The Fundamental Objective of Religious Politics

Brothers in Islam! The fundamental objective of religious politics is to establish a righteous society in the light of Islamic teachings, where the Islamic system is implemented according to the commandments of the Quran and Sunnah. Where people are provided with impartial justice and fairness, where oppression and tyranny are eradicated and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility is established. Where the protection of people’s lives, wealth, honor, and rights is guaranteed. Where arrangements are made for them to have lawful sustenance and suitable employment. Where they are prevented from adulteration in goods, short measures, usury, bribery, and other unlawful means of income. Where their basic needs are met. Where people can be provided with better treatment and free educational facilities. Where arrangements can be made to help and support the poor, orphans, the needy, the unemployed, the destitute, widows, and the weak and frail, while respecting their self-esteem.

The Reason for the Separation Between Religion and Politics

Respected brethren! In the past, for the sake of human welfare and with the motive of goodness, all these tasks were also performed by all the Prophets, the Mustafa, the Mercy to the Worlds (ﷺ), and his Rightly Guided Caliphs. The Prophets conveyed Allah’s message to the world and also served suffering humanity. They carried out religious matters as well as political affairs. They simultaneously held the office of Prophethood and the seat of power. For thousands of years, religious and political affairs were carried out together. Then a time came when the Jews and Christians, through a deliberate conspiracy, created a separation between religion and politics. To hide their illegitimate, unlawful affairs, and dark deeds, they confined religion to the Church; so that whether their rulers committed black or white deeds, religion would not become a chain on their feet! This system of government and religious restriction was named Secularism.

Today, in most countries of the world, the secular system of government is prevalent, or at least influenced by it. The situation in our beloved country Pakistan is not much different. The majority of our rulers, politicians, judges, journalists, and analysts hold secular ideas. This is why they cannot stand the practical politics of the religious scholars and other religious leaders today! Therefore, they vent the frustration in their hearts by saying: “Religious political parties use religion for gaining power and personal objectives. They play with people’s emotions in the name of the religion of Islam. They bring them out of their homes with slogans of the ‘System of Mustafa’ and stage protests, and then, after having their personal demands met, they fall silent. Their goal is never the supremacy of religion; rather, using the name of the religion of Islam to fulfill political objectives is an extremely reprehensible act,” and so on.

My respected brothers! Such people should know well that religion and politics have a very deep and old connection! Politics without religion is autocracy and Genghis-like rule! For the supremacy of the religion of Islam and the implementation of Divine commandments, the Prophets participated in politics and graced the seat of power.

Whether it be the splendor of monarchy or the spectacle of republicanism,
If religion is separated from politics, what remains is the rule of Genghis!

Allah, the Lord of the worlds, granted His Prophets worldly rulership along with the office of Prophethood for the elevation of the religion of Islam. The decree of Allah the Most High is: “O David! Indeed, We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.” (Surah Sad, 38:26)

In another place, He said: “And We certainly gave David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, ‘Praise be to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.'” (Surah An-Naml, 27:15)

The True Heirs of the Earth

Respected gentlemen! How can today’s politicians with a secular mindset keep the religious class away from politics and governmental affairs when Allah (ﷻ) has designated the true heirs and rulers of this earth to be His righteous servants? The decree of Allah the Most High is: “And We have already written in the Book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:105)

The Fundamental Objective of Government and Politics

Companions of the Islamic Ummah! The fundamental objective of government and politics in the religion of Islam is the implementation of the commandments of the Quran and Sunnah, and no one can do this better than the scholars and the religious class. The blessed saying of the Creator of the Universe (ﷻ) is: “Those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer, give zakah, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:41)

The Choice of Religious Places for Religious Politics

Beloved ones! The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) himself performed religious and political decisions and affairs simultaneously. Hazrat Sayyidna Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri narrates: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to the prayer ground on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The first thing he would begin with was the prayer. Then, after finishing, he would stand facing the people, while the people were sitting in their rows. He would then preach to them, advise them, and give them commands. If he intended to send an army, he would do so, or if he wanted to order something, he would order it. Then he would depart.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

The Conduct of the Prophets Regarding Religious Politics

Honorable assembly! In previous nations as well, the duty of political leadership and religious guidance was entrusted to the Prophets. Along with the responsibilities of Prophethood and Messengership, they also handled national and political affairs. Hazrat Sayyidna Abu Hurairah narrates that the Master of Both Worlds (ﷺ) said: “The Children of Israel were politically administered by the Prophets.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim) After the Prophets, since the religious scholars are their scientific heirs and successors, therefore, along with the propagation of religion, filling the political void and leading and guiding the Ummah is also among their responsibilities.

