Explaining the Meaning of Secularism and Its Ruling

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, a questioner asks: When did secularism appear? Is it a school of thought or an ideology? Is it an act of disbelief or not? And how should one guard against it and its proponents?

Answer:
By Allah, we hear about it, and a new affliction appears every day. Do not be surprised, for you are in the end times, and trials increase in the end times. The exact meaning of secularism has not been fully clarified, but as far as I can see, it does not forbid anything; rather, people are to be on one single system throughout the world in economics and other matters, with no difference between Muslims and disbelievers. As far as I can see, this is what it is, and this is what I have heard is secularism. As for specialized studies on this topic, I have nothing of that. However, a conference is currently being held in Makkah by the Muslim World League on secularism, so perhaps research and decisions will emerge from it that Muslims can benefit from, if Allah wills.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you