Jurisprudence for Muslim Minorities

 

MINORITIES 1

INTRODUCTION

        Praise be to Allah, Whom we thank and ask for help and forgiveness. We take refuge in Allah from our evils and misdeeds. None can mislead whomever Allah guided, and none can guide whomever Allah forsakes and adjudges to be astray. And I testify that there is no god but Allah alone without partner and Muhammad is His bondman and Messenger.

        Islam is an integral way of life that deals with all aspects of life, puts all human relations in order, and sets rules and bases for them that conform to the requirements of truth and justice.

        Islam has not confined itself to stating the relationship between man and His Creator, which is the basis of all other relations, but it has been vast enough to comprise the social relationships between Muslims one another, and between Muslims and non-Muslims, in a way that humanity has never known before.

        Neither did Islam confine itself to laying down theories; it linked theory to practice closely in many texts, and commanded its followers to adjust their behavior according to its rules and teachings, and consolidate the connection between thought and behavior to deserve being the most charitable nation that guides to truth, which has been missed by many people.

        Islam is the religion that has hegemony over all other religions, and its adherents are the witnesses of mankind. And in order that a Muslim may be a true witness he has to be up to his Islam, in his way of life, thought, conception, and behavior.

        Such a sublime level cannot be achieved but by full submission to Allah, and strict adherence to the way of Sharî'ah (Islamic Law). By so doing, one becomes a caller to Allah by his behavior in his surroundings, and an ambassador of Islam in his community. And how many a society has embraced Islam for what they have seen of the callers’ noble manners and kind attitudes towards others, and being dutiful and just to them. So, they could not but subdue their minds and perception to the thoughts and creed of these callers. Thus, the noble objective of creating mankind, sending messengers, and revealing books comes true.

        And since Allah Almighty has promised to grant victory to his religion, and make it known everywhere, through dignifying some people and humiliating others, it was natural to find Muslims living in non-Muslim countries due to birth or migration.

        Such Muslims are mostly one of two groups: a hard-line group who isolate themselves from the followers of other religions, treat them harshly, and may go as far as deeming capturing their riches lawful; The other group is an excessively lenient group towards their opponents to the point of seeking their friendship and contentment and fully mixing with them and losing their religious identity.

        So, this study emerged as a contribution towards the efforts of awakening, in order that Muslims may restore their pioneer role, be a torch that lightens the way, guides, and enlightens Muslims. I relied on the Qur’ân, authentic Sunnah, and unanimous opinions of Muslim scholars, seeking guidance from the sayings of the Prophet's Companions, his followers, and others, and keeping away from fanaticism, or following a particular Imam, but following the evidence wherever it may lead to, because we seek the satisfaction of Allah alone.

        This study falls into two chapters, each chapter includes a number of topics, questions, and selected branches which Muslims living in non-Muslim countries aspire to know in order to rectify their behavior towards their opponents, control their way of dealing with others with whom they live, on sound bases.

        I should not fail to draw the attention to the fact that these rulings have been selected from a voluminous thesis (about 700 pages) that contained rulings relating to different domains of life that Muslims living in non-Muslim countries need to know.

        In fact, it is the thesis for which I obtained an M.A. degree from “The Imam Al-'Awzâi Faculty for Islamic Studies” in Beirut, 1415 A.H., under the title “ The Rulings of Sharî’ah Relating to Muslims living in non-Muslim Countries” which will be published soon by the will of Allah.

        Rulings selected here are the outcome of discussions and argumentation with a large number of specialists who lived in non-Muslim countries for long periods.

        Allah is the Granter of success.

        Khâlid Muhammad ‘Abdul-Quâdir