⭑ Islamic Collectivism Under Attack by Liberal Ideologies and Its Solution ⭑
Written by: Hamid Kamaluddin
A few decades ago, Pakistan successfully countered the Red Revolution (Communism), and today it faces intellectual attacks from liberals and secularists. The communist ideology was influenced by Russia, while the current wave of liberalism is Western-backed, especially supported by the United States. Previously, there was a military front in Afghanistan and an ideological battle within Pakistan—today’s scenario is not very different. Liberals cunningly strike at the very spirit of Shariah, sowing doubts within religious circles by seemingly using Islamic arguments.
At a time when there is a global effort to erase the collective identity of Muslims, a new ideological trend has emerged that denies the very concept of Muslim collectivism. According to this worldview:
① Shariah does not require a Muslim Ummah or a Muslim nation.
② Concepts like Khilafah and the Muslim State are deemed unnecessary and contrary to Shariah.
③ The collective existence of Muslims should not be based on religion.
This ideology not only rejects the very foundation of Pakistan, but also denies the entire basis of the Pakistan Movement—a movement that introduced Muslims as an “Ummah Wahidah” (One Nation) and demanded a separate Islamic state. This new narrative deems all of that baseless.
This modernist narrative makes the individual the sole focus of religion, rejecting the religious role of society or the state. According to this thinking, religion pertains only to one’s personal life, and hence, the concept of collectivism becomes irrelevant.
Islam provides guidance for both the individual and society. The relationship between the individual and the Ummah is interdependent:
➤ Reformation of the Individual: An Islamic state and society create an environment that encourages individuals towards righteousness.
➤ Protection of the Ummah: A strong Islamic society and state safeguard the faith and morality of individuals.
The belief that an individual can uphold their religion without an Islamic society or state is an unrealistic assumption.
The Islamic State holds a fundamental position in achieving the objectives of religion. It not only provides a conducive environment for the individual to practice Islam but also acts as a barrier against the paths of evil.
One of the purposes of an Islamic society is to limit the sources of evil and open the doors to righteousness. Without this:
➤ The common person may incline towards evil.
➤ Practicing religion becomes an extraordinary challenge.
Hence, Islamic governance and leadership are necessary to ensure the dominance of righteousness and closure of the paths to evil.
Islam demands not just individual worship but also collective engagement.
لَا إِسْلَامَ إِلَّا بِجَمَاعَةٍ، وَلَا جَمَاعَةَ إِلَّا بِإِمَارَةٍ، وَلَا إِمَارَةَ إِلَّا بِطَاعَةٍ
(There is no Islam without Jama'ah, no Jama'ah without leadership, and no leadership without obedience.)
Without Islamic collectivism:
➤ The individual may fail to resist satanic systems.
➤ Proper implementation of Islamic teachings becomes impossible.
The complete implementation of Islam equally applies to both the individual and the society. The reformation of individuals and the construction of society are mutually essential. The establishment of an Islamic State and collectivism is a part of religion itself, and without it, proper enforcement of the Deen is impossible.
Written by: Hamid Kamaluddin
✿ The Red Revolution of the Past and Modern Liberalism
A few decades ago, Pakistan successfully countered the Red Revolution (Communism), and today it faces intellectual attacks from liberals and secularists. The communist ideology was influenced by Russia, while the current wave of liberalism is Western-backed, especially supported by the United States. Previously, there was a military front in Afghanistan and an ideological battle within Pakistan—today’s scenario is not very different. Liberals cunningly strike at the very spirit of Shariah, sowing doubts within religious circles by seemingly using Islamic arguments.
❀ Attack on Islamic Collectivism
At a time when there is a global effort to erase the collective identity of Muslims, a new ideological trend has emerged that denies the very concept of Muslim collectivism. According to this worldview:
① Shariah does not require a Muslim Ummah or a Muslim nation.
② Concepts like Khilafah and the Muslim State are deemed unnecessary and contrary to Shariah.
③ The collective existence of Muslims should not be based on religion.
This ideology not only rejects the very foundation of Pakistan, but also denies the entire basis of the Pakistan Movement—a movement that introduced Muslims as an “Ummah Wahidah” (One Nation) and demanded a separate Islamic state. This new narrative deems all of that baseless.
✔ The New Deception of Individualism
This modernist narrative makes the individual the sole focus of religion, rejecting the religious role of society or the state. According to this thinking, religion pertains only to one’s personal life, and hence, the concept of collectivism becomes irrelevant.
✦ The Mutual Need Between Individual and Society
Islam provides guidance for both the individual and society. The relationship between the individual and the Ummah is interdependent:
➤ Reformation of the Individual: An Islamic state and society create an environment that encourages individuals towards righteousness.
➤ Protection of the Ummah: A strong Islamic society and state safeguard the faith and morality of individuals.
The belief that an individual can uphold their religion without an Islamic society or state is an unrealistic assumption.
◈ The Need for an Islamic State
The Islamic State holds a fundamental position in achieving the objectives of religion. It not only provides a conducive environment for the individual to practice Islam but also acts as a barrier against the paths of evil.
❀ The Duty of Blocking Satanic Pathways
One of the purposes of an Islamic society is to limit the sources of evil and open the doors to righteousness. Without this:
➤ The common person may incline towards evil.
➤ Practicing religion becomes an extraordinary challenge.
Hence, Islamic governance and leadership are necessary to ensure the dominance of righteousness and closure of the paths to evil.
✦ The Importance of Collectivism in Islam
Islam demands not just individual worship but also collective engagement.
لَا إِسْلَامَ إِلَّا بِجَمَاعَةٍ، وَلَا جَمَاعَةَ إِلَّا بِإِمَارَةٍ، وَلَا إِمَارَةَ إِلَّا بِطَاعَةٍ
(There is no Islam without Jama'ah, no Jama'ah without leadership, and no leadership without obedience.)
Without Islamic collectivism:
➤ The individual may fail to resist satanic systems.
➤ Proper implementation of Islamic teachings becomes impossible.
❖ Conclusion
The complete implementation of Islam equally applies to both the individual and the society. The reformation of individuals and the construction of society are mutually essential. The establishment of an Islamic State and collectivism is a part of religion itself, and without it, proper enforcement of the Deen is impossible.
References
- Quarterly Iqaz, “The Spread of Individualist Ideologies in Islam,” July 2012, Editorial.
- Quarterly Iqaz, “Annotations of Ibn Taymiyyah on Khilafah and Kingship,” January 2014.
- Qur’an, Surah al-Ma'idah: 3
- Qur’an, Surah Aal Imran: 103
- Quarterly Iqaz, Author: Hamid Kamaluddin
- Daily Jang, Discussions on the Liberal Narrative
