The Islamic Shariah laws are the rules and regulations, the moral and ethical codes by which all Muslims are asked to lead their lives. The question whether Islamic Shariah law is above democracy or not has been the subject of heated arguments for many years. However, today many Islamic countries and analysts show how the two can go hand in hand. While many people, including Muslims, believe that democracy is the way to go, the Islamic Shariah still controls the legal code of majority of the Muslim states. Even though extreme strictness and cruel punishments such as stoning and amputation exist in this law, the idea of the Shariah existing parallel to democracy, secularism and modernity is a growing one.

Various analysts throughout the world agree that democracy has its foundation in Islam and the Koran, as the Koran clearly states that mutual discussion is required among the people.  The implementation of complete Shariah law, for many Muslims, is the last hope left for them to be united under one banner, to be free of autocratic corruption and to be treated with Justice and the rule of the law. On the other hand many favor the democratic or secular system in which the Muslims will be able to follow their religion out of their own spiritual needs and not due to the pressure put on them by the law obligating them to perform their religious duties.

Due to the mixed opinions of the Muslims all around the globe, the democratic law and the Islamic law have been incorporated together in three different ways, all in the hope of creating a balance between the two. The first system is known as the Dual Legal System which is practiced in majority of the Muslim countries. In this system Shariah courts are allowed to exist under a secular government and the citizens are permitted to take their family and financial issues to the Shariah courts. Many western democracies are considering the establishment of small level Shariah courts to tackle disputes regarding marriage, divorce, inheritance etc among the Muslims of their country.

The second system is known as the Government under God. This system is practiced in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait etc. Under this system, Islam is considered the religion of the state and the laws and constitution is derived from the Shariah Law. The third system is the completely secular one, in which Islamist groups influence the local traditions however in the constitution there is no influence from the Shariah. Such a system is practiced in countries like Azerbaijan, Chad, and Somalia etc.

Even in secular Islamic states, the Islamist political parties affect the way of life reducing the crack between the state and the religion. Hence there is no denying that the Shariah Law makes it way up the system and has a control over the way the Islamic countries are run.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks affected the entire world, leaving behind a baggage of uncertainty. It left behind a nation full of grief. But for the Muslims in the USA, it caused a 360 degree drift in their day to day lives. An estimated six Million American Muslims were shattered and devastated at the harm done to their country, but unlike the other Americans, these Muslims had to deal with the insults and the ache of being rejected by their fellow Americans.

Islam in the USA, immediately after the 9/11 attacks, became unsteady as the Muslims (especially the youth) became uncertain regarding their faith and identity as a follower of Islam. However, simultaneously, on the other hand many became more adamant and established a stronger sense of self and placed higher belief in their teachings and traditions. The reaction was different throughout the country.

The misrepresentation of Muslims as terrorists by the media and the discrimination done against them in the society at large caused many young Muslims to try and change themselves in order to be accepted by those around them. Many young Muslim girls decided to give up their head scarf while many Muslim men decided to shave off their beards. Some went to the extreme of changing their names just for the sake of being acknowledged as true Americans. Many took the other path, strengthened their faith in their religion and with the help of the organizations they worked with passed on statements and religious verdicts against terrorism, strictly condemning the 9/11 attacks. Through various ways, such as peaceful rallies and the media, the American Muslims tried to prove they were loyal to the United States of America and tried to portray the true picture of Islam as a religion of peace.

Eventually the picture of Islam began to grow stronger. While many complained of being victimized by discrimination, other Muslims claimed that post 9/11 their fellow non-Muslim Americans became more encouraging and helpful. Islam, as a religion and as a topic of discussion, has evidently grown throughout the USA. Many books are being published on the Islamic culture where as the Koran, the Muslim’s holy book, has become one of the bestsellers. On a more grass root level, Muslim Student’s organizations have made their way into American high schools.

The role of the Islamic mosques has drastically changed since, as now it is not strictly a place for worship. Socialization and Islamic preaching of culture, values and language has grown in the places of worship. The birth of the new Islamic organizations give complete regard and respect to the laws and regulations of the country and wish to ensure that all Muslims are acknowledged in the society and are given the chance to prove their loyalty to the USA.

Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh,

There are two views among the Ulama regarding the disposal of interest money received from the bank:

1) The first view is that such interest money can only be given to the poor who are entitled to receive Zakat (i.e. they must not possess the nisab of Zakat). It is also necessary that the recipients are granted ownership and possession of the wealth (tamleek al-fuqaraa). According to this view, it is not permissible to utilise such interest money directly in public welfare projects, such as building roads, bridges and public toilets etc.

