Pakistan needsKhilafah

O you who believe, respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger when He calls you to that which would give you life...

RAMADAN - AHAWWAL 1431 ··· SEPTEMBER 2010 ··· ISSUE: 12

THE NUCLEAR INTERNATIONAL CRISIS AND ISLAM - GEOPOLITICAL IMPACTFROM THE MONSOON FLOODING: PAKISTAN AND BEYOND - RAMADHANTIMELINE - WHY A 'BIG SOCIETY' COULDN’T HAPPEN IN BRITAIN - THE US-EUROPE DIVIDE: GROWTH VS STIMULUS - TAFSIR OF SURAH AL-BAQARAH 183-185 “FASTING IS WRITTEN ON YOU” - LIFE DOESN’T NEED TO BE SO TAXING -RAMADHAN TODAY: VIRTUAL UNITY WITHOUT REAL COMPLEMENTARITY

NEWSBITES

2 :: Khilafah Magazine :: September 2010 www.khilafah.eu

AMERICA’S SECRET WAR IN THE YEMEN

The NY Times recently reported on US airstrikes against “suspected” terrorists in theremote Marib province of Yemen. Nothingunusual in what is now either all out waror extra-judicial killings, and the main USpolicy in the region. Only this time theprovince’s deputy governor was alsokilled, forcing Yemen’s president AliAbdullah Saleh to accept fullresponsibility and to pay blood money tothe offended tribes which were hit.What the NY Times now calls a “shadowwar” and is waged in a dozen countriesfrom Kenya to Pakistan is popular withObama as he doesn’t need to officiallydeclare war and the costs (via drones andother technology) is relatively modestcompared to serious conflicts requiringlarge troop deployments. Additionally noformal announcement or publicacknowledgement of these warringactions is deemed necessary by the USregime.

Un-announced but definitely noticed byMuslims. Its little wonder that Obama’sapproval ratings across the Muslim worldcontinue to plummet based on the Pewresearch of June 2010.

£300M IN EARTHQUAKE AID “MISUSED BY ZARDARI”

More than £300 million in foreign aid forvictims of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake

has been diverted by President AsifZardari's government to other ‘causes’,officials have told The Daily Telegraph.Schools, hospitals, houses and roadsplanned with money given by foreigngovernments and international aid groupsremain unbuilt almost five years after theearthquake which killed 80,000 and leftfour million people homeless. It is feltthat the diversion of aid funds will deterdonors from giving after the devastatingfloods.

With more than 14 million displaced andthousands feared dead due to the floodingZardari took to a European tour – not forvital fund raising but to raise the politicalprofile of his son Bilawal Bhutto at aBirmingham rally of PPP members.Zardari’s days are numbered in Pakistan,but like his corrupt and secularpredecessors when his excesses aredeemed too much he will also bereplaced by a similar callous, self centred,puppet figure who has greater allegianceto Western governments than his ownpeople.

WIKILEAKS: ANOTHER BRUTAL ANDSHAMEFUL PORTRAYAL OF US ANDNATO ACTIONS

The recent 91,000 document leakexposed the brutal killings of innocentcivilians and Afghan Army personnel, andpurported links between the Taliban andPakistan’s Intelligence agencies. There isnothing new in these reports as theatrocities committed by the invaders areknown to the entire world. But why theleak now? Obama has since re-stressed hispursuit of “fixed goals and objectives” (theexit plan for July 2011). The linking ofPakistani intelligence to the Talibanmerely puts pressure on Pakistan to domore in the illegal “war of terror” as wellas to filter out all those officers that haveIslamic emotions. Hillary Clintonannounced recently a $500 millionpayment (bribe) to the Pakistangovernment to accelerate its operation inthe border areas with Afghanistan to curbthe resistance against the US.

Such leaks are not new and help veil USfailures and to deceive its own nation. Inthe Vietnam War pentagon documentswere also leaked in order to assure theirpeople that the war was unwinnable andthat a retreat was in the favour of the US

and it's Army, thereby paving the way forits humiliating withdrawal after the loss of56,000 troops. US pressure on Pakistan todo more against its own civilians and theresistance is a clear indication that the USwants to weaken Pakistan because theyknow that Pakistan has all the ingredientsto be the launching pad for the upcomingKhilafah state.

CONTINUED SLIDE OF BANGLADESH

On 27th July the appellate division of theSupreme Court in Bangladesh has given averdict to again change the constitutionof Bangladesh. Current PM Sheikh Hasinais moving ever closer to the avowedlysecular constitution her father MujiburRahman set in 1972. This is despite theelection manifesto of Awami League insection 21.3 clearly stating that “Lawsrepugnant to Quran and Sunnah shall notbe made”. However after wining theelection backed by a compromise dealamongst India-UK-USA, the governmentmoved on to immediately clamp down onIslamic political parties.

Whilst the use of Islamic terminology isnot a new “election ruse” in our lands, andthe rule of law in reality is a mixture ofnationalist, socialist and authoritariandictates. Bangladesh is now moving intoan even more overt anti-Islamic stanceand secularising of the law of the land,this is yet another crude attempt toairbrush the Quran and Sunnah from allaspects of life with the narrow exceptionof prayers and fasting. Even thefunctioning of Masjids will be curtailed(restricting the Adhan), limiting Masjidnumbers, and cutting government fundingto Muslim programmes.

We give thanks for this blessed monthof Ramadhan in which we fast andsacrifice in order to seek closeness toour Lord. We pray that He accepts oursiyaam and qiyaam and forgives our sinsand mistakes.

We pray that Allah (subhanahu wa taallah) helps all our brothers and sistersacross the world – most especiallythose who face hardship - such as thoseovercome by the floods in Pakistan orthose imprisoned in Gaza and occupiedelsewhere.

The Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam)said: “The similitude of the believers intheir mutual love, compassion andsympathy is like that of a body: whenone part hurts then the rest of the bodycalls out in sleeplessness and fever”[Muslim]

What a contrast we see with the rulersof the Muslim lands in Pakistan andelsewhere. Collectively the rulerscommand millions of soldiers andtrillions of dollars of resources, yetwhere is their response in times ofgreatest need? Or the vital preparatorywork when floods and other disastersare prevalent? In Pakistan as the floodworsened and casualties mountedPresident Zardari left the country tosmile and socialise with the rulers ofEurope. Only after several days of aclear and obvious national emergency,did the Prime Minister Gillani deem itnecessary to call an ‘emergency’ cabinetmeeting. Where was the immediatemove to the effected areas, to

personally supervise disastermanagement? Was it not for them toensure ample food and water toprevent the huge rise in prices (onewheat roti now Rs 25 vs Rs 2 in othernon affected areas). Was it not the leastthey could do to mobilise tens ofthousands of soldiers to help thepeople, rather than continue to fightAmerica’s war? The only urgency theyhave shown has been in securing NATOsupply lines. Providing wine andweaponry to the crusaders inAfghanistan. Many efforts they havemade have been mere public relationsexercises.

Ramadhan is a symbol of the unity ofthis Ummah. Muslims from all over theworld, black and white, young and old,weak and strong, wake up for suhoor,break our fast at sunset and spendnights in tarawih and tahajjud prayer.This wonderful unity comes throughour Aqeeda – our belief in the OneCreator, our belief in the Last Messengerof Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) andin the revelation that was revealed inthis month, the Qur’an al-Kareem.

Allah (swt) revealed: “Ramadhan is the(month) in which the Quran wasrevealed as a guide for mankind anda criterion” [2:183]

Let us listen to it in the tarawih, let usrecite it and read it, and understand it.But most importantly let us implementit not only individually but also in thecollective, in our society which is of asurety an obligation. Allah (swt) has

obliged us to remove the tyrant rulersthat rule with other than that whichAllah (swt) has revealed. Neglect of thisduty is no less important than ourfasting, indeed the Ulema described theKhilafah as the mother of fards.

We pray that Allah (subhanahu wa taallah) unites this Ummah again underthe shade of the righteously guidedKhilafah. Ameen.�

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Editorial

The following is the address that OsmanBakhach (Head of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s mediaoffice) made at the Khilafah conference inBeirut on the 18th of July.

Hizb ut-Tahrir's stance is that of Islam asextracted from the Shar'i evidence:

1. The purpose of Jihad in Islam is torevive mankind by spreading Islamamongst them and not to eradicate or todestroy them:

a. Islam is a divine message sent as amercy to mankind: “And we have sentyou (oh Muhammed) but as a mercy tomankind” [Al anbiyaa:107]b. Islam revives human life: “Is he whowas dead and We have raised him untolife, and set for him a light wherein hewalks among men, as him whosesimilitude is in utter darkness fromwhere he cannot emerge?” [Anaam:122]

c. In Islam it is prohibited to harmcivilians and trees and buildings: AbuDaoud narrated that Anas ben Malik said: “The Prophet (saws) said (addressing thedeparting army): go in the name of Allah,on the deen of Allah's messenger, do notkill an old man, neither a child, nor a babynor a woman”

d. Malik narrated in the Muwatta thatwhen the Khaleefah Abu Bakr sent anarmy to Syria he said to the army's leader:

“… and I advise you with tencommandments: do not kill a woman,neither a child, nor an old man, do cutfruit bearing trees, do not destroyhousing, do not slaughter animals (sheepor camels) except for (the purpose of)eating, do not burn palm trees, and do notflood the tree, do not steal, and be notcowardly)”

e. All of the above clearly contradicts witha policy of destroying the people andmass destruction as is the case withnuclear weapons; therefore manufacturingnuclear weapons is haram (illegal inorigin).

