The Qur’aan was revealed and descended upon our Messenger (saw) in parts over a period that lasted twenty-three years. It was not revealed in one go but rather in accordance to circumstances, realities and conditions. Based on this it is obligatory upon any group that works to revive the Ummah (Moslems Society) to live with the events, realities and conditions so that it is capable of providing the Islamic opinion for every issue, incident or condition. Following and pursuing the realities and events necessitates knowledge and understanding of the reality or incident in a manner that enables the person to encompass what it includes of circumstances, conditions and what is related to it terms of reasons and causes in order for his opinion or judgement to be correct or close to correct. This demands a knowledge of our society firstly and then knowledge about the forces that are involved in the struggle within it, including the states that are competing for its resources and to spread their control and influence over it. We have strong evidence in the story of Abu Bakr (ra) when he wagered the disbelievers of Quraish in regards to the results of the war that was waging between the Romans and Persians in addition to what the Qur’aan mentioned in relation to that, in regards to the obligation of pursuing the realities and events. It is evident that the Messenger of Allah (saw) and those with him represented a political Kutlah (bloc) which was aware of its reality and knowledgeable of its society, just as it was aware of all that surrounded it. So here we have Abu Bakr (ra) wagering upon a military and political matter and in relation to the two most powerful States in the world at that time, the Persians and Romans, a dialogue that was supported by the statement of Allah (swt): Alif, Lam, Meem. The Romans have been defeated.
In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome (be victorious). Within three to nine years. To Allah belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice.
With the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. (Ar-Rum 1-5).
As for the internal situation, then how greatly was the reality exposed when the disbelievers of Makkah gathered to discuss and scheme amongst themselves and to draw out practical plans, whilst Allah (swt) was monitoring every move and statement they made. This was highlighted when the chiefs of Makkah gathered in Dar un-Nadwah and consulted one another in regards to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and his Da’wah (Islamic Propagation). They discussed the issue of what they should say about him to the people and how they should respond and provide answers to the Arab delegations and visitors in the marketplace, the market of ‘Ukaazh. The meeting was led by Al-Waleed Bin Al- Mugheerah the Sayyid (Master) of Bani Makhzoum who was also known as the Sayyid of Makkah. So they said: ‘O Abu-l-Waleed what should we say to the people?’ He replied: ‘Make your suggestions so that I can hear them’. So they began to suggest their opinions and Al- Waleed would reject them because they did not fit the reality. When they had run out of suggestions they then said: ‘You tell us then’. So he brought his eyebrows together and he began to scratch his head and pick his brain whilst walking back and forth across the space of the gathering place until he arrived at his words of deception. So he said that we will say that he is Saahir Bayyaan (A sorcerer or magician of words) and that by his speech a person is separated from his people and family.
As soon as this had taken place behind doors the revelation descended informing the Messenger of Allah (saw) of their scheming. So the Aayaat of the Qur’aan were revealed exposing their conspiracy and what had taken place amongst them in amazing detail.
Allah (swt) said: Leave Me with the one I created alone. And to whom I granted extensive wealth. And children present [with him]. And spread out [everything] before him, easing [his life]. Then he desires that I should add more. No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. I will cover him with arduous torment. Indeed, he thought and deliberated. So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. Then (again) may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. Then he considered [again]. Then he frowned and scowled. Then he turned back and was arrogant. And said: "This is not but magic imitated [from others]. This is not but the word of a human being. I will cast him into Saqar (hellfire). (Al-Mudaththir 11-26).
This is the level of Wa’iy (awareness) that is required in relation to the events and realities so that we are able to provide the ruling of Allah upon it or so that we are able to make clear to the Ummah (Moslems Society) the incidents that are occurring amongst them, or the conspiracies that are being hatched against them, or the obstacles that are being placed in front of the Da’wah (Islamic Propagation), whether these are coming from the sons of the Ummah (Moslems Society) themselves, or from the enemies of the Ummah (Moslems Society) through the hands of the sons of the Ummah (Moslems Society) or directly from her enemies.
