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Lectures | Blog | Naseeha | موقع الشيخ أنور العولقي

# Voting for the American President

October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 by Anwar alAwlaki
Filed under Imam Anwar's Blog

209 Comments

The Muslim community in the US is busy with the vote and are debating who the Muslims should pick as their president. The argument presented is we are choosing between the lesser of the two evils. In reality it is more about being American and part of the system than it is about benefiting the ummah because the fact of the matter is there is no benefit in either candidate whatsoever.
Democracy in an un-Islamic system and we as Muslims should have nothing to do with it. Whether one looks at the root and history of democracy or at the reality of democracy today one can realize that it is a system that is not only different than the Islamic system but is opposed to it. Can’t you see that the West in its war against Islam is offering the democratic system as an alternative to Sharia? So if the West, which is the founder of democracy, sees democracy as an opposing system to Islam why are some Muslims still insisting on participating in it and adopting it as their political religion?
Democracy is a Western system that was founded and developed in the West and today the West, not the Muslims, have full authority and right to tell the world what democracy is and how it should be practiced and implemented. We have our own system of government and likewise it is the Muslims who are going to define it and will not allow non Muslims to meddle with our religion and teach us what is right from wrong.
Muslims should seek to avoid any forms of participation in Western democracy.
The promoters of participation in American elections argue that we are choosing the least of the two evils. This principle is correct but what they are missing is that in the process of choosing the lesser of the two evils they are committing an even greater evil . The breaking down of the psychological barrier that should exist between Muslims and non-Muslims, the erosion of the aqeedah of wala and bara (loyalty to Allah and disavowal of the enemies of Allah,) and the risk of loosing one’s religion are evils that outweigh any benefit that may come out of such participation.
Also the types of candidates that American politics has been spitting out is absolutely disgusting. I wonder how any Muslim with a grain of iman in his heart could walk up to a ballot box and cast his vote in endorsement of creatures such as Mcain or Obama?! How can a Muslim sleep with a clear conscience after he has chosen the likes of G.W. Bush? No matter how irrelevant your vote is, on the Day of Judgment you will be called to answer for it. You, under no coercion or duress, consciously chose to vote for the leader of a nation that is leading the war against Islam.
There is also a strange belief among some that if we participate in the elections of the disbelievers we will bring good to ourselves, while if we have trust in Allah and avoid the disbelievers, as He wants from us, we will be missing out on some good and would draw harm to ourselves. They are so weak they believe we can only survive in today’s word if we seek support from the enemies of Allah. But for the believers Allah is sufficient for them and they do not need to seek assistance from the leaders or the governments of the disbelievers.

There is no benefit for the ummah in voting for the new American Pharaoh

Tags: al Awlaki, aulaqi, awlaki, Democracy, imam anwar, voting

#### Comments

209 Responses to “Voting for the American President”

2. wala and bara says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:05 pm

   Mashalla Jazkherallah kher very well said I strongly agree with the sheikh we should boycott the election brothers and sisters meaning that by us individuals not voting is great enough

3. Radical_FROM_Uzbekistan says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:40 pm

   Jazakamullahu Khairan Sheikh.

4. Muslim says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:39 pm

   Voting is Shirk and we should stay away from it as far as possible.

5. Ahmed says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:25 pm

   salaam

   Shakyh, barakAllahu feek for all the benefit I’ve personally gained from you as well as for all the benefit you’ve been to many others.

   I have some concerns about your views on the election.

   While most will agree that either candidate won’t have the Muslim nation’s best interests at heart, wouldn’t it be fair to point out that its the corporate interest groups and special interest lobbies that exert enormous influence on the direction of US foreign policy? Wouldn’t it be fair, then, to point our fingers not at any one candidate, but at those entrenched interests who, through money and influence, control Washington? The real problem lies in those groups who exert an enormous amount of influence on policy, much more than is their right.

   Furthermore, what would you say to the thousands of Muslims all across America who work for a living? What would you say to the ones who are just trying to get by, those who are pushed to the brink of poverty by onerous tax burdens and ever escalating education costs? Are you suggesting that they take no action to ameliorate their situation? They cannot afford to send their kids to school, cannot afford to continue paying rent for their already diminutive living quarters, those who are exhausted by working two jobs just to make rent and put food in their children’s mouths, what would you suggest they do?

   I don’t know of any honest Muslim who would suggest that we vote instead of make dua and rely on Allah. I don’t understand how one can suggest, assuming candidate X will follow through on plans to improve the living conditions of all working Americans, that we don’t elect him/her to power when one result of that is better living conditions and the freedom to pursue our individual goals.

   I think a disturbing presupposition of your argument is that all Muslims live in the sort of comfort that allows them to not care about the election one way or the other. It neglects to take into account the very real, worldly needs of Muslims-Black, white, Indo-Pak, Arab, etc- who will suffer with the election of one candidate, and flourish with the selection of the other. What would you say they do? And even if they do nothing and abstain from voting, their situation will only change under the Will of Allah. Yet if and when it does, that change will happen through the sabab of the very politicians you’re asking us to boycott!

   And moreover, if Muslims are concerned about the erosion of the boundaries between Muslims and non-Muslims, then they need to question their living quarters. America, the entire globe, actually, is becoming ever more integrated. It’s almost impossible to maintain intangible boundaries between religious communities and yet enjoy a sustainable way of life. This is a social development, a clear departure from the rigidly stratified communities of the past, that we have to come to terms with. Even this blog depends in some way shape or form on the work of non-Muslims.

   In any case, I would like for you, ya Shaykh, to provide more practical advice for those of your fellow brothers and sisters whose quality of life depends on the policies of the next president. I’d also like for you to reconcile the view that you shouldn’t vote but yet there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the benefits that the next president, who you didn’t vote for, may provide. If my quality of life improves and I can actually feed my kids with good food, for example, its qadrullahi, of course, but He actuated that by removing so and so from power and installing so and so as the new policy maker.

   And yes, I also feel morally conflicted by considering voting for someone who has ties with those who perpetrate the worst of crimes all across the world. But again, the problem is not with so and so candidate but with the current political process. Currying favor with these criminals is a grim procedure every serious candidate has to do if he/she wants to be considered for the job. These criminals, through money and power, have elevated themselves to a position of influence. If they ever were to fall from power, the candidates would have no reason to pander to them.

6. Ibraheim says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:43 pm

   Brother Anwar,

   The Imam at my mosque today talked about how important it is to vote next week. I became so angry when he told us this that I nearly interrupted to remind him of what some of the candidates have said about Islam in the last few months. You have confirmed my belief brother…

7. nuh says:
   October 31, 2008 - الجمعة 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:52 pm

   Assalamu ‘Alaykom dear Imam,

   in your lecture about Shu’ayb (AS) you mentioned the Hadith about- “Trust in Allah, but tie your camle first..”

   My Question is, if the democratic system is opposed to the Shari’a system. and therefor participation in it is not allowed, what are the other means we have to tie our camel?

8. lubna says:
   November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:07 am

   Assalamoalykum, indeed you spoke the truth brother Anwar.
   What IS in the benefit of ummah is to try to be Musa to counter the Pharoah of our time.People whose fate and NOT choice brought them in the west can be liken to the Musa living in the palace of Firown. InshaAllah it is just a matter of time when a baby Musa will come of age!

9. Jihadfeesabililah says:
   November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:41 am

   Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatulahi Wa Barakatuhu Ya Sheikh Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki and my dear Muslim brothers and sisters.

   Jazakallahu khairan wa barakallahu feekum Ya Sheikh Anwar. May Allah Azza wa Jall Protect you from the evils of the misguided western leaders and their puppets in the Muslim world.

   No doubt that western democracy and system of governance are the backbone of the evils that are happening in the world. And we have the parrots and the RAND mozlemz supporting their ideologies such as lobbying, (which is nothing but state sponser bribery), torture of muslims, and attacks of biological and chemical weapons in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Palestine, etc.

   How can a Muslim vote and support these ideologies of the kuffar, and help put a leader who is not a Muslim, as a fact who is going worldwide trying to show that he is not a muslim nor have nothing to do with Islam.

   How can a Muslim be a supporter of oppression, aggression and injustice. And the biggrest of injustice of all is commiting shirk as all democratic societies of the world have done, leading them the United states of America. May Allah destory them and increase them in nothing but destruction.

   Help support the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Palestine, in Somalia, and everywhere they are. vote for Jihadfeesabililah, inshallah you won’t regret it!

   Help and support the Shariah ya Muslim. hep and support the the oppressed Muslims wherever they are.

   boycott democratic elections, and call for Islam and the shariah.

   US and its puppets around the world are fighting with all their means to stop the spread of Islam and the growth of the Muslims and the implementation of the Shariah. They are working day and night to acheive their goals while some muslims in the western world are still slumbering in their darkness.

   Wake up ya Muslim! wake up! Jihadfeesabililah, inshAllah ’til the battle is won!

10. Vote On Tuesday says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:25 am

    I have to disagree with you as its important for us to vote not just for the President of the United States of America but to vote on other issues such a vote for yes on Prop 8 to affirm that marriage is between a man and woman. And to vote for different proposition that will determine if taxes are to be raised for state projects.

    So you mean to tell me just standing idle and doing nothing is better than participating. What is worse do nothing and gain nothing? Or do something and gain some voice!

    Allahu wa Allam.

    Jazak Allah Khair.

11. wow says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:31 am

    wow… I’m surprised at this posting. I have it hard to believe that it’s coming from Sheikh Anwar. I respect the opinion but I think the argument put forth in this post is disappointing.

12. A Brother says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:10 am

    ALLAHU AKBAR!!

    May Allah preserve you Sheikh.

13. Jameel says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:18 am

    Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuhu

    Dear Imam Anwar,

    Just want to say Jazak’Allah Khair for opening my eyes and clarifying this issue.

    With duas

14. Murtada says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:23 am

    Dear Shaikh,

    I fully respect your opinion. But I am wondering more on a real personal level – if one president is *better* for a family than another in terms of let’s say childcare resources or educational resources allotted, should we not vote? Or if one ‘promises’ [hopefully he keeps it] to look at low income families more or lower our taxes, would voting be considered evil still?

    Murtada

15. aboo says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:08 am

    Jazak’Allahu khairen for clarifying the issue sheikh.

    I find it strange that some Muslims (like some who have posted above) seem to think it is okay to vote for kufaar who are killing muslims and thus have Muslim blood on their own hands.

    Heres a good vid of Sheikh Feiz saying it is haram to vote in such elections:
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PTGp53YEcz0

16. Zakariya says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:24 am

    Jazakallahu khairan.

    I am a revert to Islam and I just listened to your lecture “Battle of the Hearts and Minds,” and Mashallah it has become engraved in my heart to help my brothers in Islam see that it is shirk or at least most likely shirk to vote. Before, I had convinced myself that it was “doubtful,” but now I am as sure as one who knows that everything is eventually up to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala can be that it IS haraam. I did some research and found out I missed out on getting to see you at the Dar Al-Hijra Masjid as I was not a Muslim while you were there, but al-hamdulilah you use the internet.

    I am new to Islam, and my knowledge, while it might be more than the average 18 year old in Fairfax County, VA, it is still very small. All of my life I have been very thoroughly into politics, even until a month or so ago I was a staunch “so and so” supporter and was completely intent upon voting. I had even heard that it was fard to vote, and I naturally agreed because I was only 2 months into my life as a Muslim and liked anything that was convenient. However, one day I was reading Qur’an from Al-Araf through Al-Touba, and I came across an ayat (sorry I have forgotten which one) that made me question voting. Then after I was openly “doubtful” on voting, a brother Muhammad, who performed jihad by delivering a controversial hukhbat on voting today mashallah, discussed it with me and some brothers from my university after a sporting event with the DC Muslim football organization. Brother Muhammad made very good points that solidified disenchantment with voting. I now understand that democracy is a kufr system where you essentially tell a bunch of kufr, “hey! I know that you do not understand the decree of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, but I am going to endorse you as the legislator and ruler over Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.”

    Voting is silly honestly. After being a Muslim for three months I do not go around telling Shaikhs that I endorse them to give fatwaa’s and to tell me how to live. So, why should I be able to tell a kufr that I endorse him to go even beyond mere interpretation of Qur’an and Hadith, but that I endorse him to override Qur’an and Hadith. Such a statement from what I understand puts you in a state of kufr, but to those reading like I said I have only been a Muslim for three months so do not trust me, just read the story.

    As to the lesser of two evils thing, not even the best of scholars could tell you which of the two candidates is truthful and which would follow sharia more. Voting works like this:
    you are given two choices of haraam, and everyone says you have to pick one of them. You pick one you get a sin. You pick the other you get a sin. What do you do? The choice here is to make the decision not to choose either evil and to abstain from sin. Sometimes our choices are not just between good and bad. Sometimes they are between bad and not bad. If Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala forbids something then it is forbidden. You do not do it. Haraam is haraam is haraam. If a brother comes to you with an addiction to cocaine you do not say, “oh here is heroin it is not as bad for you, so you should take it.” You say, “do not do drugs. Let me get you some help so you can quit.” Let us quit democracy. Allahu Alim.

17. Polytyk says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:26 am

    replying to “wow”: Then you must not be familiar at all with Sheikh Anwar and his work. Have you listened to The Battle for the Hearts and Minds, or Allah is Preparing us for Victory?? JazakAllah Khayr ya Sheikh….for continuing to promote the good and forbid the evil.

18. Jihadfeesabililah says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:13 am

    Asalamu Alaikum:

    An observation from some of the critics:

    RAND created Mozlemz calling for their right to vote for a kafir candidate in a kuffar system of government TO CONTINUE THEIR OPPRESSION AND INJUSTICE AROUND THE WORLD. What a pity!

    Our advice: follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Peace be upon him, and do not be a part of kufr and your own destruction in this world and the next.

    your options are jihadfeesabililah in any circumstance.

19. Muslim34 says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:16 am

    If you feel voting is haram, then maybe you should go live in an Islamic country.

20. Mj says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:20 am

    i think anwar is more knowledgable then all of us here so if he says its no good to vote then dont.i dont think your going to be punished for not voting and there is a chance you will be for voting, wallahu alam. may allah reward you anwar i hope your ok from the torrential rains and floods in yemen.

21. LittleMusa says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:28 am

    Establishment of Khilafa should be on the minds of every muslim as their goal, not how do I take care of myself and maintain myself where I reside today.
    Should be more like what do I gotta do in order to further the cause and bring the rule of Allah on earth.
    If you never thought about that you got some issues with the deen you need to work out

22. Abdullah says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:13 am

    Assalamualaikum Sheikh Anwar,
    Jazkallah for the posting very well said. Ya shiekh every time I see your new blogs it increases my Iman ALHAMDULILLAH and your posts approves in what I believe. I live in US and it is so disappointing to see this people at the masjid asking people to vote and putting flyers for kaafirs.
    INSHALLAH I am planning to make hijrah by March-april of 09 may ALLAH make it easy for me.
    My only question to the people who are disappointed or amazed at this post is ” You read Quran and Hadith and how in the world can you even think of appointing/voting a kafir as a ruler over you to give power to make man made laws to govern over you and in that case you are never free you lost your freedom”.

23. Confused about Election says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:22 am

    Salam to everyone,

    Jazakallah Shiekh Anwar for your timely article. I understand voting is haram. But we know that unlawful acts become lawful when one is forced to do so. Now, if I am given a choice between smoking cigarettes and taking drugs. I would not take any of them under normal situation. But if I am forced to take one of them, I will smoke cigarettes since it is lesser of the two harms.

    Now, I understand we are not forced by the government to vote. However, we know one of the two candidates will come into power. So we are forced to suffer for few future years under the regime of one of the two Shayateen. The question is then, should we not select the lesser of the two shayateen since we will be ruled by one of them anyways? We don’t have choice in this matter as far as being ruled under one of them. Whether you vote or you abstain, one of them will come into power. In other words, whether you make a choice between smoking cigaretes or drugs, or you remain silent and abstain from answering, one of them will be forced on you to take. So does this not fall under “being forced”?

    I will be glad if any knowledgeable brother replies to me. Please answer my specific argument. I totally understand democracy is shirk and giving endorsement to a kafir under normal situation is haram.

    Personally, I don’t really care and I am probably not going to vote since I don’t believe the vote of Muslims will make any significant differences. However, I want to understand this issue from an Usool-ul-Fiqh perspective.

24. Truth will prevail says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:57 am

    Assalam O Alaikum Shaikh

    and Jazak Allah Khair for once again clearly differentiating between such an important issue of HAQQ AND BAATIL. Unfortunatley we are living in times where Fitna e Dajjal seems to be apparent (in the form of deception), today what is true we firmly believe its false and vice versa.

    For us the claim of Allah Akbar is only in Mosque or on a SAjjadah. But in our job/offices/Economy/financial dealings Dollar is AKBAR. In social life may be family,friends relative etc are AKBAR. In our political system the Bushes , musharffs , mubaraks , kings , (and the list goes on) are AKBAR.

    All who support democracy should understand for whatever silly reasons like TAXEs etc , that in this system of TAGHOOT (biggest kufr) everyone has one vote , all treated equally either a great pious scholar or someone who is selling her body to make living. There is no difference in both of them and decision will on head count (votes). Is this Islam ??

    In Islam head count has no value but what matter is the imaan and Taqwa of every individual and that;s where the crieteria forthe decision makers.

    Its not an accident that we came out from the womb of a muslim mother (for all born muslims) , Allah SWT made this decision for us and 1st voice we heard after coming in to this world was ALLAH O AKBAR (the azaan in our ears). We are muslim for a reason, we are follower’s of Muhammad SAW for a reason and our prime responsibility is to restore Allah SWT’s Authority on top of ALL . That is Allah o Akbar in every aspect our life either INDIVIDUAL or COLLECTIVE and if we think Democracy is the solution to our probelms then we must not forget OUR ONLY ROLE MODEL Mohammad SAW rejected all of the offers from the Democracy of QURAISH. Becasue HAQ (truth) never compromise with Baatil (falsehood).

    One day we will be meeting Allah SWT and what if …we asked did you belive in ISLAM as system of life ? did you belive QURAN was your giude ? did you believe that way of Muhammad SAW was the correct way to HIDAAYAH ?? are we prepared ???

    For a momin there is no option but the way of Quran & Sunnah and there is no way a momim can compromise with a system which stands againts Allah SWT. If we can’t change anything then at least please please do NOT support ANYONE , INDIVIDUAL,ORGANISATION , PARTY , LEADER OR COUNTRY who says SOVEREIGNTY IS FOR THE PEOPLE / BY THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE …….

    If this is not SHIRK then what ???

    Wassalam

25. Hasan says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:36 pm

    as salaamu alaykum Imam Anwar …

    May Allah (swt) bless you for touching into this issue and making the Muslims aware of the consequences of their actions, such that they will indeed be voting in a new pharoah, whether it is obama or mccain. To even think that some Muslims actually consider obama to be their knight in shining armor. AUDHUBILLAH.

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26. Not again says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:13 pm

    Pple who are pro – voting, open your eyes and smell the coffee!!!! How many elections do you have to experience in your lifetime to realize that NO LIMTIT of participation brings a difference or benefit to the Muslim Community! Your infant desires and “interest” which are self motivated as oppose to shar’ia interest are plain to see. FOR ALLAH’S SAKE YOU PEOPLE ARE MAKING THIS CANDIDATE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW YOU LIVE IN THIS WORLD!!!! does not alarm bells ring in your head or heart?!!?

    Why do you succumb to the pressure and justify your opinion by pathetically bringing out your begging bowl for more islamic schools, islamic mosques, etc…. Become Independent and rely upon your actions to fulfil your needs as a Muslim Community!

    I am proud to be American…….

    That just sounds naff! You are an alien community, where you will never be accepted wholly of what your identity demands, you will be pushed in more ways then one to accpet their dominant culture and salute it every day with the national anthem playing in the background.

27. Ibraheim says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:33 pm

    Dear Brothers and Sisters,

    Brother Anwar does not seem like the type of person who does no research before he posts his Islamic opinion on something.

    I want everyone to think about the candidates we have for president here in the west. What do you constantly here them saying? They are constantly telling people “I guarantee” the safety, “I guarantee” no more taxes “I guarantee” I will stop Al Qaida etc etc etc.

    Are these politicians really that far from the way Pharoan was? They talk as if they have ANY power whatsoever and they do not have even one grain of Allah suhhana taallah in there hearts or minds!

    When you hear McCain speak is he not one of the cockiest/assured people you have ever seen speak? And odds are at his age he will be meeting Allah within the next few years. What has Muhammed said about the people who show no fear to Allah, what has he said about those that are prideful, what has he said about nationalistic people? What has he said about the Kafir!

    Maybe some of you have missed how racist and hateful some of Mccains rally’s truly are. Did you not see the lady stand up and say she would not vote for Obama BECAUSE he was arab…

    McCains reply to her was “no he is not arab…he is a decent man” hmmmm….so arabs are not decent people?

    Or how about Obama who has come and denied being a muslim likes it’s a horrible disease.

    What did Musa alay salam do when he got to egypt? Did he try to vote Pharoan out because his policy’t against the children of israel was harsh? He did no such thing! He warned Pharoan how many times and Allah sent Pharoan how many signs until finally Musa exhausted Pharoan and took the children of israel. Pharaoan was forced to eat a large helping of humble pie and then Allah drowned him while still in a disbelieving state!

    If you were to compare both nations (america vs. old egypt) I think it would be easy to see that america is MANY times more corrupt than even Pharoans old empire! BUT YET YOU WANT TO VOTE AND SUPPORT IT????

    Brothers and sisters wake up and stop worrying about your money and children! Worry about the hellfire instead and you will start to understand the mistakes you are making.

    The blog before this was about hijra for the sake of Allah…do you not see what brother Anwar is trying to tell you?

28. Rukajja says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:54 pm

    Es Selamu alejkum we rahemtullahi we berekatuhu

    Im sick and tired of those people who despite all the masakre that is going on around them to their brothers and sisters, still do think only about them selves and there familys! You want to vote for a disbelieving system of live, fine, vote, but beware after that from duas of those famlies who are suffering because your vote you putted for the ideas and goals of the Kufar , beware of those duas who are about to beanswered from the Allmighty on this world and the hereafter, beware you who are concidering yourself as a muslim, as a believer in Allah, but are steping on His Law, YES YOU ARE !!!!! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS SPITTING ON SHERIJAH, SO BEWARE OF YOUR ACTIONS!!!!
    Why don’t you go out to Afgan, Palestine, Iraq, Chechenija, and smell the blood and the sadness, sattle yourself down beside them and vote for the Kufar, why don’t you do that??!!! I do not think so that you would vote than for the Kufar, but yes you can vote if you know that your live and the live of your family is safe, out of the rain of bullets and rockets, out of the screams of raped mothers and sisters, the screams and the cry of children who lost their mothers even if thous would stay alive, out of the smell of blood from man and boys who are trying there bast in fighting those FOR WHO YOU WOTED!!!!!!!!
    Not one of them can make me cry, not bush, not mccain, not putin, not karadzic or milosevic, not sharon, not one of them can make me cry, BUT YOU CAN, YOU MUSLIMS, YOUR ACTIONS AND THOUGHTS!!! I ask you, where is your heart, where is it, where is your love for Allah, where is you fear from Him, where is it??!!!! Where is you love for the Prophet salAllahu alejhi we sellem, where is it??!!!!!!!!! SubhanAllah, you are hurting me, your sister in faith, while I do not go trugh anything through what are going our brothers and sisters, so how much do you think you are hurting them with your actions????!!!! Wallahi, do not expect anything good, not on this word and not on the hereafter if you are not about to change your attitude towards Kufr and towards the Truth!!!

    I PRAY TO ALLAMIGHTY THAT YOU
    UNDERSTAND THESE WORD’S OF MINE

    Es Selamu alejkujm we rahmetullahi we berekatuhu

29. ya allah says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:55 pm

    WOE to the one who said WOW to our beloved Shaikh who is helping young brothers and sister in the west.

    STOP listening to thoses shaikhs in Dar Al-Hijra Masjid They are telling people you can vote, we support the WEST, telling the youth you can listen to music ext. just go there and pray and leave like most people. salam

30. umnm yahya says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:40 pm

    allahu akbar!, you couldn’t have said it any better sheikh. may Allah open the eyes of ‎those muslims who are blinded by their hawa(desire) FOR THIS WORLD AND NOT ‎FOR THE HEREAFTER. Instead of thinking about the greater consequences of these ‎kufur policies i.e the destruction of their muslim brothers and sisters around the ‎world, they are only concerned with their bellies, houses, money etc, consenting to the ‎western ideology of ‘me’, ‘myself’ and ‘I’‎

31. Masnun says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:14 pm

    Asalamu Alaikum
    It is increasingly disheartening that people commenting above have misinterpreted what the article is saying. arguing against voting does not mean your endorsing doing nothing. there are many ways to implement change through islamic organizations. the main problem we have is that we are heavily involved in a non-muslim society and thus our values have changed to those of the non-muslims. arguments the people above are mentioning are to do with worldly matters. taxes raised for state projects?….prop 8?….these are matters brought about due to the corruption of non-muslim lands. so what if big corporations influence heavily on foreign policy…. it doesn’t change the fact that the candidate will still support the bombing of innocent muslims.
    open your eyes…and the best advice for all the concerns people keep raising….MOVE from your non-muslim home to a muslim land

32. Salah says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:53 pm

    Why would you want to be your trust in the American system??? Thats absolutely ridicolous.. we need to rely on allah swt and the salaheen..
    American politics is just an infomerical using different spokesman to sell the SAME PRODUCT… which will no doubt be anti-islamic.. (like Jerusalem will be the ‘undivided’ capital of Israel.. or to send troops to invade inside Pakistan.. a ‘responsible’ pull out of Iraq a.k.a depends on what happens on the ground and how much money they can afford to spend (which is the same with both candidates).
    Honestly imagine the Muslimeen in Israel voting between a few different zionist candidates and participiting in the system in order for because of their self serving pathetic interests??? What would you say to them? Well if your living in America your situation is not much different… to put things in perspective (especially because the politics here are run by Israel anyway…)

33. question says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:56 pm

    SO WHAT DO WE DO?