2. However, when one or more states,come to possess such lethal nuclearweaponry, and the possibility of theirusage arises, then it becomes mandatoryupon the Islamic state equally to possesssuch nuclear weapons per the principleof equal treatment: “Then whoevertransgresses the prohibition against you,you transgress likewise against him” [Al-Baqara:194]

And: “If you punish, then punish withthe like of that which you were afflicted”[an Nahl: 126]

Therefore the Islamic state is mandated topossess nuclear weapons in case any ofher opponent states possess them.3. Allah (swt) has ordered us to prepare

sufficient deterrent force in order to deterothers from attacking us; thus if theenemy possesses nuclear weapons, theywill not be deterred from attacking theIslamic state except if she also hasnuclear weapons; Allah (swt) commands:“Make ready for them all you can of(armed) force and of horses tethered,that thereby you may dismay the enemyof Allah and your enemy, and othersbeside them whom you know not. Allahknows them” [Anfal 60]

So to deter the enemy means to causefear in him, to prevent him from attackingthe Islamic state, i.e. what is nowadaysreferred to as mutual deterrence. Thepotential enemy will not be deterred fromattacking the Muslims except when theMuslims possess powerful weaponssuperior to, or at least equivalent to theweapons possessed by the potentialenemy. If the enemy has nuclear weaponsso the Islamic state must also possessthem.

4. Islam forbids the Islamic state to signany nuclear non proliferation treaty whichpermits other states to maintain theirnuclear arsenal. Instead, Islam permits thesignature of treaties geared towardsmutual elimination of nuclear weapons. Toallow some state to keep nuclearweapons leads to fatal dangers to thosenot possessing it, and this is forbidden inIslam. The Prophet (saws) said: “No oneshall cause harm to others just as no oneshall be permitted to do harm to him”

We maintain that it is a duty upon thedecent states to take a firm stand againstthe states which possess nuclearweapons, and to enforce a compellingcomprehensive boycott against thesestates until they give in to destroy andeliminate any and all such weapons.This is Hizb ut-Tahrir's perspective on thisissue, and this is the stance of the Islamicstate, the Khilafah upon her foundingwith Allah's will.

“Verily, Allah will accomplish hispurpose. Indeed Allah has set a measurefor all things” [Al Talaq: 3]�

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THE NUCLEARINTERNATIONALCRISIS AND ISLAM

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Democracy or dictatorship, instability andPakistan have become synonymous underthe reigns of both. From the ill-conceivedalignment with the US in its ‘War onTerror’, to the capitulation of internalsecurity, nuclear assets, intelligence,airspace, ground bases and then finallyphysically fighting Americas proxy waragainst its own very people resulting inthousands of Pakistani deaths. The latesttragedy to strike Pakistan has furthercompounded the litany of woes thissociety has had to suffer (power shedding,rising prices, poverty, sugar scandal,unemployment, instability, IDP etc) at thehands of its aloof ruling class, civilian ormilitary. After the devastating floods whichhave left an already frail Pakistan on theverge of collapse, observers andcommentators would have been writingthe obituary of the Pakistani leadership incolumns of the broadsheet were it not forthe US support for this regime. Most recentstatistics and facts are both alarming andepitomize the sheer scale of the tragedyaggressively unfolding in Pakistan. Up to 20

million people have been affected, at least1,600 have lost their lives with over100,000 animals dead. Roads, irrigationcanals and electricity supply infrastructurehave been destroyed. In Pakistan's Sindhdistrict, the average rainfall is 17.4mm forthe month of August; 255mm fell in 12days. The World Bank estimates that cropsworth $1bn (£640m) have been ruinedand the Pakistani finance secretary warnedthat the disaster would cut the country'sgrowth in half. A quarter of Pakistan'seconomy is derived from agriculture,nearly half of its workforce are employedby the agricultural sector and as Asia'sthird-largest grower of wheat and thefourth-biggest producer of cotton,production in both is predicted to declineby 10 to 15 percent whilst prices are set torise sharply. Javed Saleem, the former headof Pakistan's Crop Protection Association,estimates 17 million acres of agriculturalland have been lost to the floods, costs tothe cotton-growing economy is $2bn. Theimmediate impacts to human life and thePakistani nation are almost unfathomable

due to the sheer magnitude of the crisisand is exasperated by an inadequate andirresponsible bankrupt government withnothing to offer. Pakistan now faces yetfurther ‘shark loans’ ($900m World Bank)and ‘aid’ (or lack of it). The economymaintains its hasty course towards dire selfdestruction.

The existing political landscape offers evena bleaker promise. So slow was Zardari'sinitial response to the crisis that top U.S.officials privately pressed the Pakistanileader to cut short his European tour andhead home to help contain the fallout. Ittook him over two weeks before visitingflood ravaged regions and chose to firstvisit the southern province of Sindh, wherehe is relatively popular, rather than thedevastated northern regions to avoid ahostile reception. The civilian governmentof the PPP led by Zardari has beeninundated with a barrage of criticism fromboth the national and international pressleading many to predict his overthrow (bythe army) or widespread social unrest.“The powers that be, ie the military andbureaucratic establishment, are mulling theformation of a national government, withor without the PPP [the ruling PakistanPeople's party]," said Najam Sethi, editor ofthe Friday Times. “I know this is definitelybeing discussed. There is a perception inthe army that you need good governanceto get out of the economic crisis and thereis no good governance”. Meanwhile, thepolitical fallout from the floods is alsothreatening the fragile civil-militarybalance. The incident in the north-westerntown of Nowshera this week reflects thisgrowing sense of alienation betweenmillions of Pakistanis and the state, when

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Geopolitical Impact fromthe Monsoon Flooding:Pakistan and Beyond

Shaban Ul Haq

officials very narrowly avoided beinglynched. Zardari is at the weakest point ofhis tenure and it remains to be seenwhether this is the ‘final straw whichbreaks the camel’s back’. To manycommentators, the end of Zardari be itthrough the civilian route or through themilitary is ‘written on the wall’. However,whilst the US continues for now toprovide support for Zardari so that themilitary can continue its focus on the USproxy war, it might already be too late. Formany, this crisis is far from over, and toobig for there to be no political casualty. According to the Dawn the army has

deployed 60,000 troops for rescue andrelief operations out of a force of 550,000soldiers, whilst the Pakistani military has inexcess of 140,000 soldiers fighting the US’sproxy war against its own people in thenorthwest of Pakistan. General AshfaqKayani, visited the flood victims daysbefore the prime minister, Yousaf RazaGilani or Zardari, arrived deepening theimpression among many Pakistanis that themilitary holds more power, as flood victimsstaged protests to demand moregovernment help. Whilst the army isplaying a dominant role in the currentrelief operations, despite the creation ofthe National Disaster ManagementAuthority (NDMA) after the 2005earthquake, it is clear that its rescue effortsand resources are inadequate due to itsengagements on behalf of the US. Withlittle chance of this changing. Speaking tothe BBC World News, Shah MahmoodQureshi, Pakistan Foreign Minister stated,“troops have not been reallocated from themilitary offence, and continue to beengaged in the fight against militants.”Military spokesman Major-General AtharAbbas told the Dawn that “the involvementof our troops in relief activities will haveno impact on our fight against militants,”.With Kayani's fight against ‘militancy’, hisincreasingly close ties to senior membersof the US military and fears that, as in thepast, the US could undermine the positionof Pakistan's already fragile civilianauthorities and give tacit support for themilitary and many commentators have

tabled this notion. It is no secret that thepowerful chairman of the US Joint Chiefsof Staff committee, Admiral Mike Mullen,was a key backer in favour of the recentextension of Kayani's tenure by 3 years.What is indisputable is that, at the momentKayani and his army’s stock could not behigher, President Zardari's and hisgovernment could not be any lower.

For America, ‘supporting’ Pakistan in thiscrisis is supporting itself on more than oneaccount. Washington is dependent onPakistan for supply lines into Afghanistan,intelligence, its land/air space and its

continuation in the proxy war Pakistan isfighting. Every day hundreds of trucksenter Afghanistan through Pakistan and thissupply to NATO forces battling against theTaliban has been badly affected due toheavy downpours and floods. More than5,000 oil tankers and trucks carryingnecessary commodities and petroleumproducts were stuck in Dera Ismail Khan,Zhob and Qila Saifullah as the roadswashed away in the floods. Additionally, USforces endured their deadliest month inJuly (66 US soldiers killed) since theconflict began in 2001.

