Opposing Oppression & being politically active or Purifying yourself from sin and becoming closer to Allah?

Published by Sajid Iqbal on 29 June, 2013 - 11:57
Author: 
Sajid Iqbal

Today we have some Muslims who believe the role of Muslims is only to oppose and speak out against oppression by being politically active. They oppose and ridicule Muslims who don't do this. They despise Muslims who just want to focus on being better Muslims by purifying themselves from sin and evil. They ridicule Muslims who focus on just worship like prayer, zikr and religious rituals.

We also have some Muslims who believe the role of Muslims is only to become better Muslims by becoming closer to God and purifying themselves from sin and evil. They focus on prayer, remembrance of God, increasing their knowledge about Islam. They don't believe in politics. They don't believe or promote the idea of being politically active, to speak out against oppression and persecution, to defend the Deen from Islamophobia and speak out against occupation and attacks against the Ummah.

Both are following Islam selectively. They are not following the teachings and practise of the Prophet (pbuh) completely. If they did they would know that the role of the Muslims is to do BOTH:
1) Speaking out against oppression, persecution, occupation and being politically active to defend the deen is COMPULSORY.
2) Becoming a better Muslim, a practising Muslim, praying, acts of worship, purifying yourself from sin, increasing knowledge of the Deen and being a walking, talking advert for Islam is also COMPULSORY.
**IT'S NOT ABOUT ONE OR THE OTHER. IT'S COMPULSORY TO DO BOTH**

The Prophet (pbuh) opposed and spoke out against oppression and all forms of occupation and attacks against the Deen. Remember Badr, Uhud, treaty of Hudaybia, Misaak-e-Madinah, uniting the ummah, defending the weak and fighting for the rights of the oppressed- this was our Prophet. He was politically active not passive.
The same Prophet (pbuh) asked for forgiveness all night, he worshipped all night, he promoted perfecting ones character, he promoted one to become closer to their creator, he promoted us to learn and study the deen.

SO DON'T CHOOSE TO BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE OR TO PRAYER. DON'T CHOOSE TO OPPOSE OPPRESSION OR TO PURIFY YOURSELF FROM SIN. DON'T CHOOSE TO DEFEND THE UMMAH FROM OCCUPATION AND PERSECUTION OR TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLDEGE OF THE DEEN.

***THE PROPHET (PBUH) DID BOTH AND TAUGHT HIS SAHABAH AND UMMAH TO DO THE SAME.***

Sajid Iqbal, Editor- The Revival