In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

We have read the comments made by Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki on the link provided, and do not concur with the approach employed by the Shaikh.

Firstly, all the arguments the Shaikh has raised are based on the rationale that our participation in voting is a tacit acceptance on our behalf to play by the rules of the democratic system. This rationale is incorrect, as we have clarified in our former response that if we go by this rationale, then our living in the country and paying of taxes to the government will also mean that we support the evils of the country. Hence, we will be left with no option but to leave the country for another country that does not incorporate such evils. However, if we do not accept this rationale and justify our staying in the country, then we will have to abide by their existing system.

Secondly, once we have opted to reside in the country, then we would rather vote for such members that will advance our views and help the course of Islam and minimize harm on ourselves. If we opt not to vote, then we are in fact benefiting the party we do not wish to be elected. For example, if 2 million Muslims were to vote for party A, but were discouraged to do so; then party A would lose out 2 million votes which would benefit party B, who would otherwise be lagging by 2 million votes. Hence, by voting we are actually selecting a party that would be less harmful to Islam; and by not voting we are giving preference to the party that would be more detrimental to Islam.

Moreover, what we have mentioned is also in accordance the principle of Islam which states that if we are faced with a situation in which we have to choose from one of the two evils, then we should choose the lesser evil.

ثم الأصل في جنس هذه المسائل أن من ابتلي ببليتين وهما متساويتان يأخذ بأيتهما شاء وإن اختلفتا يختار أهونهما

(Al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair Pg.90 – Qadeemi Kutub Khana)

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Abu Yahya,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

Naam, Moaz, exactly, but it’s not just because of what he went thru. The truth hurts is often bitter, esp. in these times.

Anyways, أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ Tafseer of Surah Maidah: Ayah 5.
Commentary on “Do they then seek the judgement of Jahiliyyah?” [5:50]

by Ibn Katheer

Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), Volume 3, pages 202-203 – English

Courtesy Of: Islaam.com

“Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm faith?” [Al-Maa’idah (5):50]

Allah criticizes those who ignore Allah’s commandments which include every type of righteous good thing and prohibit every type of evil, but they refer instead to opinions, desires and customs that people themselves invented, all of which have no basis in Allah’s religion. During the time of Jahiliyyah, the people used to abide by the misguidance and ignorance that they invented by sheer opinion and lusts. The Tatar (Mongols) abided by the law that they inherited from their king Genghis Khan who wrote Al-Yaasiq for them. This book contains some rulings that were derived from various religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Many of these rulings were derived from his own opinion and desires. Later on, these rulings became the followed law among his children, preferring them to the Law of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Therefore, whoever does this, he is a disbeliever who deserves to be fought against, until he reverts to Allah’s and His Messenger’s decisions, so that no law, minor or major, is referred to except by His Law. Allah said,”Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) ignorance?”

“And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm faith?”

Who is more just in decision than Allah for those who comprehend Allah’s Law, believe in Him, who are certain that Allah is the best among those who give decisions and that He is more merciful with His creation than the mother with her own child? Allah has perfect knowledge of everything, is able to do all things, and He is just in all matters.Meaning, they desire and want this and ignore Allah’s Jugdement.

Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, said:

“The most hated person to Allah is the Muslim who seeks the ways of the days of ignorance and he who seeks to shed the blood of a person without justification.” [At-Tabarani 10:374]

Al-Bukhari recorded Abu Al-Yaman narrating a similar hadith with some addition. [Fath al-Bari 12:219]

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-obama-has-to-pay-for-eight-years-of-bushs-delusions-1001092.html

Another reality check… great article by Robert Fisk. I really, really wish that I was completely wrong and that Obama IS going to change things… I just find it so hard to be optimistic based on the real facts.

Honestly, both candidates are not that good, but at least Obama is a little better then McCain. He, at least, is trying to offer solutions to the problems that are facing Americans. What we need to do as Muslims is capitalize on this.

Oh yea, Rahm Emanuel is known as the pit bull. Just thought I throw that out.

to understand more I would recommend you read sheikh Yasir Qadis afterthoughts. He explains a lot better than I can and did.