As for calling the Ummah (Moslems Society) to a matter that she does not know or recognise, or to seek to move her towards a reality that she is ignorant of whilst seeking confidence, trust and support from her, then this is just pure fantasy and represents additional ignorance. It is also in opposition to the statement of Allah (swt): Say this is my way, I call to Allah upon clear sight (awareness), I and those who follow me and Subhaanallah and I am not from the Mushrikeen (Yousuf 108).
And it is an obviously accepted and known matter that the one who does not possess a matter or thing cannot give it or pass it on to others. From another angle it is also known, that in one single issue, there can on many occasions exist more than one opinion and that it is possible for these differing opinions to reach the point of being contradictory to one another. This can occur in the Usool (fundamentals) and Qawaa’id (principles) just as it can occur in the branches and partialities. For this reason the Kutlah must choose what it needs in terms of Ahkaam, opinions and thoughts which are adopted, proceeded with and worked with to see them implemented and this is so that two opposites or contradictory matters are not brought together. It is certain that the lack of defining the thought will lead to differences and contradictions between the members of the Kutlah and as such this could lead to the scattering of the Kutlah into multiple party blocs or wings and then nothing would bring them together apart from the bloc’s name. This is because it is possible for any opinion to be gathered around and for people to call for it and as such this would lead to the fragmentation of the unity of collective grouping. This therefore is enough reason for the adoption and defining of the thought, goal and path to be an obligatory matter.
For example, in Islam there are a number of Fiqhi (jurisprudential) opinions related to the person of the Khaleefah which is the first pillar which the application of Islam is established upon and for it to exist within life’s reality. So there is an opinion that states: That any Muslim who fulfils the following Shuroot (conditions) can become a Khaleefah and that it is permissible for the Muslims to entrust him with their affair. These conditions are that he is Muslim, male, of sound mind, mature (in age), free and just and that each of these conditions has an evidence from the Kitaab and the Sunnah, and his lineage, nationality and the extent of his knowledge are not from these. There is another opinion within this issue that states: That it is obligatory for the Khalifah to fulfil these six conditions in addition to the condition that he is from Quraish with the evidence: (The A’immah (Imaams) are from Quraish). There is another third opinion that stipulates in addition to the six conditions that the Khaleefah must be from Aali Bayt (Ahl ul-Bayt/Those of the Nabi’s household (saw)) based on the speech of Allah (swt): Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification (Al Ahza ab 33).
There is also a fourth opinion that states that it is obligatory for the Khaleefah to be a Mujtahid so that he is not subservient to the opinion of another Mujtahid so that the full authority does not rest in him. In light of this, if we were to suppose that the Kutlah had not specified her opinion in this issue and as a result all four opinions existed amongst the members of the party bloc, those attached to it and its supporters, and that a large number of the thinkers in it and its leaders gathered around these four opinions and each of them saw that his opinion was the correct one and that it is not permissible to give it up to follow another’s opinion. Then if this party bloc was to reach the position of ruling and was in a position to implement the Ahkaam, thoughts and opinions that they held, which opinion would they then adopt? It is certain that each possessor of an opinion will attempt to oblige his opinion and resist the opinion of the other. And what will the result of this then be? It would lead to the splitting of this Kutlah and disagreement or even fighting between them (and their supporters).
For this reason and due to the Hukm Shar’iy that states: ‘The Hukm of Allah is one for each (one) person) and it is not many’ the following applies. The Kutlah (party bloc) is analogous and similar to a person and it takes the same ruling as the single person in terms of legal obligation. Therefore it is absolutely not permitted for it to have multiple rulings, opinions, thoughts and beliefs. The necessary adoption of required thoughts, rulings and beliefs represents its true image, it serves as its spirit, its vital existence rests upon it and the confidence and trust of the people is taken upon it by way of clear understanding and the thoughts and opinions of the people are changed in accordance to it. In this way it is capable of generating these thoughts, rulings and beliefs as a public opinion so that they become the adopted customs and norms of the people which represent the fundamental pillars defining the society’s composition. The Kutlah must also engage with the corrupt thoughts and bad practises that are present within the society in order to remove them and to present an alternative to them. This requires knowledge of the corrupted thoughts, incorrect concepts and false beliefs that exist in the society so that they can be refuted, their corruption revealed and their falsity and weakness exposed. It is not valid to over generalise in this and merely state: ‘Kufr (disbelief) is one Millah (religion)’ despite this being correct, but rather it is essential to discuss every thought, opinion or belief in an intellectual manner making clear its error and to reveal its flaws. Yes indeed Kufr is one Millah, this is a firmly established truth and reality as the Deen cannot be partitioned, it is either Islam or it is Kufr and there is nothing in between. However the issue here is not only about affirming a truth but it is rather about removing a corruption, erroneous matter and falsehood by making them clear, establishing argument against them by way of evidence and proof. Allah (swt) says in Al-Qur’aan Al-Kareem: Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy (Al -Fussilaat 42).
