Arab World in Strife

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Like many of you, I’ve been following the events in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain—and a slew of other countries like Algeria, Yemen, Iran and Jordan—with a mix of hope and horror.
While the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt have successfully toppled the countries’ despotic governments, it was achieved with significant loss of life and casualties, and civil unrest persists. In Libya, the death count purportedly numbers in the thousands, stemming from the government’s orders to quell the protests through violence and force.

I was torn as to whether to support these freedom fighters or not. On the one hand, I feel sympathetic towards their cause, which seeks to end the repressive regimes that have ruled them most unIslamically for decades. These governments have allowed poverty to exist while the ruling class hoards wealth, allowed low literacy and levels of education to persist, and have put the needs of the ruling class before that of their citizens.

On the other hand, as Muslims, we are enjoined to obey our rulers, as long as they allow us to practice Islam.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “A Muslim has to listen to and obey (the order of his ruler) whether he likes it or not, as long as his orders involve not one in disobedience (to Allah), but if an act of disobedience (to Allah) is imposed one should not listen to it or obey it.” (Saheeh Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 203)

Some might interpret this as encouraging fatalism and defeatism, two attitudes frequently cited as hampering progress in the Muslim world. Others may argue that the freedoms and comforts of this world are not what we should seek; instead, bearing hardship with patience and fortitude, all the while striving to be as good a Muslim as one can be, should be the aim.

As faraway observers, it is easy to ponder and judge from the safe cocoon of Singapore, where we have significant freedoms and liberties, and lead relatively prosperous lives. Unless we have truly experienced what our brothers and sisters in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and the like go through on a daily basis, it is impossible to genuinely understand and appreciate their sentiments and motivations.

As the news on Libya gets increasingly dire, and as the revolution spreads across the Arab world, I came to the conclusion that in lieu of supporting or opposing the unfolding events, we can best contribute by making do’a for the best outcome for those affected, and for the violence to end quickly.

 

Shahirah is an aspiring journalist who is interested in social issues, women’s rights, the Middle East conflict, and Islam in the Western world. She is also interested in languages and would like to take up Arabic soon.

Website: http://shahirahmdansari.com

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2 COMMENTS

  1. For your information,

    In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

    PRESS RELEASE

    To the religious leaders of all faiths, to the political leaders of all countries, to the heads of all international organizations, and to all men and women of good will. As servants of the brave and dignified Libyan people, the Muslim Scholars and Tribal Leaders of Libya are united in informing you of the following:

    We are grateful for all the great efforts that are now being made to stop the massacre of our people. However, we urge you to please hurry and redouble your efforts. We have already lost thousands of our brave youth, and the injured are now in the many thousands.

    Please urgently send into Libya as much medical and humanitarian aid as possible. The Egyptian-Libyan border, Benghazi Port, and Misrata Port are now open, and we urge Libyans inside and outside the country to help in every way they can with logistics and distribution. We very much appreciate the early response from Turkey and from the International Red Cross/Red Crescent in this regard.

    Internationally, we expect all punitive actions and measures to be directed and applied to Gaddafi personally, his family, close associates, and their mercenaries, and any other complicit parties.

    We do not support %u2018sanctions against Libya%u2019 or anything against Libya. All actions and measures should be against Gaddafi himself, his family, their close associates, and their mercenaries. Judicially these criminals have no official governmental positions, and DO NOT constitute the Libyan government. They have NO immunity. The approach that should be taken by all who are trying to help us is that of urgently issuing and applying International Arrest Warrants for clearly committing crimes against humanity, to be pursued in the International Criminal Court.

    The brave Libyan people will endure and are now more unified than ever, through the grace of God and the blood of our martyrs. We are certain of, and look forward to, the inevitable victory, promised by God to the oppressed of the earth.

    Issued this Saturday 26th of February, 2011 for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    NETWORK OF FREE ULEMA – LIBYA

    Also, here’s a good article by Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri on the legality of struggle against a Muslim Regime.

    Its Chapter 18 of the Fatwa on Terorrism page 397.

    Full fatwa in english available to read online for free:
    http://www.quranandwar.com/FATWA%20on%20Terrorism %20and%20Suicide%20Bombings.pdf

    The chapter includes:

    1. Peaceful Struggle in a Muslim State
    2.Political Struggle against Injustice, etc.

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