Advice to the West from Ash-Sheikh Muhsin Malook, Imaam and Khateeb at Masjid Ansaar As-Sunnah in Damanhoor, Egypt
Indeed Allah, the Most High, created his creation for them to worship him, and not associate any partners with him. Allah says,
“Truly the religion with Allah is Al-Islaam” Surah Ali Imraan 3:19
And Al-Islaam, it is to single Allah out with worship. With this tawheed, Allah has held all humans and Jinn accountable. Allah has sent his messengers with At-tawheed, and revealed his books with this purpose, in order to warn from anyone taking a partner with Allah and commanding the creation to single Allah out in all aspects of worship, him alone without any partners. And for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone, Allah has legislated the different legislations, so that tawheed can become firmly rooted in the believers heart, and so that it can develop and increase, be preserved, and to close any road that leads to worshipping other than Allah.
From these legislated affairs are those connected with the Muslims remaining in the land of the disbelievers; for indeed Allah has made it impermissible upon the Muslim to remain between the muskrikeen if he has the ability to emigrate. That is because of the evils that result from the Muslim remaining between the disbelievers. These evils include corruption in ones religion, worldly affairs, and the general body of the Muslims. And from this corruption is the inability to completely establish what Allah has commanded the Muslim with, such as singling Allah out with worship and disbelieving in everything that is worshipped besides Allah, establishing the prayer, giving the obligatory charity, commanding the good, and forbidding the evil. And often it is the case that the Muslim exposes himself to trials and sins that there is no excuse for, and this is because of his remaining in the land of the Mushrikeen, while he has the ability to migrate from amongst them. Allah, the most high says:
“Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allâh spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell – What an evil destination! (An-Nisa 4:97)”
Allah, the Most High, says, “O My slaves who believe! Certainly, spacious is My earth. Therefore worship Me (Alone).” (Al-’Ankabut 29:56)
Allah, the Most High, says, “He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allâh, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allâh and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allâh. And Allâh is Ever OftForgiving, Most Merciful. (An-Nisa 4:100)”
The Messenger of Allah, sallahu alahi wa salaam, said “I am free from any Muslim who lives amongst the polytheists.” It was said, Oh Messenger of Allah, and why? He said “You shouldn’t be able to see each other’s camp fire.”
So therefore, it is not permissible to remain in the land of the disbeliever except with a legislative reason that makes it allowable to remain in these lands, such as not have the ability to emigrate, d’awah (inviting to Al-Islaam), business, or other than that from the things that make it permissible to remain in the lands of disbelief. But as soon as this reason for remaining no longer applies, it is not legislatively allowable to remain in such land or to be citizens with the disbelievers after that point.
Based on what has preceded, if there is a case where a Muslim is living in the land of the disbelievers, with a legislative reason, at such point it is not permissible for him to deceive the disbelievers, or to disrupt their organized system, rather the Muslim is to deal with them with piety and justice, staying away from sins, and anything that opposes the Islamic legislation, as much as possible. In addition to this, he should struggle as much as possible to call the disbeliever to the religion of Al-Islaam, to refute polytheism upon clear knowledge, according to the guidance of the Prophets in how they went about inviting to Al-Islaam.
As for the Imaams of the Masjid, they don’t have any command over the general Muslims, whether in the land of the disbelievers or the land of the Muslims. Their authority is limited to what they are mandated over, such as the affairs of the masjid, like any worker he has authority in the bonds of his occupation that he has been assigned to. It is only obligatory to obey the imams of the masajid in those issues connected with the prayer, and to obey those below them in the limitations of that occupation from the affairs and administration of the masjid. This authority, however, doesn’t extend to other than that from the people or to other than that from different affairs. And with this limited authority, it is known that obedience is only in that which isn’t sin, and within the limits that we have mentioned, and they don’t have general authority over the Muslims.
So based on this, the right of the imams of the masaajid doesn’t resemble the right of the leader of muslims, not from close and not from far, and if this actually existed then it would be an innovation and attack or dispute against those actually entitled to such right.
Lastly, I direct my advice to the brothers in charge, and other than them from the Muslims, that they should fear Allah as it pertains to those that they are responsible for. “For indeed all of you are shepherds, and all of you will be asked about his flock.” So learn Allah’s religion from the authentic sources, stick to it, and call others to it upon clear knowledge and within one’s ability, beginning with the fundamentals, clarifying the clear affairs of the religion. The foundation of all fundamental principles, as we have clarified, it is At-Tawheed, to single out Allah with worship, and to disbelieve in any false diety or partner with Allah. Strive hard with this matter, first by learning, then teaching, and being patient upon this, while being committed to patience, forbearance, and wanting mercy for the people even if it be at the expense of your worldly interests. For the purpose of At-Tawheed, singling out Allah with worship, Allah, the most high, created you and legislated the legislations.
وفقكم الله جميعًا إلى ما يحبه ويرضاه اللهم صلي وسلم وبارك على عبدك ورسولك محمد والمرسلين والنبيين والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Translated by Team RiMarket.Net 6/22/2009