If we look at today’s society, we see many parallels with the disbelieving society of Quraysh, before the establishment of Islam as a way of life. Man today is dominated by Kufr laws and systems. The social fabric of
society is in great decline, children and women are not safe on the streets. The crime rate is steadily increasing. Economic exploitation by large companies and banks is legalised. It is increasingly difficult to earn an honest wage, or satisfy the basic need
of housing in a way allowable in Islam. In fact the whole society in the world, including the Muslim countries, is dominated by Capitalism, a man made system of benefit. The objective of the Capitalist system is to provide the maximum level of material wealth to society with little or no regard for the real needs of the people and for a fair distribution amongst them. So we see great increases in wealth amongst a ruling elite, while most in society suffer. In short it’s a hard slog to achieve a basic living.
When Muhammad (saw) was first given revelation in Makkah, the Arabs lived in a time of great social, political and economic corruption and oppression. Moral and social standards were almost non-existent with many children not knowing who their fathers were, and dancing naked around the Ka’abah a common practice. Political control rested in the hands of a few of the noblemen of Quraysh, men like Abu Jahl and Walid ibn Mughira, the latter who was better known for poetry than an ability
to look after the affairs of the people. Cheating and economic manipulation was widespread, merchants in the markets would frequently conceal the quality of their goods, and travelling Bedouins were often
not given fair prices when approaching Makkah for trade. The whole society was characterised by a shameful disbelief and selfish drive for personal benefit, whatever the cost.
Following revelation through the Prophet (saw), people started to enter Islam, and as commanded, the faith was spread through word of mouth with constant Da’awah and struggle against the Kafireen. The struggle was intellectual and political, meaning that the Prophet (saw) and the Sahabah would challenge any Munkar (evil) or disbelief and bring the truth of Islam in its stead no matter what hardship this led to. In challenging the very roots of the belief and practices of Quraysh, the Muslims were exposed to great hardship, both physically and economically. Yasser and Sumaiyah, the first martyrs in Islam, or the torture given to Bilal bear testimony to the effect of challenging the predominant society and bringing Allah’s alternative for man. The boycott represents clearly the economic sanctions that were imposed upon the Muslims, not for their belief, but because the Muslims refused to keep silent in Kufr and were constantly challenging the Kufr
thoughts and ideas. The Muslims willingly went through the economic hardship which drove them to the point of starvation solely for the sake of Allah, and for the sake of bringing Allah’s Deen to mankind.
When we look to Islam to define our role in life we see very clearly that Allah (swt) has given us one function alone. Allah (swt) has said:
"Allah has not created man and jinn save as a worship unto Him "
[TMQ 51:56]
By worship, the scholars have explained that this means worship in all our actions, every aspect of life. The only criterion we have for what our Creator wants us to do, or to refrain from, is from the source of
Divine law, the Qur’an and Sunnah of Muhammad (saw). Therefore, the Muslim is effectively a slave to Allah (swt), submitting openly and fully to Allah’s guidance and command. The significance of the divine
law is that we have nothing else to guide us in our life, or our worship, in its widest possible sense.
"And We have revealed the Book to you as an exposition to all things, a guide, a mercy and glad tidings to Muslims " [TMQ
16:89]
The Muslim is not a believer unless he submits totally in all his actions and makes the pleasure of his Creator paramount.
“But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real) faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decision, but accept them with the fullest submission.” [TMQ 4:65]
We should not be surprised by the inequities of the Western/Capitalist way of
life, it is manmade, and exploitative. What is surprising and not acceptable is the Muslim adoption of Capitalist thinking. That Muslims quote Masalih Mursala when taking out usury contracts of mortgage, for example, is a sad example of Muslims trying to mix Islam with Western Capitalism. The Muslims benefit is in applying the Sharia’a, in full knowledge that it is Allah’s wish that he do so, not that he leaves Allah’s law at the first signs of difficulty.
The issue for Muslims today in the Capitalist world is not for us to look constantly at our economic problems and use any means to solve them, economic problems are only a part of the greater problem of man not living according to Islam. What can we expect when we do not implement Islam? The real work for the Ummah today is to work hard with our time, wealth and all our efforts against the Capitalist system, it is not for us to try and feel comfortable living within a Kufr system.
The Sahabah faced great hardship with persecution and boycott, but never did they compromise, never did they falter in the struggle to change Jahiliyyah society in the seeking of Allah’s pleasure.
Our call should be now to change the ignorant disbelieving society, and bring back the Sharia’a under the shade of the Khilafah, not to sit back and accept the Munkar in our midst. Remember the call
of Allah (swt):
"Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates or your kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear a decline or the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Apostle, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah
guides not the rebellious " (TMQ 9:24)
[This message has been edited by Special (edited December 04, 1998).]