With the Netherlands gone, and Canadadue to pull out next year, that leaves theUS and Britain to bear the brunt of militaryoperations. Gen David Petraeus, says hewill not be bound by a 2011 target date tostart withdrawing US troops, and has agreen light to start discussions with theTaleban with commentators writing thatvictory is some distance away. Pakistan’songoing role in stabilising Afghanistanthrough the porous borders is even morepertinent.

Whilst the US provides $1billion a year inmilitary aid to Pakistan to fight its proxywar according to a trove of secret militaryfield reports made public, the‘humanitarian aid’ has been hard to comeby. The UN has been appealing andstruggling to reach its target of $459m toaddress the initial relief efforts, and the UShas offered a paltry $70m in an effort to

improve her image in the eyes of thepeople of Pakistan. In an interview withCFR, Holbrooke stated, "The people ofPakistan will see that when the crisis hits,it's not the Chinese. It's not the Iranians.It's not other countries. It's not the EU. It'sthe U.S. that always leads”. It remains difficult at this stage to calculatethe long-term effects of the floods onAmerica's goals in the country, whichinclude focusing the Pakistani governmenton fighting its proxy war against ‘militants’that threaten it and use Pakistan as a baseto attack NATO forces in Afghanistan. Themagnitude of the flooding is alsodemanding a greater role from thePakistani military, which in turn leavessome American military officials concernedthat the army's counterinsurgencycampaign could falter in the northwestborder regions. The US had been pressingPakistan to launch an offensive in NorthWaziristan whilst Pakistan had beenreluctant to go in. "The army still needstime to recover" from South Waziristan andSWAT, said a Pakistani intelligence officialwho spoke on the condition of anonymity.He said that a possible offensive in NorthWaziristan had "been discussed for thefall”, but that now, "I don't foresee it."Gates told reporters last week that thePakistani military had not been expectedto launch any new offensives againstmilitants in the short term, and he said itremained to be seen whether the floodwould have a significant impact on thePakistani government's campaign againstextremists. On the other hand Americandrone attacks have continued unabated, anairstrike in the North Waziristan regiononly as recent as the 15th August resultedin scores of further civilian deaths. Thesilver lining in the cloud for the US hasbeen that this tragedy has allowed theAmerican military to increase its presencein the country. By mid August, whenhelicopters began rescue and aid missionsin the Swat Valley, hundreds of Americantroops were operating with Pakistanitroops. Will this represent a more hands onapproach for the US whilst the Pakistanimilitary remains preoccupied? America isstill keen to support the civiliangovernment. However, it faces an uphillstruggle as a strong tide of fierce civilunrest begins to take shape againstgovernment and institutionalincompetence in dealing with the crises.�

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Washington is dependent on Pakistan for supply lines intoAfghanistan, intelligence, its land/air space and its continuationin the proxy war Pakistan is fighting.

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THE FIRST REVELATION The most significant event that occurredduring Ramadhan is the revelation of theQur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (saw).Prophet Muhammad (saw) was in thecave in Mount Hira when the AngelJibreel (as) came to him (saw) with thefirst five ayat of Surah Al-Alaq. “Ramadan is the month in which wassent down the Quran as a guide tomankind also clear signs for guidanceand judgement.” [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 185]

“We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Quran)in the night of power.” [TMQ Al-Qadr: 1]

1 A.H. (AFTER HIJRA) In the first year after the Hijrah, theProphet (saw) sent Hamza ibn AbdulMuttalib (ra) with thirty Muslim riders toSaif al Bahr with a definitive task ofintercepting a caravan belonging toQuraish. It was a caravan of 300 peopleincluding Abu Jahl bin Hisham. The twoparties encountered each other andaligned in preparation for fighting. Majdi

bin ‘Amr, on good terms with both sides,happened to be there and managed toprevent an imminent clash.

2 A.H. In the second year of Hijrah theMessenger of Allah (saw) set out on the8th Ramadhan with three hundred andfive of his companions mounted onseventy camels. The Prophet (saw) andhis companions set out to intercept acaravan of their own goods that hadbeen left in Makkah. It was led by AbuSufyan, himself, and estimated at 60,000dinars. They were met by a well-equipped army of the nobility ofQuraish, intent on putting out the lightof Islam. Then the two sides advancedand drew near each other at Badr onFriday morning on the 17th ofRamadhan. Despite being outnumberedthree to one and appearing weak andunseasoned, the Muslims defended theirfaith with a burning desire to protectthe Prophet (saw) and meet their Lordthrough martyrdom. Allah (swt) gave

them a decisive victory at Badr on thisday of Ramadhan that would never to beforgotten. 6 A.H. In 6 A.H., Zaid ibn Haritha (ra) was sentto Wadi al-Qura at the head of adetachment to confront Fatimah bintRabiah, the queen of that area. Fatimahhad previously attacked a caravan led byZaid (ra) and had succeeded inplundering its wealth. She was known tobe the most protected woman in Arabia,as she hung fifty swords of her closerelatives in her home. Fatimah wasequally renowned for showing openhostility to Islam. She was killed in abattle against these Muslims in themonth of Ramadhan.

8 A.H. By Ramadhan of 8 A H., the treaty ofHudaibiya had been broken and theMuslim armies had engaged theByzantines in the North. Muhammad(saw) felt the need to strike a fatal blowto Kufr in the Arabian Peninsula and

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Ramadhan Timeline

Abdul Hamid

conquer the city of Mecca. Now thetime had come to purify the Ka’ba ofnakedness and abomination. The Prophet(saw) set out with an army having morearmed men than Al-Madinah had everseen before. People were swelling thearmy’s ranks as it moved toward Makkah.The determination of the believersbecame so awesome that the city ofMakkah was conquered without a battle,on the 20th of Ramadhan. This was oneof the most important dates in Islamichistory for after it, Islam was firmlyentrenched in the Arabian Peninsula.During the same month and year, aftersmashing the idols of Makkah,detachments were sent to the majorcentres of polytheism and al-Lat, Manatand Suwa, some of the greatest idols ofArabia, were destroyed.

Such was the month of Ramadhan in thetime of the Prophet (saw). It was a timeof purification, enjoining the good,forbidding evil, and striving hard withone’s life and wealth. After the death ofthe Prophet (saw), the Muslims underthe Khilafah carried on this tradition.Ramadhan continued to be a time ofgreat trials and crucial events.

92 A.H. Ninety-two years after the Hijrah, Islamhad spread across North Africa, Iran,Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria. Spain wasunder the tyrannical rule of KingRoderick of the Visigoths. Roderick hadforced his six million serfs andpersecuted Jews to seek the aid of theMuslims of North Africa. Musa ibn Husair,the Umayyad governor of North Africa,responded by sending his courageousgeneral Tariq ibn Ziyad at the head of12,000 troops. In Ramadhan of that year,they were confronted with a combinedVisigoth army of 90,000 Christians ledby Roderick, himself, who was seated ona throne of ivory silver, and preciousgems, drawn by white mules. Afterburning his boats, Tariq motivated theMuslims warning them that Paradise layahead of them and defeat and the sea tothe rear. They burst with greatenthusiasm and Allah (swt) manifested aclear victory over the forces of disbelief.Not only were Roderick and his forcescompletely annihilated, but Tariq and

Musa succeeded in liberating the wholeof Spain, Sicily and parts of France. Thiswas the beginning of the Golden Age ofAl-Andalus where Muslims ruled for over700 years.

658 A.H. In the seventh century A.H. the Mongolswere sweeping across Asia destroyingeverything that lay in their path. GenghisKhan called himself “the scourge of Godsent to punish humanity for their sins”.In 617 A.H. Samarkand, Ray, and Hamdanwere put to the sword causing morethan 700,000 people to be killed ormade captive. In 656 A.H. Hulagu, thegrandson of Genghis Khan continuedthis destruction. Even Baghdad, theleading city of the Muslim world, wasransacked. Some estimates say that asmany as 1,800,000 Muslims were killedin this astonishing carnage. TheChristians were asked to eat pork anddrink wine openly while the survivingMuslims were forced to participate indrinking bouts. Wine was sprinkled inthe masjids and no Adhan (call to prayer)was allowed. In the wake of such adisaster threatening the whole Muslimworld, Allah (swt) raised up from theMamluks of Egypt, Saifuddin Qutz, whounited the Muslim army and met theMongols at Ain Jalut on Friday, 25Ramadhan 658 A.H. (6 September 1260CE). Qutz told his army to wait untilthey finished the Friday prayers(Jummah Salah), “Do not fight them untilit is sunset and the shadows appear andthe winds stir, and the preachers andpeople start to implore Allah for us intheir prayers”, and thereafter the fightingbegan. Jullanar, the wife of Qutz, waskilled during the battle. He rushedtowards her saying, “Oh my belovedone”. She told him while uttering herlast breath, “Do not say that, and caremore for Islam.” Her soul left her bodyafter telling her husband that the Jihadfor the sake of Allah and Islam is moreimportant than love and personalrelations. Qutz stood up saying“Islamah… Islamah”. The whole armyrepeated that word after him until theyachieved their victory. Although theywere under great pressure, the Muslimswith the help of Allah (swt), cunningstrategy and unflinching bravery,

crushed the Mongol army and reversedthis tidal wave of horror. The Muslimsimmediately started to chase theMongolians, and Qutz entered Damascusfive days after the Ain Jalut battle. Thechase continued to Halab and when theMongolians felt the approach of theMuslims they left behind the Muslimprisoners. In the period of a month theMuslims were able to restore Bilad El-Sham entirely from the hands of theTartars and the Mongolians.

