Islamic Thought: Despotism Replacing Despotism

By definition, Islam is a religion of those who obey the doctrines of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad, who in the 7th century lived in Arabia, initiated a religious movement that throughout the Middle East was supported by the Arabs. Today, not only in Middle East origins, Islam has adherents, where it is the dominant religion in all countries (Non-Arab, and Arab), but also in other parts of Africa, Asia and, of course, as well as in the United States. Those who are loyal to Islam are called Muslims. The Sunni, Shiite conflict in Iraq started long before the ruling of Saddam Hussein, but when Hussein became Prime Minister of the country the conflict between the two religious sects was taken to a new level. Right when Hussein gained full power, under his control, began years of persecution of the Shiite Muslims in the country. But, before this happened, the conflict was based upon Muhammad and who was to rule after he had died. When Muhammad had died there were many disputes on who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632. Shiites believed that the prophet’s son-in-law, Ali, was to be the successor. Both consider the Koran the word of God. But, devoutness and religious practice distinguish between the two sects. However, Islam teaches that all Islam is equal so Sunni and Shiite sects fight with each other not only because of “hatred” but, also because of religious

“O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” (Quran 5:67) Prophet Muhammad PBUH, was born to a branch of Quraish family. He was born to Abdullah Ibn Abd Al-Muttalib and Amna Bint Wahab in the year 570 C. He received his “call” which is the message from God carried by the angel Gabriel to deliver the truth about God to his people. Prophet Muhammad PBUH, died in the year 632 C due to fever after that the Umma was in the hands of the Caliphate, which was then passed

His first explanation implicates that there must be something within the Islam or Arab culture or religion, that prevents the formation of a democratic society. Because as Alfred Stepan and Graeme Robertson stated, the “democracy gap” among states in the world is an Arab gap much more than a “Muslim” gap as there are eight, non-Arab Muslim-majority states that have democratic

Islam: Empire of Faith is a pretty general documentary about a large history of Islam in such a short viewing time. Sometimes the moving picture media can have a different effect than the static reading media. I think this is a great counter to the normal textbook learning that occurs during class. While reading about the beginning Islam, I felt more of an oppression of Muhammad as he was trying to get his word of God out to the people around him. When he left Mecca it was not pleasant but it didn’t seem like he was going to die before he left. When he returned to Mecca with his followers it just seemed like he was a returning son, back with good news. When presented with the video evidence of the process, it seemed that his desire to let

Other side as a democratic republican state political parties have always influence over government in terms of political power. With the aim of establishing an Islamic State, some political parties are using religion to influence over public and government. As public sentiments are undoubtedly related with religion. Today they have strong political position in society, that's why government and other political entities cannot avoid those parties. They have highly motivated with religious norms and values and want to impose those through political power.

The history of the Islamic world has been one of weak state institutions and state underperformance, coupled with a high prevalence of violence, both by the state and by individuals. A major reason for these negative trends has been the role of political Islam in privileging homogeneity over diversity, in stifling dissent in public and private life, and the societal stagnation that follows such rigid controls. Malaysia and Indonesia have been notable exceptions to the underperformance of Islamic cultures.

The Safavids, Mughals, and Ottomans were powerful islamic empires that were able to rise to great influence and power, becoming main rivals to other European states in the process. This rise into power was possible because of their prodigious investment and development of their militaries, government operation under a fair, merit-based system, and tolerance for various religions; however, these societies faced their demise after crippling government corruption through negligent leadership and ever increasing social tension began to materialize.

In the essay entitled “Islam and Democracy”, Benazir Bhutto argues that democracy and Islam are not mutually exclusive ideas, but can coexist peacefully. She provides ample evidence to back up this theory, citing both the Quran and the Constitution of Pakistan. Bhutto also provides the reader with reasons she believes the two are so rarely seen together. She attributes this to both religious extremism and the hypocritical policies of western countries; in particular, she points out the United States’ talent for supporting freedom in other countries only when it directly benefits the U.S. economy.