    The majority of muslims don’t live in “islamic” countries. we’re advised not to vote by a scholar living in YEMEN, i.e. NOT A WESTERN ENVIRONMENT. how on earth does shaykh Al-Awlaki, with all due respect, expect all the western muslims to exclude themselves from their societies and then still live like we have the Haqq? In other words, what I’m saying is, there is a sickening, mutating idea and pride that some immigrant Muslims have that they are proudly on the Haqq and to hell with the indigenous kufaar. “I have no concern for them [the kufaar], they’re people of Jahanum”. Well then, why do you want to spread Islam if you only involve yourself in the multi-religious society when IT SUITS YOU.

    PARTISANSHIP and INTERNET TAQLEED are killing the ability to have constructive dialogue within our communities. Or are we going to see our non-muslim neignours as “cows that anyone can take and sell in the market” as hamza al-misri aptly stated.

    Many of the non-muslims have the same concerns as we Muslims do. Is it really part of our Din of Islam that we exclude ourselves from our Western societies and ONLY involve ourselves when it’s to out advantage???

    That sounds a lot like SELECTIVE RIGHTOUSNESS.

34. Reverted Muslim says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:31 pm

    Salam Alykum,
    It’s sad to hear that most Muslims on this post and in my community think that democracy actually works! Before I became Muslim I was against voting and when election season would come around co-workers (mainly veterans) would ask who was I going to vote for; my response was that “I do not vote and I do not believe in democracy”, this statement would enrage these people and would tell me the same as one did in a posting above “then leave the country” it is sad to hear this being echoed from non Muslims to Muslims and for me hearing this from Jahelia to consciousness. Let me share a few words with those Muslims who are for democracy, I was born and raised in this country and I do not only feel that this system does not work but I know that this system does not work and Allah SWT has confirmed that for us in his kittab. Now if you listen close enough to the non Muslims in this country they would tell you that this system is corrupt and faulty and for those who understand Democracy/Facism, it is not the president who makes all the moves, rather it is a body of people with an agenda; widely known as freemasons/knight templars/Jews. As Jordan Maxwell said “Nothing happens in politics without it being planned” So dear Muslim brothers and sisters especially those who emigrated from Muslim lands don’t make the same mistake as my family and others I know from Latin America, who emigrated here with the intensions of returning back with riches to help their family when in reality they are held here as modern day slaves. Don’t get sucked into this dunya, be aware and take part in this psychological guerilla warfare.
    Salam Alaykum

35. shahin the african says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:55 pm

    Muslims are killed by American bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Are we as Muslims allowed to collectively punish the Americans?

    WHY do YOU think America wnet into Afghanistan?

    I’m not saying it’s right, but in war, if you attack someone, you can’t complain if he attacks you in retaliation and then cry for the world’s sympathy and concern.

36. shahin the african says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:04 pm

    Also, why are the Islamic sholars who want dialogue with the kufaar [maybe, just maybe so that we can revert the kufaar...isn't that the idea?] demonised and attacked?

    Muslims expect that the kufaar must embrace Islam yet we as Muslims are so eager to talk about Jihad we forget about WHERE WE ARE and WHERE WE HAVE TO GO.

    Even in secular thinking it’s understandable to fight the oppressor, but the irony is that we are neglecting dawah to the parents and the children of the kufaar soldiers.

    Finally: May ALLAH purify our intentions, because it would be really sad if the people who speak the most about jihad are the ones who do so for the sake of “love of the group i’m in” and intolerance to other people’s genuine struggles and concerns living amongst the kufaar.

    PARTISANSHIP and INTERNET TAQLEED are destroying our youth’s minds, not the Noble concept of Jihad.

37. Sammy says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:24 pm

    Brother Ibraheim- Yesterday OCT 31st the Sheikh spoke about how we should vote. I wonder if it’s the same Sheikh? Anyways I’m not voting because I see many people and Ulema’s have different opinions on this issue. Yesterday, the Sheikh at the Masjid I go to quoted Hadith’s and verses in The Qur’an regarding what we benefit from voting as covenants and to use our best judgment. Anwar al Awlaki, I love your lectures and I benefit alot from it Mash’Allah but this latest article, I can’t agree or disagree with it because it’s matter of your opinion UNLESS you provide us proof to back your article up with verses from the Qur’an and Hadiths. I always ask for proofs no matter who they are. I was little surprised by that.

    Jazak’Allah Khair

38. chameleon47 says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:37 pm

    Why Voting leads to Kufr: [1] Introduction

    http://revolution.muslimpad.com/2008/10/13/why-voting-leads-to-kufr-1-an-introduction-to-why-voting-leads-to-kufr/

39. Sammy says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:41 pm

    Few things I want to address.

    -People uses the word shirk mistakenly thinking that if we vote in a non Islamic system or sharia. How is that shirk? Shirk means that you’re worshiping or associating false gods with Allah The Most Merciful.

    -Obama wants to end the war. So that means no more hurting Muslims.McCain is the opposite. He wants to continue the war. SO tell me, if McCain wins, would we then feel guilty by not doing anything at all? Let Obama promote his beliefs and his democracy wherever it maybe but if our Imaan is strong enough to know that democracy is wrong, then it should have no effect on us whatsoever. Like these “bible thumpers” who goes door to door discussing there beliefs with us, we simply turn them away because our Imaan is set. Alhamdu’Allah.
    I do not support democracy. Allah The All Knower knows our intentions and I do believe that Muslims who vote, will vote for the sake of the Ummah hoping that the new president will not harm the Muslims.If the new president did not fulfill his promise, then leave it up to Allah Subhan Wa’ Tala. Again I am not voting but I might consider to vote unless someone proves to us that voting is wrong.

    Asaalam Alaikum

40. amal says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:56 pm

    asalamu aleykum warahmatullah wabaraka
    jazakallah sheikh for the reminder,allhamdulillah i never vote a kufar and iam not gonna vote now.you right either candidate aren’t gonna rule the sharia but a lot muslims don’t see that way, infact these candidate are challenging each other who is ready to fight islam and support israel and subhanallah muslims communities are encouraging us to vote these kuffars.

    ALLAH SWT said sura maidah 51.
    O who you believe Take not the jews/ christians as Auliya,friends,protectors,helpers, they are but Auliya’ of each other.and if any amongst you takes them as Auliya then surely he is one of them. Allah guides not those people who are the wrong doers and unjust.
    may ALLAH swt guide all of us to the straight path.

41. abaz says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:59 pm

    Salam Alaikoum,

    For those who think that voting is halal:
    “When the election will be over, and the winner will bomb another muslim country,legalise homosexuality,and make halal haram ,EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL GET A PART OF THE SIN”.You have given him the right to do what he is doing.
    You will come in the last day wondering ,where do all those sins come from,and muslims who were killed because of your vote will come and demand for justice.You will give them your good deeds;and if your good deeds are not sufficiant,they will start giving you their bad deeds.and if ALLAH doesn’t forgive you,you will be thrown in hellfire.
    IS THAT A RISK TO TAKE ? OR IS IT BETTER TO NOT VOTE AND MAKE DOUAA FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ?
    As for the lesser of two evils ,only ALLAH Azzawajal know the unseen,and even the Kuffar know that politicians are liars.They will do anything to get elected.
    Anyone who has read the hadiths about the end of times know that there will be a great war between the muslims and the kuffars.And any war begins in the minds before going to the battlefield.DO YOU THINK THAT THEY WILL BE NICE WITH YOU OR WITH YOUR DESCENDANTS WHEN THESE EVENTS WILL OCCUR ?
    When Sheikh Anwar was talking about hijrah ,he was talking about your deen and the deen of your children who in the future could be forced to commit apostasy knwowingly or unknowingly.

    May ALLAH makes us die with eemaan

42. Billy Costigan says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:57 pm

    Salaam,

    The article was brilliant as expected.

    Anyone that argues 4 democratic voting such as the self-righteous morons above me have a lot to learn about tashree’ and the realities of world that we’re in.

    Just admit it, folks. You do not want to live and struggle.

43. Haniff says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:04 pm

    Assalamu Alaikum my beloved Sheikh. I agree with you 100%, actually 110%. We should make Hijrah to the lands of Jihad and fight for the sake of Allah, not fight to see who will be the next American president to try and destroy Islam.

    They (the disbelievers, the Jews and the Christians) want to extinguish Allah’s Light (with which Muhammad SAW has been sent – Islamic Monotheism) with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kafirun (disbelievers) hate (it). Al-Quran 9:32

44. Daud says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:10 pm

    i don’t believe the sheikh went too deep
    on the topic religiously.
    ..
    .
    .
    voting is an act of shirk,
    because Allah alone is the legislator
    not men. so by voting for these guys
    to play god and make haram or halal on what
    they want by following their on desires, you’re setting another ilaah
    besides Allah.
    .
    .
    .tawheed al-hakimiyyah
    .
    your iman can not be complete unless you declare tafkeer on taghoot. second pillar of the shahada. (la ilaaha).
    .
    .
    .
    how can we commit shirk in order to
    choose the lesser of the evil?. can i still your money to stop you from buying alcohol?
    .
    .
    .shirk can come like dark aunt in a dark night. very tricky, we need to be carefull of shirk.

45. Vote on Tuesday says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:17 pm

    Salam Wa Allekium,

    Show me evidence in the Qur’ran and Sunnah that it’s explicitly HARAM to vote for anything?

    If that is the case, why would the Muslims during the time of the prophet muhammad PBUH give baiah to a leader to lead them. Giving allegiance is a form of voting irrespective of the system.

    And to some of you calling us Muslims in America RAND muslims. Wake up and read the Qur’ran. Since when does a muslims insult another muslim.

    We pray 5 times a day, we recite surah al fatiha 17 times a day, we fast during ramadan, we do hajj, we give zakah , we feed the poor. We call non muslims to islam. Yet you want to insult us.

    I’m proud to be a muslim american. And I have listened to your lectures about the battle of hearts and minds. And I agree with it 100% . In order to counter RAND institute, we need to vote for those who will represent us. Justice is not achieved by the voiceless vote but by the one who will struggle for Justice. And our struggle is to make our voices heard.

    We will not forsake our religion to appease society as whole but we are and its our HAKK (right) to vote! We have to VOTE! . This is how you get your voice heard!

    Now some of you state we need to live in Islamic country to avoid this Democratic system. Name one Islamic Country that is based on TRUE islamic Sharia!!! Just name ONE! That’s all I ask. Exactly there is none… So the fact that there is none speaks volume. The Kufar that are running Saudi Arabia, The kufar that are running Yemen, The Kufar that are running Jordan, The Kuffar that are running all of the so called Islamic countries need to be ashamed of themselves. We have to reside in non muslim land just to live in a justice system.

    Sheik Anwar Al-Awlaki was a victim of Injustice from his own home country when the jailed and detained for no reason.

    Therefore if we want to make a change, then we must and shall vote for OBAMA! 2008.

46. Muslim says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:54 pm

    Democracy: A Religion
    http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/DemocracyReligion.pdf

    Doubts Regarding the Ruling of Democracy:
    http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The_Doubts_Regarding_the_Ruling_of_Democracy_In_Islam.pdf

    Why voting leads to Kufr:
    http://revolution.muslimpad.com/category/why-voting-leads-to-kufr/

47. Abeedah says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:05 pm

    Some of the comments made are disappointing. Let’s not force our opinions on others when there is a difference of opinion on the matter. Imam Anwar has given his opinion. I urge you all to listen to the following lecture with an open heart. It only makes sense to make a decision upon reviewing the evidence placed forth by both sides.

    Check out Imam Suhaib Webb’s stance on the matter:

    http://www.suhaibwebb.com/blog/minority-fiqh/the-case-for-political-apartment-audio-suhaib-webb/

48. abu-aadil says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:18 pm

    Assalamu alaikum..Jazak Allah Khairan .. I would like to see Shaikh’s response to some of the questions above. I hope Insha Allah he might detail in another blog…

    maasalaama

49. sad says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:29 pm

    Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters,
    I was at the mosque and heard the imam promoting voting. I left disgusted. Why? Because a few years back we were told to vote for a president who only brought harm to the ummah and caused harm to those in this country. For anyone to have faith and trust in these presidents is truly sad. We can have only trust in Allah and hope for his mercy. Will there be a president elected that will ever do any good for the ummah, definitely not.Many say vote for the lesser of the two evils. We have come down to who is less evil what a sad situation to be in.Whoever the next president will be , it will be a test for us all because the situation will not get better but worse. For those who think one will do better than the other for us :wake up from your dreams… The unfortunate truth is that many muslims have lost faith and trust in Allah. We just sit back and say who is less evil.We sit,talk,sit and talk -what a great accompolishment on our end. Did the sahaba sit back and wait for things to happen. Obviously not, then greed for the materialistic world took over and ever since has been the downfall of the Great Ummah and the hardened hearts and ignorance has taken over.When are we going to wake up from this drunken state of ignorance and face the truth of the reality of the situation and different occurences that are happening around the world. I pray to Allah to fill our hearts with eemaan guide us on to the straight path. Brothers and Sisters please never got Allah in the formula in our lives and in whatever we do and choose to do…We need to ready ourselves for the Hour and prepare to meet our Lord.

50. zaeem says:
    November 1, 2008 - السبت 03 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:50 pm

    Assalam-o-alaikum Br Anwar,

    I fully agree with you about US elections. However in my country Pakistan, we have Jammat-e-islami which takes part in Pakistani elections and they say that they will bring sharia once they are voted into power. Do you think it is right to take part in such an election when an islamic party is contesting and we want it to win. Same argument goes for Hammas in Palestine. I think it will be a good idea if you could give a talk on this subject that covers all aspects of democracy. This is specially important because people consider democracy as a standard and compare islam on this. They say islam/sharia is also democratic for instance.

    Jazakallah khair

51. voting on November 4th says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:22 am

    I read the article and I completely disagree with the argument that he’s making. He is saying that shariah is different from democracy, and therefore Muslims should not vote in the upcoming election and boycott it instead. I understand that democracy is different from Sharia or Islamic law, but this is not an Islamic country. We can’t expect it to be ruled by sharia. And those that do should probably move to an Islamic country where sharia is the law. And it is our right as American citizens to vote and make a difference. We should excercise that right. Or else we cannot sit back and complain about the status quo—including things like the current war in Afghanistan and Iraq (which has destroyed our economy and lead to inflation and people losing their jobs), and a broken healthcare system (which doesn’t always cover the rise in cost of drugs and medication). Obama has a plan to end the war in Iraq and fix the broken healthcare system. How is that not good for us? McCain on the other hand, wants to continue the war in Iraq and give the big oil companies a tax break, and tax health insurance for the first time in history. His plan for the economy would further widen the gap between the rich and poor and make the rich richer. I see more harm in not voting then in voting. I really hope that people aren’t boycotting because of this article.

52. Muqarrib78 says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:50 am

    The CBS program, 60 minutes, report on how the US air strikes is killing civilians. Saddest thing is, their command HQ is in a Gulf – so called “Muslim” country. By guess is Doha, Kuwait or UAE.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P9gumVC5B0

53. khan says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:08 am

    If the Imaam and some people do not want to vote and participate in the elections,they should decide whether to stay or migrate from USA or any democratic country.
    When you live in any democratic country(India,Pak., Malaysia and USA),It is our right and duty to elect the better Politician for the Muslim ummah.
    I totally disagree with such Imaams who are creating confusion in the minds of Ummah and helping the other end for their self interest-wallahu Aalam.
    Brother in Islam

54. A Brother says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:38 am

    To those who are running a HUGE campaign to make Muslims in America vote for Obama (yes, I’m referring to MM):

    By Allah, I hope that when Obama comes into power with your direct support and blessings, and unleashes a new front on the War on Islam, and spills the blood of another million Muslims, and destroys the homes of another million, that you are held accountable in front of Allah for your betrayal of this Ummah just so you could have some tax cuts.

    Talk about selling one’s deen for a low price.

    Personally, since I don’t see voting to be kufr and shirk in itself, I won’t make takfeer of anyone…but I would be scared out of my life in having to choose between Obama and McCain – both of whom have promised to spill more Muslim blood.

    SO DON’T VOTE ON TUESDAY and remember your Muslim brothers and sisters who will take the brunt of your vote.

55. Hasan says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:41 am

    “And it is our right as American citizens to vote and make a difference.”

    so which one of your future puppet masters will make the difference in the life of the Muslim?

56. Hasan says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:43 am

    actually i hope obama wins … so that the obama-hoggers will soon realise how foolish they were in voting him in and how much of a “difference” he made.

    VOTE OBAMA ! ! ! naudhubilLah.

57. Jihadfeesabililah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:07 am

    WARNING TO RAND MOZLEMZ: VOTING FOR THE NEXT AMERICAN PHARAOH WILL NOT MAKE THE CHANGE!

    What will make the change inshAllah, and it has already begun, is the Mujahideen struggle in Afghanistan. The Jihad which is already in force with the young and old of our Muslim brothers and sisters of the lands of Afghanistan, Khurasan, Palestine etc., sacrificing their wealth, and their lives for the Sake of Allah Azza Wa Jall to make Islam the uppermost.

    The Pharaohs of USA, UK, the Illegal State of Israel will all be defeated InshAllah, not by the ballot box but by the the Jihadfeesabililah which is already on the way.
    We are all witnessing by the grace of Allah Subhanhu Wa Ta’ala, more and more Muslims in the west now thinking about Hijra, about Jihad, about establishing the ISLAMIC STATE, that will bring back Justice and peace to the world, Alhamdulilah.

    The fall of these emipires is also on the way as we can see from the financial crises across the world.
    The false system that democratic godless societies have created is also at the brink of destruction as we see racism, alcoholism, homosexuality, rape, genocide, xenophobia, molestation, torture, colonialsm, fascism are on the rise in these godless democratic societies.

    Let us all go back to Qur’an and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Peace be upon him, and engaged ourselves in Jihadfeesabililah to implement back
    Shariah, Justice, morality, and peace in this global village.

58. 7amood says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:10 am

    This is ridiculous esp coming from Anwar Al-awlaqi the so-called Sheikh.

    First, is Anwar entitled to give such Fatwas on behalf of the millions of Muslims living in the west??

    Second, who’s destroying Islam? Isn’t it muslims themselves? Democracy has nothing to do with it; it’s all Muslims and Fatwas such as these that are destroying Islam all over the world.

    And, if Sheikh Anwar think it’s Kufr, then why is he paying too much attention to it?? Why pay too much attention to what happens in America. If you’re in Yemen, just mind your business and leave people alone. Maybe prison caused you to become blind and want to get back at the system that did it for you!

    Sub7an Allah, we are in a strange time. Muslims are becoming blind and just throwing words of “Kufr” here and there and there’s no thinking anymore.

    Allah, told us to use our minds, so we should use it; not blindly follow such outrageous Fatwas of people who are not qualified to give them in the first place.

    Where will you escape from Allah, Anwar, on the day of Judgement?? Where?
    Why don’t you spend your “precious” time educating Muslims over there in Yemen who don’t even know how to pray correctly? Advise them about Islamic principles of justice, honesty …etc instead of wasting your time on debatable issues of “Wala Wal Bara” which is not going to benefit Muslims at all.

    Take it easy. Think. Even if all Muslims in the US don’t vote, will there be any difference made in the world of Islam, NO.
    Even if the US withdrew from all war zones in the Islamic world, will there be no more wars? I bet you Muslims will fight each other the following day just as they were fighting each other before America got there in the first place.

59. salah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:15 am

    Ok ‘voting on november 4th’ so every single president since the end of World War 2 has pursued the same policy whether democratic or republican…. Supporting the Zionist israeli policy of ethnic cleansing, occupation, and further expansion… and supporting several brutal secular dictorships in the Middle East… Now this is and will always be the policy of America… its been that way since the end of world war 2 maybe sometimes a certain candidate will give a few handouts here and there to divide muslims or change the rhetoric for a moment but obviously regardless of what happens these two pillars of American foreign are the ultimate end intention and goal of the American regime….. Different candidates are just different spokesmans selling the same bogus product (not only to muslimeen but to the american public) and by voting you are deciding to buy this foul product under false pretensions. And this is what one can see in practical life as well as reading it in kitaab allah…. like for example your kafr hero perhaps murtet ‘Obama’ has called for Jerusalem to be the ‘undivided’ capital of Israel.. and to send troops that are due to leave Iraq to invade inside afghanistan/Pakistan.. and a ‘responsible’ pull out of Iraq a.k.a depends on what happens on the ground and how much money they can afford to spend (which is the same with both candidates). But whatever policy either candidate decides on without a doubt the system and the regime in power’s ultimate aim is to pursue the two policy which i outlined above… without a doubt.. the system is arleady set and fixed my friend

60. abdul says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:20 am

    Shiek,

    can you shed any light on a recent event. Just a few days ago a 13 year old was raped and then stoned to death by the islamic courts.

    If the Jihadist are trully on the right path, then why would they commit such an act.

    It makes me question my faith.

61. aboo says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:26 am

    its really ajeeb that a sane Muslim would want to vote for obama when he is ashamed of his muslim roots, ashamed of having a muslim middle name, ashamed to have muslims behind him when talking and instead of saying there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim or having the name Hussain, he tried his best to distance himself from Islam and Muslims. Even a kaafir such as Ralph Nader realizes this yet some stupid american muslims do not:
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rDFXMWmKTQI

    oh and whoever posted the suhaibwebb link, the talk he gave is disgusting, how on earth can he claim that 95% of Islamic Fatawaa are not from Quran and Sunnah??!! and then use this to say voting for kufaar is okay??

62. aboo says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:43 am

    there is a common trait in all the comments above where people think we should vote and that is all of their comments have been very very rude and lack any adab and sincerity. look at the way 7amood addresses the sheikh, its really quite appauling and to be honest shows the mentality of many american muslims. 7amood it is the duty of a muslim to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. The same was said 8 yrs ago when some righteous sheikhs gave advice to muslims not to vote for bush however many american muslims ignored this advice, voted for bush and now have the blood of millions of muslims on their hand.

63. K. says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:11 am

    If you are going to argue that what is Western is un-Islamic yet live, work, and participate in its systems (voting is only one aspect of participation) then your argument is a bit hypocritical. Why don’t you just go to live in a place that claims to uphold Shariah? What keeps you here in the West, and why do you complain about it AND receive its benefits at the same time?

64. Imvotingontuesday says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:41 am

    There is nothing in the sunnah or quran that bans us from voting on issues that affect us. As long as your are living in the USA, as a muslim it is obligatory that you make your voice heard. Approving Gay marriage, Wars in the middle east, taxes, all these stuff affect us. Our parents and grandparents idely sat passive and silent in this country. What did it get the muslims? There is a reason why Allah commends us to READ. WE ARE LIVING IN THIS COUNTRY. We are required to abide by the laws in this country as long as it does not take away from us following our religion. These issues taking place affect our people MUSLIM people more than any other people and you want us to stay silent while others make decisions for us about us. I dont think so. Not anymore.
    These issues
    renewable energy-better environment
    gay marriage
    taxes
    a certain candidate who sings about bombing muslim countries
    these issues affect all of us.
    Im making my voice heard MY MUSLIM VOICE heard….
    the fact of the matter is there isnt one country out there who governs islamically. Im not waiting for a change to come… IM going to be apartof the change. We as muslims have the opportunity to make this country OUR Country better. If you dont like it, go back to living in an oppressed muslim country…..where they jail you for the slightest comment…
    The fact is the reason why there is no KHILAFAH…is because the muslims in the middle east dont want it. .They have to power to protest their governments and they dont. There’s no thing called constructive criticism. Muslim countries are known to be number one human rights violations and their people continue to accept it out of fear of being tortured by their governments. Yet, we have the opportunity to make our voices heard here and we dont want to use it.

65. Al Somali says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:23 am

    Asalamu alyakum jzk akhi for bring up this importanted topic…. For the brothers/sister who think taking part of the democratic system is fyne and some people even saying it’s fard to vote I would like to tell them to read ” democracy is a religion” by sheik al maqdisi jzk

66. Radical_from_UZBEKISTAN says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:32 am

    TO ABDUL:
    Man, clarify what you are talking about.
    Where and when? Where did you hear that and from whom? Which JIHADIST did that?

67. Al Somali says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:00 am

    7amood are you a Muslim or not??? What did you mean when you said ” I bet YOU Muslims will start fighting each other.” and if you are a Muslim choose your words carefully next tyme especially when you speaking to you you brothers in Islam, not to mention studens of knowledge.

68. mas says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:17 am

    Abdul: If you were truly a Muslim you wouldn’t be questioning your faith because someone somewhere did something bad. As a Muslim you would know that no soul is responsible for doings of someone else. What is the opoint of raising this completely unrelated issue here? Then you use the term Jihadist, which a Muslim wouldn’t use because the Arabic word Jihad has specific and noble meaning. And to use the term Jihadist in this context is strange.

    Coming back to the topic, I don’t think voting is against Islam. I have not seen many ulema making that point. Many ulema even participate in the lections in Mislim countries.

69. Hisham says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:22 am

    as-Salaam Aleykum
    There are many shuyukh who say it is OK to vote. To say they are committing shirk is troubling. With all due respect, the article brings nothing new or constructive to the discussion and has some flaws.

    Any matter we make in this dunya must be carefully considered and voting especially.

    But asserting a voice (in essence voting) in the capacity allowed (whether it be in a democracy or theocracy) to affect society for what is better is not a greater evil by a long shot. This is simple reasoning. And obviously many of our religious leaders support this.

    To argue that better outcomes are not possible within a democratic or any other system that allows values and communities to affect an outcome, is clearly incorrect. Why do people vote in the first place? The answer is to represent their own view which may or may not be guided or righteous. This is not shirk.

    Hyperthetically, should an islamic state issue diplomats to other regions then by the above logic that should be labled unIslamic as they too would be ‘participating’ in an unIslamic system.Sending a letter to ask a neighbouring state to come to Islam would be participating cos the desired effect would be for that foreign system to decide in an unIslamic way to change. so… the logic is bewildering. We should remember, one person is only responsible for the change they are CAPABLE of making. the end product is less their responsibility as it is for one who chooses not to participate, IF they participate with an active conscience to influence for what the have evidence to believe is better. in fact, not doing anything could well be ‘loosing one’s religion’ as well if we’re gonna talk like that.

    But further to this, voting needs to be followed up by active social and political participation to engage the representatives and pull them towards what we know is right from our religion. This is where the discussion needs to be.