682 A.H. In the year 682 A.H. (Ramadan, 4th July1187 C.E.) Salahuddin Ayyubi with theMuslim Mujahideen of the Khilafahfought one of the most important battlesin the history of Islam. The Muslims onthis day, in one single day, virtuallyrouted all local Christian forces capableof defending the Crusadersestablishment in the Near East. Facing noresistance, Salahuddin took his time toreach the city of Jerusalem on 9thOctober 1187 C.E. (Christian Era), aFriday, and the Holy city was purified.

This was the spirit of Ramadhan thatenabled our righteous forefathers to faceseemingly impossible challenges. It was atime of intense activity, spending the dayin the saddle and the night in prayerwhilst calling upon Allah (swt) for Hismercy and forgiveness. Today, the Muslimworld is faced with disunity,colonisation, widespread corruption andeconomic deprivation. Surely we are inneed of the Khilafah so that thebelievers can walk in the footsteps ofour beloved Prophet (saw), theillustrious Sahabah, Tariq ibn Ziyad,Qutuz, Salahuddin and the countlessheroes of Islam. Surely we should be ofthe believers who are unafraid of thethreats of the Kuffar, yet kind andhumble amongst ourselves.May Allah (swt) make us from amongstthat generation of Muslims who cancarry Islam to all corners of the globeand may He give us the strength toundertake all hardships in the pursuit ofHis (swt) pleasure. Ameen�

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There has been much talk recently aboutcreating a ‘Big Society’ in Britain, a themepromoted by UK Prime Minister DavidCameron since the general electioncampaign in May. Many people confessthey are unsure what he meant with thesewords. But the general argument - thatindividuals and communities should beencouraged to do more for society and thestate expected to do less - has beenwelcomed by those who sense a decline incommunity spirit over recent years, anddeeper social divisions that have not beensolved by increasing state interventionover the decades.

There are several reasons why this visionof a big society will not work to bringcommunities together in Britain or helpheal its “broken society”.

1. POLITICAL INSINCERITYMany people believe that calls for a 'bigsociety' are little more than political 'spin';using clever language to justify cuttingstate expenditure on public services. Thepresent British government's favouritecatch phrase is they want to 'set peoplefree' to do more in society: to set upschools, to run police authorities etc. Ibelieve this phrase to 'set people free' willstart to wear thin, especially when peoplesee that the weakest in society are being'set free' to fend for themselves, to sink orswim, as radical public spending cuts startto bite. This concern is not without basis,as the government coalition includescapitalist ideologues who genuinelybelieve in individual responsibility, a smallstate, and who are not uncomfortable thatsociety needs losers in order to create

more winners.

2. THE DOMINANT VALUES OF THESOCIETY RUN COUNTER TO THE 'BIGSOCIETY' ETHOSWhilst there are ordinary people in Britainwho do volunteer, help others andcontribute within their communities, theproportion is far from great and this sectorwas more obvious in a time when religiousvalues were more evident. Indeed, it wasthe churches who dominated in this arena- which is why so many schools, hospitalsand charities started with links to religiousgroups.

But religious values have declinedimmensely in the past 50 years, leavingsecular values to dominate. Those secularvalues - once balanced by a personalreligious ethic - include the idea that manshould be 'free' and autonomous, whichruns counter to idea of being altruistic,part of a community and helping others. Individualism is a value deeply ingrained intoday’s British society. So much so, that inthe past ten years it has spawned newacronyms like WIIFM (‘what’s in it for me ‘)and 'nimbyism' (nimby = ‘not in my backyard’). In the face of such values - whichdominate culture, media, the playgroundand street - ordinary individuals who seekto do some good will never be in sufficientstrength to make an impact on a societallevel.

Moreover, there is a strand of thinking inwestern society that survival of the fittest

Taji Mustapha

Why a 'Big Society'couldn’t happen inBritain

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is a natural phenomenon in nature; that lifehas to have ups and downs, winners andlosers. Concurrently the view that man'sduty to help others is what elevateshumans over other creatures is somethingrarely expressed.

The rise of individualism, and the declinein family, and community, cannot beseparated. The question they might ask is:why would someone endure the ups anddowns of family responsibility when theycould 'set themselves free' from thesetrappings?

3. THE DEPTH OF PROBLEMS CAUSED BYTHE CAPITALIST SYSTEMBeyond values, we have a system thatinstitutionalised those values. In Capitalism,the market dominates; and if the marketdictates behaviour that encourages profit,material gain and the pursuit of sensualpleasure, then there is little room left forthe spiritual, humanitarian or ethicalpursuits that are non-profit making.

CONSEQUENTLY, OVER TWO CENTURIESTHE DIVISIONS WITHIN SOCIETY AREVERY DEEPWealth gaps between rich and poor arewidening. A report in the British MedicalJournal in July 2010 said that wealthinequalities are worse now than during thegreat depression of the 1930’s and inFebruary 2010 that found that the poor dieon average 7 years younger than theaverage in society, and suffer more illness.These reinforce the findings of otherreports, like that in July 2007 by the JosephRowntree Foundation that said the gapbetween rich and poor in the UK is aswide as it has been for 40 years, and that

households in already wealthy areas hadbecome "disproportionately" richercompared with society as a whole.

Class divisions still remain. In January 2010a report from the National Equality Panel,set up by UK ministers to investigateinequality, said there are “very large”differences in wealth between the classes,and that Britain is now one of the world’smost divided countries with children borninto a wealthy family having far moreadvantages than those who are not. Thereport went on to show that, while genderand ethnic background are all factors indetermining a child’s success, it is thesocial class into which they are born thatis still most important in Britain. Racial divides have not been abolished inthe West; a government commissionedstudy in 2008 found that 32 percent ofthose from ethnic minorities believeracism is getting worse - a figure that hasnot fallen but that now the indigenouswhite community are more likely (now58%) than those from ethnic minorities to

believe that racial prejudice anddiscrimination is getting worse. Black andethnic minority citizens are stillsignificantly under represented in terms ofeducation and employment and stillsignificantly over represented in the prisonpopulation.

Historic religious divisions in Britain - suchas between Catholic and Protestant havebecome replaced by a division betweenpeople who hold a strong faith and secularextremists. Christian nurses who mentionGod and a Christian air hostess who worea cross round her neck have beendisciplined at work, alongside Muslimwomen vilified for their Islamic dress.Christians who protest against insults toProphets are portrayed by a liberal secularmedia as extreme, although with lessvehemence than Muslims are.

Women have the vote, but can hardly besaid to have been liberated from marketexploitation. 60% of women hate the waythey look and 50% said they would have

plastic surgery if it were free. 93% of girlsand young women reported anxiety abouttheir looks, with over 1 million women inthe UK reportedly having an eatingdisorder. In the UK 1 in 20 women reporthaving been raped and two women dieeach week from domestic violence.There are now serious concerns of agrowing divide between the elderly andyoung, driven by economic as well associal forces, as the young are being forcedto pay off the debts of an older generation.Faced with this legacy of decades of aCapitalist system and secular liberal values,it is hard to see how a revolution in thevoluntary sector, never mind a gentleencouragement, would make a significantchange.

ISLAM’S VALUES AND SOCIETYFor decades there have been those in theMuslim world who looked 'westwards' foranswers as to how societies should bestructured. Moreover, many Muslims livingin Britain have found their own familiesand communities are not immune from the

wider problems in British society. Hence,Muslims need to look elsewhere forsolutions, and it is only natural they look toIslam.

The Shari'ah taken as a whole serves toprotect life, property, beliefs, honour, andthe minds of people in society. Islam valuesindividuals, but never at the expense ofsociety. In an eloquent hadith of theProphet sallallahu alaihi wasallam there isan inherent recognition that in Islam thatfreedom of the individual can lead toharms in society.

