Faith and common sense: Secularism is an Islamic doctrine

From the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's perspective, there is no doubt: Secularism, is, in fact, an Islamic doctrine. "Islam does not promote a system that divides the citizens of a country into classes, where Muslims are first-class citizens, and everyone else is not."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |US Desk
Source & Credit:The Washington Post | July 23, 2010
By Ismat Sarah Mangla and Sardar Anees Ahmad

Some two million Muslims, according to the Pew Research Center, have the privilege of living in the United States today. Many are citizens who vote, participate in all parts of civic life and hold steady jobs. But there are still some Americans who distrust Muslim-Americans, as evidenced by the current opposition to mosque projects in both Manhattan and Tennessee. Americans may wonder: Do Muslims living in Western society have any sense of loyalty to their non-Muslim governments? If a country enacts Shariah law, does that mean that women and non-Muslims will lose all their rights? Are non-Muslim countries with large Muslim populations in danger?

This past weekend, more than 6,000 Ahmadi Muslims gathered in Virginia for the 62nd annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, where this important issue was discussed. Mr. Naseem Mahdi, the missionary-in-charge and a vice president of the community, delivered a keynote speech on the question "Are Muslims required to obey non-Muslim governments?" The answer, according to Mr. Mahdi and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a resounding yes.


From the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's perspective, there is no doubt: Secularism, is, in fact, an Islamic doctrine. "Islam," Mr. Mahdi said, "does not promote a system that divides the citizens of a country into classes, where Muslims are first-class citizens, and everyone else is not."

The Holy Qur'an states: "Verily, Allah commands you to give over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice." (4:59).  This verse mandates that the Muslims accept the most capable person as their ruler, irrespective of faith. And once that ruler is appointed, Muslims must obey him: "Obey...those who are in authority among you" (4:60).  Prophet Muhammad himself said, "You should listen to and obey your ruler, even if you [despise him]" (Bukhari). This is sufficient evidence of Islam's mandate for the separation of mosque and state.

In fact, Prophet Muhammad took the issue of obedience to your government even further. He said, "Love of your homeland, your place of residence, is part of your faith." The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, reiterated this message, stating, "It should be the duty of every Muslim to render true and sincere obedience to this government and offer heartfelt gratitude to such an authority and pray for its welfare."

"If Muslims are living in the United States, they are part of this society," Mr. Mahdi added. According to their own religious obligations, they must be loyal to and follow the rule of law of the society in which they reside. In fact, Muslims have a special responsibility in countries like this one, which affords them so many freedoms. The Holy Qur'an says that God is unfavorable of those who are not grateful for what's given to them: "If you are grateful, I will, surely bestow more favors on you; but if you are ungrateful, then know that My punishment is severe indeed" (14:8). To take advantage of American freedoms without being grateful for them is hypocritical and against the teachings of Islam.

So does Islam's mandate of loyalty dictate that Muslims blindly agree with any governmental policy, regardless of its merit? Mr. Mahdi added, "Sometimes people misunderstand 'obedience.' It does not mean you cannot disagree. The first step in democracy is dissent. That's part of the freedom of living in this society."

Disagreeing through legal channels, therefore, is permissible in Islam. What's not acceptable: creating any sort of disorder while voicing or demonstrating your disagreement. In 2:206, the Holy Qur'an states, "And when he is in authority, he runs about in the land to create disorder in it and destroys the crops and the progeny of man; and Allah loves not disorder." Thus, spreading any type of discord is absolutely anti-Islamic. "If you have been wronged," said Mr. Mahdi, "You have the option of legal recourse, or you can migrate from that country. That is what the Holy Qur'an allows." He cited 4:98, which states, "...They will reply, 'We were treaded as weak in the land.' They will say, 'Was not Allah's earth vast enough for you to emigrate therein?'"

Prophet Muhammad himself was the best example of this practice. After spending most of his life in Mecca, the persecution Muslims faced there became too much to bear. So the Prophet asked his followers to leave their homes and migrate to Medina. American Muslims are fortunate to not face such a burden; instead, we're blessed to live in a land that ensures our religious freedoms and respects our right to worship. The least we can do, then, is to remain loyal to it.

Ismat Sarah Mangla is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and a journalist living in New York City. Sardar Anees Ahmad is the chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild of America.


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