70. Muslim Cowboy says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:01 am

    Br Anwar, you may want to stick to audio series… I replied to your article here http://www.muslimcowboys.com

71. Surprised says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:07 am

    I find this position and message very dissapointing. It looks like the Respected Imam is taking a step back with the community than moving forwards.

    I would think that voting is a duty for Muslims in this Country since it does have a Global Impact, and by staying silent is grave action.

72. saifullah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:22 am

    Salaam Alaikum respected brothers and sisters in Islam.

    I would invite the respected Sheikh and others to look at the extensive research and dissertations done by the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy in Washington DC by very learned men of Islam. It is quite possible that this issue cannot be fully understood in its intricacies by anyone who has not lived inside the USA and is able to examine the mechanics of the situation beyond what is filtered by media of one’s respective country.

    Recognize that shirk is association in partners with Allah. The American president will never be a partner to Allah in rule or worship. The President, while the head of the USA, does not hold total power. The combination of the President and all the members of Senate and the House of Representatives govern together as a group. It is not the whim of the president that directs the country, he may only suggest and promote a course, it is the congress of the USA who decides if that course is in the best interests of the nation.

    There can not be shirk because there is no autonomous power to be given.

    I respect you as a knowledgeable man in Islam, but it is clear from your logic that you have much left to learn about how the US Governmental system actually works.

    Ma’salaam

73. Hisham says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:27 am

    Also, if you don’t want to vote in a Western country… nor should you participate in its legal system, as clearly by the articles logic this would equate to ‘loosing one’s religion’.

    Hypothetically if someone murders your uncle you should not get him charged unless in an Islamic court, let him wander freely until Shariah courts turn up in the US.

    If the court subpoenas you to testify against the murderer, neither should you do that as it is not undertaken in a Shariah compliant method but in a kuffar system of law and thus astray from Islam.

    Clearly we wouldn’t let murderers go free and clearly we need to think a little more broadly on this issue. Ideally the Ummah should be united and lobbying the govt in its capacity to adopt righteous policies. In the end, however, the result will still not be on the Muslim’s shoulders if they voted within this limited capacity and with good intentions, based on evidences to seek a righteous outcome iA.

74. khalid says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:03 am

    Allah hu Akbar. You are one of the greatest teachers we have today. I love you so much for the sake of Allah. Asalam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

75. Jihadfeesabililah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:07 am

    Asalamu Alaikum:

    Like it was stated: we do have RAND MOZLEMZ created by the American Empire to destory Islam from within.

    Your voting in an un-Islamic system will not have any effect on the Mujahideen but only on yourselves inshallah. Whichever of the two next pharoahs of USA you rand mozlemz vote for will be humiliated just like their predecessors, the Bush and Dicks of USA have been exposed worldwide and humiliated as tyrants, devils and hellbound sinners.
    The Mujahideen in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Somalia and other lands of Jihad, are all in wait for your new commander of chief in the battlegrounds.

    “[Remember, O believers], when Allah promised you one of the two groups – that it would be yours – and you wished that the unarmed one would be yours. But Allah intended to establish the truth by His words and to eliminate the disbelievers

    That He should establish the truth and abolish falsehood, even if the criminals disliked it.”

    [Qur'an: Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 7-8]

76. abaz says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:57 pm

    Salam alaikoum,

    Do you remember the story of the muslims who didn’t make hijrah (altough they could have) and who came to fight the muslims with the Quraish in the battle of badr ? When these muslims were killed and the angels where taking their souls away they were asked:where were you ? They responded :we were weak in the land .
    The angels respondes to them idn’t the earth spacious enough to find place to practice your deen ?(IN OTHER WORDS YOU HAD THE OPTION OF LEAVING AND YOU DIDN’T TAKE IT, AND YOU CAME AND FOUGHT MUSLIMS WITH KAFIRS).

    I see that we can draw some similarities with this story and the issue of voting in democracy.
    Democracy is a system of kufr (every person with eeman know that).So voting for this system without being forced , even if you think that you are doing good (like the muslims of makkah who fought alonside Quraish) could be interpreted as fighting Islam and commiting Kufr.

    And there is a possibility that the angels can ask you the same questions.
    So if you want to be safe in the last day (even if you think that democracy is not kufr) ,you have the option of not voting and to make doua for your brothers and sisters in muslims lands .

    (Forgive me if my english is poor)

    May ALLAH makes us die with eeman

77. umm yahya says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:29 pm

    to muslim cowboy:
    Learn how to edit your own blog and keep your vicious tongue away from the sheikh.‎
    ‎ Allah has blinded you and many others from the truth, so there is nothing we can do but ‎make dua for you. None can guide the misguided except the all Mighty

78. faiza says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:27 pm

    I agree with the sheihk 100% I guess some of the RAND MUSLIMS can’t accept the truth….so they rather pick and choose the deen of Allah where it suits them.

    Allah hu Akbar! May Allah continue keep you firm on the haaq!!!

79. ali hassan says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:00 pm

    why do those who want to vote not address the fact that america is at war islam and killing muslims accross the world? rather you only care for yourself and own benefit while in reality your situation is more like a holiday in america, you have it easy. stop being so selfish and think for a second, you are voting for people who are killing muslims!!! and you will have direct particapation in this killing. v=efKguI0NFek

80. anwar says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:05 pm

    Br Ahmed says:

    “what would you say to the thousands of Muslims all across America who work for a living? What would you say to the ones who are just trying to get by, those who are pushed to the brink of poverty by onerous tax burdens and ever escalating education costs? Are you suggesting that they take no action to ameliorate their situation? They cannot afford to send their kids to school, cannot afford to continue paying rent for their already diminutive living quarters, those who are exhausted by working two jobs just to make rent and put food in their children’s mouths, what would you suggest they do?”

    He also says my argument:
    “neglects to take into account the very real, worldly needs of Muslims-Black, white, Indo-Pak, Arab, etc- who will suffer with the election of one candidate, and flourish with the selection of the other.”

    Br Ahmad it is not all about the belly. If your concerns are as you stated before then there is a leader that would fulfill your needs much better that either Mccain or Obama and that is al Dajjal. The hadith state that the people who follow him will flourish and the people who don’t would suffer. So he would be the best candidate in terms of putting food on the table for your children.

    Ahmed also says:
    “In any case, I would like for you, ya Shaykh, to provide more practical advice for those of your fellow brothers and sisters whose quality of life depends on the policies of the next president.”

    Rasulullah says: A time will come when the best way to live would be to ride on one’s horse and fight in the cause of Allah, or to live away from people and shepherd sheep. (Bukhari)
    In this hadith you have two ways of countering evil when it becomes overwhelming as is the case today. You either fight it or you completely stay away from it. Rasulullah did not give us a third option of voting for it and being part of it. Secluding one’s self from society is an old tradition from the time of the salaf. They did it to avoid fitnah. So if you cannot fight than avoid kufr by staying away from it. That is not being passive, it is being protective of the most valuable thing you posses and that is your faith. It is better to do nothing than to do what is wrong.

    Br Ibraheim says:
    “The Imam at my mosque today talked about how important it is to vote next week. I became so angry when he told us this that I nearly interrupted to remind him of what some of the candidates have said about Islam in the last few months”

    And this is exactly why I am saying we should have nothing to do with the elections. These masajid have become masajid Dhirar. I have seen how in one masjid the entire administration along with many members where so busy running around to host this non-Muslim candidate who will come and speak nonsense while an African American Muslim brother was in need of just one masjid member to answer his question or concern and they would walk infront of him as if he didn’t exist. Rasulullah was warned about ignoring the blind man because he was busy with giving dawa to a leader of Quraish. These candidates are not coming to hear us give them dawa, they are giving dawa to us!

    Vote on Tuesday says:
    “So you mean to tell me just standing idle and doing nothing is better than participating?”

    Yes brother that is exactly what I am saying: Do noting. Rather than being part of a system that is un-Islamic you can do what Rasulullah did in Makkah and that is dawa.

    Zakariya says:
    “As to the lesser of two evils thing, not even the best of scholars could tell you which of the two candidates is truthful and which would follow sharia more.”

    May Allah keep you firm on the true path.

    Muslim34 says:
    “If you feel voting is haram, then maybe you should go live in an Islamic country.”

    I agree.

    Confused about elections says:
    “The question is then, should we not select the lesser of the two shayateen since we will be ruled by one of them anyways? We don’t have choice in this matter as far as being ruled under one of them. Whether you vote or you abstain, one of them will come into power.”

    Allah has destined that there will always be evil. That is because life on this earth is a battle between good and evil. Allah has also taught us how to counter the evil. He told us to fight it not to vote for it.

    Truth will prevail says:
    “If we think Democracy is the solution to our probelms then we must not forget OUR ONLY ROLE MODEL Mohammad SAW rejected all of the offers from the Democracy of QURAISH. Becasue HAQ (truth) never compromise with Baatil (falsehood).”

    Nicely said

    Not again says:
    “Pple who are pro – voting, open your eyes and smell the coffee!!!! How many elections do you have to experience in your lifetime to realize that NO LIMTIT of participation brings a difference or benefit to the Muslim Community!”

    Yes people, smell the coffee!

    Rukajja says:
    “Why don’t you go out to Afgan, Palestine, Iraq, Chechenija, and smell the blood and the sadness, sattle yourself down beside them and vote for the Kufar, why don’t you do that??!!! I do not think so that you would vote than for the Kufar, but yes you can vote if you know that your live and the live of your family is safe, out of the rain of bullets and rockets, out of the screams of raped mothers and sisters, the screams and the cry of children who lost their mothers even if thous would stay alive, out of the smell of blood from man and boys who are trying there bast in fighting those FOR WHO YOU WOTED!!!!!!!!
    Not one of them can make me cry, not bush, not mccain, not putin, not karadzic or milosevic, not sharon, not one of them can make me cry, BUT YOU CAN, YOU MUSLIMS, YOUR ACTIONS AND THOUGHTS!!! I ask you, where is your heart, where is it, where is your love for Allah, where is you fear from Him, where is it??!!!! Where is you love for the Prophet salAllahu alejhi we sellem, where is it??!!!!!!!!! SubhanAllah, you are hurting me, your sister in faith”

    Never mind the grammar but that is the Fitra speaking.

    Umm Yahya says:
    “Allahu akbar!, you couldn’t have said it any better sheikh. may Allah open the eyes of ‎those muslims who are blinded by their hawa(desire) FOR THIS WORLD AND NOT ‎FOR THE HEREAFTER. Instead of thinking about the greater consequences of these ‎kufur policies i.e the destruction of their muslim brothers and sisters around the ‎world, they are only concerned with their bellies, houses, money etc, consenting to the ‎western ideology of ‘me’, ‘myself’ and ‘I’”

    Unfortunately with some people that is the case.

    Question says:
    “SO WHAT DO WE DO?”

    Do dawa, study Islam, and strive to become a better Muslim.
    Question also says:
    “Is it really part of our Din of Islam that we exclude ourselves from our Western societies and ONLY involve ourselves when it’s to out advantage???”

    Absolutely.

    Vote on Tuesday says:
    “I’m proud to be a muslim american.”

    Please brother reconsider that statement. Our pride is in being Muslims.

    Sad says:
    “I was at the mosque and heard the imam promoting voting. I left disgusted. Why? Because a few years back we were told to vote for a president who only brought harm to the ummah and caused harm to those in this country.”

    That is very sad indeed. People go to the masjid to be guided only to be deceived.

    Zaeem says:
    “I fully agree with you about US elections. However in my country Pakistan, we have Jammat-e-islami which takes part in Pakistani elections and they say that they will bring sharia once they are voted into power. Do you think it is right to take part in such an election when an islamic party is contesting and we want it to win. Same argument goes for Hammas in Palestine.”

    We should not be part of the democratic system whether in the land of Muslims or non Muslims.

    Voting on November 4th says:
    “I understand that democracy is different from Sharia or Islamic law, but this is not an Islamic country. We can’t expect it to be ruled by sharia. And those that do should probably move to an Islamic country where sharia is the law. And it is our right as American citizens to vote and make a difference. We should excercise that right. Or else we cannot sit back and complain about the status quo—including things like the current war in Afghanistan and Iraq (which has destroyed our economy and lead to inflation and people losing their jobs)”

    Brother your reasoning is flawed even on an issue we agree upon and that is ending the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. You say the war “ has destroyed our economy and led to inflation and people losing their jobs”. These reasons you mention are actually good consequences that the war has brought. I am against the war not because of what you have stated but because it is a war between True Muslims and disbelievers and I wish the disbelievers an utter defeat.

    Hassan says:
    ““And it is our right as American citizens to vote and make a difference.”
    so which one of your future puppet masters will make the difference in the life of the Muslim?”

    Good point.

    A brother says:
    “By Allah, I hope that when Obama comes into power with your direct support and blessings, and unleashes a new front on the War on Islam, and spills the blood of another million Muslims, and destroys the homes of another million, that you are held accountable in front of Allah for your betrayal of this Ummah just so you could have some tax cuts.”

    Ameen

    Jihadfeesabilillah says:
    “The Pharaohs of USA, UK, the Illegal State of Israel will all be defeated InshAllah, not by the ballot box but by the the Jihadfeesabililah which is already on the way.”

    That is how Rasulullah did it and that is how every Muslim victory in the past was won.

81. ali says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:12 pm

    George Carlin a non muslim had this to say: “people who say if you don’t vote you have no right to complain, well wheres the logic in that?! if you vote and you elect dishonest incompetent people and they get in to office and screw everything up you are responsible for what they have done, YOU caused the problem, YOU voted them in, YOU have no right to complain. I on the other hand, who did not vote, who infact did not leave the house on election day, am no way responsible for what these people have done have every right to complain about the mess you have created and I had nothing to do with”

82. Abdullah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:21 pm

    Selamu Alaikum,

    at first of all i want to thang our belove sheikh to share his point of view with us.
    Than i have to say that i dont understand why many people are so angry about his statement. Many big scolars have the same opioion that particpating in votes is haram. Now Anwar Awlaki have the same attitude and people are upset, this is just ridiculous. We know that there is a second opinion, fine. But the point of him was the both canditats are planning to push more troops into afghanistan and are alwas ready to support israel 100%. So the outcome will be the same, there is not really a choice of the lesser evil, indeed both are against islam!!!
    Here Just another fatwa.
    http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/107166/voting

83. Abdullah says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:57 pm

    From the things that the Ummah should wake up to and be worried about are the affairs of the Muslim prisoners all over the world, especially the scholars and callers to Allah amongst them – those who took it upon themselves to openly speak the truth and confront falsehood. This applies to those imprisoned by the treacherous apostate slave regimes in the Muslim lands – and they are many, and they are put through immense torture and humiliation in these dark oppressive prisons – as well as those being held in the prisons of the Romans in America and the Western countries. I am especially referring to the Muslim youths who are unjustly held at Guantanamo Bay, as well as the elderly blind scholar, Shaykh ‘Umar ‘Abd ar-Rahman, who is put through so many types of harm, humiliation, and subjugation in prison. They pay no regard to his weakness, old age, or status with the Ummah, and they do not intend with this except to subjugate Islam and the Muslims! May Allah hasten his release and the release of all of the Muslims all over the world!

    O nation of Muslims, do you think that if the other nations had in the prisons of the Muslims what we have in their prisons that they would remain silent? Do you think that they would live in comfort or relaxation?!

    I think that you have heard how America and all the other Western nations threatened the Libyan people with various punishments, sanctions, etc. if they didn’t free a group of female European criminals who intentionally killed over four hundred Muslim children by injecting them with AIDS-infected needles, that deadly disease! At the same time, the Islamic nation has hundreds if not thousands of scholars and Muslim youth in the prisons of the disbelievers and apostates for no crime except that they said their Lord is Allah, as Allah Said: {“They had nothing against them except that they believed in Allah, the Mighty, Worthy of all Praise!”} [al-Buruj; 8] Despite this, the Muslims are completely clueless and heedless except those who Allah has bestowed Mercy upon. They pay no attention to the situation and the oppression and hardships that these prisoners are experiencing, as if these prisoners from the scholars and youth of Islam are not the sons of this nation and have no rights upon their Muslim brothers!

    O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while Allah Said: {“Indeed, the believers are brothers…”} [al-Hujurat; 10] and {“The male and female believers are allies of one another…”}[at-Tawbah; 71]?

    O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while your Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the prisoner!”

    And he said: “It is upon the Muslim faithful to free their prisoners and to pay their ransom.”

    And he said: “There is no Muslim who forsakes a Muslim in a situation where his reputation and honor are violated except that Allah will forsake him in a situation where he would want His help, and there is no Muslim who helps a Muslim in a situation where his reputation and honor are being violated except that Allah will help him in a situation where he would want His help.” And what is worse than for the entire Ummah to forsake the best of its sons who took it upon themselves to protect its religion and honor in their hardest hour?!

    And he said: “Whoever helps his brother in secret, Allah will help him in this world and the next.”

    O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while your Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The believer to the rest of the believers is like the head to the body: the believer is pained at what afflicts the rest of the believers just as the head feels the pain of whatever afflicts the body.”

    And he said: “The believers are like a single person: if the head hurts, the entire body complains, and if his eyes hurt, the entire body complains.” And his saying “the believers” means that every single believer – regardless of their race, color, and nationality – cannot be except like a single person in their cooperation and compassion and unity. They are like a single man, feeling the pain as if they are one body, feeling concerned for each other just as a man feels pain and concern in his entire body when a single limb of his hurts. Are we like this?!

    O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while your Prophet said: “You see the believers in their mercy and compassion towards each other like a single body: if a single limb hurts, the rest of the body tends to it to relieve it.” So, each one of us should ask himself in order to test his faith and ascription to the believers and to this religion: am I one of those who worries and feels the pain when the Muslims around the world are going through hardships? Or am I one of those who don’t care and only pay attention to my own interests and desires?!

    O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while your Prophet said: “Whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this life, Allah will relieve him of a hardship in the Hereafter, and Allah will help His slave so much as he helps his brother.” And what hardship is greater to relieve and remove from your Muslim brother than the hardships of being a prisoner? Imagine how great the hardships are of being captive in the depths of the prisons of the oppressors and criminals!

    And he said: “The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim. He does not oppress him or hand him over, and whoever helps his brother, Allah will help him. And whoever relieves the distress of a Muslim, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Resurrection.” His statement “he does not oppress him or hand him over” means that he does not hand him over to oppression and the oppressors, and rather strives to rescue him from their clutches,

    O Muslims, you want the scholars and callers to Allah to openly proclaim the truth and to fulfill their obligations towards the Ummah, yet if they do this and are afflicted with trials and hardships such as their being thrown into the depths of the prisons of the oppressors, you abandon them and distance yourselves from them, and sit back from helping them as if you don’t know them and they have no rights over you… {“That is a division that is most unfair!”} [an-Najm; 22] So, Islam should be aided by the Muslim people as well as their active scholars together – not one instead of the other.

    A door to the doors of good has been opened for you, O slave of Allah! So, take advantage of it before it shuts and you are prevented from this abundant good! This door is that you see to the needs of your imprisoned brothers and their families and children. So, I give glad tidings to those who take advantage of this before the door is shut, and they spend the rest of their lives in regret!

    O Allah, the Living, the Self-Sustaining! Owner of Majesty and Honor! I ask You by Your Mercy and Power to release the Muslim prisoners everywhere on Earth, to relieve their distress, to unite them with their children and families and loved ones immediately, to be with them in their solitude, to keep them firm, to cause tranquility to descend upon their hearts, and to exact revenge upon the oppressors and their helpers. Show us one of Your signs in how You deal with them, as You are Hearing, Close, and Respondent, our Lord!

    And may peace and blessings shower our unlettered Prophet, his Household, and his Companions.

    Our final call is that all praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

    Original Arabic: http://www.abubaseer.bizland.com/articles/read/a%20106.doc

    Just go out to vote and make ur live more comfortable and hey maybe u can buy then ur children everyday a big icecream, and dont forget, dont watch television maybe u will see the other side of the world where ur BROTHERS AND SISTERS are killed and raped.
    But dont waste ur time just look who will decrease the taxes for u and enjoy ur time….
    the head ot this ummah is so deep in this dunya subhan Allah!

    HARRY TO THE LANDs OF THE MUJAHIDEEN AN LIVE WITH HONOUR AND PREPARE UR ANSWEAR FOR ALLAH TAA’LA

84. Bengal Tiger says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:38 pm

    I completely agree with the Shaikh that both candidates are evil for us.Initially
    I thought that I am not going to vote;
    But we know that if Mccain comes to power he will start another war a muslim country say Iran & aggravate the lives of muslims in other countries.So my conscience led me to vote for a lesser evil in order to prevent a bigger evil.Do you want more
    muslim nations to lose their independence & suffer like the palestinians?

85. Sidra says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:59 pm

    Dear Sheikh Anwar,

    As much as I enjoy your lectures, I am quite disappointed by your statements. You need to listen to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyahs lectures on Muwatana, and the duties one has when they live in a country. If you strongly believe in this position, then you should give up your american passport, because it was issued by a democratic nation, and you shouldn’t reap the benefits of a country that you pronounce has such “evil” elections.

86. Mokbil says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:16 pm

    Salam ou aleikom brothers and sisters,

    Thank you brother Anwar for this message. I wanted to briefly mention to the brothers and sisters concerned about the vote that how can you believe that a 2 party system really represents 300 million americans? These parties are leaning against one another so that they may never tumble, your vote really does not matter a thing, since it does not, do not add to it displeasing Allah. In 2004 Kerry clearly won the election as stated in the book “armed madhouse” and many other reliable sources, did it matter? No. Tawakallu ala Allah and do not vote.

87. Dismayed Muslim says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:18 pm

    Assalamualikum

    I am very sorry and sad indeed to see such a post come out on the eve of the coming elections.

    There is something called the burden of history. That is when you remain locked in a certain past in such a way that you cannot think of ways to make things better.

    My sense of Islamic history is that the Prophet (SAWS) built on the current ummah he found. His message wrapped itself around the society he was in like vines around the trunk of a tree.

    The message posted above asks for Muslims to completely isolate themselves from the society of which they are a minority. It is disenfranchizing oneself by force.

    Had the Prophet done that in Mecca, he would have certainly perished.

    I do not believe that voting will resolve the problems of the Muslim world. I think however that voting will make American Muslims (whether they feel at home or not) at a closer step to carving a Civic existence for themselves.

    If we are not happy with the place we are in, we must change that place. If we do not wish to change that place or change what is upsetting us, then we might as well leave to another.

88. Umm Suhaila says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:50 pm

    salam, I am soooo pleased to see that at least someone else is not supporting the evil of democracy.

    Imam Anwar i just like to say that we are having th same problems in the UK when it comes to voting during elections as majority of the salafi, sufi, moderate dawah organisations are alll for voting.

    i have some notes that may help muslims in their dawah regarding this matter but its inrealtion to the UK……

    WHY WE REJECT THE ELECTIONS

    Our rejection of the elections is based on convictions that emanate from various evidences, they can be summarized in the following points,

    The elections are a mechanism to choose a representative, in order to participate in a legislative body in a non-muslim country amongst the disbelievers in order to legislate law; this is in contradiction with the Islamic rules. Somebody may say that ‘these elections will lead us to the best and most qualified person who will represent our interests in the parliament’, however it is not true that the person chosen will be the most suitable or the most pious (i.e. with the most taqwa) rather it will be the one who collects the most votes to come to power. He may obtain these votes by his effective media propaganda or because of his partisanship to a party or because of his wealth or even because he bought the loyalty of the people or because of any other desires.

    The people will never gain their position because they are capable for the job in this way, not to mention that the capability for the job is not an excuse to commit Shirk Akbar i.e. legislation. Verily, all the elections’ measurements are based on the wealth and the media, and the one who has no wealth nor media backing, his winning is a form of imagination, whenever he has more money and his image in the media is stronger, he will have a stronger hope to win the election. If you were to bring a man who compiles all the certificates and qualifications of the world and then let him sit at home, then see if anyone will vote for him or not unless he spends much money and leads a campaign!

    A Muslim must know that if he is to maintain his Islam, he cannot participate in the election and must not participate in any form of kufr such as voting for a person that wants to go to elections in order to participate in the legislative body under the pretext of his ‘good intention’.

    Looking to people in any society, we find that they have huge demonstrations against their government policies similar to the people in UK demonstrate against the Labour policies even walking in millions in the street protesting against a government that is supposed to represent them; we find the very people who voted for them rising against them, so how did they obtain their votes in the first place except by deceiving and lying to them?

    Elections are a mechanism inside a political symphony in the framework of a particular culture (i.e. the western culture here in the UK) based on the idea of multi-party elections and multiculturalism motivated by a particular man-made ideal. In Britain, that has already been laid down in the deen of Kufr, the Deen of democracy and secularism, which contradicts to Islam.

    Understanding this fact, we find that the election has become a method to put your head in the sand like an ostrich, it will not solve any problems, rather it will only strengthen the kafir parties, whether labour or conservative or lib dem or Respect or any other man-made party.

    People should know that all of these mechanisms of elections are based on a man-made framework and man-made (i.e. Kufr) culture, they should know that they are not participating in anything except to negate and leave their deen.

    Many people think that elections are the way forward to represent the Muslim interests and benefits in the British society and to unite the Muslim voice, to demand and pressure the parliament for certain benefits for the Muslims. But Verily elections are a mechanism to fragment the Muslims and to destroy the remaining forms of co-operation and to spread between them envy against the candidates opposing them; that is because it is based on partisanship and alliance to and based on the kufr. He cannot live with himself, whatever he does of good deeds he has to participate and ally with a corrupted party and to co-operate with kuffar, he has to compete on behalf of them in order to achieve any result. This will cause in the Muslims the spirit of division instead of cooperation in good deeds.

    That will destroy the Islamic brotherhood that distinguishes them from other nations; for other nations it means nothing to co-operate with all other people, but for Muslims, to co-operate and ally with Kuffar opposes the very usul of Al Walaa Wal Baraa’.

    Furthermore, the success of the candidate is based on how many votes he can collect, that is by promising to the people to fulfil their individual interests in order to represent them in parliament. Therefore, the candidate will win his seat either by his promises to fulfil their interests and desires over the promises of his counterpart – in this case the wishes of the people becomes a dummy that they ride upon in order to achieve his own ambition to become an MP.