"The metaphor for someone who stops atthe limits of Allah and someone whotransgresses them is that of some peoplewho draw lots on a boat. Some of them getthe upper deck and some of them thelower. When those in the lower deck wantto get water, they have to pass by thoseabove them. Then they say, 'If we were tomake a hole in our deck, we would nothave to bother those above us.' If they (onthe upper deck) were to let them do what

The Shari'ah taken as a whole serves to protect life, property,beliefs, honour, and the minds of people in society. Islam valuesindividuals, but never at the expense of society.

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they wanted, all of them would perish. Ifthey seize hold of their hands and stopthem, they will be saved and all of themwill be saved.”

ISLAM'S PRIORITIES IN SOCIETYIslam has a clear role for the state toprioritise its role in helping those who areweakest. The first Khaleefah (Caliph) ofIslam, Sayyidina Abu Bakr as Siddiq, said inhis first speech as ruler: “The weakestamong you is foremost in my eyes until Iget him his due, InshaAllah. The mostpowerful among you is the furthest in myeyes until I do not make him pay duerights to others InshaAllah.” The Shari'ah addresses human beings insuch a manner that people are notperpetually obsessed with seeking materialvalues, and they engage in spiritual,humanitarian and ethical pursuits.However, it does not abolish the naturaldesire to fulfill one's material needs and, toa large extent one's 'wants'.

ISLAM'S VALUES AS A MOTIVATION FORSERVING OTHERSFundamentally the motivation Islamencourages for every action - whether anact of worship, an act of humanitarian aid,a material act (such as going out to workor enjoying the fruits of wealth one has),or political actions - is to please Allah andstrive for a good future in the life afterdeath. This is something which pervades allaspects of society, state and media in anIslamic society - so encouraging its citizensto be better people.

There is no equivalent of this in a secularworld. If empirical evidence of cost benefitoutcomes for society cannot be proven,then governments do not encourage theirpopulations, so leaving the door open forbehaviour to be determined by a costbenefit outcome for the individual. Islam then provides a code of personalbehaviour to reinforce this:

1. Acts of worship which alwaysremind one to behave decently and avoidindecency.

"Recite what has been revealed to youfrom the Book (Qur’an) and establishprayer, for prayer restrains/prevents fromshameful and evil deeds (fahshaa andmunkar)” [Quran: 29:45]

2. Acts of charity and kindness -

especially to orphans and the weak.

“Smiling in the face of your brother ischarity … and pouring out from yourbucket into your brother’s bucket ischarity,” Hadith of Prophet Muhammad(saw)

3. Encouragement and advice toothers towards similar behaviour

Tameem ad-Dari (RA) narrated that theProphet (saw) said, (three times), “TheReligion is naseeha (sincerity and sincereadvice).” We said, “To whom?” He said, “ToAllah, His Book, His Messenger, and to theleaders of the Muslims and the generalpeople.” [Saheeh Muslim No.55]

4. Respect, and dutifulness toparents, teachers and the elderlyImam as-Sadiq (as) relates that once aperson approached the Noble Prophet(saw) and asked: “O’ Prophet of Allah!Towards whom should I exhibit goodnessand kindness?” The Noble Prophet replied:“Towards your mother.” Which herepeated 2 times more before saying “Yourfather”.

5. Encouragement to marriage andto have many children. Abu Dawood (2050) narrated that theProphet (saw) said “Marry those who areloving and fertile, for I will be proud ofyour great numbers before the othernations.”

6. A duty of care to neighbours -regardless of their religion or race. It wouldbe impossible for a society like this to haveneighbours who froze to death everywinter.

AbuHurayrah reported that the Prophet(saw) said: “He will not enter Paradisewhose neighbour is not secure from hiswrongful conduct.” - Sahih Muslim, 15This code of personal behaviour is suchthat it establishes a public opinion thatpromotes an environment of a decent andcaring society, rather than a society that ispushed to value celebrity, material wealthand consumption - which creates anobstacle to good actions that manyindividuals in Capitalist societies try to do.

THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN ISLAMThe State in Islam has laws and systemsthat enshrine and protect these values. We

will illustrate this with just a few examples. Islam is not like communism that despisespeoples’ desire to own, and systemicallyworks to abolish it. Rather, it allows peopleto own, and encourages gratitude for whatone owns, but it does set limits, establishedin a legal framework on matters ofownership. It prevents ownership of andtrade in ‘prohibited’ items which theShari'ah in its legal texts has defined asharmful to life, property, beliefs, honour,and the minds of people in society. Beyondthat Islam prevents hoarding and hasspecific laws that encourage thecirculation of wealth. These include theZakat levy of 2.5% on unused wealth; andvarious levies on land that encourageeither utilisation, or passing to those whowould use the land. So Islamic laws workin a way to circulate and spread wealth,without penalising the wealthy. Secondly, Islam places valuable materialresources such as coal, gas, fuel andminerals, in public ownership, hencepreventing the wealth of a nation beingconcentrated into the hands of an elite.The Prophet (saw) said “People have aright in three thing: water, pastures and‘fire’ (covering all energy sources)” So, allcitizens have a stake in society.

Thirdly, Islam provides a safety net for thepoor - as The Prophet (saw)said ‘The son of Adam has no greater rightthan to food, clothing and shelter’. However, whilst there is an important rolethe state plays here, there is a duty offamily - who have wealth surplus to theirown basic needs and wants - to helppoorer relatives. In an Islamic system, thestate ensures this avenue is used beforetreasury funds, affording more communityresponsibility and accountability at a levelmuch closer to home.

CONCLUSIONIn Britain, Muslims can only hope to holdfast to these values and personal rules, andrecognise the dangers of secular valuesthat encourage individualism. In this way,our community would be less in danger ofsuccumbing to problems afflicting widersociety, and perhaps offer a better example.However, in the Muslim world there is aneed and a duty to establish a state andsystem that enshrines these noble values.�

Khilafah Magazine :: June 2010 :: 11

June 26th and 27th 2010 marked thefourth G-20 Summit meeting, held inToronto, Canada. Alongside attendancefrom representatives of the G-20economies of finance ministers and centralbank governors, a further twelve nationsand eight intergovernmental organisationsalso took part. Canadian Prime MinisterStephen Harper announced the theme ofthe summit to be about ‘Recovery andNew Beginnings’. Priorities of the summitincluded an evaluation of the progress offinancial reforms, developing sustainablestimulus measures, debating the globalbank tax and promoting open markets. TheG-20 nations collectively make 85% ofGross National Product (GNP) and 80% ofworld trade.

In perfect summit style, the ‘whining’ anddining took place along with ending thesummit on the usual ‘agree to disagree’rhetoric. However on this occasion, thedisagreement between the US and Europeon how to sustain recovery was apparent.As described in the Financial StabilityReport from the Bank of England; ‘a stablefinancial system is able to sustain thesupply of key services to the economy

even in the face of material shocks’. Theglobal capitalist economy has struggled toensure availability of credit to smallbusinesses and individuals due to the debtcrisis. More recently, the effects of theEuropean debt crisis from increasinggovernment deficits and collapsingeconomies such as Greece have resulted indiscussions for a further loan intake of$110 billion from the IMF. Such crisissituations have upset the Europeanfinancial markets.

Due to the European debt crisis, the stanceof European countries at the summit werefocussed on austerity (reduction inspending and balanced budgets) ratherthan the US stance of recovery throughproviding economic stimulus which willencourage spending and hopefully createjobs – a strategy that brought Europe to itsdebt crisis situation. Taxes on financialinstitutions such as the bank tax andRobin Hood tax were also discussedwhere disagreements were apparentbetween Europe and the US. Whilst the USis against such taxation – thus pleasing USfinancial institutions, Europe with its debtcrisis feels compelled to clutch at straws

and go on a new taxation rampage.

GROWTH VS STIMULUSFinancial analysts have given the greenlight that the economies have moved outof recession and onto recovery. The paceat which countries who excessivelyborrowed moved out of recession isquestionable. Brian Bethune, economist atIHS Global Insight commented regardingthe end of the recession: “It’s good tohave the economy growing again, but wedon’t think that the rate of growth issustainable because it is distorted by allthe government stimulus. The challengehere is to get organic growth – growththat isn’t helped by fiscal steroids.” Themassive stimulus boost to variouseconomies is a quick fix, patchworksolution that seeks to cover up the degreeof damage. One must question thereforewhether economies propped up throughstimulus packages are sustainable andstable economies. What can be establishedis that stimulus packages serve to providea shock start to the economy. The resultsare therefore temporary, but the effectson the nation can be long term paralysis.In the case of the UK, the billionsborrowed in order to save the banks andkick start the economy, althoughsupposedly shortening that recession, hascontinued to cripple businesses withlong-term debts. As for the governmentrecord debt levels; increasing taxes andcutting spending on public services isunderway.