‘Anti-Oppressive Practice’- is an umbrella term that encircles radical, structural, critical, feminist, liberal, anti-racist framework practice approaches. But it is not limited within those approaches. Anti-Oppressive social work is a practice represents the theories and approaches of social justice.

Chapter 14 in the book Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective of the Past by Herrry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler is mainly about Muhammad, the prophet, and his world, the expansion of Islam, economy and society of the early Islamic world, and its values and cultural exchanges.

The manual begins by convincing Muslim brothers to reject the western ideas and clearly confirm that Islamic governments have never been, and will never be founded through nonviolent means or cooperative councils (Post & Center, 2004). Instead, any Islamic regime will be established through either a pen and a gun or word and a bullet, or even through tongue and teeth (Post & Center, 2004). In addition, the manual described the main mission of the Islamic State, which is to overthrow the godless regimes and replace them with a unified Islamic state. Furthermore, the manual includes step-by-step instructions on forgery and counterfeiting, security procedures to be followed when carrying out undercover activities, and systematic

Islam relations with foreign countries have the most profound impact on political stability. These relations aren’t directly affecting the Islamic nations’ political stability as much as the nations’ they are interacting with. Take example, the United States. Ever since September 11, 2001 Americans have been divided over the issue of Muslims in America, this issue has been dividing our country more than theirs. Liberals believe the U.S. government should cooperate with them, hoping to achieve peace on a personal level, whereas the conservatives hope to confront them and give them the same low tolerance treatment they have been dishing out. The Liberals hold the belief that Muslim politics in America are a positive aspect because it’s making us better-rounded; through learning about Muslim culture and government we are able to appeal towards a greater number of people—creating the ultimate democracy. In contrast, Conservatives believe that war is the sole solution because it will prove to the Islamic governments that American strength is far superior, thus intimidating them. Muslim immigration

Instead, from its onset, Islam spread as a conquering power and remained that way for some time. Explaining it this way, the reader gets a sense of the psychology behind Islam and why, besides being a religious task, spreading Islam is such a goal. By showing the issues Islam faces today in the context of past Islamic traditions, Lewis paints a much clearer picture of the skewed view today’s radicals have and the way they use history to manipulate. He examines influential Muslim voices like Saddam Hussein and Usama Bin Laden, who have used history to give Islam victim status or to claim the continuance of a predecessor’s mission to not only justify terrorist activities, but also to recruit followers. He tells the history of Bin Laden’s statement referring to the “humiliation and disgrace” Islam supposedly has suffered. What Bin Laden was referring to was the defeat of the Ottoman sultanate in 1918 and the imperial presence of Westerners on sacred Muslim lands. Lewis explains the offense many Muslims take to the desecration of their holy lands by foreigners. He describes how the discovery and exploitation of oil in the Holy Land of the Hijaz has exacerbated the growing resentment many Muslims

Jihad – a dispute or war between followers of Islam faith and those who do not follow the Islam faith; a struggle within a Muslim between good and evil (Dictionary)

This paper is about rebellion against the Muslim leader from an Islamic perspective. But before we discuss that, we must first talk about who has the right to lead? To whom does the command belong? There are many different systems of government in the world. In a democratic system, it is said, “government of the people, by the people.” In a dictatorship, the governance is the Muslim leader himself. In Islam, the rule is for Allah subhanahu wata’ala. Allah said, “The command (Hukm) or rule is for none but Allah” (The Quran, Yusuf 40). The legislative authority in a Muslim state ultimately refers to Allah and the divine revelation (Salama, pg 39). So the Muslim leader in a Muslim state must govern by the divine revelation. Therefore it is obligatory for Muslims to choose a leader, Imam or Caliph, who will rule according to the Shariah in order to protect the religion and manage the affairs of the State. Appointing a Muslim leader is a Fard Kifayah or collective responsibility, which must be carried out by Ahl Al-Hall wal Aqd (people of power and influence). For many centuries, Islamic Shariah ruled Muslims, but in more recent times man-made laws are ruling many Muslim countries. This goes against the teachings of Islam. According to all Muslim scholars, ruling by anything