[Khutbah – Friday Reflection] Reviving Activism for the Cause of Allah

Praise be to Allah (swt) and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

"Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange for Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah." Surah at Tawbah (9:111)

"And those who strive for Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good." Surah Al Ankabout (29:69)

Is activism for the Cause of Allah being stifled by fear or a culture of fear? Regardless of the prevailing political regime, those who feel their ideology threatened tend to use fear to silence activism, especially that which seeks to uphold the deen of Allah (swt). The wave of Islamophobia sweeping through the West, exemplified by the statements from a certain psychopath in the Oval Office labeling Somali Muslims as "filth," aims to weaken activism if not eliminate it altogether.

This reflection is crucial for those at the forefront of Da’wah, actively engaged in the ideological struggle against kufr ideas. The Ummah remains, for the most part, either asleep, a passive spectator of the battle between Islam and kufr, or preoccupied with marginal issues, thus avoiding the genuine fight to restore Islam as an alternative to the global order.

Among the factors contributing to this divide is the action of the disbelievers and their political and intellectual agents within the Muslim Ummah. Another factor is the presence of numerous deviant groups that spread false ideas and sow confusion among Muslims.

However, it is fear that prevents the Muslim masses from stepping forward and supporting the movement to restore the deen of Allah (swt) and to vehemently denounce any form of injustice. The source of this fear within the Ummah ultimately stems from one or more of the following three factors: fear of death, fear of loss of livelihood due to job loss, and fear of loss of honor.

Allah (swt) commands Muslims to fear Him alone:

"Only Shaytaan suggests to you the fear of his allies. So do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers." Surah Al’i Imran (3:175)

In this verse, Allah equates faith in Islam with exclusive fear of Him. The source of fear influences a person’s life and determines their path. The object of that fear then becomes their deity, the one they venerate to avoid punishment or harm.

Allah (swt) speaks about death:

"No one can die except by the permission of Allah and at the appointed time." Surah Al’i-Imran (3:145)

Neither death threats against Marwan Barghouti nor the torture of Aafia Siddiqui or Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya will lead to their demise. They will only die when Allah (swt) decrees it.

By fearing others besides Allah, one implicitly recognizes that the power to harm or do good belongs to another force and that this force shares some of Allah’s attributes. This fear of others besides Allah can be seen as a form of worship of other than Allah and an attribution of His unique attributes to another entity.

For these reasons, Allah equates fear of Him alone with faith in Islam, and all Muslims must not only understand this concept but also integrate it into their lives.

Regarding sustenance, Allah (swt) says:

"Indeed, He provides sustenance to whom He wills without account." Surah Al’i Imran (3:37)

"Do you not know that Allah extends provision for whom He wills among His servants and restricts it?" Surah Al-Qasas (28:82)

"Say (O Muhammad): "O Allah! Master of absolute authority, You give authority to whom You will, and You strip authority from whom You will. And You give strength to whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. Goodness is in Your hand, and You are Omnipotent." Surah Al’i Imran (3:26)

Collectively, these verses clearly establish fundamental concepts of Islamic belief (Aqida): life and death, sustenance (rizq), and honor come exclusively from Allah (swt), and no other power has influence in this regard.

Every Muslim must believe that death, as well as their sustenance and honor, are determined solely by Allah (swt). Nothing else possesses these attributes, for they are unique to Allah (swt).

Due to the fear of death and the belief that life and death are in the hands of a dictator or despot, the Muslim Ummah has been compelled to submit to Western nations that seek to subjugate Muslim lands to their system and culture of disbelief (kufr).

We are not born with an aversion to defending what is right. We have been conditioned to view Islam through the lens of an individualistic ideology that strips our lives of the essence of faith. Islam has become a selfish quest; we are more concerned with personal salvation while ignoring the critical state of our Ummah.

Many young Muslims have unfortunately succumbed to a "version" of Islam that exists outside of societal change. And, sadly, many Islamic societies on campuses, in Mauritius or elsewhere, promote a quietist Muslim.

"You are the best community that has been raised for mankind, for you enjoin what is right (Ma’rouf), forbid what is wrong (Mounkar), and believe in Allah." Surah A li Imraan (3:110)

In today’s world, the dominant ideology is no longer a Creator-related way of life, but a secular framework, primarily guided by what is called neoliberalism.

Neoliberalism, an ideology that prioritizes individualism, competition, and self-interest, permeates all aspects of our lives. It is not just an economic theory; it is a worldview that dictates our aspirations, habits, and conception of success.

Islam: A Call for Justice and Collective Responsibility

"It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the deen of truth, to make it prevail over all religion, however much the mushrikoun (idolaters) may dislike it." Surah At Tawbah (9:33)

From its inception, Islam was more than a set of beliefs: it was a call to justice. The early generations of Muslims were not passive believers but active agents of change.

The message of Islam should instill in us a sense of mission and responsibility to correct societal wrongs. Islam is and remains a liberating force, offering a collective mission that transcends personal spirituality.

The Muslim activist is actively engaged in the struggle on the ground to uphold Allah’s (swt) ideology. Activism is not foreign to Islam; it is an integral part of it. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions exemplified their commitment to justice, and it is our duty to carry on this legacy. In a world dominated by self-interest and passivity, the call for activism is more urgent than ever.

Returning to activism should be our priority to arm ourselves against the enemies of Allah (swt).

May Allah (swt) guide and assist us.

Mosadeq Sahebdin