As for the US economy, Dana Saporta, aneconomist at Stone & McCarthy Researchin Skillman, New Jersey commented that:“Much of the strength in the US economyis due to temporary factors such as fiscalstimulus initiatives like the home-buyers

The US-Europe Divide:Growth Vs Stimulus

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Ruksana Rahman

credit.”

Therefore what can be concluded is thatthe stimulus boost to economies in Europe,UK and the world over have not produceda sustainable and quality growth, rather ithas been due to temporary incentives andstimulus packages whose effects will havea lasting impact on world economies,nations and future generations.

IMPACT OF STRATEGIES ADOPTED FORRECOVERYTaking the example of the UK, it is easy toascertain the impact the recession andstrategies for recovery have had upon thelives of ordinary citizens. In the UK, the

Chancellor George Osborne in his budgetspeech on the 22nd of June 2010,announced measures the government willtake to pay off the deficit by way oftaxation and reducing governmentspending. From April 2011, families earningmore than £40,000 will see a reduction intheir child benefit and child tax creditentitlement as well as any pregnancyallowances. The baby element of the childtax credit which many families depend onwhilst one income is supporting the familywould also be abolished from the next taxyear. This welfare budget reduction is anattempt to reduce the ‘explosion in welfarecosts’. Further to this, single parents wouldbe forced back into work when theiryoungest child is in school. As well as thisthere will be an increase in VAT to 20%.The VAT increase will impact every singleindividual and would mean families will beleft £500 pounds worse off according toaccountants. Further cuts on services suchas the NHS, building homes initiatives andthe Building Schools for the Future (BSF)will result in poor quality of service or lackof adequate educational, medical ortenancy services to the public. Howeverthere has been no rise in tobacco oralcohol nor any significant taxing of fatcats and banks who played a huge part intaking the country to recession.

Therefore, goods and services will becomepricy and result in people living withintheir meagre means. Such cuts will affect

the poor most of all and will impactlifestyle choices and welfare. In suchtesting times, rather than grantingprovisions and taking care of people’sneeds, the government has opted to pinchfrom the pockets of the most vulnerable –namely low/middle income families andthe poor.

ISLAMIC VIEWPOINT ON CREATINGSUSTAINABLE GROWTHThe cause behind these turbulent financialtimes have been due to three main factors;(i) the usurious banking system (ii) theinflationary paper money standard (iii) thestock markets which rely also on publiclimited companies. The capitalist

patchwork solutions of stimulus andrecovery through hefty taxing of thepeople has been superficial to say the least.

How does the Islamic economic systemresolve an economic crisis on a state orglobal level to ensure growth?

1. The Islamic economic system isnot based on usury. Therefore usuriousbanking systems could not exist within theKhilafah. Allah (swt) has commanded that:‘Allah has permitted trade and forbiddenusury’.

2. The Islamic system has onecentral bank which is state run, and notprivatised. The political structure will havechecks and balances to ensure adequatecirculation of funds and collection of taxes.A consistent approach to what is taxedand what isn’t and how money should bespent and saved prevents suddenfluctuations and overtaxing of the people.

3. The zakat has eight categories ofpeople, it can be distributed to. This meansthat such funds which are the peoplesright such as funds relating to welfarecosts or oil revenues could not be cut inorder to boost the state’s economythrough stimulus packages. Other rulesthat prevent hoarding and usuriousbanking also encourage the citizens toutilise their money rather than savingpersonal finances to allow adequate

spending – even in difficult times.

4. The gold standard means that theeconomic prosperity of the state istangible and real and not ‘blown up’ withpaper based currencies. This means thatproblems can be picked up immediately,preventing a stranglehold from globalfinancial turmoil. The state and individualswould therefore live within their means –thus preventing exorbitant risks.

5. History is testament to the factthat the Islamic state was a rich andprosperous state. The times when itseconomy was tested were in the instancesof natural disasters such as drought andfamine. In the time of Umar (RA), thefamine in Madina affected the people ofthat region. However due to the centralnature of the Bait-ul-Mal (state treasury),the province of Egypt was able to transferfunds, goods and aid to help the people ofMadina.

Such a secure state banking system cantherefore provide ultimate stability,continuity and growth, since it’s principlesof collection and distribution areconsistent and its economic prosperitytangible and measurable. Muslims living inthe West must appreciate that such asystem cannot possibly be accessiblewithout the existence of the Khilafah inthe Muslim world. Despite genuineattempts by Muslims in the west to createIslamic finance and halal options,ultimately, such incentives are within theframework of the western capitalisteconomic system. Though Muslims maynow be able to access halal mortgages andinterest free banking – what remains clearis such measures only serve the individualand that Islamic finance cannot functioneffectively without the presence of theKhilafah system that can implement thecore Islamic economic principles withinsociety.

“It is He (swt) that created for you allthat exists on earth” [Al-Baqarah: 29].

“Allah is He Who put at your disposal thesea so that the ships may sail by Hiscommand, and so as you may seek Hisbounty” [Al-Jathiya:12].�

...there has been no rise in tobacco or alcohol nor anysignificant taxing of fat cats and banks who played a hugepart in taking the country to recession.

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What follows is an abridgedtranslation of a tafsir written byShaykh Ata bin Khaleel Abu Rishta thecurrent Amir of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Allah (swt) made fasting an obligation onthe Islamic ummah, as it was obligatoryon the previous ummahs. The similarityis that it was an obligation, not over thenumber of days or the specified month.

As for why it is understood that fasting isan obligation from these verses:“Fasting is written on you” isinformation in the form of a request, i.e.fast!

Making up the fast when it is missed bya sick person or a traveller is anindication (qareenah) of the decisiveness

of the request, for if it was not a decisiverequest, then making up the fast wouldnot be necessary “any of you who is illor on a journey, so (the same) numberfrom other days.” So, the request to fastis a decisive request, i.e. an obligation(fard).Similarly, “So whoever of you witnessesthe month, he should fast it” is a requestto fast and the Allah’s saying after it “butwhoever is ill or on a journey, so (thesame) number from other days” is anindication (qareenah) of decisiveness, asit arranged making up of the fast by asick person or a traveller, if they did notfast. This indicates that the request is adecisive request, i.e. an obligation.That is from the Book. As for the sunnah,there are many narrations, such as thehadith of Umar that narrates the reply of

Rasool Allah (saw) to Jibreel (as) whenhe asked him about al-Islam, so he said“testifying that there is no god but Allahand that Muhammad is the messenger ofAllah, establishing the written prayers,giving zakah, fasting Ramadan andpilgrimage to the house for whoever iscapable.” The subject of the question isal-Islam which is an obligation on allpeople: “the deen with Allah is al-Islam”[aal-Imraan:19] “whoever desires a deenother than al-Islam, it will never beaccepted from him and he will be ofthe losers in the hereafter” [aal-Imraan:85]. So, mentioning fasting in thereply of Rasool Allah (saw) about al-Islamindicates that fasting is a greatobligation.

Similarly, the narration “al-Islam is builton five: testifying that there is no godbut Allah and that Muhammad is themessenger of Allah, establishing theprayer, giving zakah, fasting Ramadan andpilgrimage to the house for whoever iscapable.” Whatever is described as beingbuilt upon, is understood as being adecisive request, so these five came inthe text as though al-Islam is built uponthem, i.e. they are from its pillars, so itfollows that fasting is an obligation.Allah (swt) made the hikmah for fastingtaqwa: “in order that you may attaintaqwa.” Taqwa is fear of Allah, obeyingHim and preparedness for meeting Him(swt), as some of the sahabah defined it:“The fear of al-Jaleel, acting upon therevelation (at-tanzeel) and being readyfor the day of the journey (ar-Raheel)”Therefore, it is upon the one fasting tobe intent on achieving this hikmah fromhis fasting, as Allah (swt) made taqwa thehikmah of fasting when He (swt) made itan obligation.

Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah 183-185

“Fasting is written on you”

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One should look while he is fasting: hasit increased him in fearing Allah (swt)and obeying Allah and His messenger(saw) and in preparation for meetingHim, through doing more good actions?So, it is a true fast achieving a greatreward purely from the Lord of theworlds. Glad tidings are from RasoolAllah (saw): “two moments of happinessare for the one fasting: happiness whenhe opens his fast and the other when hemeets his Lord” and in a hadith qudsi(paraphrasing Allah) “Every action of theson of Adam are for him, exceptfasting, it is for me and I reward for it.”If he did not achieve this hikmah thenhe should treat this matter before a daycomes in which there is no benefit frommoney or sons, except for the one whocomes to Allah with a pure heart.