    Many people who participate in the elections among the Muslim community do not know the position of the person that they vote for, if they were aware that what they are doing is sin and Kufr Akbar, they should refrain from participation. However when they have been given an emotional, false and misguided justification and incorrect interpretation they are duped into supporting a Kufr Deen.

    Some people may say that it is a practical solution for the Muslims and to stop all Islamophobia and misrepresentation of Islam; they should know however that in a country that has a multitude of corrupted sects and religions, it will never bring any practical solution for the Muslims unless they compromise their deen the way we see many Muslims compromising their Deen in order to be accepted politically.

    However our rejection of the participation of the elections is only a matter of obedience to Almighty Allah, and our rejection of integration is not a call for dictatorship, nor a call for isolation, rather it is a call for positive interaction in society; only in the way that Allah ordered us, not according to the pressure of the society; according to the divine text, not according to the interpretation of the reality.

    Therefore, our fear from death or suffering from a lack of participation should not make us throw ourselves into a place where we will sink and lose our identity, rather it should be a driving force to form a pressure group as a community, whom can dictate the interests of the Muslims without to be part of the system, rather to be a fifth column who are able to maintain and survive and maintain it’s unique identity, offering a live example for the people to see. If we fail to convince them verbally in debate and argument, let us convince them practically without to join them in their system, and without losing our identity.

89. Umm Suhaila says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:53 pm

    The Islamic Alternative to Voting for
    Man-Made Law

    Since voting for man-made law is a clear-cut prohibition and an act of apostasy in Islam, many people frequently ask the question; what is the alternative to voting and how are we going to elect a government unless we vote? It is very shallow and naïve to assume that the only form or mechanism of electing a government is through Democracy or voting (for man-made law). As Muslims, it is part of our creed to believe that the Sharee’ah of Allah (Islamic law) is perfect, complete, and has no contradictions. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’aan:

    الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ
    “This day, I have perfected your Deen (way of life) for you…” (EMQ al-Maa-idah, 5: 3)

    Therefore our Sharee’ah has been completed for us by almighty Allah (swt); and he has left no sickness without a cure, and no problem without a solution. Anybody who believes that Islam is not complete and does not give a solution for every single matter has committed kufr (apostasy) and left the fold of Islam. This is because Allah (swt) says in his book:

    وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ
    “And we have sent down to you the Book (i.e. the Qur’aan) as a clarification (and solution) for all matters…” (EMQ an-Nahl, 16: 89)

    For argument sake, if there is any issue or matter which arises in the future and we cannot find a solution or answer for it in the Qur’aan or Sunnah, we must believe that there is one but we cannot find it (based upon our own limited knowledge or resources etc.). Statements such as, “Islam does not say anything about this issue”, or “there is no Sharee’ah stance on this matter” etc. are all kufr (non-Islamic) statements which imply that the Deen of Allah (swt) is incomplete and does not provide a solution for every single matter.

    The Islamic alternative to voting is quite clear and simple. The messenger Muhammad (saw) and his companions (ra) never voted for the Quraysh or any other Kaafir political party. The way they implemented the Sharee’ah was by interacting with society and calling them to Islam. If the people rejected, by either fighting against the believers or arresting them, the solution is to move to a different place; and this is exactly what our beloved messenger of Allah did. When he found that the Makkans were stubborn and intolerant of Islam (just like the British government), he left Makkah and migrated to al-Madeenah.

    It was in this city where he (saw) built a strong Muslim community who rejected to live by the laws of the Kuffaar, and implemented the Sharee’ah. The messenger of Allah (saw) never voted for the Kuffaar in order to have a voice or position amongst the Mushrikeen of Makkah. Instead, he sought the Islamic alternative which was to migrate and implement Islam in his own province, and then later (almost immediately) expand this ideology via the use of Jihaad.

    As Muslims who follow the Saviour Sect (the Messenger of Allah [saw] and his Companions [ra]), we are obliged to do exactly the same. The solution for Muslims in the UK, Europe and all over the world is to live together as a community and implement Islam, regardless of the consequences. This is because implementing Islam is an obligation upon every single Muslim, and anyone who dies without giving allegiance to the Khaleefah (leader of the Muslims) will die the death of Jaahiliyyah (polytheism).

    This Islamic alternative may sound difficult or “impractical” for those who are deviant or have a disease (hypocrisy) in their hearts; but who said that Jannah (paradise) was ever going to be easy? By living as a community we can implement the Sharee’ah, build a solid body of Muslims and people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Allah (swt), and then carry this Deen to the whole of mankind. There will never be any shortage or problem with halaal food, health, safety, education, finance, indecency and immorality in society, etc. as Islam will be in power and all forms of corruption will be eradicated.

    We do not remove one Taaghout by voting for another Taaghout. We are supposed to reject, hate and disassociate ourselves from the Tawaagheet, not vote for them! It is completely ludicrous to say that since there is no option or alternative, we must vote.

90. khan says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:53 pm

    We come to USA (western countries) by Choice, become Citizens (after taking Oath), enjoy the benefits not available in other Muslim countries- health care, buy and invest in properties, stock market, less discrimination in work place, voting rights ( say in politics, referendums and issues), have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, Our US born children has right to become US President –the most powerful politician in the World.

    Show me any Muslim country does the above to immigrants and their children. They do not even do any of these to their own Muslim Ummah (Brothers and sisters in Islam). Those corrupt leaders get endorsements from our muslim and Imams that had lead to so much bloodshed in Middle East and other countries.

    We need Muslims to be active and take part in different fields that are important to shape up the country. Our youth must be encouraged to study Business administration and Economy (CEOs), Political sciences (congress, senate), Journalism (Media)-Judiciary (Lawyers), Technology, Social justice (Islam), medical and engineering sciences. As a good muslim and citizen we se must contribute our skills and good to the country where we live. It is the ALLAH who decides and best Planner for the country and people.

    Our final Prophet is best role model for entire mankind as He was commander of Chief, Negotiator and took the best and right action based on the circumstances. Unless we participate, become active and have good Muslims at different levels we cannot bring any CHANGE (look at Obama, Keith Allison and other Muslims at political levels.) We need good Muslims as at all levels to bring CHANCE and Yes we CAN, Inshallah.
    There is benefit and our Muslim vote is RELEVANT to show our force and Unity. Read the history of Jews and Blacks in this country and where they stand now. If some people and Imams /scholars think negatively about any country’s system(whether muslim/nonMuslim) and feel that living in such country is violating your faith and believes , then they must do Hijrah (migrate to Shariah based country, if they find one in this world? Good Luck. Someone’s quote:”Name one Islamic Country that is based on TRUE islamic Sharia!!!”) (Prophet Muhammad –pbuh and His sahabah migrated to Madinah.)
    Someone Quote “Show me evidence in the Qur’ran and Sunnah that it’s explicitly HARAM to vote for anything?If that is the case, why would the Muslims during the time of the prophet muhammad PBUH give baiah to a leader to lead them. Giving allegiance is a form of voting irrespective of the system”. I agree on this. And, yes, no matter how relevant/irrelevant your rulings/fatwas, on the Day of Judgment Imams and scholars will be called to explain for it
    Giving such fatwa/ruling just before 3 days of Election is creating big doubts in many Muslims. One party was looking for this kind from some so called famous Muslim figure (please recall a similar video broadcast in the past election that helped Mr. Bush). Therefore, I request humbly some corrupt imams and scholars to stop the nonsense and wrong fatwas on many issues that are misguiding and splitting the muslim ummah.

91. aboo ibraheem says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:57 pm

    Dismayed Muslim, I think you should go back to the books of seerah and see how the Prophet and his companions lived in Makkah.

    Muhammad (saw) was given many offers to compromise or to come to a common ground between him and the society, which gave an open invitation for political participation. In one instance, narrated by Al-Tabarani, a delegation of the leaders of Quraysh, visited the Prophet (saw) in order to reach a compromise. They offered the Prophet (saw) enough money to make him the richest man in Mecca, and offered him any woman of his choosing, and lastly, they offered him a deal that they would worship Allah one year and Muhammad (saw) would worship their gods one year. Such an offer in today’s currency amounted to far more than a few seats in Parliament or a few votes, but Muhammad (saw), in spite of the miserable situation he (saw) and his Companions faced, did the most impractical and unrealistic thing when he recited Allah’s (swt) answer to their propositions: “Say: ‘0 you who disbelieve. I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your Deen and to me my Deen.’” [TMQ 109:1-6]

    In another well known incident, when his uncle Abu Talib was pressured from the Quraysh tribe to reconcile with the Prophet (saw), he responded with the famous statement, “0 my uncle, by Allah, if they put the moon in my right hand and the sun in my left hand on condition that I abandon this mission, I would not abandon it until Allah makes it victorious or until I perish.” This statement eliminates any notion of partiality or compromise that the Prophet (saw) may have carried.

92. Umm Suhaila says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:58 pm

    The Islamic ruling on Democracy, “Freedom” and Participating in Elections

    In order to give any Islamic verdict or stance on these topics, we must have a comprehensive and correct understanding of the reality (Tahqeeq ul-Manaat). Since the term Democracy is not an Arabic term, it cannot have been introduced by Islam or even by Arabs (though the concept of it may have existed). Therefore, we must see where the term originates from and what it means. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term Democracy means: “A form of government in which the people have a say in who should hold power and how it should be used.” Therefore the people are the source of legislation and choose what laws should be executed.

    Another meaning for the term Democracy (originally a Greek term – Dēmokratia) is that it is “the rule for the people, by the people”, in other words, it is a system where the people legislate laws that suits their own desires. Therefore, whether we like it or not, Democracy is not only a form of consultation (Shooraa) as the secular “Muslims” like to claim in order to justify their kufr, but it is primarily a mechanism and system that allows people to leave the commands of Allah (swt) and to legislate their own laws. And this is how the non-Muslims define it themselves! Allah (swt) says in the Qur’aan:

    فَلا وَرَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
    “But no, by your Lord, they are not believers, until they make you (O Muhammad [saw]) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (EMQ an-Nisaa, 4: 65)

    وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالا مُبِينًا
    “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and his Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and his Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (EMQ al-Ahzaab, 33: 36)

    Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to have any opinion on the Divine Rules (al-Ahkaam ash-Shar’iyyah) of Allah, and commenting on any of Allah’s law is considered to be Kufr Akbar which takes you outside the fold of Islam, as Allah (swt) says:

    وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَا إِلا الْكَافِرُونَ
    “…And nobody rejects our verses (Divine Rules) except The Disbelievers.” (EMQ al-’Ankaboot, 29: 47)

    For this reason, choosing not to live by the commands of Allah is kufr and apostasy in Islam. And Muslims (and non-Muslims) have no right to legislate law as Allah (swt) is the only Legislator, as He is al-Hakam (The Legislator and The Commander):

    إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلا تَعْبُدُوا إِلا إِيَّاهُ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ
    “Verily, the Hukm (right of legislation) belongs to none but Allah. He has command you to worship (obey and submit to) none but him. That is the straight (true) Deen, but the majority of men know not.” (EMQ Yoosuf, 12: 40)

    This verse makes the issue as clear as the sun in the middle of the day. Therefore those who call for Democracy are calling for shirk, kufr and a Deen other than Islam, which are all major forms of apostasy. Democracy is not from Islam, and those who say it is, are Zindeeq – heretics, who propagate kufr in the form of Islam and are worse than the Kuffaar

    Thus, for greater reason, becoming an MP or Mayor is a greater form of apostasy as they are actively participating in kufr and shirk and give their full consent to it. Some Secularists who claim to be Muslims pose the argument that voting is the only way to make a change or implement Islam. First of all, they are liars for claiming that they want to implement Islam, unless they genuinely do not know what Islam really means. And secondly, we must never deviate from the path of the Salaf (The Saviour Sect) by following our desires and methodologies which are not from Islam. The ends do not justify the means; therefore you cannot do kufr and shirk in order to obey Allah! Allah (swt) says:

    وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ وَإِمَّا يُنْسِيَنَّكَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَى مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
    “And when you see those who engage in a false conversation about our verses by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaytaan (Satan) causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zaalimoon (Mushrikoon, non-Muslims etc.).” (EMQ al-An’aam, 6: 68)

    Therefore, how can these so-called “Muslim” MP’s sit in parliament whilst the disbelievers mock Allah’s laws and commands by legislating constitutions other than His (swt)’s? The answer is quite simple – because they are disbelievers just like them but with Muslim names. It is not allowed to sit with those who support Democracy whether it be those who call for it, support it or give it legitimacy, and this is clearly stated in the verse above.

    With regards to Freedom, it is defined as the following: “The power or right to act, speak or think freely.” The concept of Freedom completely contradicts with the fundamental reasons of being a Muslim i.e. a submitter. The term Muslim contradicts with freedom and personal desires, and indicates that we are slaves and have no choice in matters that Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) have decided.

    “Freedom” is a form of Taaghout (false God or deity), and Muslims are obliged to reject anything that is worshipped, obeyed or followed other than Allah, as He (swt) says:

    وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ
    “And we sent to every nation a Messenger (who proclaimed): ‘Worship none but Allah and keep away (reject) at-Taaghout…” (EMQ an-Nahl, 16: 36)

    “Freedom” is about being free from the commands of Allah and to follow your desires, therefore Muslims do not believe in freedom, whether it is freedom of expression, speech or any other form of kufr (freedom). The Quraysh had a similar system to Democracy, where various tribes would gather together and legislate laws. Did the Messenger Muhammad (saw) ever vote for them or compromise with them? Did he (saw) ever join their parliament, police forces or military? The answers to these questions are obviously “NO” for those who understand and are on the path of guidance; whereas those who cannot see this are deaf, dumb and blind.

    In terms of elections, this is the only term that the Secularists can attempt to really play on. Linguistically it means to elect a leader or ruler, which in actual fact is an obligation in Islam, so long as this ruler implements the laws of Allah (the Sharee’ah). However, when we speak about elections nowadays, it does not mean to elect a ruler that will implement Islam! The election process nowadays is about electing a person who will rule by what the majority desire, and hence, like Democracy and “Freedom”, it is kufr.

    It is better for us to use a term other than “elections”, even when we are speaking about choosing a Khaleefah, for the sake of distinguishing ourselves from the Kuffaar (by not using their terminologies) and avoiding any ambiguities or misconceptions which surround the term election.

    Therefore my dear Muslim brothers and sisters know that Democracy and “Freedom” are both forms of Taaghout, and hence it is a prerequisite of being a Muslim to reject these and declare animosity towards them. Do not fall for the waswaas (Satanic whispering) of the Secularists who call you to reject Eemaan. Worship your Lord exclusively by obeying none but Him.

    ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ
    “…That is the straight (true) Deen, but the majority of men know not.” (EMQ Yoosuf, 12: 40)

93. sulayman says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:04 pm

    Sidra said:
    “If you strongly believe in this position, then you should give up your american passport, because it was issued by a democratic nation, and you shouldn’t reap the benefits of a country that you pronounce has such “evil” elections”.

    Either you are ignorant or stupid (or both), the imam does not live in america and reaps no benefits.

94. faheem shuaibe says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:15 pm

    Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

    In his blog yesterday a Sheikh said, “Democracy is an un-Islamic system and we as Muslims should have nothing to do with it.”

    I am not an apologists for whatever is being passed off as “Democracy” in America today. Never the less the semblance still offers opportunities and obligations to American Muslims who live in and intend continue to live in this country and one of them is to “VOTE”.

    One definition of Democracy is as follows; “government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.”

    It is more correct to say that the current system in America known as “Democracy” is a Non-Islamic system that shares some values with Al-Islam.

    For Muslims to have a “government by the people” without reference to the supremacy of Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) is not the Islamic Ideal for government. But the Islamic Ideal for government does include respect and responsibility on the part of people for the government.

    As Allah says in the Qur’an–
    4: 58. Allah doth command you to render back your trusts (AMAANAA-T: Governmental duties) to those to whom they are due; and when ye judge between man and man that ye judge with justice: verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! for Allah is He who heareth and seeth all things.”

    In this verse Allah is “commanding” us to use our judgment and decide who we want to give the governmental responsibilities to. This is what the system of electoral politics gives us an opportunity to do. So rendering our decision as to who should bear the governmental responsibility is a part of obedience to Allah and to willfully not do so is a “sin of omission”.

    Furthermore Allah says–

    42: 38. Those who hearken to their Lord and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation (Shuraa Baynahum); who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;

    What is Shuraa Baynahum? Is it not an obligation upon Muslims, in matters unregulated explicitly by Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) to decide what is the best course? Is there not voting involved?

    So even though “Democracy” or the current system is not an Islamic system, Al-Islam embraces some of the values of Democracy. And two of them are (1)Deliberations amongst the people to (2) decide who should be given the governmental duties.

    And on the issue of the lesser of two evils (which also applies equally to the better of two good things) – This was the Sunnah of the Prophet and, when properly understood, this is also the Qur’an and it cannot be simply dismissed by an unsupported opinion such as the one expressed by the Sheikh. Namely, “there is no benefit in either candidate whatsoever.”

    Yet the Sheikh spoke of Aqeedah. Doesn’t Aqeedah include the beliefs of Al-Islam? One of those beliefs is the “Qadr” which is stated as “The measure of potential benefit and potential harm is with Allah, the Most High?” The truth is that nothing is Absolute except Allah. For everything else there is a measure of potential benefit and a measure of potential harm. So based on our Islamic beliefs (Aqeedah) there is some potential benefit and some potential harm in both of the candidates but “only Allah knows how much”.

    So if that belief (Qadr) is true then the potential benefit of one will outweigh the potential benefit of the other. Also the potential harm in one will outweigh the potential harm in the other. So, in accordance with the verse of the Trust (4:58) we have an obligation to discover which is more beneficial or more harmful than the other. Only then can we comply with the Qur’an and the Sunnah in the matter ordered in verse 148 of the 2nd Chapter
    Which states, “To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together toward all that is good. (Fa stabiquu khayrat: Strive for what is most useful under the circumstances).”

    Therefore, contrary to what the Sheikh implied with his threat – “you will have to answer (real meaning “be punished”) for your vote on the Judgment Day”,. Allah has commanded all Muslims (North East West and South) to seek what is best under their circumstance (socially, culturally, economically, politically, etc.). Again this also means that to do so is a part of obedience to Allah because he has “command it” (2: 148) and to not do so is a “sin of omission”.

    Once we have exerted ourselves to the best of our abilities to discern – under our circumstances – which is better (more Khayr) than the other and which one is worse (more sharr) then we practice the Sunnah by choosing the khayr. (i.e. “the lesser of two evils” or “the better of the two” )

    Voting for American Muslims is crucial because by definition, “The Law is the embodiment of the interest of the people in the form of legislation”. Legislators write laws to embody the interests of the people they represent. Pessimism aside, if American Muslims don’t demonstrate electoral power then they will have no leverage to have their interests enacted, defended or represented in America.

    Clearly, it is not in the best interest of American Muslim not to vote because (like it or not as defective as the system is) elections will decide who will have the (Amaanaa-t ) “governmental duties” and those persons will write laws that will effect the lives of American Muslim Families whether they voted or not. Failing to do so not only will Muslims be disobeying Allah (4: 58; 2: 148) they will have no one to blame but themselves when legislators pay no regard to their interests in their legislation.

    The claim that the Sheikh makes that, “Participation in any form of western democracy will lead to the erosion of the aqeedah of wala and bara (loyalty to Allah and disavowal of the enemies of Allah) and the loss of one’s religion” is false on the face of it. Many converts/reverts to Islam in America were able to do so because of the “first amendment” protections. The first of them being “Freedom of Religion”. If those who thought otherwise at the founding of this nation had prevailed there would only have been Catholicism or only Protestantism practiced in American and Muslims would never have been allowed to teach non-Muslims Al-Islam and many who are Muslims today may not be. So it is a false and unsupportable claim that “participation in the “Democratic” system could cause a Muslim to lose their religion”. Furthermore, Al-Islam (by this I mean the religious practice not just by birth as in statistically Muslim countries) is growing faster in “the West” than in any other hemisphere. And it is because of “democratic freedoms”.

    So any American Muslim that has interests to be protected in this country should become a full participant in moving America towards the ideals of Al-Islam by utilizing all legitimate means and methods to do so. And one of them is to “VOTE”.

95. Still learning says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:26 pm

    Assalamu Alaikum Shykh,

    JazakAllahu Khair for this post. It’s very beneficial for those Muslims who desire to become a better Muslim. May Allah Subahanahu Wata Ala preserve you, Ameen…

    I have a question to ask regarding voting.

    My country where I live is made compulsory to vote. I never vote for anyone and last time I received $120 fine because I didn’t vote.

    So the next local election, I went to the voting point, and witnessed that they crossed my name off, then I received the paper and I simply wrote “Shariah Law only” in two bullet papers.

    I would like to ask, “Is it haram to go and write the message like I stated above as to avoid the big fine?” Also when I went there, I spoke to some Muslims and encouraging them to do the same by not voting for anyone.

    Or “I should totally abstain from this filthy place and pay the fine (which is lots of money for me)?

    Please reply as I want to do the right thing in Islam.

    Waalaikummu Asalam

96. voting on November 4th says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:55 pm

    I think both arguments make sense somewhat, but I am a little unsure about which one is the right one, according to the Islamic perspective. None the less, one thing if for sure-Obama is the lesser of the 2 evils. I will still be voting for him on November 4th. I really think he will bring about good and change in the government. And when America is doing well, our relations with other countries tends to flourish, as the rest of the world thrives off of our success. He seems like a peaceful person who wants to end the war in Iraq and bring home the troops. He also prefers sitting down with leaders in Muslim countries that are not that friendly to the West and finding a solution or peace agreement, rather than going to war with them. (For example, Iran). This is good for the Muslim Ummah because it will prevent further war and bloodshed in Muslim countries. If McCain had his way he would continue the war in Iraq and kill thousands more innocent Iraqi civilians, and then go to war with Iran. I definately think that choosing Obama is better than not choosing anyone and letting McCain win. That would only cause more harm to the Muslim ummah.

97. aziz says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:25 pm

    The argument the sheikh is making is that it doesnt matter who is elected president, they are both evil people. Well that may be true, but the reality is it matters quite a bit to muslims around the world who is elected. if Bush was not elected in 2000, there is a good chance more than 1.5 million iraqis would be alive today. Bush invaded iraq based on neo-conservative world view. a democrat would not have adopted that view.

    so if the sheikh thinks it doesnt matter, then what he is saying is it doesnt matter whether or not millions of iraqis live or die. He is wrong because he does not understand american or global politics. He should stick to discussing theology and religion, and stay out of politics. he obviously doesnt know what he is talking about.

98. Mustafa Sohail Rafique says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:35 pm

    As-Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu…,

    May Allaah reward brother Anwar for his efforts and striving for His Deen.

    I would just like to make a very small comment, I truly believe that the issue at hand (muslims voting in America) is much more complicated than what my dear brother Anwar makes it out to be. So I request for the brother to re-evaluate his position taking into consideration applied sciences such as Usul al-Fiqh, Qawaa’id al-fiqh and Seyaasatu Shar’iya…as these contain fundamental principles that must be analysed and implemented in the correct circumstances to obtain the correct outcome in regards to islamic rulings.
    Secondly, for those who dont have much background in Islamic Sciences, I recommend that you watch Sheikh Haitham al-Haddadi’s lecture regarding voting in elections and you can find it on YouTube. I believe the Sheikh answers briefly the points brother Anwar raised.

    All praise belongs to Allaah, and may the Salaat wa Salaam be upon Our Noble Prophet Muhammad.

    Was-Salaam.

99. prostratingcavalry says:
    November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:33 pm

    Assalamu Alaikum wr/wb, MashAllah an excellent article. The American muslims are more desperate than most, to live an Islam acceptable to America. Their constant efforts to equate their religiosity with that of the Christians and Jews, has only resulted in a completely secular Islam, concerned only with wudu, fasting and adaab as their dawah. They reject any talk of shariah, defending Muhammed saws in the wake of the cartoons and the filthy book The Jewel of Medina, of Khilafah, anything political, no muslim group took on the case of Afiya Siddiqi, although she is a citizen (let alone a sister) and the word Jihad is no more than a dirty word to them- AstaghfirAllah. They delight in “never watching the news”, justify their extravagant lifestyles of shopping and ‘home makin’g by the fact that the women wear hijab and ‘modest’ clothes, and the men have beards (the sunnah of Chuck Norris). They take the weakest evidences and qiyas to change their actions where and when necessary.
    I’ve relatives there and have spent time visiting their communities. May Allah swt protect the correct minded muslims from such contaminated thoughts. Aameen.

100. sulayman says:
     November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:50 pm

     Aziz, you mentioned that if bush was not elected (which he probably was not any way) that the war of iraq would not have happened. Do you know the unseen? Of course not!

     Also why are people claiming Obama is the lesser of two evils, he has said he will shift the majority of troops to afghanistan so muslims are most probably going to be killed any way. Also he has said things about Palestine that even Bush dared not to say. So dont try and act like you are doing the right thing by voting for obama, you will still have muslim blood on your hands!!

101. amal says:
     November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:07 pm

     asalamu aleykum wrwb
     I see we already divided in to 2 group and group of us dying their voice to be heard. whoever wants to vote hey,vote if you think choosing between the 2 evil will make different.but don’t lash our brother anwar with your vicious tangue because his telling us the reality.

     jazakallah once again sheikh may allah preserve you and grant you the hightes level in jannah

102. muzammil says:
     November 2, 2008 - الأحد 04 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:17 pm

     i think that as muslims we can be a part of society and use islamic values to make the world a better place. for me, that includes using what little power i have to pick a leader that will move us to a better place. it is our God-ordained responsibility as members of humanity to make our communities thrive. if voting on election day will help enact a leadership that is better than the other, then so be it. i find this post “Voting for the American President” myopic and dismissive of a regular person to make our neighbors’ lives better

103. o So ConFUSED SUbhanallah!! says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:07 am

     At first I had my mind made up that I wasn’t going to vote because regardless of who wins neither one of them has Muslims and Muslim countries in the best interest.

     Than I came across SH. ‘Uthaimeen (rahimahUllaah’s fatwa which states, “Answer: It is an obligation (waajib) that the Muslim vote for the the less evil or harmful to the Muslims from among the kuffaar and there is no problem in this.

