by Zafar Bangash (Editorials, Crescent International Vol. 45, No. 5, Ramadan, 1437)
Muslims know that Masjid al-Aqsa is under illegal Zionist occupation but most Muslims have failed to understand that Masjid al-Haram in Makkah is as much under occupation, albeit under that of people with Muslim names. Unless both are liberated from the clutches of these tyrants, Muslims will achieve little progress in the world.
Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah where the Ka‘bah, the first House of Allah (swt) on earth, is located, is the qiblah of Muslims. Al-Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem was the qiblah of Muslims before Allah ( Â) changed its direction to the Ka‘bah. Both sanctuaries — and al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah — are currently under occupation. Some Muslims, perhaps most, given the level of ignorance, might think this is not true. While they will agree that al-Masjid al-Aqsa is under Zionist occupation, they may argue with the second point. This has much to do with how Muslims have been conditioned to think. Further, the Najdi Bedouins (aka the House of Saud) have spent vast sums — as much as $100 billion since 1975 — to project their image as guardians and custodians of the Two Holy Places. Every Saudi king, upon ascending the throne, assumes the title of “Khadim al-Haramayn” (Caretaker of the Two Inviolable Places). “Khadim Amreeka” and “Khadim Israel” are far more accurate descriptions of their role.
We do not make these statements lightly or out of pique although one can cite many reasons for anger with Bani Saud. Al-Masjid al-Haram, al-Masjid al-Nabawi, and al-Masjid al-Aqsa are the common heritage — and responsibility — of the Ummah. The uncouth Bedouins from Najd occupied Makkah and Madinah nearly a century ago. These Bedouins were British agents and were paid to undermine the Ottoman Sultanate. By the time the British intrigue succeeded, the Ottomans had been reduced to a shell yet they still provided an organic link with the khilafah of the four-rightly guided successors to the noble Messenger of Allah (pbuh). The Najdi hordes perpetrated horrendous crimes including the desecration and destruction of the historical sites of Islam. They also indulged in mass killings of innocent people as well as the rape of Muslim women — yes they raped Muslim women — in Makkah and Madinah. The Najdi Bedouins trampled the sanctity of these sacred cities as well as violated the honor of Muslim women. They did all this in the name of a spurious medieval mindset called Wahhabism that considers every other Muslim who does not endorse their reductionist and parochial interpretations of Islam a kafir.
According to the Saudi Constitution “granted” by King Fahd ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz in March 1992, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic State with Islam as its religion; God’s Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet, God’s prayers and peace be upon him, are its constitution” (Article 1). Under Chapter 2, titled “Monarchy,” Article 5 outlines the system of government, who will rule, and how succession will take place. It says, “a) the system of government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is that of a monarchy; b) rule passes to the sons of the founding king, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Faysal Al Saud, and to their children’s children.”
Any Muslim with even rudimentary knowledge of Islam would immediately realize that the Najdi Bedouins openly violate the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Allah’s Prophet (pbuh). If the injunctions of Allah’s (swt) Book were implemented, not only would each and every member of Bani Saud be lashed for drinking, but also lose their hands and feet for stealing and then be stoned to death for adultery. There may not be enough stones in the Arabian Peninsula to complete the job!
But here is the rub. How can the holy land that the noble Messenger (pbuh) named the Arabian Peninsula be named “Saudi” Arabia? This is shirk. For nearly 1,300 years, no Muslim ruler, however derelict, ever dared to change that name; only the Najdi Bedouins have perpetrated this crime. Are we to assume that any occupier of the Arabian Peninsula is entitled to name it after his own family or clan? What if — God forbid — the Zionists were to occupy the Arabian Peninsula, would we then accept the name change to Yahudi Arabia? Muslims must think and reflect.
The Zionist occupation of al-Masjid al-Aqsa also occurred because British-installed puppets and traitors were in control of Jerusalem and parts of Palestine. In return for installing them on the throne, the Hashemites were told to protect the Zionists from Muslim wrath. Not surprisingly, David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel openly admitted that the Arabian regimes are Israel’s first line of defence. Do we need any further proof? After Yitzhak Rabin was murdered by an Israeli xenophobe — and the Zionist state is full of them — the late King Husain of Jordan openly wept at his funeral calling him a “brother.” For once, Husain was being honest!
Muslims must develop a better understanding of the reality in their societies and stop sleep walking through life. When Allah (swt) says, they are the “best Ummah” it carries with it certain unmistakeable responsibilities the most important of which is living up to bearing the Covenant. People of earlier scriptures were punished because they claimed to accept the message but did not fulfill their covenant-bearing responsibilities. Allah (swt) has no favorites. We will be judged by our actions based on our intentions.
It is imperative for Muslims to understand that al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi are as much under occupation as is al-Masjid al-Aqsa. Once this realization emerges, then Muslims can begin to take the next logical step: to plan for the liberation of the Holy Lands, all of them. Nothing less would do.