Allah (swt) specified the month ofRamadan with the beginning of thesending down of the Qur’an in it: “Themonth of Ramadan, in which theQur’an was sent down” “We sent itdown in a night of al-qadr” [al-qadr:1]“We sent it down in a blessed night”[ad-dukhan:3] All of that indicates thatthe Qur’an began its descent to RasoolAllah (saw) in a night of Ramadan, ablessed night, the night of al-qadr. ThenAllah (swt) completed its revelation instages for a hikmah that He (swt)explained: “Those who disbelieve say: ifthe Qur’an was sent down at once?Thus, We make firm your heart with it,and We have revealed it to yougradually, in stages” [al-furqan:32]

Then Allah (swt) explained that theQur’an is:

a) “a guidance to mankind”: guidingthem to the truth and to the StraightPath.

b) “clear proofs for the guidance”:definitive miraculous evidences that it isfrom the guidance that Allah sent down.

c) “the criterion”: i.e. that separatesbetween the truth and falsehood andbetween good and bad and between therighteous actions and the evil actions.

“Allah intends for you ease, and He

does not want to make things difficultfor you. Such that you complete thenumber (of days), and that youmagnify Allah for having guided youso that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

Allah (swt) explains the hikmah that hewants ease for us in implementing theobligation of fasting, and not hardship –difficulty and perishing – so with thatwe complete the number of fasting dayseasily: so if we were temporarily unable,then we make up the fast on other days.If we were permanently unable then wepay. If we are able, then we performthem in the month of Ramadan, so wecomplete the number and we magnifyAllah (say takbeer) after completing thefast, i.e. on the day of Eid, and we aregrateful for Allah’s favour in that wewere able to complete this greatobligation.

The letters of reason (huroof ut-ta’leel)“so that” and “in order that” are toexplain that the hikmah of this ease inthe fast is to complete the number ofdays and to magnify Allah for havingguided you to fulfil the obligation offasting and to be grateful to Allah (swt).As for why we said that these arehikmah and not ‘illah, because whatAllah mentioned connected to fasting:“in order that you may attain taqwa”,“Such that you complete the number(of days)”, “that you magnify Allah”, “sothat you may be grateful to Him.” All ofthat is achieved with respect to thegroup, i.e. with a number of Muslims, butit differs with respect to individualMuslims. That is what is known as ahikmah, as it is what is realised ingeneral of the aims of the legislator; suchas “We did not create man and jinn forany reason except so that theyworship” [adh-dhariyat:56] So, we saythat the hikmah from creation is theworship of Allah (swt), but it is not the‘illah, because worshipping from thecreation is achieved in general, i.e. fromgroups of them, however individualsfrom them differ.

As for the illah, it is ‘what accompaniesthe ma’lool [1] in existence andabsence’, so there is no differing, not in

general and not from individuals, as longas the ‘illah and the ma’lool are both inexistence, because the ‘illah is what therule was legislated for, i.e. the motivationfor legislating the rule. For example: “Sothat the people do not have any pleaagainst Allah after the Messengers” [an-Nisaa:165] So, the motivation for sendingmessengers is that the people cannotargue in front of Allah about their lack ofobedience to Him (swt), with the words:“we didn’t know what was wanted fromus due to You not sending messengers tous.” Here, the verse “So that the peopledo not have any plea against Allah” isan ‘illah for sending messengers, so ifmessengers are sent, then the people donot have a plea in all situations.As for “Prayer prevents transgressionand evil” [al-ankaboot:45], then thehikmah from prayer is to preventtransgression and evil, because the evilcould happen from some of the oneswho pray with the existence of prayer. So, it is called hikmah, as some of theindividuals may differ. I.e. the hikmah ofthe rule is achieved in general, but maynot be achieved by some of theindividuals. The ‘illah does not fall behindthe rule, so it accompanies it inexistence and absence.

Because of that we said that “in orderthat you may attain taqwa”, “Such thatyou complete the number (of days)”,“that you magnify Allah”, “so that youmay be grateful to Him” are hikmah forfasting and not ‘illah according to theusuli terminology.

[1] Genrally, the ma’lool is the effect,while the ‘illah is the cause. In usuliterminology, however, they have veryspecific meanings. In the case wherethe ma’lool is a shariah rule, if the ‘illahis absent, then so is the rule, but if the‘illah is present, then the shariah rule isapplicable.�

www.khilafah.eu Khilafah Magazine :: September 2010 :: 15

As the new British ConDem governmentwent into its first summer recess, theeconomy, the budget, the deficit and thenational debt has dominated thegovernment’s attention ever since it roseto power in May 2010. The Labourgovernment constructed a nationalbudget prior to the elections howeverthe new government proposed toabrogate the budget and replace it withits own version.

The state budget has almost become aseminary event across the world. Thegovernment in power uses it as anopportunity to showcase its priorities,whilst the opposition use it to show theincompetency of the governing party.The ConDem government focused thebudget prioritising the soaring deficit(this is the amount the governmentspends over what it gets each year inrevenue – currently £160 billion)through saving money and using this tocut the deficit.

Fiscal policy is used by governmentsaround the world to influence the

economy. Governments use differentkinds of taxes and vary the tax rates inorder to ensure the economy functions.Historically, the nobility were supportedby taxes on the poor; modern socialsecurity systems are intended to supportthe poor, the disabled, or the retired bytaxes on those who are still working. Inaddition, taxes are applied to fundforeign and military aid.

Taxation is the most important source ofrevenue for modern governments,typically accounting for 90% or more oftheir income. The remainder ofgovernment revenue comes fromborrowing. Countries differ considerablyin the amount of taxes they collect. Inthe United States, about 30 percent ofthe gross domestic product (GDP), ameasure of economic output, iscollected in tax, whilst Britain’s tax baseis over 50% of its economy.

The yearly budget as well as setting thetypes and modes of taxation, has amassive knock on effect on theeconomy. Consumer spending, saving

and investment to a large extent will beinfluenced by the rates and types oftaxation, alongside the new policesintroduced in each budget. Such impactmeans a yearly budget by a governmentwith a term of usually around 4 years,with many countries having mid-termelections – most governments areheavily influenced about remaining inpower when they construct theirbudgets. The stress of the yearly budgetis heightened by the fact that regularand random changes, which include newtaxes cause much uncertainty which hasa knock on effect on the wider economyand the choices a society makes withregards to their income and savings.

The Recent budget by the ConDemgovernment included a pay freeze for allpublic sector staff for two years, itshould be remembered that the publicsector is one of the largest employers inthe UK, a pay freeze for public sectorstaff in the midst of a shaky recoverywill impact the UK’s recovery. TheGeorge Osborne constructed budgetalso included a hike in VAT and Capitalgains taxes which are taxes on spendingand profits, all those looking to makepurchases or sell assets will need tothink twice considering the additionaltax due on them now. This is all takingplace when the British economy needsincreased spending to stimulateeconomic activity and create jobs. This lack of certainty and consistency ishalf the problem, taxation in the UK andthe wider Western world is the realmonster.

TAXESGovernments impose many types oftaxes. In most developed countries,

Life doesn’t needto be so Taxing

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Adnan Khan

individuals pay income taxes when theyearn money, consumption taxes whenthey spend it, property taxes when theyown a home or land, and in some casesestate taxes when they die. In the UnitedStates, federal, state, and localgovernments all collect taxes. Taxes onpeople’s incomes play critical roles inthe revenue systems of all developedcountries. In the United States, personalincome taxation is the single largestsource of revenue for the government. In2006 it accounted for nearly 50% of allfederal revenues.Alongside taxation on income,consumption taxes have come tosymbolise the West, such tax is levied onsales of goods or services. The mostimportant kinds of consumption taxesare general sales taxes, excise taxes,value-added taxes, and tariffs. A generalsales tax imposes the same tax rate on awide variety of goods and, in some cases,services.

When the British governmentimplemented a system of local poll taxesin 1990, citizens considered the tax sounfair that they held demonstrations—some violent—around the country. Theextreme unpopularity of the taxcontributed to the downfall of PrimeMinister Margaret Thatcher. Hersuccessor, John Major, repealed the tax in1991.

TAX BURDEN The level of taxation in any nation willaffect people’s spending behaviour,including their choices in working,saving, and investing. Taxation in theWest has created a number of problemsin wealth distribution where the burdenfalls heavily upon the poor with the richutilising tax loopholes and tax havens.The average salary currently in the UK is£24,000, and the tax burden on thissalary is 31% (income tax – 20% andNational insurance contributions – 11%),which is just under £7,440. Thisalongside indirect taxation (that istaxation on spending rather thanincome) as well as council tax, road tax,general sales tax (VAT) and so forth,means that the real tax burden falls inexcess of the 50% mark. This means thatthe average person in this country is

losing between £11,000-13,000 totaxation!

Such high levels of taxation heighten theproblem in the UK and the West asgovernments rely on income basedtaxation in order to fund their spending.In an income based tax regime the moreone earns the more that is due, whilst ina wealth based tax regime irrespectiveof income only that which remains atthe end of the tax year is taxed. Wealthtaxes which tax wealth that remains atthe end of a tax year in most casesresults in investment across theeconomy to avoid it being taxed,whereas income taxes as well as VAT aretaxed at source. Income taxes are takenbefore one even receives their paymentpacket irrespective of everything else.

