Muslims in West told: Forget Halal and Haram, It's about 'Equality'

FRIDAY, 29 MARCH 2013 10:15 TAJI MUSTAFA

As Friday approached, I was thinking of what topic I should cover in the Jumuah Khutbah. In the end I ended up discussing a basic Islamic concept which should be well known to even a young Muslim but which needed re-enforcing as it was being actively undermined – even by some prominent Muslim voices in the UK.

The UK House of Commons recently voted by 400 votes to 175 to legalise same-sex marriage in Britain. Muslim MPs such as Sadiq Khan, Rushanara Ali, Sajid Javid, and others voted in support of this legislation. At election time, these same MPs (and other politicians) visit Masajids and other Muslim institutions seeking the Muslim vote, yet, here they were voting for same-sex marriage which Islam clearly forbids. Facing a backlash from his Muslim supporters, the Muslim MP, Sadik Khan wrote a blog titled, 'Why I voted in favour of same-sex marriage', defending his position. In it, he wrote "I voted in favour of the legislation because I believe that this is fundamentally an issue of equality." What was new was that some other prominent Muslim commentators also started to argue that Muslims must not oppose same-sex marriage because if we Muslims want to be accepted as equals in British society, we must stand for equality for all types of practices – including same-sex marriage.

So again and again, there were voices in the Muslim community saying we must see this issue through the prism of equality and anti-discrimination.

I remember a friend once saying that the way you change some of the core values of a community over time is to stop public discussion or promotion of their core ideas. So over a long period of time, as those ideas are no longer discussed, people (especially the younger generation) no longer hear them. Further down the line, raising that idea publicly becomes a strange thing and could even become unacceptable. At the moment, ideas like the supporting the jihad of Muslims in Afghanistan as they fight and defend themselves against occupation by Western forces - is an example of this. So UK masajids and some Muslim groups shy away from mentioning this issue because some in the media and government label those who raise this as 'extremists' or accuse them of being involved in 'radicalisation'.

A similar thing started to happen with public opposition to same sex-marriage. However, this time, it is some few and strange voices from within the Muslim community who are telling Muslims to view this issue through the prism of 'equality'.

Hence, I decided to cover the following points in my khutbah and subsequent video on the issue of same-sex marriage as a way to remind Muslims of the absolute need to hold onto the Islamic criteria of halal and haram and to equip Muslims to argue back rather than be bullied into silence and abandoning the Islamic criteria.

• We come to this issue as Muslims who believe in Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Qur'an He revealed to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and that Allah سبحانه وتعالى is All Knowing and hence the One who decides what is right and what is wrong.

• When humans (through parliament) try to legislate right and wrong, we witness contradictions and harmful consequences on society. In the West, adultery was once illegal, now it is legal and glorified in movies, plays and popular culture. Similarly, homosexuality was once illegal, now it is legal, glorified and now there are moves to legalise same-sex marriage. What will be next? Incest? Assisted suicide?

• Islam's position is clear on the prohibition of same-sex marriage, adultery and other such lifestyles.

• Islam's laws protect the family and prohibit things that harm family life.

• Muslims should not be apologetic for adhering to the rules of Islam which come from the All Knowing Creator - Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُبِينًا

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision."

(Al-Ahzab, 33:36)

Taji Mustafa

Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in Britain

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Analysis about the appointment of Ghassan Hitto to begin the formation of a transitional government in Syria

The formation of the government (transitional) reflects the struggle inside the ‘National Alliance’ which in turn reflects the US and European struggle in regards to the situation in Syria.

This is in the case where a large number of the members of the ‘Syrian Alliance’ are influenced by the Europeans via Qatar and Saudi whilst the others at the head of which is Mu’aadh Al-Khateeb completely represent the American interests just like the ruler of Damascus is under the American influence.

The appointment of Ghassan Hitto to form a transitional government representing the alliance came as an expression of the European direction represented by Qatar and Saudi as they wish to cut out all possibilities of making a deal that would lead to the current ruling regime remaining in Damascus as a result of dialogue after the failure of murder and destruction in achieving that. And this European direction differs from the American direction that refused the formation of a transitional government made by one side as this means in its view the reliance upon the policy of the dominating and the dominated meaning the war reaching its conclusion with the downfall of the entire regime.

America does not want this as it wants the regime to continue all be it with a change of faces so that its interests and influence can remain through the security and military apparatus which since some time the opposition has requested via a Pentagon statement to be kept intact by until the time that the regime collapses.

This is the struggle that made Mu’aadh over the last days threaten to resign. And I do not imagine that America in the current stage will accept the formation of a government made by one side and will work to cause the failure of this European effort which desires the fall of Bashar’s regime in its entirety so that those who are agents to Europe can take hold of Syria which will lead to a change in the strategic balance in the region in favour of Europe.

The Western Kaafir States are competing for us as if we were a piece of cake or a bowl like what was mentioned in the famous Hadeeth of the Nabi (saw). This is whilst we by the favour of Allah and the firm determination of the believers struggle against the west in its entirety to liberate our lands and our Ummah from its influence and domination. So it is not permitted for us to remain like a ‘Bowl of food’ or a place for their competition but rather we must work to return that which is capable of struggling with great power and which will make their lands and not ours the field of struggle as it had always been and so that this matter can be made right.

