Islam vs. secularism
AlJumuah [The Friday Report], vol III, no. 10.
Secularism is defined in the Webster dictionary as: "A system of doctrines
and practices that rejects any form of religious
faith and worship" or "The belief that religion and ecclesiastical
affairs should not enter into the function of the state especially into
public education."
There is no doubt that secularism contradicts Islam in every aspect.
They are two different paths that never meet; choosing one
means rejecting the other. Hence, whoever chooses Islam has to reject
secularism. In the following, we go into the details of
explaining why.
1- First, secularism makes lawful what Allah has made unlawful.
The Rule of Allah (Shari`ah) is compulsory and has basic laws and regulations
that cannot be changed. Some of these laws are
concerned with the acts of worship, the relations between men and women,
etc.
What is the position with regard to these laws?
Secularism makes adultery lawful if the male and the female are consenting adults.
As for Riba (interest on money), it is the basis of all financial transactions
in secular economies. On the contrary, Allah says (s.2
A. 278): "O you who believe, fear Allah and leave what comes from Riba
if you are believers. If you do not do so, then wait for a war from Allah
and His Messenger."
As for alcohol, all secular systems allow the consumption of alcohol and make selling it a lawful business.
2- Second, secularism is clear unbelief (Kufr).
Secularism is based on separating religion from all the affairs of this
life and hence, it rules by law and regulations other than
Allah's laws. Hence, secularism rejects Allah's rules with no exception
and prefers regulations other than Allah's and His
Messenger's. In fact, many secularists claim that Allah's laws might
have been suitable for the time they were revealed but are
now outdated.
As a result, most of the laws governing the daily affairs of life in
the countries ruled by secular systems contradict Islam. Allah
says (S.5 A.50): "Do they seek a judgment of Ignorance? But, who, for
a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?"
Ibn Katheer said in the Tafseer of this verse that Allah is denouncing
those who reject His ruling and accept other rulings that
are not based on the Shari`ah of Allah. Whoever does so is indeed a
non-believer. Indeed, belief in Allah can never go with the
acceptance of other than His rulings in one's heart. Allah says (S.5
A.44): "If any do fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are non-believers."
From the above, the status of secularism and its relation to Islam are
clear. But the ignorance about the Islamic truth is still
dominating the Muslim's mind. Most secular systems repeat slogans like
"no religion in politics and no politics in religion" or
"religion is for Allah, and the state is for the people." Such sayings
portray their view of Islam as a religion to be practiced in
the mosque only, and that it should not be allowed to rule life outside
the mosque. Furthermore, they try to deceive people with
democratic slogans like "personal freedom" and "people governing people."
That means that people come first and no place
is made for the ruling of Allah subhaana wa ta'ala.
This is why secularism is clear Kufr, this is why secular systems have no legality and authority and should be rejected by Muslims.
