The Call for Secularism in Syria
(Translated)

News:

We have seen, in various media outlets, some people calling for secularism in Syria, on the pretext that it stands at an equal distance from all religions, that it preserves the rights of minorities, and that secularism, like democracy, is neither a religion, nor an alternative to it.

Comment:

There are many books, articles and talks that have discussed the contradiction between Islam and secularism, but in this comment I wanted to summarize the discussion in the following points:

Firstly: It was natural for the call for secularism, which is the separation of religion and state to arise in Western countries, where people suffered from the injustice of the clergy in the name of religion. However, we in Muslim countries did not have this problem. On the contrary, our best days, and the best days of those who are called “minorities,” were when we ruled by Islam in the most complete manner.

Secondly: The West today, and the world with it, suffers from secularism, so how can we demand secularism?! Wars in the world are the result of secularism. Poverty and global crises are the result of secularism. Racism is the result of secularism. Disintegration of the family in the West is the result of secularism. The legalization of abortion, or the abandonment of a newborn, is the result of secularism. Moral corruption in the West is the result of secularism. The spread of crime in the West is the result of secularism. Seizing children from their parents, as in Sweden, for example is the result of secularism. Imposing the issue of gender as in Australia for example is the result of secularism... So, you may ask: How is this? The answer is that secularism makes the limited, incapable and limited human-being the legislator, because it separates religion from the state.

Thirdly: As for secularism standing at the same distance from religion, this is only true if we are talking about something other than Islam, such as Buddhism for example, because it does not contain a political system. As for Islam, it gives rise to systems related to ruling, economics, social relations, foreign policy and education..., and these systems are self-sufficient, and must not be mixed with any other system.

Fourthly: As for the secular state being neutral, this is a lie that has no reality in the West and amongst the secularists. Where is the neutrality when educational curricula are imposed that promote certain values, ​​such as LGBTQ+ and the law punishes those who object to them?! Where is the neutrality when polygamy is prohibited by law?! Where is the neutrality when the veil is prohibited in France and the minarets of masajid are prohibited in Switzerland?! Where is the neutrality when laws are imposed that contradict the Islamic way of slaughtering livestock?! Where is the neutrality when the riba system is imposed on the world, even if they call it by other euphemisms?! The secular state is not neutral in reality. Instead, it is a specific doctrine that promotes the separation of religion and state.

Finally: Secularism is a “pet name” for kufr. This is like the deception of Shaytan to our parents Adam (as) and Hawa (rh) by mentioning the tree of eternity and a dominion that will not decay. The like of this is what was narrated from the Messenger of Allah (swt), «يَشْرَبُ نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي الْخَمرَ، وَيُسَمُّونَهَا بِغَيرِ اسْمِهَا» “People amongst my Ummah drink alcohol, but call it be names other than its name.”

The liberation of humanity is not, and will not be, except through Islam. This is not, and will not be, except through the establishment of a state that applies the systems of Islam in ruling, economy, social relations, foreign policy, and education... as systems. Allah (swt) said,

[مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ]

“From the all-Wise and All-Knowing.” [TMQ Surah Hud 11:1]. It is obligatory to work to establish the Islamic state, the Second Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood. Today, the opportunity is ripe for Syria to be the nucleus of this state. Allah (swt) said,

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ]

“O you who believe! Respond to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) when He calls you to what gives you life.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfaal 9:24].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Jaber Abu Khater