This government will never be successful whether it has come by the will of one side to represent the Europeans or if it came as a result of dialogue with the regime to represent both the Europeans and Americans. These conspiracies which are attempting to steal away their revolution and wipe it out will be made to fail by the people of Ash-Shaam and the believing revolutionaries of Ash-Shaam will never accept replacing loyalty to one disbeliever with a loyalty to another disbeliever or the replacement of one agent with another.

By Mundhir Abdullah from inside Syria
Translated from arabic

Source: www.fb.com/alkhilafah

Hizb ut-Tahrir Syria on the killing of Sheikh Buti

And thus Sheikh Buti, the Regime's supporter met his end in his Masjid

And the Regime is not distant from this crime, so people of insight should pay attention

On the 21st March 2013, Sheikh Said Ramadan al-Buti and 40 others were killed, while over 80 were injured, according to the claims of the Ikhbariyya News Channel, known for its lies and evil. The explosion took place in Masjid Iman in the ancient Mazra'ah district of Damascus during his usual weekly lecture.

As is usual, the official Syrian channels rushed to the scene of the crime, and the security services prevented all other media from coverage or taking pictures, in order to control the information and accusations, even though Ikhbariyya's coverage points the finger of suspicion at the State itself. This is because the large chair where the Sheikh would give his lecture and the area around it received light damage, while blood and body parts were concentrated in the centre of the masjid. Also, the coverage showed shoes thrown in the midst of the bloody scene, while it is well known that Muslims do not enter the masjid wearing shoes. So how did the shoes of the students present in the Sheikh's circle become scattered about? And this is not to mention the apparent cleanliness of this explosion, in that the walls, pillars and the minbar of the masjid showed no damage or marks, and none of the chandeliers or lights were broken! The remains of Sheikh Buti were not allowed to be shown or witnessed by anybody, though it is the most important 'signpost' to the truth of the story. It would be expected that he could not have severe and immediate injuries in the masjid, while the pictures showed his chair and the area around it did not have significant marks of damage, and yet the regime's cameras did not show either the remains of the Sheikh or proof of fatal injuries. Since we have become accustomed to the crimes and fabrications of this regime, we will accuse them first until the opposite is proven; especially when their record of killing their own supporters is so extensive. It seems that Bashar the Blood-shedder has been going through the records of his dead father in order to learn from him.

O Muslims in Syria-Sham: Indeed you know well the viciousness of this regime, and you are the witnesses of its exposed activities, which preceded these latest fabricated actions. The al-Qazzaz explosions and the car bombs have not been far from you.

Indeed (Bashar) is a failed leader and an exposed criminal. Allah has exposed him in front of the people every time he has foolishly attempted an action. Bashar kills his own sons easily, because criminality comes easily to him. He will kill every one of them before he falls, or he will trample upon them during his fall, as long as they are ready to be used in any post he gives them. So will they pay heed to that and make the best decision?

O Muslims in Syria: We received the news of Sheikh Buti's killing with great sadness at such an ending, for he was a faithful assistant of the Assad family regime, father and son. He persisted at length in supporting the crimes of Bashar the Blood-shedder, and attacking those who rose up against him, until we became astounded at what he could do: how was he able to bring together his knowledge, and his support for this regime?! We had always hoped that he, in his eighth decade, would announce a stance leading forth in the truth, until he would get his chance at martyrdom confronting this tyrant – of which there is no difference of opinion about his tyranny – so he might wipe away the records of what he did before.

إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ ۖ أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ

"It was only a trial from You by which You misguided those You willed and guided those You willed. You are our Protector so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the Best of Forgivers."

(Al-A'raaf 7:155)

O people of the Syrian revolution in the homeland of Dar ul-Islam: There is no refuge or salvation for us from Allah, except to turn to Him. And indeed by Allah, how much does the Muslim feel tranquillity of Iman, and power and 'Izzah, when he knows his Lord is with him? And how much does it strengthen the Iman of the Muslim to know that the victory is in the hand of Allah alone, and whenever He wills he will bring about its causes? Indeed from among its most important causes is that we turn to Him alone. So give to Allah what he has ordered you of persistence to establish the Khilafah and giving bay'ah to a Khaleefah for the Muslims. The Khilafah will honour His deen and raise His word to the highest. So be from its people and supporters, and Allah will set right for, mankind and all of creation. So rush to give support and the bay'ah, you are, by Allah, in more need of it than ever, and the best of those who could work for it. You would earn the right to be the Ansar of Allah in this era, and what a great honour would await you for that? Allah ta'ala says,

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

"Say, 'O Allah! Master of the Kingdom! You give sovereignty to whoever You will You take sovereignty from whoever You will. You exalt whoever You will You abase whoever You will. All good is in Your hands. You have power over all things."

(Al-'Imran, 3:26)

Engineer Hisham al-Baba

Head of the Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir Wilayah Syria

10 Jamadil Awal 1434

22 March 2013

Source

Heroes in Syria says 'No to Civil State, We want an Islamic State' | English subtitles

Protest staged by Hizb ut-Tahrir Syria including excerpts from a speech by Hisham Al-Baba.