A Non-Muslim asked a ‘Muslim’ Secular Reformist: “What point is there to Islam if all it gives you is a means to justify the culture and practices of whichever era you are in?”
Indeed, the non-Muslim saw a truth that the ‘Muslim’ didn’t see, the truth is always universal. What good would it be for a non-Muslim to embrace Islam, if Islam contains the exact same beliefs and systems of life, as the non-Muslim’s culture?
This gives us cause to think whether ‘Islamic’ Reformation actually makes sense? What is better than Islam, that we should mould Islam into? Secular Democracy -with all its financial woes, and busts, and social injustices and spiritual bankruptcies? Or how about Communism, with all its communal repression and suppression of human individuality?
We should say no, in the absence of anything better, and as believers in absolute Truth (and not moral relativism), the Muslim Ummah has made a resounding move towards breaking off the shackles of Western imposed thoughts – and soon will break off the shackles of Western controlled tyrannical Western SECULAR regimes in the middle East. The call of the Ummah is to revival and not reformation!
‘Respondents express strong support for expanding the role of Islam in their societies. Large majorities in most countries—an average of 71 percent —agree with the goal of requiring “strict application of Shari’a law in every Islamic country.” Pakistanis were the most enthusiastic with 79 percent agreeing.’
‘Muslim Public Opinion on US Policy, Attacks on Civilians and al Qaeda’ Survey of four major Muslim countries by University of Maryland, obtainable at WorldPublicOpinion.org
Further more, “reformation” is a dangerous word to use, since it implies reforming Islam around the current situation (Western ‘ideals’ and way of life- i.e. Secularism) – rather than changing the situation around Islam and its ideals (i.e. the re-establishment of the Islamic system and way of life in the Muslim world – the Islamic Khilafah (Caliphate)).
Say (O Muhammad): “Shall I seek for Ruling/law making [HAKAMan] other than Allah? – when He it is Who hath sent unto you the Book, explained in detail.” They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it hath been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.
[Quran 6:114]
The Reformation of the Catholic Church was called for by Secularists under the banner of ‘Reforming Christianity’ and ‘need for new Bible Exegesis’ (Ijtihad) – thus they took the Bible verse “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s” and re-interpreted it to ‘prove’ that Secularism didn’t contradict Christianity- thus they twisted the Bible to fit their ideas and politics and make them palatable to fellow Christians; much like some ‘Muslims’ are doing today. Islam doesn’t need a Reformation but rather a Revival - emphasising bringing the Islamic ideology (Deen) back to implementation in life and its affairs.
The key to Revival, is intellectually elevating the thinking of the Muslim world upon the Islamic basis and purifying it from foreign thoughts and ideas, while striving politically for the comprehensive implementation of Islam in all areas of life (i.e. a Islamic Khilafah), such that the true beauty and enlightened manner of Islam is appreciated and put on show for all humanity. Then Islam will be able to solve the multitude of problems facing not only the Muslims, but all humanity and use modern technology under the correct context and use of Ijtihad, that would develop science and technology at a much faster rate than that encountered in the west. And in a society based upon the Islamic purpose and use of Ijtihad- the world would truly witness a vibrant, enlightened and dynamic civilisation- just like it had in the past and will do again in the future soon inshallah. The Prophet (saw) said after three phases that the Muslims will face “…Then there will be Khilafah on the method of Prophethood.
