FREEDOM OF ISLĀM FROM MURIC INVITATION TO DEMOSLAM

In the Name of Allāh, all praise and thanks are due to Allāh, peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh

To proceed:

I have read the press release published by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), signed by its founder and director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola and dated 25/07/2018 wherein Muslims were encouraged to get Permanent Voters' Card (PVC) and that participation in election should henceforth be made topics for sermons during the Jumu'ah khuṭbah. This is clear heresy against the teachings of Islām!

That MURIC is a pro-democracy activist group that purports to blend democracy with Islām is not in doubt. Rather than using Islām as the yardstick for determining what is right or wrong, MURIC justifies democratic principles using some texts of the Shari'ah and poor understanding of sayings of the pious predecessors. This is what it does! However, it is necessary that unsuspecting people are informed about this misrepresentation of Islamic teachings under the guise of religious activism. 

Having said that, it is not difficult to know that it is not permissible for an ideal Muslim to associate with groups founded upon principles contrary to Islām like liberalists, democrats, secularists, people of innovations and desires. Allāh, the Glorious and Exalted said in Sūrah al-Mā'idah: 2:

*_And do not join one another in sin and transgression._*

Obviously, associating with the above mentioned groups is a cooperation upon sin and transgression because of certainty of condoning falsehood for its people and taking part in ensuring their establishment to preside over affairs of the state without regard to fundamentals of Islamic faith and established rulings and principles of Islām.

Allāh, unto whom is our final return also said in Sūrah Hūd: 113:

*_And do not incline towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allāh, nor would you then be helped._*

On this, supporting the aforementioned groups is a way of inclining towards them, knowing that they will not follow the correct way of people who hope to meet their Lord, by ensuring preservation of faith and implementation of the Shari'ah in all affairs. Rather, they follow the way of people of desires and falsehood by implementing rule of law, people's sovereignty, etc.

Allāh, who is more Just also said in Sūrah al-Mā'idah: 51:

*_..And whoever among you befriends them is one of them._*

Partisanship with the people of innovation and non-Muslims is a way towards befriending them and a means towards something prohibited is also prohibited in Islām, contrary to the Machiavellian principle supported by misguided groups that the end justifies the means.

It is not doubtful as well that voting for political parties is a consent to discard some aspects of the Shari'ah especially in legislation, and a way to ensure the establishment of people who oppose the Shari'ah principles, thereby ensuring that sovereignty is given to the people in all matters.

It should be noted that Islām approves cooperating with non-Muslims other than through the process of election like warfare matters but that is not the rule but an exception, as seen from the pieces of evidence cited earlier. The same approval also extends to the people of innovation and misguidance but scholars permit such under extreme necessity and/or need, using some etiquettes, like ensuring truth takes precedence, not condoning falsehood, or supporting liars, among others. In fact, that every person is competent to determine his leader is alien to Islām! Muslims are as a matter of fact, enjoined to hate disbelief and disbelievers but this does not mean injustice or transgression to them. This cannot be achieved through demoslam!

What we experience in most of the partisanships with the groups upon anti-Islamic principles do not fall under the extreme necessity doctrine within the purview of the Shari'ah as they are full of establishing falsehood and ensuring its people take over affairs, showing pleasure with the way of the groups, and disregard for the truth and justice found in the Shari'ah.

As Muslims, we believe that the purpose of our existence is to worship Allāh alone and we strive to increase in faith by ensuring the implementation of the Shari'ah in all our affairs- religion, private and family life, education, work, correspondence, justice system, business, politics, etc. Therefore, it is a misconception to hold that Muslims who do not take part in election of leaders are apolitical as if Islām does not have its political system which Muslims cherish. Surprisingly, it appears MURIC does not believe in the Islamic project but rather in the Nigerian project as it stated in the press release that:

_The only thing worth dying for is the Nigerian project, not partisanship, not exclusive religiousity and definitely not tribal jingoism._

This is grave and it is on the premise of the foregoing that I advise MURIC to retrace its steps by stating that religiousity is worth dying for by a Muslim and show that democracy is against Islām which Muslims must avoid to protect their faith. Importantly, if MURIC seeks to promote Islamic values, it is also advised to show the beauty of Islamic politics to Nigerians rather than promoting 'demoslam'. Afterall, Nigerians once lived without being subjected to a state law made by the people! Nigerians can still adopt autochthonous mode of governance, reflective of religious beliefs and cultural diversity! 

We ask Allāh to make Muslims victorious and weaken innovations and innovators. May Allāh guide our leaders to what He is pleased with.

May Allāh send peace and blessings upon our noble Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and those who follow their footsteps till the Day of Resurrection. May Allāh the close of our requests be 'Praise is due to Allāh, the Lord of all that exists.'

Abū Sa'eed, Muhammad Saheed

Dhuhr of Al-Arbi'ā', 11/11/1439; 25/07/2018