By closely examining the Aayaat of the Qur’aan Al-Kareem we find that it dealt with every existing category of Kufr (disbelief) in a holistic general manner and also in detail, in addition to addressing what every group said or claimed and what they believed in. The Noble Aayaat descended to prove the falsehood of these statements and beliefs. The argument was established with definite evidence, upon the reality that was intended to be demonstrated, so that the belief (Imaan) of those who believed would be established by way of the mind and clear proof. The Noble Qur’aan did not find it sufficient alone to demonstrate the Aqeedah of Islam and explain what it comprised of in terms of truths and glaring proofs merely for the people to be then left to think about that. Rather it struck at the raw nerves of the people and attacked their beliefs, it dispelled their imaginary claims and made clear their foolishness and stubborn rigidity. The Aayaat addressed each grouping according to their reality in terms of the thoughts and beliefs that they held. Therefore it addressed the Arab Mushrikeen (polytheists) according to their different schools of thought and directions in addition to those who followed in them in respect to worshipping idols. It attacked the worship of idols and paganism relentlessly and reproached those who believed in it whilst making clear the feebleness in regards to this and the lack of using their minds, so that they could perceive that these idols and what they worshipped could not bring any harm or benefit. For this reason they were described as being like cattle and indeed even further astray than cattle. They were therefore addressing in a provocative manner and a way that struck at their raw nerves? They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless (Al-A’araaf 179).
Similarly the Qur’aan discussed every one of their thoughts whether it addressed those who denied the existence of Allah, or those who took their desires as their deity, or those who worshiped idols for the purpose of gaining closeness to Allah. It explained to them that idols had been worshipped in times that had passed by and mentioned the idols worshipped by the people of Ibraheem (as), how he destroyed them and how they did not possess the power to defend themselves, just as it mentioned the idols worshipped by the people of Nuh (as) by name: And they said: 'Never leave your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwa' or Yaghuth and Ya'uq and Nasr’ (An-Nuh 23).
Just as some of the idols of Quraish were mentioned by name: So have you then considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? And Manat, the third - the other one? (An-Najm 19-20).
In addition it discussed those who believed that they were divine or Godly as demonstrated in the example of the dialogue that took place between Ibraheem (as) and Nimrood or the discussion of Musaa (as) with Fir’awn: Allah (swt) says: Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said, "My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death," he said, "I give life and cause death." Abraham said, "Indeed, Allah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west." So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people (Al -Baqarah 258).
Therefore it can be noticed that the Qur’aan Al-Kareem did not restrict its address to one group whilst ignoring others and it did not group them altogether just as it did not find it enough to merely explain its thought, Aqeedah and what it wants from the people.
Similarly the Qur’aan did not restrict itself to attacking religions and beliefs but went beyond this to address what they were saying, what they were doing and the relationships that regulated their lives. So in the time in which the religions were being attacked it also attacked their actions and characteristics which can be demonstrated in just one short Surah that encompasses all of this: This is like when Allah (swt) stated: In the Name of Allah Ar-Rahmaan Ar-Raheem Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan. And does not urge the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who pray. Those who are heedless in their prayer. Those who make a show of their deeds. And withhold any small assistance (Surah Al -Ma’oon).
And when He (swt) says: Woe to those who give less [than due]. Who when they take a measure from the people they take their full measure. But if they give by measure or weigh out to them, they give less (than due). Do they not think that they will be resurrected? To a mighty day (Al-Mutaffifeen).
And we should all read from the Noble Qur’aan so that we can ponder over the Aayaat and Suwar that were revealed in Makkah and how they addressed the society and what it contained of beliefs, norms and actions that existed amongst the Arab Mushrikeen. This is in addition to the manner it grabs the attention and the focus towards the Aqeedah of Islam based upon clear argument and proof. It came proving that Allah (swt) is the Khaaliq (creator) of everything, that He (swt) caused the Qur’aan to descend, that He whom there is no Ilaaha other than Him sent His Messenger (saw) with the guidance and the Deen of truth, so that it prevails over every other Deen in spite of the wishes of the disbeliefs, and it came with proof leaving no question or doubt, in regards to the Day of Judgement.
Let us now also reflect upon how the Aayaat and the Suwar dealt with another category from amongst the disbelievers in respect to the Ahl ul-Kitaab (people of the book). When it was required it would address them together along with the Arab Mushrikeen.
Allah (swt) says: Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from disbelief] until there came to them clear evidence. A messenger from Allah reciting purified scriptures (Al -Bayyinah 1-2).
And His speech (swt): And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that those in whose hearts is hypocrisy and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allah intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allah leave astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And mention of the Fire is not but a reminder to humanity (Al- Mudaththir 31).
The Qur’aan also addresses the Ahl-ul-Kitaab collectively: Say: O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah. But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]. (Aali ‘Imraan).
And it also addresses each one with a specific discussion and established evidence upon the falsehood of what one or the other of these groups said or claimed. It discusses Banu Isra’eel and addresses them with this title ‘Yaa Bani Isra’eel’ when the matter is connected to the claims and issues related to the Jews. It addresses their beliefs, actions, statements, what they invented to their Deen, what they changed in their books, the Anbiyaa’ of Allah that they killed in transgression and hostility against them, in addition to what they would demand from them and how they were tested. They were mentioned to the point that twenty-seven Suwar (Surahs) made mention to them in a host of different contexts and realities.