     Pay attention. I said obligatory (waajib).

     Allah has stated in the Qur’aan:

     Alif Laam Meem. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearer land (Syria), Iraq, Jordan and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allah. And on that day, the believers will rejoice at the victory given by Allah… (to the Romans against the Persians). [Ar-Rum 1 - 4].

     Meaning that the Romans would be victorious over the Persians, namely, the Christians over the Magians, and Allah has decided that we be happy for their victory. That is, about the Christians defeating the Persians, because they are closer to Islam (in belief).”

     After I read that I thought…hmm… so I should vote???? really? Started considering it and making plans to vote.

     Now I read this and am just plain CONFUSED! Subhanallah. what to do??????

104. Concerned Muslim says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:40 am

     Aside from that fact that I believe your argument is flawed, I must say that YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THE REALITY IS THE REPUBLICANS WOULD LOVE TO ENTER INTO WAR WITH MUSLIMS IN IRAN AND SYRIA. MCCAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO KILL MANY OF YOUR OWN SISTERS AND BROTHERS AND IT IS A MUSLIM’S DUTY TO STOP HIM BEFORE HE HAS THE POWER TO DO SO. THIS IS YOUR DUTY AS A MUSLIM. THERE IS A VERY GREAT DANGER TO MUSLIMS, AND A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT CAN HELP SAVE THOUSANDS OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM SUFFERING. YOU WILL BE ANSWERABLE FOR THIS, AND OUR LEADERS WHO MOVE US AWAY FROM THIS LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM SPEAKING AS ONE WHO HAS STUDIED THE OF THE MIDDLE EAST POLITICS. YOU NEED TO STOP REPUBLICAN IMPERIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DEMOCRATS ARE LESS WILLING TO CONTINUE THE WARS OF AGGRESSION. MAY ALLAH HELP US ALL!!!

105. najwa says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:13 am

     salamu alaikum i just want say that so many muslims are unaware of the voting situation islamically. If they read this brothers blog they would be surprised.

106. Rukajja says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:29 am

     Es Selamu alejkum we rahmetullahi we berekatuhu

     It makes no sense, the more the knowledge comes up with evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the more arogance and filosophys are coming up as a kontra…
     May Allah reward the brothers and sisters who posted Allah’s Words and the one of the Prophet salAllahu alejhi we sellem
     There are a warn only for truth believers, those who are longing for victory of Allah’s Law and Word above everything and everyone and in every corner of the World
     As I see, those words above are to some people only ferytails for childrens sleep, neuzubillah
     From what are you afraid of, from poorness and starwing to death if you do not vote for your enemy? What are you thinking about Allah to have such fear?!
     And if you really are afraid for your self and do really think that you do have the right, the haqq, to go out and vote for the opposity of the Truth, tell me, what do you think about those schoolars who faiced death sentence but did not gave up on there principles which were based on strongest relying on the Allmighty and believe in Jannah and Jahanam! Do you think that there are fools and dreamers, no you dont?! Than why are you saying that with your actions?!

     I pray to AllMighty that He opens your hearts for the Truth in her truly sense, because no one can achive that but Him

     Remember Sayyid Qutb r.a. who said: The finger that is whitnessing that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammed is His Prophet (The Truth), can never sign a lie, something that is based on a lie

     ElhamduLillah Rabbil Alemin for muslims of knowledge and Jihad in one, elhamduLillah, as long as they are among us, Muhammed’s salAllahu alejhi we sellem Ummah will gain (with Allah’s support) victory over Kufar, no matter in what kind of form the Kufar appeals, and as Jihadfeesabilillah said, it is allready gaining victory

     Oh, and it is haram to eat pigs meet, ONLY and ONLY in latest need it is aloud, just not to die from hunger, but if you do eat it even if you did have a choise, between let’s say a piece of apple and a piece of pig’s meet, and you again choose the pig, because it will provide you a few houers more till you get to halal food, hmmm and how long it is said that the duas and prayers are not exepted if a man do so, 40 day’s, that’s 240 prayers??!!

     Do not know if this two things could be compared, but if they can, than
     wow, the mujahedin’s on the frontlines are not so brave as you are

     Bil khair inshAllah

     Es Selamu alejkum we rahmetullahi we berekatuhu

107. Muhammad says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:42 am

     Salams.

     I have to say – I am quite disgusted by the arguments you put forward as someone who spent sometime in the West: you are showing very little understanding of Western thought and the situation of Muslims living in these countries as full citizens.

     I am evenly disgusted because there are so many simple-minded Muslims out there who actually buy in to theses sorts of arguments which lack depth, understanding, sees the world in binary vision.

     Let’s read our own sources properly, our history, understand, reflect, think.

     I am disappointed with brother Awlaki.He will change his mind – but I fear the damage would already have been done.

108. UmmOmar says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:27 am

     Assalamu alaykum wa rahma tullohi wa barakatuh.

     For those who criticise Br. Anwar Al-Awlaki: do you realise he has lived in the US for a number of years and is not simply “issuing fatwa” without knowledge of the place and its circumstances? Do you have better credentials than Br. Anwar Al-Awlaki to be so confident in your criticism?

     In this day and age, it is so easy to have your opinion spread all over the world instantly. Brothers and sisters, please don’t write anything which you may be called to account for on the Day of Judgement. If you don’t have knowledge, then it is better to keep quiet.

109. Abdul says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:30 am

     Are you serious???!!!???

110. Abu Ibraheem says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:34 am

     Salaamu alaikum

     Unfortunately, This blog has given many Muslims who lack any knowledge of Islam whatsoever the opportunity to offer proof against themselves on Yaumul Qiyammah. I ask that anyone who reads this take heed. If you have not studied the Shaikhs position of voting and what the Ulema have said about this issue perhaps you should remain silent. Most of what I have read on this blog is pure opinion without any support from Islam. Which again, appears to be the position that many Muslims today feel comfortable with ( arguing from their opinion without any facts or Islamic basis). Speaking without any Islamic knowledge whatsoever. AT what time will we put our trust in Allah ta’ala instead of the Kuffar? We (Muslims) continue to believe that we can be successful by putting our trust in the Kuffar. After reading this blog it has become quite evident that muslims refuse to read the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet. We refuse to put our trust in Allah. We refuse to return back to our deen. We refuse to submit in Islam wholeheartedly. We refuse to learn, study, and memorize anything from our own tradition. Yet! we have no problem with saying I’m American and proud of it. Subhanallah. May Allah give us a better understanding and cause us to return back to his deen bi itnillah. How easily the Muslim forgets when his brother and sister are killed in Iraq etc… How can you vote for someone who rarely even mentions Allah ( God) as they say. How can a Muslim with a conscience vote for a liar? Have not both parties used deceit and lies to gain an advantage? Is this permissible for the believers? O Muslims! Are you not paying attention to the rhetoric? Have you not heard both candidates talk about striking Pakistan? What in the world are you thinking? How cheap the lives of your brothers and sisters have become. Once again, Muslims remember that all you say and do is recorded so when you speak ill of someone ( Sh. Anwar) who has committed their life and effort to correcting your Islam perhaps you should listen considering a great majority of us can’t even recite 10 short Surah’s ( Suwar) properly yet we think we have what it takes to weigh in on this issue and similar issues without even considering the possibility that he has strong support in the Qur’an and Sunnah for his position. My sincere advice for most of the Muslims who have responded here is to fear Allah. And may Allah guide us back to his deen.

111. Abdel-Wahab says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:20 am

     I will, InSha’a Allah, vote for Obama. I believe that I am a better Muslim by doing so. Please make sure you vote for a candidate of your choice and do not listen to such ill-defined type of fatwas. Hope that Mr. Anwar is not a part of McCain’s campaign.

112. ya allah says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:53 am

     the ones who r voting may allah never forgive YOU
     U R THE REASON WHY THE UMMAH IS WEEK U R THE SAME ONES WHO WOULD NEVER FIGHT FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

     U AMERICAN MUSLIMS RANE MUSLIM FEAR ALLAH BEFOR ITS TOO LATE

113. A Rational Muslim says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:15 am

     HOWEVER MUCH I RESPECT SHEIK ANWAR’S ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP – I ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE WITH HIM ON ABSTAINING THE ELECTIONS.

     Muslims living in America should vote as the outcome will definitely affect there daily lives to some degree – vote lesser evil of the two.

     If you want to take Sheikh Anwar’s opinion & abstain, than I suggest you take it to its fullest & leave the country altogether so you do not have to participate in it’s democracy (by saying this i’m not saying its better than the Islamic alternative). IMO it is plain ignorant to live in USA & than not vote in the system that WILL affect your daily life.

     ** How many Muslim countries do you know that affectively implement the Islamic Sharia – One that rest of the world can look at in inspiration ? NONE ?? ? **

     So why start criticising on a non muslim countrys politics when our countries are failing to implement the alternative.

     I think we should take a look at the lack of Democracy/Sharia in our own Muslim countries before we go criticising others. We do not have an example to offer the world.

     - A great Islamic scholar does not necessarily make a great politician –

     Jazak Allah.

114. ibn Mohammed says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:52 am

     Assalamualaikum Sheikh,

     I agree 100% with the sheikh may ALLAH make him steadfast and bless him and may ALLAH bless this Ummah with hundreds of sheikhs like Imam Anwar.

115. Abdul says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:13 am

     I dont know what gives these “imams” the right to become “political experts”.
     Just stay in your zone please….

116. Hijra Fisabeelillah says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:15 am

     An IRRATIONAL MUSLIM,

     First of all you should not be living in Daar-ul-Kufr, now dont tell me you are living for the PRIMARY sake of ISLAM like Dawah, Jihad or Spying 40 hrs/week on FT basis.

     Muslims who came to the West primarily came for DUNYA, Money and Better Dunyaee Life, NOT for better Aakhira. Now suddenly they saw their wifes,daughters getting OUT of HAND so instead of Repenting sincerely to Allah they started pseudo-Islamic community centers,schools, dawah,community builders, soup kitches, Oh yah INTER_FAITH (Naoozobillah) hoping Allah will forgive them as thats His JOB right? Naoozobillah.
     OH FOOLISH,HUMILIATED MUSLIMS of Darul-Kufr Make hijrah for the sake of ALLAH not money,better life/wife, and STOP COMPLAINING and learn to SUCK-IT-UP.

117. ibn Mohammed says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:19 am

     The only 2 reasons these muslims want to vote are
     1)First excuse is duniya (They want to be a part of society which is a society of gays and kuffars and get the tax benefits and blah blah)they are giving up their Akhira for duniya. May ALLAH guide them

     2)Second excuse is we vote forsake of other muslims they will not be killed in iraq or blah blah.
     Let me tell you that if your belief is that Obama or Mccain can save the muslims or help the muslims or benefit the muslims you are wrong, these deen of ALLAH azzawajal does not need the kuffar. ALLAH is sufficient enough and this deen will be victorious by humiliating the kuffar and the supporters of Kuffar INSHALLAH, like always. And if you are not aware of history then you will see it repeating soon INSHALLAH.

118. Mehdi says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:28 am

     Your mentality is exactly why Muslims have no say in anything. My way or the highway right? Idealism will get you nowhere. you should keep your eyes on the stars but your feet firmly planted on the ground.

     even the Prophet PBUH did not fight against the culture. The Sacred Months were there in Jahilliya period and part of the Jahil culture. However, when one of the sahaba violated the norms of the society, Allah SWT Himself said it was wrong.

     Example 2: Treaty of Hudaybiya: the Prophet PBUH was realistic, he made concessions for the greater good. That does not mean he surrendered.

     Example 3: the pact of the women which the Prophet PBUH took part in before the Message. Even afterwards he said he would never go back and change anything.

     If you guys want to bring change to the world, you can’t fold your arms in silence. When important issues are calling for your attention, what is the harm in voicing your opinion? When you see a wrong, are you not supposed to change it with your hands?

     This mentality is EXACTLY why Muslims are divided and weak. If you truely believe that voting is wrong, the fact that you are in this country makes you a hypocrite. You take advantage of the benefits the system gives, but criticize it at the same time. Good job.

119. Hijra Fisabeelillah says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:31 am

     Oh yeah, What I see here is NOT people who want to vs do not want to vote BUT MUSLIMS WHO LOVE Dunya VS Aakhira. Got my point.

     When Allah SWT test you the true believers will say Innal lillahi Wa inna ilayhi rajioon (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return) and they are PATIENT and on them is the SALAWAAT (Blessings,Guidance etc) from ALLAH SWT.

     So O belivers, turn away from the ignorants (Who want to vote) who can guide those whom Allah does not wish to be guided?
     And yes I am An American Muslim who came here for all the wrong reasons but Allah SWT has lifted the veil so I pray to Him alone to make it easy for me and my family to make HIJRA for the sake of ALLAH SWT to Daar ul Islam, Insha’Allah.

120. Mehdi says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:33 am

     I did not mean to make it personal. change “your mentality” to “this mentality”. I respect your knowledge, but on this issue of voting, i firmly believe it is extremely detrimental to human advancement and is downright extremist and hypocritical.

121. so sad says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:40 am

     As Salamualykum i may not have known weather voteing was halal or haram but when i heard both candidates say that they would bomb pakistan (and kill muslims) that was enough for me to know that i am not going to vote for someone who is happy to kill my brothers and sisters. i mentioned this 1 little thing to a muslim, whose reply was i don’t care what they said i am voting. so you don’t care that you will vote for some one who is prepared to kill your brother/ sister? maybe if it was your husband you would feel differently.

     from everything i have seen it matters not who you vote for, the lobbyists will do what they want.

     i don’t understand how any muslim could say they are not concerned about their brother/ sister just because they live in america or any other western country. Allah swt can see you where ever you are.

     For those who say we are doing dawah, are you really? most muslims i know living in the west do not do active dawah. they may or may not dress like muslims, but they don’t do much in the way of how they are when they are with non mumslims, their manners, the way they behave if someone says somthing unlismaic, the gossip, backbiting in the office, they join in, they don’t try to explain that muslims have rules even against backbiting and gossiping and stealing from their employer even their non muslim employer, for example using the phone/ computer for personal use, wasting company time, calling in sick when you are not. all those little things non muslims do i see muslims doing the same. we may fool the ppl but we are not fooling Allaah swt.

     so wake up, no matter where we are on this planet, we are supposed to live as muslims 100% of the time, not just when it suits us. not just on friday or when i go to the mosque or when i see my muslim friends, but all the time.

     wasalam

122. Radical_FROM_Uzbekistan says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:50 am

     TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA:
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUFa6d4R6OU

     For McCAIN: I think it is clear

     Both of them support ZIONISTS, who are butchering Palestians, you think about your tax cut?

123. Radical_FROM_Uzbekistan says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:58 am

     SOME MORE:
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saBv2OaOyow&feature=related

124. hussain says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:03 am

     if only you (plural) knew what really goes on behind the doors of the american government, NONE of you would vote for either, because its all set-up, your votes dont mean anything except that it adds to your sins, in the shadows, behind closed doors there are plans and agendas, obama or mccain, its all the same, its a plan, the winner is already known, they work together, dont be fooled, open your eyes, its all just a game they are playing on you, THEY WOULD NEVER EVER ALLOW YOU PEOPLE TO TELL THEM WHO RUNS THEIR COUNTRY, NEVER…the outcome is already been planned years ago, its all just a set-up, so wake up and realize that your vote means nothing to them but a statistic to understand how you think. dont be a ginea pig

125. hussain says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:05 am

     forgot to add, that if you vote and it does really count, then you’ve helped put into power someone who will rule by other than what Allah has revealed, just remember that when you vote…..that you helped this world be run by someone who hates Allah

126. From San Diego says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:26 am

     But how can we justify not voting to eliminate a law for gay marriages in California???

127. LitteMusa says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:03 am

     For those who actually believe in what these politicians are saying. May Allah Open Your Brain because it’s obviously narrow in thought. End the War! It isn’t going to end, they are lying. They do this quite often Im surprised you havnt noticed.

128. c c c says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:07 am

     Abdel-Wehab

     “I will, InSha’a Allah, vote for Obama. I believe that I am a better Muslim by doing so. Please make sure you vote for a candidate of your choice and do not listen to such ill-defined type of fatwas. Hope that Mr. Anwar is not a part of McCain’s campaign.”
     “They are fond of listening to falsehood of devouring anything forbidden, if they do come to thee, either judge between them, or dicline to interfere. If thou decline they can not hurt thee in the least. If thou judge, judge in equity between them. For Allah loveth those who judge in equity (Al-Maida 42)
     But why do they come to thee for decisions, when they have their own Torah before them?- Therein is the plain Command of Allah; yet even after that thy would turn away. For they are not (really) people of faith. (Al-Maida 43)
     It was We who revealed the Torah (to Moses) therein was guience and light. By its standard have been judged. The Jews, by the Prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah’s Will, by the Rabbis and the doctors of law: For to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto: Thereore fear not man, bit fear Me, and sell not My signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are Unbelievers. (Al-Maida 44)
     We ordained therein for them “life for life, eye to eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal” But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are wrong-doers. (Al-Maida, 45)
     And in their footsteps we send Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel. Therein was guidance and light. And confirmation of the Torah that had come before him. A guidence and an admonition to those who fear Allah. (Al-Maida 46)
     Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath reaveled, they are those who rebel. (Al-Maida 47)
     To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath reaveled and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee. To each of you have We prescrobed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute. (Al-Maida 48)
     And this He commands: Judge thou between them by what Allah had revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah had sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crimes it is Allah’s purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious. (Al-Maida 49)
     Do they then seek after a judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance? But who, for a people who’s faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah? (Al-Maida 50)
     Oh, ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah giudeth not a people in just. (Al-Maida 51)
     Those in whose hearts is a diseas-thou seest how eagerčy they run about amongst them, saying: “We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster” Ah! perhaps Allah will give (thee) victory, or a decision from him then will they regret of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts. (Al-Maida 52)
     And those who believe will say: “Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by Allah, that they were with you?” All that they do will be in vain, and they will fall into (nothing but) riun. (Al-Maida 53)
     Oh ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, – lowly with the Believers, Mighty against the Rejecters, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allah, which He will bestow, on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things. (Al-Maida 54)
     Your real friends are no less than Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers-, those who establish regular prayers, and pay Zakat, and they bow down humbly in worship.(Al-Maida 55)
     As to those who turn for friendship to Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers,- IT IS THE PARTY OF ALLAH THAT MUST CERTAINLY TRIUMPH. (Al-Maida 56)

     After these Words of Allah all I can say is that your faith in Allah is questionable, and that you are calling to nothing else but CHOOSING the Taghut to manage the live of the muslims!
     It will be no excuse for you that you live in a Kufar country, Allahs earth is wide and large and you can make hijra to islamic countrys, and dont you talk to me about non Sheriah in the whole world, if you do have 1-2 Believers arround you that are practicing Allahs law, you would find your self safe in Shelter of the Shariah, because one will always remind the other, and imagine if there is more around you. We do not need a king of Saudia and his puppets
     to tell us when, where and how much to practice our Minhaj

     Indeed, it are not the eyes that are blind it are the hearts

     And beware of how you are talking to Sheikhs like Anwar al-Awlaki, you have not give 1% of what he has give for the Ummah in the Path of Allah, nor do you have 1% of his knowledge, nor the history of deeds! Did anyone of you sacrifice one minute of his live in prisone because sticking to your faith?! Oh, no, rather it is opposite, you are sacrificing your Faith for not to spent any minute in prisone or a similar trouble!

     May Allah guide those who are for guidence and forgive those who deserves His Forgivness, but also, may He purify the ranks of this Ummah and may He separate those who truly believe from the hipocrisys, Amin

     peace and blessings on Muhammed, his family and companions and all his truly followers

     My last dua is elhamduLillahi Rabbil Alemin

     Es Selamu alejkum we rahmetullahi we berekatuhu

129. khalid says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:52 am

     assalaamu alaikum all

     the issue is a simple one
     the daleel is clear
     those who want to ignore it are looking for an easy way out
     shaikh anwar has given his opinion yes but it is based on solid evidence from Qur’an and Sunnah
     you make the choice now and remember that you will be answerable for your sin on Qiyamah

     and to 7amood: WATCH YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE SHAIKH YOU RUDE IMBECILE!

130. Mj says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:23 pm

     Abdul on November 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 am #
     I dont know what gives these “imams” the right to become “political experts”.
     Just stay in your zone please….

     So ABDUL is our imams can not give us advice like Sh.Anwars excellent advice who do we get it off? can you please tell me who is in the right ZONE to ask their opinion. mashallah ABU IBRAHEEM i think youve done an excellent job youve summed it up may allah reward you. and if anwar reads this dont fear the blame of the blamers.

131. AllahuAkbar says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:41 pm

     Assalamu alaikum,

     First of all, I would like to remind all – let’s respect each other and raise our points respectfully, especially when you are addressing Imam Awlaki.

     That said, here is some of the points I would like to state:

     1. The system of voting (the process) in itself is not haraam. It has been practiced by the sahaabah themselves in the form of giving bayah (an oath of allegiance to a leader). So, let’s not confuse that voting in itself is haraam. Because it’s not.

     2. Voting in US (i.e voting in Democratic system – non Islamic system) however, for any of the (taghoot) candidates is haraam. The reasons for it ss aplenty and have been raised by many commenters above. You can research it for yourselves.

     Moreover, both candidates have pledged their allegiance to Israel and have secured their safety. Obama even said he would attack Pakistan’s territory (where the talibans are) without anybody’s permission if he becomes president. Even before he became president we can see that they are already attacking Pakistan. And have killed more than 100 people. Nobody made any noise for the spilled blood of innocent women and childredn. That’s how cheap the muslim’s blood is nowadays. So go ahead and endorse him to kill more muslims. It’s between you and Allah! Not you and me, not between you and imam Awlaki… but Allah.

     3. Most of these people who are against true Muslims are saying why don’t you emigrate to Islamic country? Why do you stay here if you don’t like? etc.

     Believe me, they (i.e true muslims) want to emigrate and they have the intention. They are in fact can’t wait to get out from this country (US). Fortunately I live in a Muslim country, Alhamdulillah. I pray to Allah SWT to make it easy for my True Muslim brothers to emigrate from US. Ameen.

     4. US population is over 300 million. What is the population of Muslims in US???? Around 7-8 million. Let’s say all of them went and voted for one candidate, even in that case its effects will be insignificant. Not to say, True Muslims won’t be voting and the ones with weak judgment will be either voting for one candidate or the other. So there are three separate groups, which make the effects even more insignificant. And only the ones who abstain from voting will get ajr of Allah SWT.

     5. Did you ever wonder why there is only two parties in US? Why there is no alternative to these two? That’s because Republicans and Democrats are one and the same thing. They both work for same management. Look up any past president’s history and you will find, no matter what party they belong, they still belong to secret society called Skull and Bones. No matter who comes to power, they will still continue their war against Muslims. Those taxes and other BS are just a minor stuff to make people busy and argue.

     People who think they can make change by voting are truly delusional. May Allah guide them.

     Wassalam.

132. Abu Hafsa says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:46 pm

     Assalamualikum

     I wish i could somehow e-slap some of the Muslims here back to their senses.

     Do NOT vote oh Muslims.. FEAR ALLAH.. You are voting for an American Soldier who will go and rape your sisters somewhere around the world..

     And those who after knowing this vote.. may you be held accountable on the day of Judgment! For your foolishness..

133. Osamah Saleh says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:47 pm

     Asslamulikom,

     This article is in response to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki’s article, Voting for the American President.

     Though I disagree with his view on prohibiting voting in U.S. elections, one cannot dismiss the Imam’s great contribution to the Muslim community. He remains a respected and knowledgeable brother who have a lot to give to the Muslim Ummah.

     The response serves as a humble attempt to form a reference to those presented with the challenge of defending Muslims’ choice to participate in the next elections, and elections to come. Please feel free to use this article, in whichever way you see beneficial, and distribute it among your Muslim brothers and sisters before the election day.

     Subsections:

     1) Introduction
     2) The story of Yusuf
     3) Prophet Muhammad, his companions and Jiwar
     4) The Companions and Negus (An-Najashi)
     5) Scholars permitting participating in non-Muslim governments
     6) Final concerns from Muslims refraining from voting

     ======================

     Introduction

     Imam Al-Awalaki’s article is a simple statement and by no means give an academic perspective on why voting in a Western democracy negates Islamic values. However, it does follow a line of thinking that is known to some Muslim groups such as Hizb al-Tahrir, mainstream Salafi, and Jihadi-Salafi schools (despite the grave differences between all the three groups). Though they take slightly different approaches to the boycott of elections, one can easily detect the underlining factor behind their fatwas. Basically, they view that democracy opposes Islamic Shariah law, and thus a Muslim is prohibited from participating in such system.

     There is no doubt Western democracies do not conform to Islamic Shariah law. However, all prophets, including our beloved prophet Muhammad, lived under non-Muslim governments and all took steps to change their realities. When studying their legacy, one can find many forms of participation which lead to great benefits to Muslims and humanity in general.

     The story of Yusuf

     First story to come to mind is that of Prophet Yusuf when he asked the king of Egypt to become the keeper of the country’s public treasury. He told the king: “Set me over the storehouses of the land, I am a skilled custodian” (Surat Yusuf 12:55). Imam Ibn Taymeya, known as Shikh ul-Islam, states: “This was a way for him to invite [the Egyptians] to the way of Allah, rule justly in people’s affairs, remove injustice, and bring forth the type of good deeds which they never done before.” Ibn Taymeya narrates the evidence from Qur’an that Egyptians were polytheists, and their government was not Islamic. He says: “and Yusuf could not have implemented all aspects of the true religion in the way he wished–for the Egyptians would not have allowed him. But he applied as much justice and benevolence as he could, and utilized his authority to benefit the believing members of his family–benefits he could not have garnered without political authority.” (Majmou’ al-Fatawa)

     Furthermore, many commentators drew the conclusion, from this story, that it is allowed for Muslims to take positions in non-Muslim governments if there was to be any benefit to come out of it. To mention a few: Ibn Ateyah (d. 542 H./1148 A.D.), Zamakhshari (d. 538 H./1143 A.D.), Baydawi (d. 691 H./1292 A.D.), al-Shawkani (d. 1250 H./1834 A.D.), etc.

     Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his companions and Jiwar

     Jiwar can be seen as the ancient Arabian version of political asylum. When an Arab would pass by a land of his enemies, he would seek the protection of one of the leaders of the land. All individuals belonging to the leader’s tribe were not allowed to touch the refugee. Prophet Muhammad was in the Jiwar of his uncle Abu Talib. After Abu Talib’s death, he also once asked the protection of Mut’aam ibn Adiyy. Furthermore, Abu Bakr, Omar ibn al-Khattab, Othman ibn Math’oun have also utilized the system of Jiwar to stay safe within Mecca.

     To honor what Mut’aam ibn Adiyy’s many services to the Muslim community, the Prophet (PBUH) said after the Battle of Badr, “Had Mut’aam ibn Adiyy been alive today and asked me to release those prisoners of war, I would have let them go” (Bukhari). Mut’aam ibn Adiyy had died a polytheist, some years before the Battle of Badr.

     The Companions and Negus (An-Najashi)

     When pagan Meccans made it very hard for Muslims to practice their religion, the Prophet suggested Abyssinia. His insight on foreign policy allowed him to place the best of the believers at hand of a Chrsitian king who is a just and decent ruler. Umm Salamah, the Mother of the Believers, reports the story of migration to Abyssinia, and then says:

     We stayed in his (An-Najashi’s) land, where we were treated with great generosity and hospitality. During my stay there, some people rebelled against him (An-Najashi) and tried to take the hold of the reigns of power. By Allah, we haven’t felt sadness as we felt at that time, for fear that such rebellious (ones) might succeed in their scheme, and then a man who does not know the truth of our religion (nor does he observe our right as refugees) as An-Najashi did may be the sovereign. An-Najashi set out to meet the enemy, who was on the opposite bank of the Nile River. Then the Prophet’s companions said that a man of them may cross the river to investigate the enemy intensively. On that, Az-Zubayr ibn Al-`Awwam, who was one of the youngest among us, said, ‘I will.’ Then they gave him a float and he swam to the opposite bank and investigated the enemy’s preparations for the battle. During this, we observed du`a’ (supplication) heavily for An-Najashi to be victorious over his enemy and he succeeded and stability was achieved again in Abyssinia.
     – (Narrated in Musnad Ahmad)

     In his Fatwa permitting political activism in non-Muslim governments, Sheikh El-Moctar El-Shinqiti stated:

     “You see, when An-Najashi’s nephew rebelled against him and tried to elbow him out, the Muslim migrants in Abyssinia did not stand as onlookers; they didn’t stay idle because An-Najashi was a Christian and so was the enemy. Rather, they made du`a’ to Allah to give An-Najashi victory over his enemy. They also sent a man from among them to collect information about the battle, and if they had anything more to do, they would have willingly offered it”

     Scholars permitting participating in non-Muslim governments

     I have mentioned some of the Qur’an commentators who allowed political participation in non-Muslim governments. Many great scholars have also agreed to this opinion–such as the Shafi’ scholar Al-Ezz ibn Abd al-Salam (d. 660 H/1262 A.D.), Hanbali scholar Ibn Taymeya (d. 726 H./1328 A.D.), and Hanafi scholar Ibn ‘Abdein (d. 1252 H./1836 A.D.).

     Of the contemporary scholars (I mentioned them by country of origin; however, some of them currently reside in the West):

     Saudi Arabia: 1) Al-Sa’di, 2) Ibn Baz, 3) Ibn Uthaimein, 4) Al-Munajid, 5) Salman Al-Oudeh, 6) Sefr al-Hawali, 7) Abdullah al-Faqih, Al-Barrak
     Egypt: 1) al-Qaradawi, 2) Salah Al Sawi, 3) Jad al-Haqq (The Shiekh of al-Azhar University 1982-1996), 4) Nasr Fareed Wasil (the previous Grand Mufti) 5) Hasan al-Banna
     Syria: 1) Muhammad al-Sabouni, 2) Al-Albani (although he gave contradictory statements in other places), 3) Mustafa Al-Sebaei, 4) Saeed Hawa
     Kuwait:1) Abdul-Rahman Abdul Khaliq
     Lebanon: 1) Faisal Mawlawi
     Muritania: 1) Mohammad al-Amin al-Shinqiti, 2) Mohammad al-Moctar al-Shinqiti, 3) Weld al-Dadu, 4) Ibn Bayyah
     Iraqh: 1) Abdul-Karim Zeidan, 2) Muhammad Ahmed al-Rashid, 3) Abdullah Al-Judai, 4) Taha Jabir al-Ilwani

     And many others who I have not mentioned, to keep the list readable!!

     All the above mentioned scholars allowed political participation in non-Muslim governments in general. Some of them were cited specifically permitting the political participation in Western governments are Al-Qaradawi, al-Munajid, Salah Sultan, Salah al-Sawi, Ibn Bayyah, Al-Judai, al-Ilwani, Abdul-Karim Zeidan, Faisal Mawlawi, and many others.

     ————————

     Final concerns from Muslims refraining from voting

     Some keep raising the issue that many Muslims voted for George W. Bush in 2000; they wonder if our candidate of choice performs, yet again, worse than expectations. I would like to remind those of the fiqhi principle, Al-Mutawaqa’ Kal-Waqi’, Prediction is the Same as Reality. In many aspects of public life, prediction should be conducted, by experts, based on sound judgement. Once all efforts have been exerted to come up with the best of prediction of the future, one has to take actions based on their perception of the future. If future takes a different route than expected, one is judged based on the extent of their knowledge when they took action.

     Some also say that both candidates will hurt Muslims. We do agree that both candidates do not have Muslim’s best interest at heart. However, one will cause less harm to Muslims and humanity in general. There is a fiqhi principle which states that one should commit the lesser harm if, by doing so, he may prevent the greater harm. Imam Ibn Taymeya states that in such cases, the lesser of two evils should not be seen as evil.

     Some also doubt the benefit of participating in the US elections. I would like to point out how strong voting blocs have become in recent elections. One can easily see the strength of the conservative Christian movement, Jews, homosexuals, Latinos, etc. Muslims have been in this country since its formation, and have become quite active in the past 50 years. Should not we have a voice in the decision making process? There is a fiqhi principle which states that translates literally to “pushing is easier than lifting.” It means that making slow incremental changes takes precedent to trying to topple the status quo all at once. In conclusion, if Muslims do not have the ability to fix a broken system in the short-run, they should strive to make little changes to help bridge the gap between their ideal and a broken reality.

     ========================================
     ========================================

     If any of the above article was correct, it is by the grace of Allah. And all errors were due to my shortcoming.

     I ask Allah to accept this from me, and make it beneficial to all those who were patient to read it.

     Osamah Saleh

134. Rukajja says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:54 pm

     Bismillah

     Surah Al-Maida (the Holy Qur’an)

     (41) Listeners for the sake of falsehood! Greedy for illicit gain! If then they have recourse unto thee (Muhammad) judge between them or disclaim jurisdiction. If thou disclaimest jurisdiction, then they cannot harm thee at all. But if thou judgest, judge between them with equity. Lo! Allah loveth the equitable.

     (42) How come they unto thee for judgment when they have the Torah, wherein Allah hath delivered judgment (for them)? Yet even after that they turn away. Such (folk) are not believers.

     (43) Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah’s Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.

     (44) And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.

     (45) And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah – a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).

     (46) Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are evil-livers.

     (47) And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ.

     (48) So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires, but beware of them lest they seduce thee from some part of that which Allah hath revealed unto thee. And if they turn away, then know that Allah’s Will is to smite them for some sin of theirs. Lo! many of mankind are evil-livers.

     (49) Is it a judgment of the time of (pagan) ignorance that they are seeking? Who is better than Allah for judgment to a people who have certainty (in their belief)?

     (50) O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

     (51) And thou seest those in whose heart is a disease race toward them, saying: We fear lest a change of fortune befall us. And it may happen that Allah will vouchsafe (unto thee) the victory, or a commandment from His presence. Then will they repent them of their secret thoughts.

     (52) Then will the believers say (unto the people of the Scripture): Are these they who swore by Allah their most binding oaths that they were surely with you? Their works have failed, and they have become the losers.

     (53) O ye who believe! Whoso of you becometh a renegade from his religion, (know that in his stead) Allah will bring a people whom He loveth and who love Him, humble toward believers, stern toward disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah, and fearing not the blame of any blamer. Such is the grace of Allah which He giveth unto whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

     (54) Your freind can be only Allah; and His messenger and those who believe, who establish worship and pay the poordue, and bow down (in prayer).

     (55) And whoso taketh Allah and His messenger and those who believe for freind (will know that), lo! the party of Allah, they are the victorious.

     (56) O Ye who believe! Choose not for freind such of those who received the Scripture before you, and of the disbelievers, as make a jest and sport of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah if ye are true believers.

     I pray to Allah the AllMighty that he destroys America inside and from outside, together with those who fight against His Deen, the Kufars, and those who support them by voting for them, by choosing them to be there leaders, or supporting them in any kind of form. Amin, ja Rabb

     And I pray to AllMighty that He purifys the ranks of this Ummah, by separating truthful believers from hypocrities! Amin

     And beware of the words you are using about Sheikhs like Anwar Al-Awlaki, you do not have 1% of his knowledge, nor did you sacrifice one minute of your live, your freedom, your safety, your wellbeing for this Deen in the Path of Allah!!!!
     It is just the opposite, you are sacrificing your Deen, in the exchange for the humiliating peace, a few humiliating years of live you are about to spend on this Earth, and than … oh… than you wish you become that earth, that dust to which you called the feet of muslims to stay on, and advised to look towards Allah’s promise that the victory of believers is His obligation as a look to the stars, translate, as a fairy-tale.
     Do not come up with those excuses that you want to wote for Kufar because it “garantys” the elimination of gay merriage, or stuff like that! Now you are about to try to insure me that America does have a sense for moral qualitys?!

     Peace and blessings be upon Muhammed, his familys, his companions and all his trully followers

     All Prise and Glory belongs to Allah The AllMighty

     Es Selamu alejkum we rahmetullahi we berekatuhu

135. Rukajja says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:03 pm

     Now there is a double of my coment, some mistake must ocure because there was not my first coment when I opened the site, bil khair!
     How ever, my advice to muslims is to share more time with Allahs Word and the Word of His Prophet salAllahu alejhi we sellem, and remember the hadith that warns us about scholars who are about to stay infront of the doors of Jahanam and call in to it!

     Please, you who do have one little piece of love and fear for Allah, please VOTE, VOTE FOR ALLAH THE ALLMIGHTY!!!!! THE ONLY RIGHT PARTY!!!!

136. Rukajja says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:38 pm

     “Aside from that fact that I believe your argument is flawed, I must say that YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THE REALITY IS THE REPUBLICANS WOULD LOVE TO ENTER INTO WAR WITH MUSLIMS IN IRAN AND SYRIA. MCCAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO KILL MANY OF YOUR OWN SISTERS AND BROTHERS AND IT IS A MUSLIM’S DUTY TO STOP HIM BEFORE HE HAS THE POWER TO DO SO. THIS IS YOUR DUTY AS A MUSLIM. THERE IS A VERY GREAT DANGER TO MUSLIMS, AND A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT CAN HELP SAVE THOUSANDS OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM SUFFERING. YOU WILL BE ANSWERABLE FOR THIS, AND OUR LEADERS WHO MOVE US AWAY FROM THIS LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM SPEAKING AS ONE WHO HAS STUDIED THE OF THE MIDDLE EAST POLITICS. YOU NEED TO STOP REPUBLICAN IMPERIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DEMOCRATS ARE LESS WILLING TO CONTINUE THE WARS OF AGGRESSION. MAY ALLAH HELP US ALL!!!”

     Dont talk to me about lesser killing of muslims ): There could not be more “soft” American president than Clinton was and what did happen to my country Bosnia ???!!!! Are you about to support another genocide of Srebenica, another Ahmic!!! The woman who took care for me when I was a baby was burned alive in her own house, burned alive!!! From who, from the crusador you are calling to vote for them!!! Restudy your knowledge, I can not believe that someone who repeals him self to knowledge still do think that a “president of america” does have a word to say. The Jews and Cristians together are fighting against Islam, FACE IT! THAT IS OUR REALITY!!!

     And Amin to your dua

137. Mohammed Hassan says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:28 pm

     Allahu Akbar! Look at the arrogance these people have! Wallahi this reminds me of the lack of courtesy, adab, akhlaq, respect and arrogance that the people of Mousa (AS) had towards him! Our beloved Shiekh has given us his knowledgable advice based on what he has seen in prision, outside prison, in America, and with the FBI, since when does being a citizen under the test sof Allah makes us arrogant to throw back the sheikh advice to save ourselves!???

     FEAR AllAH!!

     Those ‘muslims’ that speak of how their votes will effect the way they live! your forgetting that Allah swt is the one who controls your lifestyle, not the one who is killing ur brother!

     Allah says in the Quran: “Such is the admonition given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion [65:2-3]

     I ask Allah swt to Guide us ALL!!

138. hani says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:31 pm

     Assalam alaykum,

     It’s amazing how people will do their best to follow their desires. Twisting words of the Qu’ran, sunnah and words of scholars. They take part of each and leave the rest and they think they are all-worthy and all-deserving of paradise. May Allah make the insincere perish.

139. Akbar says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:09 pm

     The wise Republican Ron Paul said,” the real wasted vote is voting for one of the two parties and not for what you want.”

     Source: http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/R…80910-177.html

140. abd-ar-Rahman castro says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:15 pm

     Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahiim

     Dear: Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki

     asalaam alaykum wr wb, It is amazing after reading many of these comments, i find it so hard to believe how far many of these “american muslims” are willing to go by following these Kuffar leaders being misled by them just like lost sheeps are. since reading what everyone had to say especially those who are attacking you(for surety i know you speak the truth), they are willing to follow their heart’s desires and these kaffirs false promises. i remember from the akhirah lectures, you mentioned that people will end up following those whom they love even support. I think these muslims in america are placing themselves in a position where they will have no chance to bargain w/Allah in the day of judgement. You have spoken well and w/the truth, may Allah bless you.

141. Haniff says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:00 pm

     Assalamu Alaikum

     There are many people who think that voting for the next american president will benefit the Muslims. Did voting for the previous american president benefit the Muslims? I don’t think so! How can one go to sleep at night after they have marked their hands with the blood of their Muslim brothers and sisters by marking a ballot! Let us go back to the Quran and Sunnah. If we want change, then let us do it the way Rasulullah did it. Let us stand up and fight in the face of adversity and oppression until law and obedience is only for Allah. Let us fight Jihad.

     “Truly it is not the eyes that become blind, but it is the hearts which are in the chests.”

142. Ata Malek says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:08 pm

     Voting is needed. Those Muslims who are living in America, if you don’t participate and try to change things, just leave and see where you can find a better system! Those who live somewhere else, first create something better than what exists in America and then come talk. Even Mr. Al-Awlaki was happily living in US and working here and enjoying all the facilities untill he could not do any more. This is the form of hypocricy that strikes me the most.

     Don’t just talk, show something better if you can. And then come and lecture.

     I have been to the Muslim lands and I have seen the cesspool that those lands are. Go fix it if you can and then come lecture.

143. Omar says:
     November 3, 2008 - الاثنين 05 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:42 pm

     QUOTE: “Democracy in an un-Islamic system and we as Muslims should have nothing to do with it.”

     I wonder what you think of the dictators in the Middle East? Is that an Islamic system?

     If yes, well, enough said. No need to even continue.

     If no, then what do you tell the Muslims living there?

144. IF_only_they_had_a_brain says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:09 am

     Haniff, what’s stopping you from going on your jihad escapade? Could it be the good living in the “kufar” country? Or are you one of the intellectuals that find throwing a rock at a war-tank something to be appluaded?

     I really think the majority of Muslims have lost all their faculties of reasoning and they’re so beaten up intellectually, that they cannot seem to fathom anything outside 14th century paradigm.

     What’s worse, we have brothers who are like leeches, living in the USA, (again, like leeches) benefitting from all of the resources, yet talking badly about the place.

     Do the majority not look at their own homelands from which they flee? Isn’t this hypocrisy at it’s peak???

145. Br Omar says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:36 am

     Jazakallah Sheikh….I will never vote in the democratic process

146. fear ALLAH says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:16 am

     assalamu alaikum
     I agree with the sheikh 100% may ALLAH reward him for speaking the haq,
     muslims who vote, how can you put your trust in a kaffir to make things better, rather than putting your trust in ALLAH.
     I strongly doubt that some of these post are from non-muslims
     may ALLAH forgive us all

147. Hani says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:30 am

     Asalaamu Alaikum,

     If you disagree with the opinion and chose to vote, Alhamdulillah. But seek protection in Allah from shaytan the outcast…and DO NOT attack a fellow Muslim for presenting a view against that of your own. A view that is shared by many scholars and sheiks across the globe. For those who feel an Imam should stay out of political discussions, I hope you realize that separation of “Church” and state is a foreign concept in Islam. IstagfurAllah, are we so passionate about the American election that our adab and ikhlaq with our fellow Muslims goes out the door? Make your points, be courteous and put your trust in Allah.

     May Allah guide us all to the straight path.

148. Mouwadda says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:49 am

     Some of the commenters here lack both adhab and akhlaq when addressing the Shaykh. Even if you disagree with his views, at least show some respect!

149. muhammad abrahams says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:46 pm

     assalaamu alaykum

     democract is a taghut. it goes against tauwheed al-haakimiyyah (Allah is the only law giver). Ibn Kathir says that it is the consensus of all the muslims (not the scholars) that to dimantle the sharia is major kufr. so if you replaced khilafah with a system which was not practiced by the salaf then this is major kufr beacause you have disregarded khilafa. here is evidence from surah Kahf verse 26: … and He does not share in His rule. this should make it clear that the only rule is the rule of Allah and anything else is kufr and shirk. shaykh may Allah bless you and may Allah guide us all to the truth

150. abu nabil says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:59 pm

     asalamu alaikum

     baraku Allahu feek ya sheikh and i feel so sorry for all these baseless comments from these usless deviant moderates, morjia, and sufi

     keep on listening to your deviants palace sheiyukh and thier crusaders masters, you will only make the believers stronger and steadfast

151. abu nabil says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:01 pm

     jihad fisabilillah hata yum quiyama

152. Abu Imani says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:39 pm

     Niccolo Machiavelli described the democratic system as giving people the “Illusion of Choice”. There will be very little difference in who gets elected as president of the United States, the war against Islam will continue, our lands will be robbed of natural resources and our honour will be violated through the oppression of our children and rape of our women. All American’s who vote will have to answer to Allah on the Day of Judgment why they elected the next tyrant, and they will have to shoulder the balme…

153. Brother Al Khurasani says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:58 pm

     Annissa-60. Have you seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Tâghût (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitân (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.
     115. And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination.
     139. Those who take disbelievers for Auliyâ’ (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allâh belongs all honour, power and glory.
     140. And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allâh will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell
     Al-Imran 118. O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitânah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand.

     119. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), while they disbelieve in your Book, the Qur'ân]. And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage. Certainly, Allâh knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).”
     4-60. Have you seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Tâghût (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitân (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray-

     those voting for Taghoot what will you do with all what is stated in the Quran as few of them are mentioned by me and many are mentioned by brothers and sisters.
     Remember- this is your test-dont fell in the catch of Shaitan. and whoever does so when the Quran is already revealed with clear proofs is among the Zalimoon and Allah does not guide those who are Zalimoon.
     Those who want to vote, actually you love Kuffar, but Quran says, but they love you not. do whatver you want to do to please them and forget the killing and raping of our sisters and mothers. May Allah curse you.

154. Asfiya says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:15 pm

     Only a fool would argue that the proper response to the state of corruption is to pursue a lesser of evils strategy as concerns a Muslim’s stewardship of his vote because corruption cannot be reversed by elevating those who are less evil to the seats of power. Such behavior can in fact only continue to increase the depth of that corruption and bring false hope that slowing the speed of decline is a positive good. Nevertheless those who think that “Allah who created heaven and earth” will bless a people for sitting at home while the world was advancing towards corruption are also fooling themselves.
     To reverse national corruption we must raise Muslims educated and trained in Quranic meaning and tafseer who will run for President and other political positions so they can use their position to establish the Shariah and abolish the laws and practices that violate it.

     The Jews have almost complete control over Washington policy-making. Would you agree? Specially the Congress, everyone in Bush admin is a Jew. Deputy Secretary, Department of Defense, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Police, While House Press Secretary, White House Political Director, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, While House Director of Scheduling, White House Liaison to the Jewish Community [no other group has a special liaision] Director of the National Security Council’s Office for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, Head of the Justice Department’s criminal division are ALL Jews. This Jewish concentration of Power in the US gives world Jewry tremendous influence to enforce their agenda. They are the one calling the shots in Washington. Peace in the Muslim World can only come if the Jews of America are replaced by the Muslims of America.

     The American population consists of 10 million Muslims and 8 million Jews. We outnumber them 3:1. Thus it shouldn’t be too difficult to infiltrate into the American politics and kneejerk the Jews out of Congress. But if we seclude ourselves and sit at home in despair and despondency, thinking all is lost then the American people will not change radically overnight, abandon democracy, give up their oil addiction and embrace the Shariah. But a change of perspective about the Muslims is possible: it necessitates a change of the American mentality with respect to the Muslims, and more importantly to Islam, like ending the Vietnam war required a change in the way Asians were looked at. This is where you and I, and every American, Canadian and European Muslims takes charge. We need unclutter public minds and enrich them with the message of Quran.

155. Asfiya says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:25 pm

     The only “ism” I seem to believe in is truism. I don’t feel that I have important messages to convey, beyond the obvious: in this case, think for yourself and do not uncritically accept what you are told. Have you ever questioned why the Pharaoh was able to enslave the Bani Israel for so long?
     Whenever the recipients of the Book (to whom Allah has sent revelation) are occupied by a foreign power or ravaged through natural disasters, it is a sign that they have forgotten and neglected the Book. The shock treatment is an invitation to humble themselves and return to the Book. For example, when the Jews belied the revelation brought by the Prophets and when they killed the Prophets for conveying the revelation, they were conquered by tyrannical forces and invaded by natural disasters which resulted in their mass death and devastated. The dictatorship of Pharaoh, Baktnasar from Nainwa, and Titus over the Bani Israels are recorded historic events, which testify to this fact.

     The Muslims have also forgotten a great portion of the Quran. We only know the passage which dictate our point of view, and even that we interperate out of context.
     We learn from the Quran that the state of a community is changed by Allah only when its members have themselves moved on to a higher spiritual plane. The Quran expresses this with telling simplicity, “Allah does not change people’s lot unless they change what is in their hearts” (13:11). The starting point of the Islamic revolution is, in fact, the Quran. I implore Shaykh Anwar to teach us the Quran from Surah al Fatiha to AnNass so we understand word for word what Allah has revealed and obligated us to do.

156. mariam says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:05 pm

     Assalaamu alaikum,
     As an American Muslim youth, I guess I am shocked to see the call for abstaining from voting. I can understand the argument; but not voting does not solve anything. By living in the west, taking jobs here, and paying taxes you are already supporting the “western agenda”. Even by boycotting the voting system, you are still fueling the country by living here and paying taxes. Also, I think before we try to reform the western political system, we need to correct the policies practiced by Islamic states because I do not see a better alternative to democracy being PRACTICED anywhere else in the world.

157. Shahid Siddiqi says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:13 pm

     Wala You are so right Sheikh. Therefore please leave this country and stop living in the so called unislamic system or democracy. Put you money where your mouth is. Leave this unislamic system and go where you came from.

158. raniellah says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:31 pm

     As salaamu aleikom

     Al hamdu lillah! may Allah swt bless you. i like this and i second what you say. I AGREE WITH THE SHEIKH AND IM AGAINST VOTING! I DO NOT PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO KUFR SYSTEMS! we pledged to la ilaha il Allah and my vote doesnt go to especially people that r killing muslims. wake up oh muslims! Allah swt will ask us! again, can you imagine the sahabi waiting in line to vote while their brothers are being killed? come on now! the evidence in the quran!

159. Haniff says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:42 pm

     In response to “IF_only_they_had_a_brain”:

     I would love to go fight Jihad with my beloved Muslim brothers and sisters, but I am not in a position to do so. If you would like to buy me a plane ticket from America to the lands of Jihad, please let me know. I pray to Allah everyday to help me and my family to leave this Kuffar system. Am I saying that Saudi Arabia or wherever is following Islam? NO! But, at least places like Pakistan, Shishan, Bosnia, Kosovo, etc. are fighting to establish the Islamic State. They are fighting while you stuff your faces with blood money that the US is getting from killing innocent Muslims. And as for those Muslims who think that they are safe with the Kuffar, then they are only hypocrites. “Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.” (Quran 4:145)

     Jihad is the pinnacle of Islam and I will not sit by and accept a ballot box over it. If you love the US so much, when it falls will you stay with the US and fall also? As we have seen by history, nations have risen and then they fall. The US has risen and soon it will fall. Oppression will not be beaten by a ballot box. It can only be defeated by Jihad. We must fight until all law and obedience is only for Allah. This was the way of Rasulullah and of all the Prophets. Call me an extremist, or whatever you want! But, Allah knows that I am one who loves the Mujahideen and the Muslims, who cares about the Muslims, and wants to see this Deen prosper. I do not fear the blame of the blamers, nor would I give in to their whims. There are too many Muslims who think that Democracy can replace Shari’ah. There are too many Muslims who would vote for an american president so that they can pay 1% less taxes while their own Muslim brothers and sisters are being killed by that american president. When will the Muslim ummah wake up? When will we wake up from this Kuffar slumber?

     So, would I leave to go fight Jihad with my dear Muslims? ABSOLUTELY! Let’s make a comparison. You can stay here with the kuffar just like the Muslims at the time of the Hijrah stayed in Makkah. And the Muslims who migrated with Rasulullah is like those who will migrate now for the sake of Allah. How much did the Muslims who stayed in Makkah lose out? Some of them lost being in the battle of badr, while others lost their religion!

     So again, say what you need to say. Allah is my witness!

