Disappointing conduct of the Ikhwan and Hamas

Zafar Bangash

Rajab 12, 1436 2015-05-01

Editorials

by Zafar Bangash (Editorials, Crescent International Vol. 44, No. 3, Rajab, 1436)

Both the Ikhwan al-Muslimoon in Egypt and Hamas in Palestine have suffered greatly but they continue to consort with unsavory characters tarnishing their own reputation.

The struggle to survive is basic to instinctual beings. In contrast, despite the fact that Western (material and utilitarian) philosophical sources would justify the opposite, human beings are equipped with quite a bit more than simple instinctive responses to crises. One evidence of this claim is the fortitude and determination they demonstrate to sacrifice security and life itself for higher principles. History offers rich examples of courageous individuals and their immense sacrifices in the quest to uphold cherished principles. For Muslims, this is even more crucial. Muslims regard life to be an amanah (trust) from Allah (swt) and if called upon, they would willing sacrifice it in His cause. Such a person(s) is called a shaheed (martyr) but in a broader sense, it means one who testifies to the truth of Allah’s (swt) supremacy by offering his own life.

Throughout history, Muslims have struggled to uphold the banner of Islam and its pristine principles. This has manifested itself in an organized form through what we call the Islamic movement. Unfortunately, under the corrosive influence of Western political thought, many Islamic movements have become political parties with an “Islamic” tag.

Throughout history, Muslims have struggled to uphold the banner of Islam and its pristine principles. This has manifested itself in an organized form through what we call the Islamic movement. Unfortunately, under the corrosive influence of Western political thought, many Islamic movements have become political parties with an “Islamic” tag. One can name various Islamic movements: Hizbullah, Hamas, the Ikhwan in Egypt and Jama‘at-e Islami in Pakistan. The latter two have accepted the prevailing colonial imposed order in their respective societies as legitimate and operate within its confines. Hizbullah and Hamas outside of and above this domain.

At the personal level, most members of these movements/parties display a great deal of taqwa. It is at the collective level — which, by the way, is where taqwa is supposed to blossom into a social iman — that they often fall short.

At the personal level, most members of these movements/parties display a great deal of taqwa. It is at the collective level — which, by the way, is where taqwa is supposed to blossom into a social iman — that they often fall short. Let us consider the example of the Ikhwan and Hamas. Both have offered immense sacrifices over the years, the Ikhwan (especially its leadership) more than others. It is, therefore, distressing to note that both have fallen for the divisive ideology of Arab nationalism in recent days. This has come about as a result of the lure of financial inducements from Bani Saud.

True, the Ikhwan in Egypt are facing the brutes in uniform that have killed thousands of their supporters and are now busy sending others to the gallows through kangaroo trials. Hamas has faced repeated assaults from the Zionist war criminals and thousands of innocent Palestinians have been killed but one cannot expect anything different from the mass murderers of Zionism cum imperialism. The same applies to the Egyptian thugs that act as agents of imperialism, Zionism and now of Wahhabism.

When Bani Saud declared the Ikhwan and Hamas as terrorist organizations in January 2014, the Ikhwan’s response was disappointing. They merely expressed regret over such designation and recalled the long list of services they had rendered to Bani Saud since they grabbed power in the Arabian Peninsula nearly a century ago. Hamas has sided with Bani Saud in their illegal attack on Yemen, the poorest Arab country in the region. This is akin to supporting the Zionist assault on Gaza.

Members and leaders of the Islamic movement must always keep in mind the response of the noble Messenger (pbuh) to the offers made by the Makkan mushriks... The Prophet’s (pbuh) response was forthright and categorical. He would enter into no such deal.

Despite the undoubted sacrifices of the Ikhwan and Hamas over the years, there is a clear expectation that they would uphold the very principles for which they made such sacrifices and that they would not succumb to worldly temptations. Members and leaders of the Islamic movement must always keep in mind the response of the noble Messenger (pbuh) to the offers made by the Makkan mushriks. They came with offers of money, inducements and even leadership position if only he would tone down his attacks on their gods/authorities. The Prophet’s (pbuh) response was forthright and categorical. He would enter into no such deal.

How can those who claim to be upholding Islamic principles and wish to establish them in society make such blunders, especially by aligning with those whose record of treachery and betrayal of Islam and Muslims is so glaringly obvious? Are the Ikhwan not aware that it was Bani Saud who conspired with the brutes in uniform in Egypt to bring down the government of President Mursi? Are they oblivious of the fact that Bani Saud are continuing to finance the generals to remain in power. Billions have been poured into their coffers. And what about Hamas: how would they feel if an Islamic movement or government were to applaud the Zionist assault on their tiny enclave? In fact, this is precisely what Bani Saud did last year.

Muslims support their cause not because of Arab nationalism but because of Islam and because they view their cause as just. They must not betray the Muslims’ trust for short term gains.

How much more evidence do they need of Bani Saud’s anti-Islamic policies before they distance themselves from them by rectifying their conduct and policies? Both the Ikhwan and Hamas run the risk of losing the support of the global Muslim Ummah by their short-sighted policies. Muslims support their cause not because of Arab nationalism but because of Islam and because they view their cause as just. They must not betray the Muslims’ trust for short term gains.