The Concept of Political Activity
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What is widespread among many young people is what is called the concept of political activity. I do not know what limit the Shari'ah has set for engaging in these political matters, and what is the Shari'ah criterion for this matter?
Politics, may Allah reward you, all of the religion is politics; because politics is derived from the work of the herdsman, and the herdsman is the manager of the animals and the one who takes care of them, like the herdsman of lions and elephants and the like. It is known that the Shari'ah is entirely politics: politics for creation regarding the worship of the Creator, politics for creation regarding the dealings with people, and politics for creation regarding the management and classification of affairs.
It is known that the politics which manages affairs and their administration cannot be in the hands of everyone, nor under the control of every person. If it were so, it would follow that every person in the Ummah would be a ruler over himself and over others as well. It is known that since the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the politics and management of the Ummah have been in the hands of specific people: the Caliph and those he chooses to be his advisors. Politics is not to be thrown into the markets and gatherings of the common people,And it is said: saying, "What do you say about such and such? What do you say about such and such?" There is no doubt that those who stumble in these matters are contrary to the methodology of the Salaf, and that they stir up nothing but confusion, and turn people away from what is far more important than that.
Have you seen an example: The secret councils, the conditions of war, and the affairs of external relations with people: is it fitting for any mind among the minds of the sons of Adam to be thrown into the markets in the hands of the common people?! A person in his home cannot let people see what is in his home,How, for example: a government that lets people see everything it does, or tells them everything it wants: who said this? By which book, or by which Sunnah, or by which deed of the Rightly Guided Caliphs?! Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he wanted something, go to the markets and say: "I want to do such and such"? Rather, when he wanted a military expedition, he would feint with another one, which was an expedition for which the people would prepare, except in Tabuk.
So the affairs of general politics are not to be in the hands of the common people or on their tongues. Whoever seeks that has sought a matter that no sane person would ever say. Is it possible to reveal to the common man who sells vegetables, meat, and bread and the like the secrets of the state and its files?! Who said this?! So my advice to those whom Allah the Exalted has tested with such matters: is that they should review themselves, and know that it is not wisdom for everything the state does to be in the hands of the people. There are things the state manages which may appear to the simple people to be incorrect, but to those who know the causes and results, it is correct. Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah have those who objected to him among the Companions, who were the greatest of minds, and they did not know the outcome?! And I do not want to equate the rulers of the Islamic Ummah today with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in terms of victory for the Ummah and guidance and rightness? No,But I say: The issues of the state are specific to certain people, not for everyone.
So I advise you, and I ask you to convey this advice to everyone who has spoken in these matters, to engage in what is more important, and to ask Allah for success for the state.
Politics, may Allah reward you, all of the religion is politics; because politics is derived from the work of the herdsman, and the herdsman is the manager of the animals and the one who takes care of them, like the herdsman of lions and elephants and the like. It is known that the Shari'ah is entirely politics: politics for creation regarding the worship of the Creator, politics for creation regarding the dealings with people, and politics for creation regarding the management and classification of affairs.
It is known that the politics which manages affairs and their administration cannot be in the hands of everyone, nor under the control of every person. If it were so, it would follow that every person in the Ummah would be a ruler over himself and over others as well. It is known that since the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the politics and management of the Ummah have been in the hands of specific people: the Caliph and those he chooses to be his advisors. Politics is not to be thrown into the markets and gatherings of the common people,And it is said: saying, "What do you say about such and such? What do you say about such and such?" There is no doubt that those who stumble in these matters are contrary to the methodology of the Salaf, and that they stir up nothing but confusion, and turn people away from what is far more important than that.
Have you seen an example: The secret councils, the conditions of war, and the affairs of external relations with people: is it fitting for any mind among the minds of the sons of Adam to be thrown into the markets in the hands of the common people?! A person in his home cannot let people see what is in his home,How, for example: a government that lets people see everything it does, or tells them everything it wants: who said this? By which book, or by which Sunnah, or by which deed of the Rightly Guided Caliphs?! Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he wanted something, go to the markets and say: "I want to do such and such"? Rather, when he wanted a military expedition, he would feint with another one, which was an expedition for which the people would prepare, except in Tabuk.
So the affairs of general politics are not to be in the hands of the common people or on their tongues. Whoever seeks that has sought a matter that no sane person would ever say. Is it possible to reveal to the common man who sells vegetables, meat, and bread and the like the secrets of the state and its files?! Who said this?! So my advice to those whom Allah the Exalted has tested with such matters: is that they should review themselves, and know that it is not wisdom for everything the state does to be in the hands of the people. There are things the state manages which may appear to the simple people to be incorrect, but to those who know the causes and results, it is correct. Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah have those who objected to him among the Companions, who were the greatest of minds, and they did not know the outcome?! And I do not want to equate the rulers of the Islamic Ummah today with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in terms of victory for the Ummah and guidance and rightness? No,But I say: The issues of the state are specific to certain people, not for everyone.
So I advise you, and I ask you to convey this advice to everyone who has spoken in these matters, to engage in what is more important, and to ask Allah for success for the state.