160. Imran Qureshi says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:07 pm

     Jazak Allah Khair Shaikh, I really apperciate your blogs to clarify political issues as well, as it looks like some people like to seperate Islam from day to day life and want to pick and choose like other religions.You always need right audience and mindset.As you know most of us enjoying this world don’t even know our responsibilities given by Allah subahnahu tallah.
     Don’t worry about opposition as you know better than me majority and Almalaa are alwayz with Pharoah and abu Jahal. But as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said if one person get the guidance from you its better than red camel. So, keep it coming.
     You are really an asset to this Ummah, May Allah give you longer life so this can be benefit.
     I have learned alot from your lectures and Allah made you source of change in my life.

     Jazak Allah Khair

161. abdallah ibn rawaha says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:12 pm

     jazakallah khairan jaza ya shaykh,you carry on pleasing allah rather than the people and i pray allah perserves you and grants you firdaws al a’ala. you are one of the gaints of our time.

162. Islamistan says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:28 pm

     This is in response to Abu Imani, Mash’Allah akhi, very well said!!
     I would also like to tell “From San Diego” that you made me laugh. JazakAllah khair. Make dua’a San Diego, make dua’a.

     The way I see it is that our Creator, in His wisdom and knowledge of the unseen, took the liberty to legislate for us[please be adviced that this is not a proper way of addressing Allah]. Who is better at legislating for mankind…humans with their limited and extremely narrow insight or the One who created everything, who has knowledge of the unseen and to whom we shall all return? The fact of the matter is simple. Democracy is, was, and will forever be a manmade system and is therefore utterly susceptible to countless flaws and shortcomings whereas Islam and the sharia are from our Rubb and do not support manmade laws. It is these flaws and shortsightedness that inevitably cause pain and suffering for many people, not just the Muslims that have been murdered or tortured for no other reason than saying that they believe in Allah and have remained steadfast in that belief. Add this to the fact that both of these presidential candidates are staunchly Pro-Israel and I am clueless as to how anyone who prays 5 times a day could ever cast a vote for either of these kufaar.

     Those opposing the Sharia need to go back to the basics and remember that it is from our Rubb, not from people who wear tuxedos and are overtaken by sleep (I wont even get into the possibilities of them drinking booze, eating swine and claiming that Allah has begotten a son). Our Creator has done us an extreme favor by legislating for all of mankind. Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Take not as Awliyaa’ (protectors and helpers) those who take your religion as a mockery and fun from among those who received the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before you, and nor from among the disbelievers; and fear Allaah if you indeed are true believers”
     [al-Maa’idah 5:57]

     You might argue that you are not taking these kuffar as helpers, so the question is whether or not you are helping them and if you really know exactly what you are getting yourself into when you decide to support a presidential nominee. Is it not far off to believe that the day might come where they imprison all muslims living in this country regardless of their aqueeda? They did it to the Japanese during the internment of WWII. Guilty or not, all of them were rounded and locked up…and upon being released from their detention they found their homes and businesses being owned and inhablitated by other people who were not locked up because of Japanese ancestry. Is that democratic? No it is not, but it is history and it is a prime example of just one of the countless flaws and shortcomings from a system that has no basis in the divinity of our Creator. You might say that this scenrio is unrealistic or too far fetched, but I need to remind you that the centers have been established and the stage is set. It is time to choose a side. And I would like to remind myself that the rewards and punishments in the hereafter are far greater than what I will ever be made to endure in this dunya. What I am saying is that the blood that is shed by the people who do not believe in Allah, the One, the eternally besought, will undoubtedly be dispersed among all of those who helped in their efforts. That is justice correct? This brings me to an important question. Does the act of voting for the leader necessarily mean that you have helped them? As I was writing this email my phone rang and it was a woman who was encouraging me to go and vote for the republican party in tomorrow’s election. Obviously they think that I can help them and that my vote would help them to secure a victory or they would not have take the time and resources to call me!! Allah can forgive all sins but do you really wanna risk being held accountable on the day of standing, the day of regret, the day of resurrection, for voting for a person who is 100% against establishing the sharia and 100% supportive of the enemies of Allah? I guess you can roll the dice and wait to see if and/or how much your Creator holds you accountable for helping to elect the next US President. No doubt there will continue to be misery and violence against your brothers and sisters in Islam so I beg everyone to think unobjectively about the reprecussions of deciding whether or not to vote. I also beg you sit and think about the concept of one ummah. One might also consider what this concept meant to rasul’Allah (sallallhyalayhe’wa’salam). May Allah guide us all.
     I will close with a statement from the scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas. They said: The Muslims in a country that is not governed according to Islamic sharee’ah should do their utmost and strive as much as they can to bring about rule according to Islamic sharee’ah, and they should unite in helping the party which is known will rule in accordance with Islamic sharee’ah. As for supporting one who calls for non-implementation of Islamic sharee’ah, that is not permissible, rather it may lead a person to kufr, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

     “And so judge (you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) among them by what Allaah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) far away from some of that which Allaah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allaah’s Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are Faasiqoon (rebellious and disobedient to Allaah).

     50. Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allaah for a people who have firm Faith”

     [al-Maa'idah 5:49-50].

     Hence when Allaah stated that those who do not rule in accordance with Islamic sharee’ah are guilty of kufr, He warned against helping them or taking them as allies or close friends, and He commanded the believers to fear Him if they were truly believers. He says (interpretation of the meaning):

     “O you who believe! Take not as Awliyaa’ (protectors and helpers) those who take your religion as a mockery and fun from among those who received the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before you, and nor from among the disbelievers; and fear Allaah if you indeed are true believers”

     [al-Maa’idah 5:57]

     And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

163. Riad Hassan says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:08 pm

     My first question to Sheikh Awlaki would be, would He have written the same article pertaining to the voters in a country like switzerland or denmark? Since, most salafi scholars are apathetic to muslims voting for a president in switzerland or denmark or luxembourg, I think its safe to assume that the “subordination to evil western democracy” argument is futile when we bring into picture neutral western countries. So in reality, the problem isnt really western democracy but rather decades of failed foreign policies.

     Now my main point of contention is the simple fact that if you don’t vote, you are obviously making a conscious decision of NOT-VOTING. I agree with Sheikh Anwar that we will be asked about our decision to vote. But what Sheikh Awlaki is failing to see is that we will also be asked about our decision of not to vote. Which in my opinion can be more dangerous than voting for the candidate who we genuinely believe will do the right thing.

164. IF_only_they_had_a_brain says:
     November 4, 2008 - الثلاثاء 06 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:45 pm

     Response to Br. Haniff.

     That’s one of the BIGGEST problems with Muslims these days, they love to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT…is that all there is to islam? FIGHT???

     Should we now alter the terms as such: ISLAM=KITAL, ISLAM=JIHAD?

     I find it so strange that the ONLY view these days are black & white, them vs. us, etc. I wonder how the Prophet (saw) dealt with the Quraish. Maybe the Imam here should cover a lecture series like that.

     Did the Prophet (saw) just felt comfortable in calling them kufars? Did he say “lets get your swords, jihad time?” Seriously, have we lost our senses? Is there a SINGLE (yes, I’m even so willing to ask this) Muslim country on this planet EARTH, who even have the military strength to stand up to the USA?

     Don’t give me ayat and adaheeth, unless it gives a practical (emphasis on practical) solution.

     IMHO, those who cannot THINK, resort to VIOLENCE (ie, the calling for “jihad” [their meaning for war, mind you, not harb, but jihad, and we wonder why the media talks about "holy war"...I digressed] as it reflects their inabilities to communicate effectively.

     Lastly, I wonder if Prophet Yusuf (as) said, I wouldn’t go work for this KAFIR!!!! I will stay in JAIL and “INSHA’ALLAH” God will send the Angels from the skies and they will open the doors and spread the red carpet while I walk the earth and rule with dignity, truth, and the Islamic way (excuse the sarcams).

     Of course not, Prophet Yusuf (as) went and WORK for the King (whom some of you self righteous Muslims here will quickly call a KAFIR) and from there, he changed the society.

     Today, with our inept ability to reflect on the Qur’aan, the Seerah and HISTORY (as if Islam is compiled in a square box, gift wrapped and have no room for change- and I’m not talking about aqeedah here), it’s no wonder we’re in this pathetic situation and frankly, Imam Anwar has not given a practical SENSIBLE solution to the crisis of the Muslims, only stating the obvious.

     Give the Muslims a SOLUTION if you don’t like Democracy (and I surely have issues with this present day “democracy” as it is in the USA), but I do see a solution in voting for OBAMA because of the following points:

     1. He is less likely than McCain to invade ANOTHER (yes folks, ANOTHER Muslim country (oh that’s right, Iran is kafir too right?) where a military base would be set up like the other “islamic – shariah implementing – non-democratic” countries in the Middle East! From there, it’s so easy to dominate the smaller Muslim countries.

     2. He will most likely stop the war in Iraq, yes, you know how McCain and Bush have been killing our brothers and sister wholesale? Maybe your non-vote in the earlie elections and the same mentality helped Bush got into power in the first place. I wonder if you would take responsibility for that and how many Muslims have died at YOUR hands. When you don’t vote, you are actually voting…

     3. African Americans didn’t have much rights in this country, now, today, this same prejudiced country is having someone whom they use to despise as potentially a next president!

     4. Obama is less receptive to the LOBBYISTS who really run the affairs of this country. If he doesn’t deal with them, so much for their agendas.

     Look, I’m not saying I prefer “democracy” over Allaah’s law, that’s the ideal. Show me ONE SINGLE country on this Earth that is practicing Shariah? I’ll be the first to go there myself!

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJUCU1UH2w

165. MR says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:04 am

     I disagree with this post Imam Anwar, but alhamdulillah differences is a mercy upon our ummah.

166. Yusuf says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 4:03 am

     subhanAllah, im amazed at some of the attitudes of certain people who are maybe Muslims/Murtads or whatever, Sheikh Haitham from Al Muntada gave a talk in Parsons green in London saying that voting for whatever benefits the ummah is a must for every muslim, (astughfirAllah, I cant remember if he said we HAD to do it, I dont want to put words in someones mouth), however my point is he backed up his talk from the Quraan and the Sunnah, also Sheikh Anwar Awlaki has backed up his fatwa from the Quraan and Sunnah. Alot of people here are talking from their own intellect and desires rather than by the Quraan and Sunnah.
     To me personally, what Sheikh Anwar said made more sense to me, how can we vote for a pharoe?? how can we vote for man made law above Allahs law?? Its part of our barra to the non muslims to refuse to vote for taghut, we have no say in the matter, we hear and we obey, nothing else to it.
     Its all irrelevant for us Muslims, as Mcain wants to kill Islam by stabbing in the heart, Obamah wants to kill Islam by stabbing in the head, they will never ever be able to do that alhumduLillah.
     Remember a scholar who makes a mistake gets 1 hasanah written for him, the scholar who makes correct fatwah gets 10 hasanah.
     Certain people were telling the Sheikh to be realistic with regards to establishment of Dar al Islam on this earth, may Allah protect us all from ghafalah and gharoor, if you say to any disbeliever that a day will come when babies will play with lions, when pomegranetes will be the size of elephants, no doubt the disbeliever will also say “be realistic”, but we know this will happen during the rule of Isa son of Maryam (as) due to our beloved Prophet Mohammad (saw) telling us this will happen, so the re establishment of dar al Islam is not as strange as certain people want to make it sound.
     Also with regards to belittling people who have made so much sacrifice for Islam, if you are muslim, I just want to ask you, when you stand in front of Allah on the day of judgement, think about the billions of people who have sacrificed everything they have for Islam, for Allah azwajal, think about the people of the ditch in Surah Buruj, the sincere ones of the Bani Israel, the Sahabah ikraam, all the shohadah from Badr, Uhood, Palistine, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia and all these people who have done and given everything for Islam, theyv been exiled, imprisoned, had their properties taken away, all the terrible things you can imagine, all for the sake of Allah, now think about ourselves, what have I done for Islam?? what kind of face will I show to Allah on the day of judgement?? Allahs deen is not being implemented on any society, my brothers and sisters are suffering, theres so much suffering, corruption, fitnah, fasad, Allah has guided me to the haq, the truth, the soloution, but here I am comfortable in my house, nice warm room, no problems in life whatsoever, alhumduLillah, whereas certain brothers who have the chance for all these things have sacrificed them for the sake of Allah, who am I to even say oof to these brothers. what kind of face am I going to show Allah?? I just hope Allah bestows his mercy on us, otherwise were doomed.
     So I dont think people like me have any right to make negative comments about our brothers and sisters

167. Seymore says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:07 am

     Dear ******:

     Hope you are in good health. I would just like to encourage and plead with you not to vote in this election (or if you already have – don’t vote in the next election).

     The primary reason is that in all truthfulness, there is no meaningful difference between the two candidates, or for that matter, most of those who belong to the Republican and Democratic parties. If a liberal, socialist democrat like Dennis Kucinich or a conservative, libertarian republican like Ron Paul were on the ballot…then perhaps the situation might be different. Even then, I would encourage you not to vote because the western electoral process is a system in violation of God and his commandments (and you don’t need to be super-religious to understand why).

     We know God (s.w.t.) through His message. If God instructs us through His message to adhere to a ruling or law…then we must abide by it, enact it into law, and enforce it. Otherwise, we are hypocrites who disobey and rebel against God (assuming one still believes in God – as some of your peers no longer do, and as some of my peers have committed treason with regards to). It is the Infinite energy source (our Creator) *alone* who is deserving of the attribute of law-giver. But in democracy (generally speaking), the power to decide which laws to enact and enforce are the jurisdiction of a majority of the population (or at least a majority of the population that votes) instead. In the US, it seems that no president will ever have the vote of a majority of the people because so many do not vote, and there are so many different opinions, creeds, and types of people here in the American empire that a consensus is very rare and ever-changing. But even if a true majority could be gathered…if that majority votes for something in violation of the laws of God (the most transcendent) – then they are in the wrong! Sooner or later, they become as tyrannical (with relation to a believing minority) as any dictator. More importantly, they have now put their word (the word of man) over and above the word of God (most high). Such is the case when the constitution of the United States replaces the Bible (and biblical cannon law) as the authoritative document that rules over the people, or when the constitution of Iraq or Pakistan replaces the Holy Quran (and divine shariah) as the authoritative reference point of the state. May God protect His servants from such a horrible condition.

     Furthermore, western democracy and western capitalism are actually different, contradictory systems. The Jewish author Noam Chomsky has written some good things on this subject and you and your boyfriend should read his books. In summary, those with the most wealth, the most money, large corporations, and special-interest groups and lobbies of all kinds can easily influence the character of any election and greatly narrow the list of potential candidates. This is why such a large sum of money is needed in order to even have the opportunity to run for office in a modern election…yet so many of us still think that western democracy is representative of the common, average person! In talking about capitalism here, I am talking more about theory though…as the fact of the matter is that the United States today has a light form of socialism in place which greatly expanded as a result of the recent financial crisis. What is funny is that socialism (as practiced in Europe for example) is supposed to redistribute the wealth from the rich in order to benefit the poor and middle class. In the United States, the bulk of the wealth accumulated from the taxpayers is now openly being redistributed in order to benefit and protect the rich, the upper 1%, and large corporations and banks! How evil. The rest of the funds that are needed are simply printed by the Federal Reserve. There is no backing in gold or silver or oil or other natural commodities for these printed dollars…so the Federal Reserve is literally creating wealth out of thin air! How evil.

     So are you and your leprechaun boyfriend going to continue to be a part of this system? Are you (and the leprechaun I guess) going to continue to seek financial benefit from using your own beauty that God (the most merciful) has blessed you with to seduce men and women to drink alcohol and lose control through intoxication of their senses allowing them to more easily fall into lust (at the bar that is)?? And are you still wanting to go into a profession where you directly participate in the practice of secular, man-made law which (here in the US) claims to stand for freedom of speech when in reality, the law is useless as the state and her compliant corporate media hinder the types of things I am telling you and hides the whole truth of what our military-industrial complex is doing in foreign lands while at the same time, allowing the most brutal and humiliating types of pornography to be produced and disseminated!

     Unfortunately, I know a little about this multi-billion dollar pornography industry, so believe me when I tell you that it is truly one of the sickest acts which has clearly exposed the American and western people as deviant in value and transgressive in nature (and this is as much about allowing such things to exist as compared to actual participation). And like I said to you once before, they (but hopefully not us) have even fallen below the people of Rome and Sodom/Gomorrah and Loot (or lot as the bible spells it) and Babylon and others. Unsurprisingly, 89% of all the pornography on the Internet today is made in the United States (yet, I can’t setup a single website in support of al-Qaidah without it eventually being shut down by the CIA, Israeli hackers, etc). There is no effective way to prevent young children from viewing this material (unless they are isolated from the larger society). All while American atrocities in Pakistan escalate after having already wiped out so many villages in Afghanistan and after turning whole cities in Iraq into concentration camps). Still, who is winning the war in Afghanistan? You and your friends can learn more about events in South Asia (and to a lesser extent, the Middle East) by reading Asia Times Online among other sources…

     http://atimes.com

     American porn out on the west coast meanwhile is working hard to slowly but surely destroy whatever facade of Christian morality still exists. More mainstream mediums (capitalism at its best perhaps) like television, music, and hollywood remain a gateway to this underworld of pornography (among other things). Is this the kind of freedom your leprechaun boyfriend fought for? Is this what you are willing to accept when you walk into the voting booth?? Whether Obama or McCain, Hillary or Palin, things like pornography, blasphemy, and abortion will remain legal and will remain acceptable, and the next generation will be worse than our generation (which in many ways is worse than the one before it, which is also worse than before)…so why don’t you understand???

     You and the leprechaun should already be in Canada as a start (and this has nothing to do with religion even though religious issues are the most important of all), so why are you still here? Aren’t you done with school (unlike me), or aren’t you guys fully healthy and able to travel without major injury (unlike me)?

     I won’t be on facebook anymore (so help me God) – or at least I hope just as I also hope that I truly act without faltering when I say I won’t look at porn ever again. Anyways, if by some small chance you want to talk face to face (which is doubtful of course), email me (or have someone else email me) at this address (and not facebook)…

     I won’t hesitate to come and talk to you and the leprechaun face to face…as scared as I would feel inside if asked to do that, particularly given my disdain for bars like the one both of you presumably work in. In such an event, I would bring my own water . Unfortunately for me, I only live a few minutes from HBG…but I have never been there and would never ever want to go in unless it were truly a life or death matter. Which this is: for I still want to show you (despite everything) and even your leprechaun boyfriend the truth.

     “Only the truth can lead one to the final destination, though its trail is harsh and narrow;
     While lies lead nowhere, though the paths seem wide and mellow;
     Their vastness and splendor provide illusions in service of the Pharaoh”

     He should especially know of the story about a man who fought against and killed Muslims all over the earth, but when monotheism finally reached him and he became Muslim, he then fought against the polytheists. He died doing this without so much as reciting one single prayer from the required five daily prayers. The Prophet (saws) commented on this: “He did a little, but was rewarded a lot”! Finally, I encourage you to read these two articles from a shaykh I look up to (he was an imam here in the US but now lives in Yemen) as they can help to better illustrate some of what I am trying to say…and perhaps influence the two of you to look in the mirror (with regard to what is on the inside, and not make fun of others with regard to what is on the outside). take care and cheers!

     http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/2008/10/06/is-the-franklin-morphing-into-the-washington/

     http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/2008/10/31/voting-for-the-american-president/

168. Omar says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:37 am

     What’s the shaykh’s solution on the US’s war on Islam and Muslims (diguised as “war on terror”) and if he can explain what Muslims in America should do (besides being bystanders)?

169. Brother Al Khurasani says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:38 am

     Brother Hannif: Takbeer Takbeer Takbeer- InshaAllah you will be in the field as if your Imaan is strong and Allah will make a way for you.
     DONT TAKE THE BLAME OF THE BALMERS…. SUBHAN ALLAH… THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING…. These people talking ill against shiekh and Jihad are sick of wahan, they have sold the life of Akhira for this world. Sometimes i wonder, when Issa ibne Maryam and Mehdi will come , just think about their appearance..hmmmm
     a guy with Beard..definitely, who would wear a trubin or a cowboy cap? wear jeans or some thing like a Jubba ? think about this and then see what CNN, FOX BBC would say about Issa- “another terrorist inspired by Bin Laden”
     to all the Positive thinkers above stop answering these Jahils who do not even hesitate to put their opinion on top of Quran and Sunnah, and it is not for a momin to have his own opinion if something is already defined by Allah and his messenger.
     America is in war with Allah Subhan wa Tala and defeat is written in her fate, watch the confession of loosing the battle:
     http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warbriefing/view/1.html
     Victory or Eternity

170. Abu Maysara Al Ansari says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:10 am

     MashAllah wa BarakAllahu fik Sheikh Anwar. This exactly the issue that muslims in general are suffering from and the “muzzlems” in America especial. They think in their idiocy (yes, must use that word) that one candidate will be better than the other for muslims. But what muslims are we referring to? The muslims in America or the ones living elsewhere?Obama may bring economic reform that “muzlems” in America may benefit from but on the other hand , as Obama stated, he will invade Waziristan in his hunt for Osama, and thus shed the blood of more muslims. McCain will continue his killing in Iraq and so on. To participate in voting is just one big compromise of your tawheed, and your walaa wa al baraa is on the verge of being terminated.

171. Abdulaziz Ateik says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:06 pm

     May Allah Almighty increase your knowkdge and straighten your life. Akhi I totally agree that no benefit in Shyateen who have been being fighting Islam since Allah crated Man.

172. Omar says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:48 pm

     Omar on November 5th, 2008 at 8:37 am #
     What’s the shaykh’s solution on the US’s war on Islam and Muslims (diguised as “war on terror”) and if he can explain what Muslims in America should do (besides being bystanders)?

     Can others can also provide a practical solution. I would like to see how, preferably a step-by-step implementation of this PRACTICAL solution.

     It’s easy to say, “follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah”. What I’m looking for is a plan and execution.

     How are these “Qur’aan and Sunnah” followers implementing a plan and execution? Any examples would be appreciated.

     Elections are done and over, forget about the voting now.

     Those who voted, voted. Those who didn’t, didn’t. Did our situation as Muslims, those living in the USA or otherwise, change?

     So, again, I kindly ask for a PRACTICAL solution to our crisis and I would like to see some response.

173. Obama supporter says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:22 pm

     I would like to congratulate all brothers and sisters for voting and electing Brack Obama as the President of United States. May Allah (swt) guide him to the right path and help fight the evil forces in this world.

     With regards,

174. Mohamad says:
     November 5, 2008 - الأربعاء 07 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:11 pm

     Shiekh Anwar, if we follow your advice then the Islam in America will never advance. I wetness the change in America since late 1970th and how Muslim in this country advancing day after day. I know it’s long way to go but believe me Islam is coming to USA to save them and help them too

175. cut of your nose to spite your face says:
     November 6, 2008 - الخميس 08 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:39 am

     continuing to spread West vs. Muslim mentality is spreading hate and misunderstanding. How can you encourage those who have come to western countries to reject western philosophies? If their lives are so great in your theocracies, why emigrate? You convert no one nor do you show them the light of God with your call for barriers. Do you care about your brothers and sisters or only about being vindicated “in the end”?

     I always find it sad that people are discouraged from participation, this is exactly what those in power want. Convince them they have no say, convince them that this life and existence does not matter, that the earth can be thrown away because heaven awaits…and you can get away with ANYTHING. A great way to stay in power.

176. TR says:
     November 6, 2008 - الخميس 08 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:09 am

     Assalaam O Alaikum,
     You seemed to be talking about just McCain and Obama, and I fully sympathize with you and understand that they have it in for Muslims. A lot of people say to vote ‘the lesser evil’. But how about not, and vote for, say, Ron Paul, who is a bit isolationist, and definitely not opposed to Islam(from what I can tell). I understand there was no possibility of him winning, but by voting for the best candidate for Muslims, wouldn’t we still have done our duty? Whereas if we succumbed to the pressure to vote Obama/McCain, we would be supporting the USA’s oppression.

     Please clear this up for me.

     Thanks

     Wassalaam

177. Haniff says:
     November 6, 2008 - الخميس 08 ذو القعدة 1429 at 7:18 pm

     Response to IF_only_they_had_a_brain:

     You say that Rasulullah (saaws)did not call for Jihad in Makkah. That’s because Jihad was at that time haram on them. But when they went into Madinah, Defensive Jihad was ordained and later Offensive Jihad was ordained. Read the Seerah! The reason why the Muslims are in this situation today is because our abandonment of Jihad. We have adopted secular ideas. Shari’ah was replaced with secular governments such as democracy. How can one justify throwing away the law of Allah for some man-made law? And just in case you did not know, Islam that was good in Rasulullah’s time is still good in our time, and will still be good in the future! If you want to say that Jihad was not for the Quraish, then that is not true. What about the conquest of Makkah? There are many Muslims who want to take it in stages, i.e we need to start in the Makkan stage, then go to the Madinah stage. This is also wrong. Then lets drink alcohol (for those who don’t understand, I’m not saying that it is allowed)! That was allowed in Makkah. People say that we need to implement the Quran in our lives. I hear that all the time whether it is family, the Imam, or other Muslims. Then what about the ayat of Jihad. There are more than 20 ayat in the Quran that commands us to fight Jihad. Do we just ignore these ayat and try to change them just like the Jews did in Babylon? What about all the Ahadith? Islam is a take all way of life. You don’t adobt part of Islam while leaving the rest. Allah says in the Quran:
     “O you who have believe! Enter into Islam completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is a true enemy to you.” (Quran 2:208)
     I have nothing more to say to you than to fear Allah. May Allah help us to understand His deen the way the Salaf As-Salih did and to implement it in the way Rasulullah (saaws) has taught us, not in the way that we want to. Ameen!

178. wajih ul islam says:
     November 6, 2008 - الخميس 08 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:23 pm

     Muslims now a days have a slave mentality, some are slave and know it and some don’t. Mr Macain would kill 1000 Muslims and Mr Barack Obama would kill 10. Killing ONE Muslim is enough for me. So in actuality you have voted and supported an infidel who killed a Muslim and they will. Just like the slave Muslims who supported the kafirs in the destruction of the Khalifah. Just like the Muslims who supported the British in the division of the Arabian peninsula. Just live the Muslims who supported the kafirs in over throwing the Indian Mughal. It has always been Muslims who supported the kafirs in trying to destroy the Muslims. The biggest problem you Islam is not the kafir but the hypocrites. The real reason we are humiliated is because majority of us don’t follow the Quran and Sunnah we don’t even look like Muslims. Till we don’t come back to Islam and submit are will to Allah we will be the losers. Brother Anwar we are with you inshAllah.

