive change in societies. As a result, they reached their potential and goal in peace with little or no casualties.

A list of these non-revolutions can be found here.

Casualties of Civil Wars

Civil wars and brutal revolutions consumed millions of lives and resulted in hundreds of millions of human tragedies. There are five more human casualties for every three soldiers killed in a battle. The following links illustrate the magnitude of human suffering resulting from the violent and armed revolution in forcing political, social, or religious change.

http://internationalrelations.org/syria-muslim-brotherhood/

http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/casualties_of_war.htm

http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/executions-the-guillotine-and-the-french-revolution.html

https://www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/civil-war-casualtie

Conclusion – A Plea to the Mindful

I conclude with a plea to all people worldwide from all diverse backgrounds, cultures, and faiths to take into heart and mind an action plan that supports promoting peace initiatives everywhere and in all walks of life. The blissfulness and the practicality of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad are authentic resources for fulfilling security and safety for all people as well as Muslims. Proactive and extensive educational programs must fully use modern-world technology and social platforms to restore genuine mainstream Islam. The defeat of “corrupt political power” is the author’s vision for fulfilling humankind’s message of serving God on Earth. The truth and nothing but the truth are the mission and vision of this writing. God tells humankind:

103:3 وتواصوا بالحق وتواصوا بالصبر

Exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. Qur’an 103:3‏

Revitalize and respond to the call of guidance of God and His Messenger.

ياايها الذين امنوا استجيبوا لله وللرسول اذا دعاكم لما يحييكم واعلموا ان الله يحول بين المرء وقلبه وانه اليه تحشرون“8:24. 

O you who believe! Answer (the call of) Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. Qur’an 8:24

 

References

Abou El Fadl, Khaled, The Great Theft, Wrestling Islam from the Extremists, HarperCollins, New York, NY, 2007

Websites

http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/casualties_of_war.htm

http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/executions-the-guillotine-and-the-french-revolution.html

http://www.ikhwanwiki.com/index.php?title=أحداث_حماه_عام_1964

https://sites.google.com/site/syrianmuslimbrotherhood

https://www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/civil-war-casualtie