What is the guidance regarding this phrase ("Establish the state of Islam in your hearts, and it will be established for you on your land") in light of those working in the field of da'wah who advocate for political action?
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The questioner : In light of what you mentioned, there is a phrase they say: "Establish the state of Islam in your hearts, and it will be established for you on your land". How do you view the guidance of this statement, especially since many of those working in da'wah see political action as necessary in these days?
The Shaykh : It is strange that I hope this phrase is not a shot in the dark, because this phrase came from some of the da'iyah who adhere to their methodology, these political da'iyah of today.
This phrase is attributed to either Hasan al-Banna or al-Hudaybi (may Allah have mercy on them both). This phrase is a word of truth, but the followers of these two men have turned away from it and have not acted upon it, and it is of the highest degree of wisdom.
"Establish the state of Islam in your hearts, and it will be established for you on your land". This is the summary of the lectures we deliver, which is that we learn beneficial knowledge and act with righteous deeds, and then victory comes from Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). This phrase is the summary of all the verses and hadiths that command knowledge and righteous deeds. But those who are busy today, and more than half a century has passed for them, are still in their place, moving but not advancing anything and not progressing. Why? Because they have not applied this phrase.
Establish the state of Islam in your hearts. First of all, what is understood from this phrase? It is the correct 'aqidah (creed). Establish it in your hearts. And from the perfection of 'aqidah[At-Tawbah 9:105]. So, this phrase calls upon all Muslims to act upon it and not turn away from it to what they call political action, because I believe that political action is not the time for it now. And it is certainly necessary, just as action is necessary, but before all of this is knowledge. Knowledge without action is of no benefit, and action without knowledge is of no benefit, so both are necessary. Therefore, in some of my old words, which I still repeat, I say: There is no renaissance for the Muslims except by realizing two foundations: purification and education.
Some people think that purification has no value. And you have known from what came before that it is the origin of Islam. So, purification is purifying Islam from everything that has entered it, whether in 'aqidah, and we have referred to some of it earlier, or what has entered into tafsir (exegesis) from the Isra'iliyyat (Jewish traditions) and fabricated false hadiths, or what has entered into books of fiqh (jurisprudence) from opinions that contradict the Book and the Sunnah, or what has entered into the behavior of Muslims from exaggeration in asceticism regarding the world and what is called Sufism, which has led them to the point of denying Allah (Mighty and Majestic) by believing that there is nothing but this universe, and so on, of matters that have entered Islam and are considered to be part of Islam. It is necessary to carry out this purification. If there were hundreds of Muslim scholars distributed across the land of Islam, it would take them many years to return the Muslims to what the Salaf al-Salih (the pious predecessors) were upon in terms of the correct understanding of the Book and the Sunnah, accompanied by action, and this is what I mean by education. Some people may imagine, as I have heard in some recordings, that education has nothing to do with jihad. Jihad is one of the rulings of the Shari'ah and it must be acted upon, but jihad requires preparation. The first preparation that should be realized in the Muslims is the correct 'aqidah and righteous deeds, and preparation to the extent of one's ability, for Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
The Shaykh : It is strange that I hope this phrase is not a shot in the dark, because this phrase came from some of the da'iyah who adhere to their methodology, these political da'iyah of today.
This phrase is attributed to either Hasan al-Banna or al-Hudaybi (may Allah have mercy on them both). This phrase is a word of truth, but the followers of these two men have turned away from it and have not acted upon it, and it is of the highest degree of wisdom.
"Establish the state of Islam in your hearts, and it will be established for you on your land". This is the summary of the lectures we deliver, which is that we learn beneficial knowledge and act with righteous deeds, and then victory comes from Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). This phrase is the summary of all the verses and hadiths that command knowledge and righteous deeds. But those who are busy today, and more than half a century has passed for them, are still in their place, moving but not advancing anything and not progressing. Why? Because they have not applied this phrase.
Establish the state of Islam in your hearts. First of all, what is understood from this phrase? It is the correct 'aqidah (creed). Establish it in your hearts. And from the perfection of 'aqidah
And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالمُؤْمِنُونَ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَSome people think that purification has no value. And you have known from what came before that it is the origin of Islam. So, purification is purifying Islam from everything that has entered it, whether in 'aqidah, and we have referred to some of it earlier, or what has entered into tafsir (exegesis) from the Isra'iliyyat (Jewish traditions) and fabricated false hadiths, or what has entered into books of fiqh (jurisprudence) from opinions that contradict the Book and the Sunnah, or what has entered into the behavior of Muslims from exaggeration in asceticism regarding the world and what is called Sufism, which has led them to the point of denying Allah (Mighty and Majestic) by believing that there is nothing but this universe, and so on, of matters that have entered Islam and are considered to be part of Islam. It is necessary to carry out this purification. If there were hundreds of Muslim scholars distributed across the land of Islam, it would take them many years to return the Muslims to what the Salaf al-Salih (the pious predecessors) were upon in terms of the correct understanding of the Book and the Sunnah, accompanied by action, and this is what I mean by education. Some people may imagine, as I have heard in some recordings, that education has nothing to do with jihad. Jihad is one of the rulings of the Shari'ah and it must be acted upon, but jihad requires preparation. The first preparation that should be realized in the Muslims is the correct 'aqidah and righteous deeds, and preparation to the extent of one's ability, for Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.