179. mustafa says:
     November 7, 2008 - الجمعة 09 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:05 am

     may Allah reward you brother i throughly agree with your statements.

180. Samin says:
     November 7, 2008 - الجمعة 09 ذو القعدة 1429 at 5:22 pm

     I cant believe there are so many muslims who do not understand Tawhid… they do not understand Tawhid does not just mean the oneness of allah, it goes way way deeper than that. Muslims do not understand Allah is the only lord and legislator, if you are voting a US president up, according to them he can legislate, meaning he makes haram halal and halal haram. It is a nation that support Isreal, its a nation whos government is controlled by the jews.

     Also some people out here are saying Anwar Al-Awlaki is telling muslims to be silent and not let their voice be heard, he should just be quite and let western muslims make their decisions cause they are living in the country and have to follow the law of the land….

     I am telling you… ARE YOU GUYS FREAKING STUPID???? since when did Imam tell you to be quite???? he is telling you to help Support the establishment of Islamic Caliphate. He is a Ulema who can give fatwa, if you dont trust him go look at Abu Hamza Al Masri… dont tell him to shut up because he is telling you to stay away from kufr. So what if your living in those countries??? Laws of Haram and Halal do not affect you??

     and about the Law of the Land… this is the most BS thing i ever heard in my life… obvious reasons mentioned above.. also voting is not a LAW. its a priviledge. You dont have to vote, so how come you are choosing to?? Both of these cantidates will do no good to Islamic Caliphate, this Nation do not want Islamic Caliphate.. The Lesser Evil here is DO NOT VOTE, because you are not harming them, you are harming yourself by choosing someone or a system over Allah and Islamic Khilafa.

181. Abu Turab says:
     November 8, 2008 - السبت 10 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:30 am

     ” then there will be a Khilafah on the way of the Prophethood ”
     =====================================
     Khilafah & democracy do not mix! Dear Muslim brothers and sisters just see what they want to do about us in their own words.
     ——

     “Terrorists’ ultimate aim is to establish a caliphate (Khilafah) covering a region from Spain, across North Africa,

     through the Middle East and South Asia, all the way to Indonesia -and it wouldn’t stop there,” Sydney Morning

     Herald, US VP Richard Bruce “Dick” Cheney 1428-2-24 H
     ———————————————————–

     “ If we enhance the recruiting of this jihadist cause, there will be an attempt to re-establish the caliphate

     (Khilafah),… the caliphate (Khilafah) that twice has gone all the way across the Pyrenees, up to the gates of

     Vienna… I am concerned that it will be difficult for Europe to stand and that you will have a re-established

     caliphate (Khilafah) sitting on 58 percent of the world’s oil.” US Lieutenant General William G. Boyk at Manna

     Church for the graduation ceremony of Fayetteville Christian School in North Carolina US 1428-4-9 H
     ———————————————————–

     “They see Iraq as the center of a new caliphate (Khilafah), from which they can stir extremism and violence

     throughout the region” New York Times, US VP Richard Bruce “Dick” Cheney 1428-4-25 H
     ———————————————————–

     “This caliphate (Khilafah) would be a totalitarian Islamic empire encompassing all current and former Muslim

     lands, stretching from Europe to North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia… They hope to establish a

     violent political utopia across the Middle East, which they call caliphate (Khilafah), where all would be ruled

     according to their hateful ideology.” George Walker Bush 1427-8-12 H
     ———————————————————–

     “ Iraq’s future will either embolden terrorists and expand their reach and ability to re-establish a caliphate

     (Khilafah), or it will deal them a crippling blow ” New York Times reported about the statement of US

     Undersecretary of Defense Eric S. Edelman speaking at Council on Foreign Relations 1426-12-11 H
     ———————————————————–

     “ They want to reestablish the Supreme Caliphate (Khilafah) . It’s in every writing that you ever want to look at it…

     their goal is to start in Iraq, expand their Islamic caliphate (Khilafah) throughout the Middle East to Europe, and

     ultimately across the entire world. ” US Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, assistant to the chairman of the

     joint chiefs of staff given talk at American Enterprise Institute 1426-12-18 H
     ———————————————————–

     “ They talk about wanting to re-establish what you could refer to as the seventh-century caliphate (Khilafah),…

     governed by Sharia law, the most rigid interpretation of the Koran.” US VP Richard Bruce “Dick” Cheney at

     Lake Elmo, Minnesota 1425-8-15 H
     ———————————————————–

     “Do you really want to live in… a Stone Age Islamic caliphate (Khilafah) with no rights, no economy and no

     future? I am confident the answer will be no.” The Independent, James Philip Rubin, was assistant US secretary

     of state in the Clinton administration 1422-7-27 H
     ———————————————————–

     “The situation now is that Turkey is dead and will never rise again, because we have destroyed its moral

     strength, the Caliphate (Khilafah) and Islam.” British Foreign Secretary Lord Curzon Lord 1342-12-22 H

182. Yasmin Ismail says:
     November 8, 2008 - السبت 10 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:32 am

     In that case, Muslims in the west
     should not become citizens of
     the western countries they are living in. Try to get back your original
     citizenship and go back to your homeland. There is no democracy in
     Islamic world so they will safe
     from “un-islamic” system.

183. Momin says:
     November 8, 2008 - السبت 10 ذو القعدة 1429 at 6:52 am

     As Salaamalaikum:

     Allah (SWT) does not change the state of people until they change themselves. Let’s do something constructive and help each other in Hijrah from America. They do not want us here and we do not like it here, so let’s all be at peace and make Hijrah to that place where we find tranquility/sakinah in our hearts…..

     JOIN MY HIJRAH_ISLAM YAHOO GROUP TODAY

     Subscribe: Hijrah_Islam-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

     send me an e-mail if you have a problem.
     quransunnah71@yahoo.com

     Salaamualaikum.

184. Abu Usamah al-Aswad says:
     November 9, 2008 - الأحد 11 ذو القعدة 1429 at 12:23 am

     The point is this, until Muslim pundits in foreign lands OPENLY petition they own leaders to OPENLY invite American Muslims to make hijr to their country and provide them lands, then they should remain silent about the politics of America. American Muslim have to answer our problems not those who haven’t corrected this issues in their own lands.

     Also judging from some the arguements posted many are ignorant as to what the president actually does (he does note legeslate, LOL)

     Additinally, no Muslims have voted Obama to be their Amir nor Imam.

185. Muslimah says:
     November 9, 2008 - الأحد 11 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:09 pm

     “A small group. They are the ones who carry ambitions for the Muslim Ummah. And an even smaller group from this small group. They are the ones who sacrifice their personal worldly interests in order to act upon those ambitions. And an even smaller group from this elite. They are the ones who sacrifice their souls and their blood in order to bring victory to these ambitions and convictions. So, they are a small group within a small group within a small group.” [Shaheed Dr Sheikh Abdullah Azzam, assassinated 1989].

186. Jamilah says:
     November 10, 2008 - الاثنين 12 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:01 am

     Mashallah, I just wanted to write my support for your writings here. May Allah reward you.

187. Brother Al Khurasani says:
     November 11, 2008 - الثلاثاء 13 ذو القعدة 1429 at 11:05 am

     MashaAllah, whoever understand the statement (mentioned by sister) of Sheikh Abdullah Azzam Rehamullah, has the fruit of knowledge.
     He once Said-
     Those who understand the Jihad are few, those who fight Jihad are lesser and those who remain steadfast on the path of Jihad are even less than that. May keep us steadfast untill th end.
     Allah hu Akbar.

188. ImaanB4Command says:
     November 12, 2008 - الأربعاء 14 ذو القعدة 1429 at 1:47 am

     IF_only_they_had_a_brain on November 4th, 2008 at 10:45 pm #

     Response to Br. Haniff.

     That’s one of the BIGGEST problems with Muslims these days, they love to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT…is that all there is to islam? FIGHT???

     Should we now alter the terms as such: ISLAM=KITAL, ISLAM=JIHAD?

     I find it so strange that the ONLY view these days are black & white, them vs. us, etc. I wonder how the Prophet (saw) dealt with the Quraish. Maybe the Imam here should cover a lecture series like that.

     Did the Prophet (saw) just felt comfortable in calling them kufars? Did he say “lets get your swords, jihad time?” Seriously, have we lost our senses? Is there a SINGLE (yes, I’m even so willing to ask this) Muslim country on this planet EARTH, who even have the military strength to stand up to the USA?
     ————————————- Have you ever listened to Imam Anwar’s lecture series? If you had listened to them then you wouldn’t have said, “I wonder how the Prophet (saw) dealt with the Quraish. Maybe the Imam here should cover a lecture series like that.”
     Did you know Prophet Muhammad (saw) fought 27 battles???!!! So would you say to him (saw),”That’s one of the BIGGEST problems with Muslims these days, they love to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT…is that all there is to islam? FIGHT???”

     Don’t expect the puppet regimes to stand up against America. Mujaahideens are the only ones trying to expell the occupiers from the Muslim lands.
     Taliban in Afghanistan have been and still are standing up to the US. Some of the military generals have already admitted defeat.
     Also, Iraqi mujahideens are maiming and killing scores of US soildiers with IEDs. The kuffar have already admitted that the IEDs are causing them the most death and destruction. I think the brothers are doing a fine job of standing up to America.

189. Brother Al Khurasani says:
     November 12, 2008 - الأربعاء 14 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:30 am

     Dear Brothers, dont argue with these vote loving guys, what i see is that they do not have knowledge, if they would have read Quran or Hadith or have heard any good scholars they would not have been talking like this. Their arguments are a clear proof of the Jahiliyya they are confined within.
     Allah is enough for us, let them do whatever they want to do.

     5-54. O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allâh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allâh which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allâh is AllSufficient for His creatures’ needs, AllKnower.

     55. Verily, your Walî (Protector or Helper) is Allâh, His Messenger, and the believers, – those who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, and they bow down (submit themselves with obedience to Allâh in prayer).
     Walaykum Assalam.

190. Asim says:
     November 12, 2008 - الأربعاء 14 ذو القعدة 1429 at 9:37 am

     As much as I LOVE Imam Anwar I COMPLETELY disagree with him and his views. I voted for Barack Obama and certainly hope he will do a much better job than McCrazy Honestly, how do you expect us (American Muslims) to live in this country without being active?

191. Abu Turab says:
     November 12, 2008 - الأربعاء 14 ذو القعدة 1429 at 2:26 pm

     ” then there will be a Khilafah on the way of the Prophethood…”

     to br. Asim:

     of ISLAM! However being active the wrong way is to participate in democracy that will take you in the abyss of shirk of democracy it is better to remain inactive than committing shirk! It is strange that none of the democracy loving Muzlims / RAND-Muzlims talks about giving DAWAH even if they do it is only superficial.

     Only MUSLIMS are active in giving dawah it is not for RAND-Muzlims
     ————

     “That’s one of the BIGGEST problems with Muslims these days, they love to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT…is that all there is to islam? FIGHT???
     Should we now alter the terms as such: ISLAM=KITAL, ISLAM=JIHAD?”
     Hope I do not smell a Qadyanee* in the above lines even if it is not a Qadyanee but definitely a Qadyanee-influence!

     * A heretic group that originated in the Subcontinent during the rule of Kaffer British they completely deny Jihad.

192. Brother Al Khurasani says:
     November 13, 2008 - الخميس 15 ذو القعدة 1429 at 8:54 am

     Rand Muzlims need to comment on our blog- Congratulations on joining “Rands” MR Asim-You can have firworks in NY whenever they kill a Muslim baby or sister or brother in Afganistan/Pakistan/Iraq.

     To Abu turab- Welcome to “Ghuraba”
     May Allah increase you in your faith. I second you on Qadiyani Fitna.

193. 'Abdullah ibn Abdul Hamid says:
     November 13, 2008 - الخميس 15 ذو القعدة 1429 at 10:14 am

     As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum, wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu,

     I see it all around, that there is a very small fraction of Muslims who stand up against the politics of the west, and on the opposing side, a very large percentage of the Muslims, vehemently calling others to vote and becoming outraged at anyone’s objection to the voting.

     When I tell someone not to vote, I get the same loud response, as if they try to justify their ignorance by the volume of their voice.

     Dear brothers and sisters, if you even give a day to studying the background of the policies you vote for, or the government you put faith and trust in, you will be embarrassed that you even uttered one word against Sheikh Anwar’s article.

     If you read even the introductions to the “great” books that the western democratic governmental system is based on, you will be ashamed of having ever even remotely considered voting.

     So what is my advice? Rather than lengthening this post, and causing disinterest amongst the readers as few as they may be, I will point you to the books that founded the models of government the USA is based upon, as well as most of the western nations.

     Amongst them, are Hobbes: “Leviathon”, John Locke: “Two Treatises of Government”, Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “Discourse on Inequality” & “The Social Contract”, and John Stuart Mill: “On Liberty”.

     These are introductory level readings for Political Science usually offered in introductory classes at universities, but they are also the works that amounted to the creation of the political system you are all exposed to today, the “democracy”.

     You will even read about “world democracy” in these works, and how under colonialism that is the subject the authors of these books were focusing on in some parts of their studies.

     If you do not have the time to read their works, then I would recommend for you to even read their wikipedia pages, about the authors, those alone are eye opening enough.

     I think it is enough to tell the Muslims, follow the beautiful guidance Allah (Subhannahu Wa Ta’Ala) has blessed you with, and don’t run to the kuffar for shelter, like cowards and nonbelievers.

     Surah An-Nisaa, Ayat 97-101:
     Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves – [the angels] will say, “In what [condition] were you?” They will say, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will say, “Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?” For those, their refuge is Hell – and evil it is as a destination.

     Except for the oppressed among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way.

     For those it is expected that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.

     And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him – his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah . And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

     And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.

     And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

     Jazakullah khair dear Sheikh for your beautiful and true stance in Islam as well as your efforts to clear the misunderstandings amongst the Ummah.

     And Jazakullah khair for all who took the time to read this post.
     As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum, wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

194. Shahin says:
     November 19, 2008 - الأربعاء 21 ذو القعدة 1429 at 3:46 pm

     Note: this leaflet was distributed by Hizb ut-Tahrir America prior to the election.

     بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

     Cooperate in Piety or Sin! Participation in the American Election

     A few days from now is the American general election. Here we seize the opportunity to fulfill our responsibility and address you Muslims about the Sharia rule (Devine Rule) regarding participation in it.

     إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلاَّ لِلّهِ أَمَرَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

     “Indeed legislation (ruling, judgment, command) is only for Allah; He has commanded that you shall not serve aught but Him; this is the right religion but most people do not know.” (TMQ 12:40)

     أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاء شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ

     “Or have they partners (of Allah) who have made lawful for them in religion that which Allah allowed not?” (TMQ 42:21)

     To legislate or make rules other than Allah means to associate partners with Him. Allah describes the one who chooses and accepts the rules made by man to have associated partners with Him سبحانه وتعالى. On the other hand, Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives His law the superiority, and commands that it should be implemented to rule between people and solve their problems. He سبحانه وتعالى describes those who do not rule by His Sharia to be the disbelievers, oppressors or transgressors.

     وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
     وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
     وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

     “And whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the disbelievers …oppressors… transgressors.” (TMQ 5:44, 45, 47)

     In addition, our Iman is not complete unless we seek judgment and ruling by that which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم has brought from Allah سبحانه وتعالى

     فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا

     “But no! by your Lord! they do not believe (in reality) until they make you a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any straitness in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission.” (TMQ 4:65)

     La Ilaha Illa Allah means Worship, Legislation, Ruling, Obedience, Loyalty and friendship are only with Almighty Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone. No one worthy of worship except Him, no one worthy of obedience except Him, no one has the right to legislate except Him, no rules worthy of implementation except His Divine Rules, we’re only loyal to Him and no one is our friend except Him alone سبحانه وتعالى and the Believers. So what does voting on next Tuesday, November 4th really mean?

     Electing and voting is giving the power of attorney to someone to do things on your behalf. It is a Halaal means in general. In this case, it is authorizing someone to legislate or rule by the Kufr rule on your behalf. It means to give someone the power to make laws instead of Allah, denying His سبحانه وتعالى sole right to make laws that manage our lives. Voting in this election means to empower someone to implement the kufr rules made by the faulty human beings.

     By voluntarily voting for Kufr, in such Democratic/Secular system, we willingly choose and authorize humans to legislate and legalize evil (Munkar) and rule according to it. We authorize -willingly and happily- humans to implement a system that is known for its corruption in all aspects of life; political, economic, social, educational, healthcare …etc. Not only that, but we also -willingly- authorize and request them to protect and preserve this kufr system and this way of life!

     Accordingly, based on the clear cut evidences from the Quran, participation in the general election on November 4th is a clear Haraam act, as it compromises the foundation of the Islamic Aqeedah.

     O Muslims, in addition to this, we came to say something else. Muslims in the United States are being dared, duped, and ultimately deceived into adopting voting in the kufr U.S. secular democracy/capitalism by the enemies of Islam. Participation in elections will successfully contain the Islamic struggle within a prison of secularism rather than pursuing the liberation of humanity through the establishment and expansion of the Islamic State.

     This is a satanic plan where elections are attempts to integrate Muslims. The enemies of Islam want to ensure that the Muslim “leaders” and organizations are encouraging us to vote, assimilate and acculturate into the mainstream, for reasons of control and counterrevolutionary tactics that the system implores to maintain itself.

     O Muslims, although some of us may be mistakenly seeking to vote as a means of “helping” or “benefiting” the Muslims who live in the United States or elsewhere, the fact remains that a Haraam action brings no true and lasting benefits according to the Islamic criteria of Jannah and Jahannam. Voting for the man-made laws is clearly Haraam and contradictory to “politics” illustrated in the noble Sunnah of The Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.

     Rather than wasting time getting Muslims to support non-Muslim Makkan leaders, like Abu Lahab or Abu Jahl, to gain some material “benefits”, The Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم focused exclusively on removing the fundamental kufr system. Rather than choosing between “evil” or “more evil” political candidates like today’s democratic elections, or the “lesser of two evils”, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم chose the Guidance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى as the sole Source of success and benefit. He maintained his da’wah to remove and replace Quraysh leadership with the Islamic system no matter what the cost to himself or his Companions.

     O Muslims, we must protect and strengthen our loyalties to each other as a Muslim Ummah that is “distinct” and “unique” from all the rest of mankind. Each Muslim must preserve his/her loyalty and alliance exclusively for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, and the Believers among the Muslims.

     وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ

     “And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends (allies) one of another.” (TMQ 9:71)

     وَلاَ تَرْكَنُواْ إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاء ثُمَّ لاَ تُنصَرُونَ

     “And incline (or accept) not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall you be helped.” (TMQ 11:113)

     O Muslims, we must ask ourselves some tough questions about voting and other forms of participation in the upcoming U.S. elections:

     1) How can a Muslim who claims to believe in Allah سبحانه وتعالى and follow His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم abandon the noble Sunnah of The Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, to support the corrupt secular Capitalism?

     2) How can a Muslim choose a Congressman, Senator, President, or any other human being over Allah, disqualifying Him سبحانه وتعالى as the Sole Ruler and Legislator?

     3) How can Muslims follow the Jews and Christians in funding and electing political candidates who have adopted full implementation and preservation of kufr systems as their “platform”?

     4) How many more times will Muslims choose the “lesser of two evils” and continue producing the types of Clintons and Bushes who mercilessly bomb and brutalize their Brothers and Sisters overseas while accusing and imprisoning their Brothers and Sisters in the U.S.?

     5) How much longer will the Muslims claim to “show the good of Islam” and “give dawah” by voting for the kufr system rather than conveying the noble Message of Islam according to the method of The Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم?

     O Muslims, we must refuse to legitimize these Haraam (forbidden) activities of supporting “evil” or “more evil” candidates to rule by kufr. Moreover, we must insist on saving ourselves and our society by shifting all of our attention, energy, loyalty, and money toward the struggle to make Islam supreme.

     This can be done by following the Sunnah of The Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم to strengthen ourselves and our families with clarity, confidence, and conviction about protecting our Islamic identity, strengthening Muslim Brotherhood/Sisterhood, teaching our children and family about our way of life, supporting Islamic activism, joining the “political” work to resume the Islamic way of life and all the other blessed actions ordered and rewarded by Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

     O Muslims, let us remember that we are the Da’wah carriers responsible to deliver this message to the people. We can only do this by following the method of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, by engaging in the intellectual and political struggle that exposes the Kufr systems and presents Islam as the only alternative and sound way of life. Let us work to revive the Islamic State as it is the only practical way to establish justice and save humanity from the filth of Democracy and Capitalism.

     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 سبحانه وتعالى.

     We will continue to engage in this Da’wah work for the resumption of the Islamic way of life in this “belly of the beast” of western Democracy. We invite you all Muslims to join this work so we may be successful in this life and the hereafter.

     يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَجِيبُواْ لِلّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُم لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ

     “O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life.” (TMQ 8:24)

     Hizb ut-Tahrir – America
     29th of Shawwal, 1429
     Oct, 28th 2008

195. Rameez says:
     November 29, 2008 - السبت 01 ذو الحجة 1429 at 4:53 am

     If you dont want to participate in democracy then why even live in this country.

196. Jihadfeesabililah says:
     December 15, 2008 - الاثنين 18 ذو الحجة 1429 at 4:03 am

     “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
     .
     So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, “We are afraid a misfortune may strike us.” But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.”
     —
     [Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 51-52]
     ————————————–

     [img=http://www.islamicthinkers.com/index/images/he_is_them.jpg]

197. Jihadfeesabililah says:
     December 15, 2008 - الاثنين 18 ذو الحجة 1429 at 4:04 am

     [img=“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
     .
     So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, “We are afraid a misfortune may strike us.” But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.”
     —
     [Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 51-52]
     ————————————–
     http://www.islamicthinkers.com/index/images/he_is_them.jpg

198. UmmMohebyAl-Islam says:
     December 15, 2008 - الاثنين 18 ذو الحجة 1429 at 9:03 pm

     JazukuAllah Kheir for this article brother. May Allah(swt) reward you.
     Ameen!

199. Maham says:
     December 23, 2008 - الثلاثاء 26 ذو الحجة 1429 at 11:09 pm

     Assalamu-alaikum.
     I am in search for the Seerah of Ayesha (Ra) but i cant find any reliable sources through internet. Do you know where i can find a reliable sources from?

200. Abdul Haleem says:
     December 26, 2008 - الجمعة 29 ذو الحجة 1429 at 8:54 am

     Asalamualikum Brother’
     just wondering why you dont use the Islamic calender on your web site
     Jazakalakheer

201. AHAMAD ABULFATHI says:
     January 1, 2009 - الخميس 05 محرم 1430 at 2:50 pm

     assalamu alaikum,i read your article and found it educating and i wish i can be as good as you are to have alot to contribute on the state of the ummah,may Allah guide us all to the righteous path and lead us to jannatul firdaus in the company of Sayidina Rasulullah. Ameen.

202. Jalal Kassab says:
     February 16, 2009 - الاثنين 21 صفر 1430 at 7:28 am

     Asalamu alikum Brother. I commend you for your talks and lectures.

     On this occasion I disagree with your comments encouraging Muslims not to participate in the democratic processes in the western world. I am not that naive to believe that democracy is the panacea to the world. It is ironic that that there are many good laws passed in western countries that have taken there benchmark from the Sharia. A question that Sheik Khalid Yassin asked was “if there was a Sharia Law who would follow it”.

     Sheik Yassin also asked for those advocating for the downfall of western countries then at the same time being the direct benefactor of the social security and health systems. Sheik Yassin was criticizing those Muslim hypocrites of course and the state of Muslims today. He was not advocating against Sharia, this would be a gross misrepresentation of his views, on the contrary Sheik Yassin was advocating for Muslims to be of a better character and to truly follow in the example of the prophet Mohamad (SAW). He further reminded that our personal dawa of the being of excellent character is the best weapon we have to bring Islam to the west. In our dealing with family, neighbours, business etc. The Muslims, in the west in particular, can do much more Dawah just by being better citizens. This does not mean we are passive and “sheeplike” There is high incarceration rate, divorce rate, unemployment rate that is disproportional to our population. The Sunnah of striving for “excellence” has been left behind and taken up with petty crime, dependency on state welfare etc. There are many Muslims who are doing well and decent role models, however we can do more. I would advocate that we should participate and become more electorally sophisticated and make positive change for the benefit of greater society. This will be difficult as corruption of this ideal is not far behind. What is clear that Muslims can use democracy to advance the Islamic ideals. I pray Allah guides us to the straight path.

203. Amir says:
     April 23, 2009 - الخميس 28 ربيع الثاني 1430 at 12:29 pm

     This article has discredited itself by making mass generalizations. There is no “war against Islam”. It’s true that many in the West would like to see it that way, but the fact of the matter is, Muslims in the West have much more freedom than in many other countries, even some Muslim countries.

     What stops a Muslim from praying 5 times a day? From behaving modestly? From refraining from vain talk, backbiting, and lying? From giving Zakah?

     Certainly not the West. There are definitely differences that we have with many Western ideals (many of which that are also against the Judeo-Christian values that many Westerners have). Gay marriage, abortion, gambling, alchohol consumption are even issues Christians and Jews in the West attempt to overcome. So yes, there are differences.

     But to say there’s an overall “war on Islam” is a generalization that leads to illogical conclusions.

     As Muslims we should look at our biggest barrier to Paradise. What stops us from praying, fasting, having good character, and seeking the pleasure of Allah SWT? Shaitan and our nafs (primal urges). Not the West. Not Obama. Not anyone else.

     Yes, there are many who conspire against Muslims, that is very evident. But the fact is, at this point, we are not in the same position as our Brothers and Sisters in Communist China. These brothers and sisters have to effectively hide their faith, can’t go and pray in congregation, and I don’t know if they can go to Hajj.

     If I don’t vote, my situation can turn into that. There are many neo-conservatives in the US who would like to see us Muslims in a internment camp. By voting, we can keep those out of power so that we can practice our deen.

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