Author: Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (May Allah preserve him)
Answer:
Secularism is a modern ideology and a corrupt movement aimed at pursuing worldly gains and indulging in desires, making these the ultimate purpose of life. Consequently, it neglects the Hereafter entirely, paying no attention to actions related to it. This way of life leads to utter heedlessness regarding the obligations and accountability in the Hereafter.
The following saying of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) aptly describes those who follow such a system:
"May the worshipper of the dinar (gold coin) perish, may the worshipper of the dirham (silver coin) perish, may the worshipper of fine garments perish, may the worshipper of luxurious bedding perish. If he is given, he is pleased, and if he is not given, he is displeased. He has perished and fallen, and if he is pricked with a thorn, he cannot remove it."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter: Guarding in the Cause of Allah, Hadith 2730)
This description includes anyone who criticizes Islamic teachings, whether verbally or through actions. Those who implement man-made laws over divine laws and abandon Shariah are secularists, i.e., irreligious.
Anyone who declares illicit actions like fornication, alcohol consumption, music, dancing, and usury (interest) as permissible, believing that prohibiting such acts harms society or individuals, falls into secularist ideology.
② Opposition to Divine Laws:
Those who oppose implementing Islamic penalties, such as execution for murderers, stoning for adulterers, flogging for drinkers of alcohol, or cutting off the hands of thieves, and claim that enforcing these punishments violates human dignity, are also secularists, regardless of their claim to be Muslims.
"Do you believe in part of the Book and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you except disgrace in worldly life?"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 85)
Anyone who picks and chooses from Islam according to their preferences—accepting some laws and rejecting others—falls under this condemnation.
"Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they will not be deprived therein. Those are the ones for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire."
(Surah Hud: 15-16)
Such individuals seek only worldly pleasures, even if through impermissible means. They neglect the obligations of the Hereafter, aligning them with the following verse:
"Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly benefits) – We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will enter to burn, censured and banished."
(Surah Al-Isra: 18)
Numerous other Quranic verses and prophetic traditions highlight the dangers of secularism and its consequences.
May Allah guide us to the straight path and protect us from such ideologies.
Allah knows best.
What is Secularism (Secularism in Islam)?
Question: What is secularism, and what is the Islamic ruling regarding it?Answer:
Secularism is a modern ideology and a corrupt movement aimed at pursuing worldly gains and indulging in desires, making these the ultimate purpose of life. Consequently, it neglects the Hereafter entirely, paying no attention to actions related to it. This way of life leads to utter heedlessness regarding the obligations and accountability in the Hereafter.
The following saying of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) aptly describes those who follow such a system:
"May the worshipper of the dinar (gold coin) perish, may the worshipper of the dirham (silver coin) perish, may the worshipper of fine garments perish, may the worshipper of luxurious bedding perish. If he is given, he is pleased, and if he is not given, he is displeased. He has perished and fallen, and if he is pricked with a thorn, he cannot remove it."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter: Guarding in the Cause of Allah, Hadith 2730)
This description includes anyone who criticizes Islamic teachings, whether verbally or through actions. Those who implement man-made laws over divine laws and abandon Shariah are secularists, i.e., irreligious.
Characteristics of Secularists
① Permissiveness of Prohibited Actions:Anyone who declares illicit actions like fornication, alcohol consumption, music, dancing, and usury (interest) as permissible, believing that prohibiting such acts harms society or individuals, falls into secularist ideology.
② Opposition to Divine Laws:
Those who oppose implementing Islamic penalties, such as execution for murderers, stoning for adulterers, flogging for drinkers of alcohol, or cutting off the hands of thieves, and claim that enforcing these punishments violates human dignity, are also secularists, regardless of their claim to be Muslims.
Islamic Ruling on Secularism
The Quran condemns selective acceptance of divine commandments:"Do you believe in part of the Book and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you except disgrace in worldly life?"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 85)
Anyone who picks and chooses from Islam according to their preferences—accepting some laws and rejecting others—falls under this condemnation.
Punishment for Secularism in the Hereafter
Allah describes the fate of those who prioritize worldly life over the Hereafter:"Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they will not be deprived therein. Those are the ones for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire."
(Surah Hud: 15-16)
Such individuals seek only worldly pleasures, even if through impermissible means. They neglect the obligations of the Hereafter, aligning them with the following verse:
"Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly benefits) – We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will enter to burn, censured and banished."
(Surah Al-Isra: 18)
Numerous other Quranic verses and prophetic traditions highlight the dangers of secularism and its consequences.
May Allah guide us to the straight path and protect us from such ideologies.
Allah knows best.