ISLAM AND TAXATIONIslam has a completely differentperspective on the economy and tax asthe Islamic basis is different to that ofcapitalism. Fundamentally taxation inIslam puts the emphasis of taxation onwealth rather than income. The Islamictaxation system does not tax income, buttaxes wealth. This means that theaverage person will be left with moredisposable income and will be liable fortax on whatever wealth is left at the endof the year. This will have a significanteffect on the economy. As explained onthe average UK salary of £24,000, the taxburden falls at over 50% with theaverage person in the country losingbetween £11,000-13,000 to taxation.

In Islam although simplified, the wealthtax falls at 2.5%. This means that withinone year, the average a person can saveat, is at least £10,000. This means thatthe average person will have an extra£700 to spend each month as they willnot be taxed on their income. If this taxwas applied in the UK with a workforceof approx 31 million this means that theextra money flowing around theeconomy would be £240 billion. Thereplacement of income taxes with awealth tax would actually lead to extramoney in the economy. Therefore two orthree people could easily enter into abusiness contract to supply some of thedemand in the economy for consumer

or manufactured goods thereby creatingmore employment in the economy. Thenet effect of this is that it will increasedemand for goods and services rightacross the economy which will generatean increase in trade and in turn anincrease in wealth for businesses,thereby creating a natural boost to theeconomy and a sound way out ofrecession.

Alongside defining the types of taxesthat can be collected Islam also directsareas of government expenditure. Islamrestricted the areas the government canintervene in. Islam clearly defined thecategories of those who are liable toreceive Zakat, this takes away thepolitical uncertainty around governmentexpenditure as was seen with theworld’s governments bailing out theirbanks, rather than punishing them fortheir misdemeanours. Similarly this alsoensures the government doesn’t pursuepolitically aimed projects or get involvedin riba (interest) based deals. Due toIslam defining this area, this has removedthe uncertainty and inconsistency asfound with the Western yearly budgetcycle.

CONCLUSIONSAs many of us calculate our wealthduring Ramadhan in readiness to paytheir zakat, we should remember thatZakat has a significant effect on theeconomy like any tax. However for usZakat is not an economic tax butrepresents one of our spiritual values. Itis where we give our due, which arethen distributed to those who are needy,poor, indebted or instructed withorganising the collection anddistribution of zakat. Zakatfundamentally is one of the key pillarsnot only of Islam but also of the Islamiceconomy along with Kharaj/Ushr (basedon the productive capacity of the land).With not only the scale but usage of taxdefined by Allah (swt), and Muslimseager to pay, this economic mechanismis sorely missing in the West.�

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The world is a heterogenous mix ofpeople and assets. Since assets are notuniformly distributed in the world, needsof one people are met by assets ofanother. Interdependence is thus acentral fact of life, making coordinationand distribution the overarchingproblem of an economic system. Howcan just distribution be achieved andwhat are the geographical boundaries ofcoordination?

Unlike scientific problems, the pragmaticquestions of distribution andcoordination, has and will always take anideology to address them. This is becausethe problems of mankind (in general)are not susceptible to experimentation,observation and inference; and itsorganisation inevitably depends on an apriori adoption of a perspective on man,life and the universe. Justice for mankindis rightly not made ransom to ever-emerging sciences of physical objectsbut also should not be made ransom tofaulty ideologies.

Today’s prevailing system clearlypromotes that production rather thandistribution is the main question toaddress, and the boundaries ofcoordination are determined by thepostulates of opportunism. As themajority gets left out in the minoritygame, the best that is offered as amechanism for distribution is the so

called ‘trickle-down effect’. It is also notdifficult to guess, why capitalism shouldbe a hotbed for innovation – an essentialto keep fleecing the minority.Coordination is to ensure the fleecingability is not only protected but evenbecomes appealing. This descriptionmight sound too harsh, for thedeveloped societies are perceived to bedemocratic and governmentsaccountable. But even without furtherconceptual elaboration, the proofs areclear to see at an unprecedented level ofclarity.

Widening disparity, rising inflation,rampant crime, and ever-changing normsare just a start, a few too much even forthe most crisis-ridden societies in allhistory. A system built on compromises,

allows disingenuous compromises thusperpetually preventing collapse of order,but any genuine alternative is shunnedand culled with no compromise. Unableto hide the faults and amidst theprospect of a looming Islamicalternative, the undignified call has beento settle for capitalism, for it is still saidto be the best amongst worst. This is thestatus of lone world ideology capitalismat its zenith!

The malignant growth of Europe, sawincreasing acquisition of complementaryassets from all over the world includingthe Muslim world. This unfair acquisitioncould not be sustained without dramaticpolitical and cultural transformation ofthe sourcing nations. Once colonialpolicies were in place, the ease of

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Ramadhan today:virtual unity without realcomplementarity

CountrySovereign Wealth Fund(approx. $bn)

External Debt(approx. $bn)

Country

UAE 1000 226 Turkey

Kuwait 264 137 Indonesia

Qatar 60 56 Iraq

Libya 50 40 Pakistan

Brunei 30 34 Lebanon

Kazakhsthan 23 29 Sudan

Malaysia 18 29 Egypt

Iran 12 20 Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia 5 8 Afghanisthan

acquisition and processing of such assetswent beyond the meeting of existingdemands to manufacture for newdemands. Exploitation of resources notonly had human costs but ecologicalcosts, costs that are repeatedlytransformed into opportunities forfurther exploitation. The politicalstructures which enabled theimbalanced flow of resources has beenmaintained in various forms, and formsthe foundational foreign policy goals ofthe capitalist nations.

The Muslim world has been among themost exploited and oppressed regions ofthe world, for three major reasons. Oneis the presence of significant resources,second is its geographical significance,thirdly and most importantly theexemplary ideology of its populations.Re-focussing our attention tocomplementarity of assets in light ofthese three reasons, the Muslim worldnot surprisingly provides the mostabsurd example of distribution andcoordination.

It only takes juxtaposing the threeunderlying reasons for its oppressivestate of affairs to also see where thesolution lies. The success of capitalistforeign policies have thus been indistracting the world by dividing it intonation state identities with a constantsupply of its own solutions that cansustain these identities. The wealth anddebts of a few Muslim countries make itclear that the resource imbalance isartificial and colonially imposed.

A similar discussion on thecomplementarity of specific resourcessuch as oil/food/metals/minerals andskills such asengineers/doctors/carpenters is quitestraightforward. In addition it is easy toimagine the influence these nationswould have in unison. The needs of thepeople have never overshot the availableresources, therefore under a just system,resource complimentarity would ensuresatisfaction of the basic needs for all.

The history of Islamic governance isreplete with how this was achieved, andhow regions complemented each other.

From the story of prophet Yusufstocking food grains for famine affectedpeople, to Umar’s digging of canalsacross various regions to free upchokepoints and enabling the free flowof food and goods. Ships and caravanswere routinely and immediatelydispatched to areas of need with statefunds. The Khaleefah Umar ibn alKhattab (ra) is reported to have said, “Ohyou people! Allah has entrusted me thetask of blocking the cries of the poorfrom reaching to His court”.

Compare this to the selectivity based onappropriability and structural adjustmentpolicies that are tied to capitalist aid. Therecent collapse of the Global Trade talksin Geneva, is testament for the dollar fordollar approach to the trade-off betweenopening markets in the poorer countriesand cutting subsidies in the richer ones.This is particularly shameful and telling,as the Doha round was launched withthe ostensible aim of promotingdevelopment in the developing world,particularly in agriculture which onlyaccounts for 7% of global trade, and hasonly seen failures since its inception inDoha in 2001. US trade representativeSusan Schwab hypocritically counteredcriticism by calling any safeguard as a“tool of blatant protectionism.” And that“It is unconscionable that we could havecome out with an outcome that rolledthe global trading system back not byone year or 5 years, but by 30 years.”

The extent of resource complementarityhas only been used as a yardstick forgood governance. The real wealth of anation, is thus the thoughts of its people,which can enable this. The status quo ofthe resourceful Muslim nationsexemplify the absence of such thoughts.The current revival and agitation of itsrestive populations is a clear indicationof the re-emergence of the Islamicthoughts and emotions. The unity of theMuslim lands is not merely motivated byeconomic needs, rather by its ideology,the fulfilment of an obligation from theCreator to look after the affairs of His(swt) people.�

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Simple Tax Comparison

Islamic Economy Britain

Average British 2009 salary £24,000

Direct tax Income tax – 20% 0 £4,800

National Insurance contributions - 11% 0 £2,640

Indirect tax Value added tax (VAT) – 17.5% 0 £4,200

Council tax £1,440 0 £1440

Road tax £180 0 £180

Wealth tax – 2.5% £581 0

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, Suite 301, 28 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3SSTel: 07074 192 400 - www.hizb.org.uk - info@hizb.org.uk