Superiority of Islamic Principles Over Rationalist Ideologies ❖ The Claim of Rationalists and Secularists
Advocates of rationalism and secularism often claim that religious beliefs promote extremism and violence among their followers because they assert to be fixed, immutable, and universal. According to them, a social system founded on religious principles leads to conflict and discord, hence society should be built on the foundation of human reason rather than religion.
This claim is based on the assumption that reason-based ideologies are not dogmatic like religion.
❖ Rationalist Ideologies Also Lead to Extremism
It is important to note that if religious beliefs are to be rejected on the grounds of dogmatism, then rationalist ideologies like liberalism and secularism must also be rejected, for they too have exhibited inflexible and violent tendencies.
Historical Evidence:
➊ Communist Russia committed mass killings in the name of “the welfare of humanity.”
➋ The United States and Europe, proponents of human rights, destroyed entire nations under the pretext of civilizing them.
❖ The Tyranny of Reason: An Unresolved Dilemma
One major issue with rationalist ideologues is that they themselves fall prey to the tyranny of their own reasoning:
➊ Every rational ideology—be it liberalism or Marxism—believes in a particular notion of humanity.
➋ Anyone who rejects their view is labelled as “irrational,” “barbaric,” or an “enemy of humanity.”
Examples:
➊ Liberal secularists view those who reject human rights as ignorant.
➋ Marxists consider those who deny material struggle as anti-intellectual.
❖ Conflicting Rational Concepts: A Constant Source of Dispute
Rationalists claim that reason-based systems are ideal for resolving conflicts since they evolve through empirical experience. However, in reality, this claim falls apart:
Conflicting Rational Theories:
➊ There are as many interpretations of reason as there are individuals, making universal agreement impossible.
Ongoing Disputes:
➊ Rational theories are perpetually contradictory, and their conflicts never cease.
➋ Even after three centuries, secular ideologues have failed to resolve their internal disputes.
➌ Liberal philosophers themselves admit that their theories lack any universal rational foundation.
❖ Islamic Perspective: A Stable and Timeless Foundation
Islam offers a firm and unchanging foundation to resolve differences, through the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Definitive Texts:
➊ In Islam, rulings derived from the clear and conclusive texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah are a matter of consensus among the Ummah.
Scope of Differences:
➊ Limited disagreement is permissible in matters subject to ijtihad, but such differences still operate within the framework of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
❖ The Need for an Islamic Caliphate
The absence of a unifying Islamic Caliphate is the primary reason for the current disunity in the Muslim Ummah. A strong Caliphate would:
➊ Regulate and unify diverse Islamic factions under a cohesive system.
➋ Guarantee the rights of non-Muslims (Dhimmi), as witnessed throughout Islamic history.
❖ The Failure of the Secular System
Even secular states rely on rigid regulations to preserve their systems:
➊ If these states were to abandon their responsibilities, social and economic chaos would ensue.
➋ Similarly, the re-establishment of the Islamic Caliphate can bring resolution to internal conflicts within Muslim societies.
Summary