The Eligibility for Leadership and Politics

Dear brother! The criterion for judging eligibility for leadership and politics is knowledge of the religion. The greater a person’s knowledge of the religion, the more deserving they are of performing the duty of leadership and politics. After the Prophet (ﷺ), Hazrat Sayyidna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq was unanimously selected as the first Rightly Guided Caliph on this very basis. Hazrat Sayyidna Mawla Ali said: “When the Prophet (ﷺ) passed away, we considered our matter and found that the Prophet (ﷺ) had advanced Abu Bakr for leading the prayer. So we were pleased for our worldly affairs with the one whom the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was pleased with for our religious affairs. So we advanced Abu Bakr (as the caliph).”

Hakim al-Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi, explaining a Hadith, says: “Hazrat Sayyidna As-Siddiq Al-Akbar was the greatest scholar and the greatest politician after the Prophets. It was based on his knowledge that the Prophet (ﷺ) was buried in his chamber. It was based on his knowledge that the wealth left by the Master of the Universe (ﷺ) became a trust. It was based on his knowledge that preparations for Jihad were made against those who refused to pay Zakat. If he had shown a little leniency, the door to denying Islamic obligations would have opened. That is why the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed him as his successor to lead the prayers at the time of his death. It was through his politics that peace and security were established in Hejaz, indeed in the whole of Arabia, and the path was cleared for the Farooqi conquests.”

Our Incompetence in Selecting Rulers

Respected gentlemen! Today, the leadership of many of our religious affairs, including the guidance of the masses and rulers in the five daily prayers, funerals and Eid prayers, the pulpit and the mimbar, sermons and advice, Hajj and Umrah, marriage and divorce, and other Shari’ah matters, is still with the religious scholars. Then what is the reason that we do not also entrust the leadership of our worldly (political) affairs to these esteemed figures? When the Companions could elect Hazrat Sayyidna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq as their caliph and ruler because he had more knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah and was their Imam in prayers, then how can we today, at election time, vote for just anyone without thinking, without knowing their religious eligibility?

It is with great regret that we must say that in our country Pakistan, eligibility and experience are asked for when hiring a watchman or a gardener, but for important positions like MPA, MNA, Minister, Advisor, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Law, and Prime Minister, no eligibility or standard is set. It doesn’t matter if someone is a rogue or a thief; they just need to get more votes. Whichever political party snatches the most votes and seats, whether through intimidation, bribery, and rigging, is eligible and entitled to form the government. This eligibility and standard for selecting a ruler is not in accordance with Shari’ah requirements! We should prefer pious, righteous, and knowledgeable people as rulers! Entrust the leadership of our worldly affairs to them, just as we do with our religious affairs!

The Harm of the Religious Class’s Abstention from Current Politics

Dear soul! Current politics is the politics of deceit, falsehood, treachery, and hypocrisy. Changing one’s party and shifting political loyalties for worldly gains and a few coins is considered a common thing! Going back on promises made to the people during elections and taking a U-turn to deceive the people is considered political skill and strategy! Seeing this ugly face of current politics, some of our religious leaders, scholars, and Sufi masters remain aloof from politics and advise and order their followers and students to stay away from it as well. They also impose restrictions on their workers not to have links with any political party and not to participate in the voting process.

My respected brothers! A Muslim not casting his vote in his own country leads to numerous religious, national, and political harms. If we do not participate in the voting process, it is highly likely that the sinful, corrupt, and irreligious people will be elected and reach the halls of power. They will use their power and authority illegitimately to enact laws against the country, the nation, and the religion. They will protect the blasphemers of the Prophet. They will place deniers of the Finality of Prophethood in high positions. They will promote European culture to distance our new generation from Islam. They will remove verses of Jihad from children’s educational curricula to reduce religious fervor. Through electronic media, they will make them enamored with European civilization. They will turn our youth against our scholars. They will eliminate respect for parents, consideration for elders, and modesty. These people will widen the existing gap between the rich and the poor. Instead of adopting the Islamic system of government, they will promote so-called democracy.

How Islamic teachings are being toyed with today is no secret. The kind of treatment being meted out to our religious scholars and the religious class is also evident to all! The making of anti-Islam and insulting films like “Zindagi Tamasha” and their permission to be screened is also the doing of these very irreligious politicians! Therefore, understand the sensitivity of the global situation and events, enter the field of action, trust in your own strength, and perform the duty of guiding the nation. It is firmly hoped that Allah, the Lord of the worlds, will turn the tide of the wind due to the blessing of your passion and sincerity and make the political atmosphere favorable for you!