(Fatawa Mahmudiya: 24l431, Maktaba Mahmudiya)

2) The second view is that in addition to giving such interest money to the poor, it is permissible to use such interest money directly in public welfare projects. According to this view, granting of ownership to the poor (tamleek al-fuqaraa) is not a requirement.

(Fatawa Raheemiya: 9/279-282, Darul Isha’at)*
(Kifayatul Mufti: 7/105, Darul Isha’at)

The first view is more precautionary (ahwat) whereas the second view is more accommodating (awsa’).

In view of the different academic views, there is a leeway to use interest money received from the bank for the construction of toilets and ablution facility for an orphanage.

Note:
As a general rule, no Muslim by his free choice should deposit his money in an interest-bearing account. A non interest-bearing account should be utilised for the purpose. If there are any intricacies, a mufti should be consulted.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Maulana Faizal Riza
Student, Darul Iftaa
Australia

Checked and Approved by,
Muftī Ebrahim Desai.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah : Ayah 195]

 

 

And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.

[Sahih Muslim : Book 26, Number 5378]

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: Five are the rights of a Muslim over his brother:
1. Responding to salutation,
2. Saying Yarhamuk Allah when anybody sneezes and says AlHamdulillah,
3. Accept offer greetings from him,
4. Visiting the sick,
5. Following the bier.”

 

[Sahih Muslim : Book 26, Number 5379]

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It was said to him: Allah’s Messenger, what are these? Thereupon he said:
1. When you meet him, offer him greetings;
2. When he invites you to a feast accept it.
3. When he seeks your council give him,
4. And when he sneezes and says: AlHamdulillah “All praise is due to Allah,” you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you);
5. And when he fails ill visit him;
6. And when he dies follow his bier.”

 

Allah’s messenger told the Muslims “He who innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not of it will have it rejected” Bukhari & Muslim

Imam Ahmad Raza Khan RAH and other religious scholars have discussed about many different schools of thoughts that consider Shaitaan as their guide or Murshid. Muslims should only consult and follow true religion based on Quran and Sunnah. Following the cults will definitely direct Muslims in the wrong directions that will cause the rage of Allah. Followers of cults are the slaves of darkness and illiteracy.

The wicked deceivers criticize the teachings of Ulema. They jeer, mock and spread misconceptions such as Ulema and Fuqraa differ from each other and they have lots of differences in their thoughts and preaching.  These evil jesters question on the most educated and qualified Ulema and cast doubts about their veracity.  They criticize them, declare them as “pundits”, and claim that they should show off their spiritual powers and show evidence in the form of miracles like Prophets of Bani Israel.

Heretics that are self pro-claimed saints Walis and Dervaishs say that following Shari’ah is only essential as long as a person has not found the true path.  Once the person stops searching and have adopted Sufism to become closer to Allah, it is not required. He can stop following Shari’ah once he has done Ba’ait and reached his destination as per his disillusion and ill faith.

So-called Peers is another group of people that is very active in creating misconceptions in the hearts of the innocent Muslims. These are uneducated, uncultured and uncultivated so called Peer’s or Murshids who read various books and claim that they have real knowledge or Ilm e Laduni. In fact, these people only have information collected from various sources. Half truth is more lethal than the whole lie. Moreover, they deny the position of prestigious religious scholars or Iyema karaam and present them as learned and competent faculty in various fields of Shari’ah and Fiqah.

Part 2

Rashaadites or Submitters believe that Rashaad Khalifa is messenger of Allah SWT (Naozbillah). This cult is misguiding Muslims by preaching to emphasize only upon Quran and ignore the sayings our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAAS. They have rejected two of the verses of Holy Quran and have changed the method of ablution and prayers as well.

Habashi or Al Ahbash: are the followers of Abdullah Al-Harawi Al-Habashi also known as Sheikh Al-Fitnah. He was known to have strange characteristics that matched with those of the Jews and invented many innovations.

Ismaili religious group is another cult that is not following the Quran and Sunah. The Ismailis follow Agha Khan who declared him as mazhar of manifest of Allah SWT on earth (Naozbillah).

Believers in Ahmadiyyia or more popular Qadiani Movement in the subcontinent have the most erroneous beliefs. Ahmadi or Qadiani follow the false prophet Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. They have rejected not only Holy Quran but jihad also and believe in the incarnation like the Hindus.

Nation of Islam is another cult that is based on blasphemies and they are definitely not in the circle of Islam with their so-called beliefs. One of the famous Nation of Islam followers was Malcom X who converted from Christian to so-called Muslim. Later on, he embraced Sunni Islam and performed pilgrimage.

The real Islam is the same described by the Holy Quran and Sunah. There is no need of bringing any innovations in Islam but yes, we need to check on our beliefs if they are the same as of the true believers or not.