And when the Qur’aan Al-Kareem addressed the Christians specifically, then it also mentioned what they invented and fabricated in their Deen and the changes that they made to their beliefs. It addressed their different statements in regards to their beliefs about Allah (swt) and ‘Isa (as): Verily Allah is the third of three (Al-Ma’idah 73). Verily Allah is the Messiah son of Maryam (Al-Maa’idah 17).
Or those who stated that Al-Maseeh (‘Isa (as)) was the son of Allah. The Aayaat therefore reminded them of what he (as) came to them with, so that the proof and argument was established against them. It narrated to them the story of the birth of ‘Isa (as) in Surah Maryam and Surah Aali ‘Imraan along with the stories of Zakariyaa, Yahyah and Maryam in absolute detail that none could know them except the one who witnessed these events, whilst most if not all of the Arabs were completely ignorant of them.
Allah (swt) said: These are the news of the unseen we have divinely revealed to you. You did not know of them, neither you nor your people (Hud 49).
It mentioned the statements of the Jews in respect to ‘Isa (as) the son of Maryam (as) and mentioned what the Jews said about the Christians and what the Christians said about the Jews: And the Jews said: ‘The Christians are not upon anything’ and the Christians said: ‘The Jews are not upon anything’ (Al-Baqarah 113).
So it did not leave a matter except that it made it evident to them, refuted their arguments, dispelled their imaginary claims and then addressed each of them in turn making them aware that Muhammad (saw) had mentioned each of them in the Kitaab: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the planters - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers (Al- Fath 29).
The Qur’aan did not stop at what was present amongst them but rather went beyond that to address what took place between them in terms of the discussions they had, the statements they were making, the actions they were undertaking and the conspiracies that they were hatching.
When the Jews made the false claim that Ibraheem was Jewish and the Christians claimed that he (as) was a Christian, the falsity of what they were claiming was exposed in a short sentence: Ibraheem was not a Jew and he was not a Christian but rather he was a Muslim Haneef and he was not of the polytheists (Aali ‘Imraan 67).
And Allah (swt) also said: O people of the Book why do you argue in regards to Ibraheem whilst the Taurah and the Injeel were not revealed except after him. Will you not then reason?
This means that the religion of the Jews and the Christians came after Ibraheem (as) and how can it be possible for the one who came before to follow those who came after him. Therefore the Aayah repudiated their argument which represented the heights of foolishness.
The Aayaat also mentioned what they had done in terms of killing the Anbiyaa’ (Prophets), eating Ribaa (Usury) and Suht (Haraam sources), which they had been forbidden from. It also exposed their conspiracies against the Muslims. This is like the time when they said to a group from amongst them that they should become believers in Islam at the beginning of the day and then become disbelievers at the end of the day, in an attempt to create doubt amongst the Muslims in relation to the truthfulness of the Prophethood of Muhammad (saw), in addition to exposing other conspiracies that they hatched.
And when a new group or category came into being, which had previously not been present within the society, it addressed them by way of revealing and explaining what lay inside of their hearts. So they were singled out in the Surah named after them: ‘Al- Munaafiqoon’. They were mentioned, their characteristics were described and what they concealed within themselves was disclosed in a number of different places and Suwar of the Qur’aan Al-Kareem. So in the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah for example the believers were mentioned in four Aayaat, the disbelievers were mentioned in two whilst the Munaafiqoon (hypocrites) were mentioned in thirteen Aayaat. It also mentioned their building of Masjid Ad-Daraar (Harm) and what they had conspired to do with it which led to the Messenger (saw) burning it down. Even if one of them was to utter some words Allah (swt) would expose that like the statement of Allah (swt): And among them is he who says, "Permit me [to remain at home] and do not put me to trial." Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers. (At-Taubah 49).
Or His statement (swt): Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation, then they return to that which they were forbidden and converse among themselves about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you, they greet you with that [word] by which Allah does not greet you and say among themselves, "Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?" Sufficient for them is Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the destination. (Al-Mujaadalah 8).
This is amongst many other matters addressed by the Qur’aan Al- Kareem, like those which gave encouragement and strength to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and the believers when they mentioned the journeys of the previous Prophets and what they encountered on their Da’wah (Islamic Propagation) paths.
Based on this short summary above, it follows that it is obligatory upon any group that claims to be working to revive the Ummah (Moslems Society) and elevate its status, to proceed along the same path that the Messenger (saw) trod and to launch into an intellectual struggle with all the conflicting thoughts existing in the society. This would not be possible at all unless they possessed complete knowledge and understanding of these thoughts and beliefs, so that they are capable of proving their falsehood and corruption of the opinions. And it is not enough to merely present what they hold and carry because this is contradictory to the method of the Messenger of Allah (saw) and the methodology of the Qur’aan of engaging in the intellectual struggle and by countering arguments with proof and evidence.
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