Trump the Apprentice

US President Donald Trump’s ban on Muslims from seven Muslim majority countries has agitated Muslims in America. However, this is but a mere continuation of the so-called “war on terror” which has again revealed its anti-Islam origins. Our focus as Muslims must be to understand the current reality and formulate our response in light of the Hukm Shar’i as explained below.

1. It is clear that the “push-and-pull” strategy is in play with Muslims being pushed by the Republicans into the welcoming arms of the Democrats. Neither side has the true Muslim interest at their heart as both work diligently under the same framework of the Capitalist ideology which clearly is against Islam.

Recall the similar offer was given to the Prophet Mohammed (saw) by Quraish to abandon his Islamic principles to be accepted by the Kufr society. His definitive response was:

﴿لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ﴾

“To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islâmic Monotheism).” [TMQ 109:6]

And we know that Rasool Allah (saw) is the best example to follow.

2. When humans are guided by fear, instincts dictate that we immediately alleviate the fear. However, Allah (swt) reminds that tests are inevitable and through reliance on Allah (swt) and perseverance we become closer to Allah (swt).

O Muslims, for sure we will be tested with difficulty:

﴿أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ﴾

“Do you think that you will enter Paradise while you have not yet been visited by (difficult) circumstances like those that were faced by the people who passed away before you? They were afflicted by hardship and suffering, and were so shaken down that the prophet, and those who believed with him, started saying: “When (will come) the help of Allah?” (Then, they were comforted by the Prophet who said to them) ‘Behold, the help of Allah is near.” [TMQ 2:214]

We cannot allow fear to dictate and determine our actions. This simply means we have moved our criteria away from halal and haram and given victory to those that work tirelessly to separate us from Islam and our Ummah. This is not the characteristic of the Muslim. Rather we must have the confidence to stand upon Islam, to preserve our Islamic identity and values, to engage and present Islam to the wider society and be the example for our children and the next generations – all of which are obligations placed upon our shoulders. And Allah (swt) warns us:

﴿فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ﴾

“So do not fear people, but fear Me and do not accept a cheap price for My verses (signs)...” [TMQ 5:44]

3. Consistency in destruction and turmoil is the hallmark of Capitalism. Be it Republican or Democrat the overarching policy against Islam and Muslims remain the same. Be it the covert drone operations of Obama or the overt ramblings of Trump, the established plans and policies of Capitalism are carried out ruthlessly.

Deportation of more than two million people was the policy executed by Obama. It was the policies put in place by Obama that now continue to facilitate Trump in separating and destroying families globally.

The refugee crisis is a direct result of Capitalistic policies carried out by bombing and/or occupying six out of the seven Muslim countries where Trump is preventing refugees and visa holders from entering the USA. This adds yet another level of humiliation to the survivors of those whose children have been killed by American bombs.

﴿وَلَنْ تَرْضَى عَنْكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ﴾

“Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) were to follow their desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur'an), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper.” [TMQ 2:120]

O Muslims, what matters is adhering to Islam; strengthening our loyalty to each other as Muslims; instilling confidence in ourselves to stand upon Islam; interacting and engaging with the wider society to counter the negative portrayal of Islam; exposing the hypocrisy and corruption of western foreign policy; demonstrating the superiority of the Islamic values and rules; explaining the comprehensiveness of Islam as the solution and alternative; and supporting the work and obligation to re-establish Islam in the Muslim lands, the Khilafah "Caliphate", upon the Prophetic method.

O Muslims, the only way we can guarantee our true benefits, in this life and the next one, is by adhering to the divine Sharia rules, as it will be the criterion on the Day of Judgment. Nothing and no one could harm us except by the will and decree of Allah (swt) and we invite you to that which Allah (swt) invites us all:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ﴾

“O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obedience) and His Messenger when He calls you to that which gives you life.” [TMQ 8:24]