From: jodar@aludra.usc.edu (Nicholas Jodar)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Shura (was:  Are We Having Fun, Yet...?)
Summary: A little more information....
Keywords: Shura, Shariat
Date: 12 Oct 92 22:51:05 GMT
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Originator: gwydion@wookumz.gnu.ai.mit.edu

In article <718753660@lear.cs.duke.edu> ekrem@vlsivie.tuwien.ac.at (Ekrem Saban) writes:

>I doubt whether we have to dress like them, as traditionalist Muslims
>insist, as the Arabs of the 7. century were wearing that kind of
>dresses - whether believer or unbeliever. 

I don't believe it's required by the Shariat, but maybe you
should ask yourself what distinguishes you from the Kuffar....

>At least to me, it is more
>important to stick to general rules in dressing (like wearing wide
>clothes which cover those parts which have to be covered) and in other
>things. So, perhaps one can wear Chineese, American, Arabic or other
>kind of clothes AND follow the general dressing rules.

There is 'muslim' clothing in every country, and the styles
differ from culture to culture.  None of them resemble the
Kuffar, though.  I believe I mentioned some of the benefits of
wearing Sunnat as opposed to wearing 'Kafir' in another article.

>If we see the word or rule of a comrade or government at least as
>important as the word of Allah, we are not far away of being Mushriqs!

Likewise, if we adopt the manners, customs, and appearance of 
the Kuffar, we risk becoming more like them and less like the 
Mu'min.

>But brother, there have been times where bad people were governors and
>even Khalifs. Have you asked when this was the case? 

I am familiar with the existence of such cases in the past 
(and present).  I did not specifically ask about what to do in
such cases because the correction is part of the Shariat.  (I
believe I detailed it in another posting, but if you missed it I
will repeat what I can remember.)

>After Khulafaa-i
>Raashideen (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, ~Ali, and perhaps Umar bin
>~Abdulazeez), there were only few rulers who were at least to some
>extend defying the Right Path. 

I know.  And the Majlis Al-Shura was not performing its duty, nor
were the muslims.

>For instance, one Khaleef in the 4.
>century (he was a teenager) used to drink wine before a commander made
>him Khaleef. After that, he repented, but regret later on to do so
>(!). His "Shaihul Islaam" decided that he makes kaffarah and he continued
>to drink after that! (Renaisance in Islam - The fourth century AH by
>Adam Metz).

This is simply one example of what happens when the Shariat are
not followed.  I remember hearing something like this before, so 
I will accept your citing of Adam Metz at (almost) face value.  
(Despite the fact that I would question his bias in his presentation 
of Islamic history.)  Even so, you say '4th century.'  The
Prophet (SAW) brought Islam to the Arabs in the 7th century.  Is
this an oversight on your part?

If we take the above example, however, it defies many aspects of
the Shariat.

- The selection was not done by consensus (eg. Majlis Al-Shura).
- The one selected did not fulfil the qualifications for Khalifa.
- The one selected was not replaced (or corrected) by the MAS.
- The Khilafa consented to being governed by such a person.
- The Khalifa did not uphold the laws of the Shariat.

>Have you any solution or way for the UMMA to get out of this situation?

The only solution is that exemplified by the Prophet (SAW) and
his Sahabi (RAA).  Namely,...

1) Gather those who believe in 'La Illaha Il Allah' together and
teach them their faith;

2) Work together as an Ummat, withstanding all persecution, and
seek a place where Islam can be practiced and implemented;

3) Once the Ummat has a piece of land under its control, establish
the Shariat and form the Khilafa;

4) Protect the Khilafa and all those within it from all persecution 
and seek to invite others to embrace Islam;

5) Fight all those who attack the Khilafa, capturing their
territory and setting up the rule of Truth and Justice therein;

6) Protect all allies and Dhimmis within the Sphere of Influence
of the Khilafa; and

7) Come to the aid of any country or nation asking for help.

In short, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong.

Does that answer your question? :-)  I hope so, because you're
reaching the limit of my knowledge.

Disclaimer:  I am not an Ulema!  I'm just a poor ignorant
muslim. :-)

-AQ

[I beg Allah's forgiveness for my weakness and insufficiency in ]
['His' service, and I ask for his protection from Shaitan and   ]
[from my own Desires.  None can protect me except Allah.  If I  ]
[have made any errors, I beg Allah to bring them to my attention]
[so that they may be corrected.  If I have made none, then it is]
[only through the Grace of Allah and all praise is due only to  ]
['Him.'                                                         ]