In this article, I have written about the relationship between Politics, Islam and Justice.
Islam is the religion selected by Allah Almighty for the betterment of mankind. Islam means to submit yourself to the will of Allah Almighty. Islam doesn't only mean to Pray Salah, Fast in the month of Ramada , Perform Hajj, Give Zakat and carry out certain religious rituals. Along with all these rituals Islam also has a complete Political system for the betterment of mankind. Allah sent about Hundred and Twenty-four Thousand Prophets on earth for the guidance of Mankind. The lives of all these Prophets and their rightly guided companions serve as a model for all mankind to follow but the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW are the best examples among all these Prophets for us to follow as Allah completed. Every Prophet came to guide mankind to the right path and to tell them there is only one God i.e. Allah Almighty. He is the creator and no one is his partner and only he is the one worthy to be worshipped. Here the question arises is this all for which Allah sent his Messengers for?
The point on which I am trying to emphasize here is that Allah does not need our prayers. He does not need our Zakat or Fasting. Allah did not send each of His Messengers to any particular nation just to introduce them to Allah but a very important reason for Allah send all his Messengers was to eradicate the evil that was found in their nations. For example, Prophet Noah, Prophet Lut, Prophet Moses and Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) and rest of the Prophets to their particular nations not only to worship Allah but also to eradicate the evils found in the world at that time.
"And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allāh and avoid ṭāghūt." And among them were those whom Allāh guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers."[Quran 16:36]
Unlike the typical meaning of Politics where politicians use every tactic to win and crush their opponents and they think only of their own self interests. They do not think of others and forget the distinction between right and wrong to achieve their personal goals. They are power-hungry and have no defined set of rules or morality to do Politics. Islam does not accept such dirty politics. Rather, in Islam, this kind of politics and political system is called pharaohism. Allah says in the Quran:
"The hypocrites, be they men or women, are all alike. They enjoin what is evil, and forbid what is good, and withhold their hands from doing good. They forgot Allah, so Allah also forgot them. Surely the hypocrites are wicked."[Quran,9:67]
The Politics of all the Prophets sent by Allah Almighty was against any tyrant that was present at that time. For example Prophet Moses resisted against Pharaoh, Prophet Daud (David) fought against Jalut etc. They all did Politics against tyranny to help the poor, the needy and the oppressed. They did this to establish Justice on Earth and to guide their nations to the right path. This is the reason that in Islam Politics is a Sunnah because to raise your voice against tyranny is what Prophet Muhammad PBUH and all other Prophets did.
This is what the companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW did and this is what the four rightly guided caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali did. Imam Hussein also did this when he embraced martyrdom while fighting the tyranny of Yazid. These are the teachings and basic principles of Islam. Islam does not allow the oppressor to oppress and the oppressed to be an oppressor. He should fight against the oppressor for his rights and for the rights of others in the same manner Imam Hussein did against the oppression of Yazid. If you see oppression and injustice happening around you and do nothing to stop it. Then you are disobeying the teachings of Islam. In the following verses of Surah-al-Shura of the Holy Quran Allah says:
"Whatever ˹pleasure˺ you have been given is ˹no more than a fleeting˺ enjoyment of this worldly life. But what is with Allah is far better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord;"[42:36]
"who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, and forgive when angered;"[42:37]
"who respond to their Lord, establish prayer, conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and donate from what We have provided for them;"[42:38]
"and who enforce justice when wronged."[42:39]
The above mentioned verses of the Holy Quran prove that establishing justice is as important as praying Salah. If their is oppression and injustice taking place and you sit back doing nothing in this situation to help the oppressed then in a way you are also taking part in this oppression. Allah says in the Quran:
"And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?"[ Quran 4:75]
A true Muslim is not the one who is neutral. He is the one who always stands for truth no matter how bad the situation gets. This is what politics in Islam is. Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.” [Quran, 4:135]
Prophet Muhammad SAW said:
“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim Hadith 34, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi]
In another Hadith, he said:
Allah’s Apostle SAW said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet SAW said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”
[Bukhari]
In Islam Politics does not mean to only fight for yourself or be selfish. It doesn't mean to fight only to get power. This is what typical Politicians do. They are selfish and only do what suits their interests and do not think of others. In Islam, Politics is to put yourself to the service of mankind. Allah says in the Quran:
"You are the best community ever raised for the good of mankind—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious." [Quran 3:110]
Allah says in the Surah An-Nahl:
Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as generosity to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful. [Quran 16:90]
If you fight against injustice and cruelty then this is the true meaning of Politics in Islam. Fighting for the rights of others and your rights is what Islam teaches us. Helping others and Putting yourself in the service of humanity is what Islam teaches us. As Muslims, we must stand up against any injustice that is happening in front of us or in any other part of the world. It is our duty to serve mankind. Then you would be counted among those people who Allah loves the most because Allah loves those who are best to others and establish Justice.
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