We have stated that the society is composed of its public general custom (’Urf ‘Aamm) and the system. Just as it is an obligation for the Kutlah (party bloc) to engage and deal with the corrupt thoughts and the prevailing events in order to explain their corruption and reveal their falsehood, and to distance them from the life of the people and their thinking, it must also work to generate its thought within the society to shape a public opinion upon it and to form the public and general custom (‘Urf ‘Aamm) in accordance to what the thought dictates. This is what is has to engage with just as it has to engage with the second pillar from amongst the components of the society, meaning the standing current system or regime that controls and regulates the relationships amongst the people and is responsible for taking care of their affairs. It is obligatory to reveal and expose its corruption and the falsity of its solutions and treatments, its bad caretaking of the people’s affairs and its contravention and opposition to their Aqeedah and the rulings that accompany it. The bases that the regime and system are established upon need to be demolished whilst presenting the alternative and establishing the evidence for its truthfulness and correctness. The work presents the straight line against the crooked until the people lose their confidence in the regime and their support for those who implement it is taken away.
This is one angle and from another angle the Kutlah has to assume the responsibility of exposing the reality of those agents that the Kaafir has established over the necks of the people to protect his interests, implement his system and to spread his culture. This is so that their treachery to their Ummah (Moslems Society) can be proven and their agency and servitude to their enemy can be established. This would lead to the Ummah (Moslems Society) separating from them and indeed it would lead to them helping the Kutlah to get rid of them and take them away from the position of ruling. This is what we mean by Al-Kifaah As-Siyaasiy (Political struggle) and this in compliance to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and the application of his method which the Qur’aan utilised in this field and area. At the same time as it was making clear and evident the corruption of the Nizhaam (system) it was also making clear and evident the corruption of the rulers and their tyranny. Some of them were attacked by name, some were attacked by mentioning their characteristics and some were attacked due to a statement they made or an action they undertook.
So Allah (swt) mentioned by name: Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab (an uncle of the Prophet), and perish he! His wealth will not benefit him or that which he gained. He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame. And his wife [as well] - the carrier of firewood. Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber. (Al-Masad).
This was declared in spite of his status and the position of honour he held amongst Bani Haashim and the Quraish and no less was said in regards to the Sayyid of Bani Makhzoum (Al-Waleed Bin AL- Mugheerah) as quoted above, beginning from Aayah 11 in Surah Al- Mudaththir : Leave Me with the one I created alone. And to whom I granted extensive wealth.
Until Aayah 26: I will cast him into Saqar (hellfire).
And he is also mentioned in Surah Nun (Wal Qalami Wa Maa Yasturoon): Cruel, moreover an illegitimate pretender. Because he is a possessor of wealth and children. When Our verses are recited to him, he says: "Legends of the former peoples." We will brand him upon the snout (nose). (Al-Qalam 13 - 16).
It also referred to Al-Akhnas Bin Shuraiq in Surah Al-‘Alaq: No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock. A deceitful sinful forelock (Al - ‘Alaq 15- 16).
Just as it referred to others like in Surah Al -Qiyaamah: Woe to you and woe. Then again woe to you and woe! (34-35 Al-Qiyaamah).
This then is the Kifaah As-Siyaasiy (political struggle) represented in attacking the system and regime and making clear its corruption, attacking the rulers and exposing their treachery and revealing the plans and schemes of their masters. This political struggle is one of the most important actions that the Kutlah has to engage in because it is the way that the Messenger of Allah (saw) proceeded with and the path that his Rabb (Lord) Jalla Wa ‘Alaa guided him to and commanded us to follow when He (swt) said: Say this is my way, I call to Allah upon clear sight (awareness), I and those who follow me and Subhaanallah and I am n ot from the Mushrikeen (Yousuf 108).
Therefore the path that leads to the achievement of the desired objectives is inviting to Allah upon clear sight (awareness) with the thought that makes its beliefs, thoughts, rulings, systems and laws evident and clear. It must possess a clear sight (Baseerah) upon its path where every one of its steps is known and the manner of implementing the thought and its Ahkaam is known. There must also be Baseerah (clear sight and awareness) in regards to the reality that the group is working to change where their knowledge encompasses all that is within this reality in terms of beliefs, thoughts and systems in addition to what it contains of customs and traditions. This is so that they can understand and know how to remove them from the people and so that they can firmly ingrain and implant the alternative beliefs, thoughts and rulings.
Download the book An-Nahdah (Revival) from here or here