The Da’wah To Islam by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud

They cite as evidence the hadith of “evil rulers” whom the Messenger 􀁕 has ordered to challenge with arms if they did not establish the rule of Allah 􀀬.

In response to this understanding, whose advocates we respect even though we disagree with them in this opinion, we say; the examination of the manaat of the hukm, (the reality for which the rule was revealed to treat) uncovers the correct understanding. The hadith deals with the ruler - the Imaam in dar al-Islam - who has been given a legitimate Shar’ee, bai’ah. Thus, he became an Imam through the bai’ah of the Muslims. The land that this Imaam ruled was dar al-Islam, ie it was ruled by Islam, and its security was in the hands of the Muslims. The Muslims in this instance are ordered to obey him. If the ruler happened to exceed the bounds with regards to what Allah 􀀬 has revealed, and began to openly rule by kufr laws, even if it is one hukm that has not even a semblance of an evidence (shubhat daleel), then the Muslims are commanded to overthrow him by arms. Contemplate the meaning of the following hadith, which is the subject of our discussion, and this will become clear. It has been narrated by ‘Awf b. Maalik al-Ashja’i who said “I heard the Rasool of Allah 􀁕 say; ‘The best of your leaders are those that you love, and they love you; you pray for them and they pray for you; and the worst of your leaders are those that you curse and they curse you.’ They said; ‘Should not then we fight against them.’ He 􀁕 said; ‘No; as long they establish the Salah amongst you.’” [Reported by Muslim]. What is meant by the establishment of the Salah is the application of the Shar’ee rules by way of “baab tasmiyatul kul bi ismil juz’a” (meaning the whole by mentioning a part).

As for the ruler of dar al-kufr, his reality is completely different. He is not the Imaam of the Muslims, though he is their ruler, and he has not been appointed in the lawful manner as the Shar’a stipulates, and he never committed himself to establishing the Islamic rules in their life, even though it was an obligation upon him.

When we look also at our reality, we find that it is not enough to bear arms in the process of change. The issue has gone beyond the changing of the ruler to the issue of ruling by Islam. So who will undertake its responsibilities? It requires statesmen and an Islamic political medium.

The issue of ruling by Islam is not easy, such that any military leader can undertake it, however competent he may be militarily, and however sincere he may be to Islam. It requires experiance, understanding, pursuance, and a distinguished Shar’ee understanding. The method of the Messenger 􀁕 ensures all of this:

- It ensures that the extraordinary Muslim politician and leader is produced, who has years of experience spent in carrying the da’wah before the establishment of the Islamic State. He knows the tricks and deception, and cunning of the Kaafir states such that he is not deceived.

He will then be able to protect the state and develop the state to the role befitting its position amidst the other states of the world as a guiding and guided state, and a righteous Khilafah on the way of the Prophethood.

- It will ensure the production of sincere Shabaab who will carry the burden of the da’wah before the establishment of the State, such that they, with others of the Muslims who are concerned about the matters of the da’wah, form the Islamic political medium, and from them will come the walis (governers), Ameer of Jihaad, ambassadors and those who carry the da’wah to the people in other states.

- It will generate the popular base, which will embrace Islam and the state and protect it.

- It will ensure the well trained people of power, whose strength will increase when the people stand by their side and not against them, especially when they realise that the ruler, the ruling apparatus with him and the power which he depends on is a force for them, that undertakes what Allah 􀀬 has imposed on them in terms of applying Islam and strengthening the deen.

Furthermore, the armed work requires money, weapons and training.

This will overburden the movement, hence it will be tempted to resort to others for assistance. This is the first step to failure. The Muslims have tried out this path, and it caused them much harm. Not to mention that the expression “try out” is itself erroneous.

When we say that carrying weapons is not the Shar’ee method of change, this is not to spare those unjust rulers who do not care about the Muslims at all. Rather, it is to spare some of our sincere brothers in the deen, we wish to unite their efforts in the required Shar’ee work. We remind them of the fact that the Messenger 􀁕 forbade his companions in Makkah from using weapons when he said; “I have been ordered to forgive, so do not fight.” [Sirah Ibn Hisham]. Furthermore there is the revelation of His 􀀬 saying; “Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands (from fighting) and perform the Salah, and give zakah, but when the fighting was ordained for them...” [TMQ 4:77] In this manner, we find many corroborative Shar’ee evidences, which confirms following the method of the Messenger 􀁕 in the da’wah. Any addition, omission, change, alteration, or modification will have a bad effect on the da’wah, group and the Islamic Ummah. Thus, we have insisted on the importance of the proper study of the Shar’a and the method of the Messenger 􀁕, in order to achieve the best emulation of the Messenger 􀁕. It is for Allah 􀀬 to show us the right way.