Secularization: Its Emergence, Its Reality, and How to Guard Against It

Question:
Honorable Shaykh. A questioner asks: When did secularization appear? Is it a school of thought or an ideology? Is it disbelief or not? And how does one guard against it and its call?

Answer:
By Allah, we hear about it, and every day a new affliction appears, every day a new affliction appears. Do not burden me with this, for it is said to be of the signs of the end times, not that it will multiply in the end times. I have not fully grasped the meaning of "secularization" exactly, but as far as I can see, it does not forbid Hajj; rather, people will be on one methodology throughout the world in economics and other matters, with no difference between Muslims and disbelievers. This is what appears to be the truth based on what I have heard. As for a specialized study on this topic, I have nothing of that. However, there is currently a conference in Makkah of the Muslim World League regarding scholars, so perhaps you will find in it research and decisions from which Muslims may benefit, if Allah wills.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you,