In the land of love, create your own place
Create a new era, new mornings and evenings!
If God gives you a heart that understands nature,
From the silence of the tulip and rose, create speech!
Do not feel indebted to the glassmakers of the West,
From the clay of India, create goblets and wine cups!

Religious Politics… An Important Demand of the Time

My dear friends, brothers, and elders! Remember that no matter how detestable and undesirable the current style of politics may be for our temperament and disposition, the disengagement of scholars and Sufis from it is in no way in the public interest! The religious class running away from it is equivalent to throwing the masses into the deep swamp of humiliation, degradation, misguidance, and error! If our scholars and Sufis, by abstaining from politics, sit in their respective seminaries and shrines, then who will guide the Muslim nation?! How will they distinguish between right and wrong?! How will the religion of Islam be promoted?! How will the System of Mustafa be implemented in practice?!

Is it not the duty of the scholars to make the nation abide by the religion and reform society?! Did the Prophets, the Companions, and the scholars of the Ummah not face difficulties in political terms?! Were they not subjected to suffering?! Did our elders not face the hardships of imprisonment in this regard?! Did they not endure jails?! Did their children and family members not have to face torment and suffering?! Those religious parties and scholars who have the power to change the current style of politics and system of government, will they not be questioned about this on the Day of Judgment? Our indifference to politics will lead to a further increase in oppression, cruelty, plunder, lawlessness, corruption, and injustice in our beloved homeland!

Suppose if the Pakistani people on the Day of Judgment put all the responsibility on the shoulders of the scholars and Sufis, saying, “Our scholars and religious leaders did not support us, they did not guide us,” what will we say?! Therefore, abandon all so-called expediencies, come into the field of action, and perform the duty of leading and guiding the nation! And strive practically to bring the religion of the Prophet (ﷺ) to the throne in Pakistan! Our job is to strive; whether success is achieved or not is not our responsibility, it depends on the Divine Will!

Prayer

O Allah! Grant us the understanding of the importance and necessity of religious politics. Grant us the mindset to participate in it and lead and guide the nation. Save us from falling prey to the hypocrisy of current politics. Grant us righteous, pious, and Shari’ah-abiding just rulers in the form of scholars and Sufis. Grant us the ability to understand the mutual relationship between religion and politics. Save us from criticizing our scholars after falling for the propaganda of the Dajjali media, and grant awareness to those who are sitting aloof from politics about the harm it causes.

O Allah! Purify our inner and outer selves from all filth. Grant us the ability to act upon the instructions of Your Noble Beloved (ﷺ) and to reform our lives according to the Quran and Sunnah, and grant us the ability to obey with the true love and sincerity for the Master of Both Worlds (ﷺ) and the Noble Companions.

O Allah! Keep us loyal to the religion of Islam. Make us true, steadfast, practicing lovers of the Prophet. Create an atmosphere of unity in our ranks. Make us regular in performing the five daily prayers in congregation. Save us from laziness and indolence. Grant us the wealth of sincerity in every good deed. Grant us the ability to perform all obligations and duties in the best manner. Protect us from miserliness and stinginess. Grant us the ability to help the poor and needy with a cheerful heart.

O Allah! Grant us the blessing of serving and protecting our country and nation. Strengthen our mutual unity, harmony, and love. Grant us the ability to act upon the commandments of the Shari’ah correctly. Accept our prayers in Your Court of the Protector of the Helpless. We ask You for Your mercies, we seek forgiveness from You, we seek safety and deliverance from every sin, we beseech You for all good things. Remove our sorrows, pay off our debts, grant complete recovery to our sick, and fulfill our needs!

O Lord! Grant blessings in our lawful sustenance. Always keep us safe from the need of the creation. Grant us the ability for true worship along with Your love and obedience. Make our hearts broad and soft for Your creation. O God! Make our character good and our work excellent. Accept our good deeds. Protect us from all sins. Grant freedom to our Palestinian and Kashmiri Muslim brothers and sisters who are victims of the oppression and barbarism of the disbelievers. Protect the lives, wealth, honor, and dignity of Muslims all over the world. Resolve their problems for them with goodness and blessings. Amen, O Lord of the worlds!

And may Allah the Most High send blessings upon the best of His creation and the light of His Throne, our Master, our Prophet, our Beloved, the apple of our eyes, Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions, and may He bless and grant peace. And all praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.