AlJumuah [The Friday Report], vol III, no. 10.
Secularism is defined in the Webster dictionary as: "A system of doctrines
and practices that
rejects any form of religious faith and worship" or "The belief that
religion and ecclesiastical
affairs should not enter into the function of the state especially
into public education."
There is no doubt that secularism contradicts Islam in every aspect.
They are two different
paths that never meet; choosing one means rejecting the other. Hence,
whoever chooses Islam
has to reject secularism. In the following, we go in the details of
explaining why.
1- First, secularism makes lawful what Allah has made unlawful.
The Rule of Allah (Shari`ah) is compulsory and has basic laws and regulations
that cannot be
changed. Some of these laws are concerned with the acts of worship,
the relations between
men and women, etc.
What is the position with regard to these laws?
Secularism makes adultery lawful if the male and the female are consenting adults.
As for Riba (interest on money), it is the basis of all financial transactions
in secular
economies. On the contrary, Allah says (s.2 A. 278): "O you who believe,
fear Allah and
leave what comes from Riba if you are believers. If you do not do so,
then wait for a war from
Allah and His Messenger."
As for alcohol, all secular systems allow the consumption of alcohol
and make selling it a
lawful business.
2- Second, secularism is clear unbelief (Kufr).
Secularism is based on separating religion from all the affairs of this
life and hence, it rules by
law and regulations other than Allah's laws. Hence, secularism rejects
Allah's rules with no
exception and prefers regulations other than Allah's and His Messenger's.
In fact, many
secularists claim that Allah's laws might have been suitable for the
time they were revealed but
are now outdated.
As a result, most of the laws governing the daily affairs of life in
the countries ruled by secular
systems contradict Islam. Allah says (S.5 A.50): "Do they seek a judgment
of Ignorance? But,
who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment
than Allah?"
Ibn Katheer said in the Tafseer of this verse that Allah is denouncing
those who reject His
ruling and accept other rulings that are not based on the Shari`ah
of Allah. Whoever does so is
indeed a non-believer. Indeed, belief in Allah can never go with the
acceptance of other than
His rulings in one's heart. Allah says (S.5 A.44): "If any do fail
to judge by what Allah has
revealed, they are non-believers."
From the above, the status of secularism and its relation to Islam are
clear. But the ignorance
about the Islamic truth is still dominating the Muslim's mind. Most
secular systems repeat
slogans like "no religion in politics and no politics in religion"
or "religion is for Allah, and the
state is for the people." Such sayings portray their view of Islam
as a religion to be practiced in
the mosque only, and that it should not be allowed to rule life outside
the mosque.
Furthermore, they try to deceive people with democratic slogans like
"personal freedom" and
"people governing people." That means that people come first and no
place is made for the
ruling of Allah.
This is why secularism is clear Kufr, this
is why secular systems have no legality and authority
and should be rejected by Muslims.
