The problem with Muslims adopting secular, liberal framework and identity politics is they often view and measure everything through this lens.
The outcome of this is a clash of ideologies and ultimately, one will have to give way to the other.
Third-wave Feminism promotes the idea of not only ‘equality between the sexes’ but the idea that ‘anything a man can do, a woman should also be allowed to‘. Whilst in a secular liberal society this is now seen as standard and the norm, this obviously becomes problematic from the Islamic viewpoint, as although men and women are equal in the sight of God when it comes to sin & reward, they often have separate and distinct roles and responsibilities in the home, society and when it comes to authority or leadership. There are also aspects and actions that are permissible for men, but not for women, and vice versa.
So a Muslim that identifies as a ‘feminist’ and views things through the lens of feminism will inevitably struggle with the clash between ‘women are equal to men and should be allowed to do whatever a man is permitted to do’ vs ‘men have authority and rights over women and there are some things permissible for a man but not for women‘.
Similarly, when it comes to race, some Muslims adopt concepts such as White Nationalism, Black Nationalism or view things through the lens of the Critical Race Theory (CRT). Just this week, some came across an individual calling for Muslims who are White to have SEPARATE schools, businesses, communities and self defence and stated “we must now go our own way“.
Previously we have seen events such as ‘Black Eid’ where organisers have asked for those who are not Black to not buy tickets or turn up. We also have many Muslims who adopt the CRT as the pinnacle and benchmark when it comes to race but ignore teachings and principles from Islam. Some are not far off the concepts from the ‘Nation of Islam’ who propogate ideas such as ‘the white man is the devil‘.
We have seen Muslims promote the concept that every group can be racist except for Black people and that some Muslims that convert to Islam are not ‘fully accepted’ as Muslim due to them being ‘White’ or that they share the blame, guilt and actions of their forefathers or other oppressors that they share the same skin tone as.
As Muslims, we already have the perfect role model, a precedence in the Sunnah and Seerah and comprehensive guidance. The concepts above are therefore often at odds with Islamic teachings. So, one who adopts this narrative and views every subject through the lens of ‘race’ will encounter a clash of ideas. For instance:
“And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” (Quran 35:18)
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.” (The Prophet’s (saw) farewell sermon)
“Islam destroys that which came before it” (Hadith, Muslim).
Al-Nawawi commented on this to say this means that it erases it and wipes it out.
The topics and ideologies around gender and race are just two examples, but the concept and clash can be applied elsewhere, whether it is Muslims who identify as LGBT – some of whom call for Islam to be ‘reformed’; others retell the story of Lut (a.s) in a more PC narrative and some will go as far as saying Islam has ‘homophobic‘ teachings.
We have Muslims who call for or promote ideas around Communism or Marxism. Some believe liberalism should trump all, i.e. all faiths, beliefs and ideas are equal. Then there are those where their politics and activism revolve around allying with the ‘left’ , which may be all well and good on issues where everyone agrees or there is no clash of values with Islam, but what happens when it is a rally for LGBT groups or pro-abortionist movements?
Whilst we all have different aspects to our identities, Allah (swt) called us ‘Muslim‘ (Quran 22:78) and perfected our religion and chose for us ‘Islam‘ (Quran 5:3). This should be our framework, narrative and reference point. If we view matters through any other lens, somewhere down the line we will have a clash, a difficulty in reconciling ideas and we will have to compromise something.
When one comes with the flag of race-based nationalism, the ‘agenda of gender‘ or the ‘god‘ of Liberalism but the other comes with Islamic principles, it will not likely end in agreement or any progress. For some, these concepts become a type of obsession, almost a ‘religion’ in itself, where regardless of the topic or theme of something, race or gender must take centre stage and become the focus point.
Instead, when discussing or debating these topics, you need sincerity and an acceptance that Islamic principles and teachings are the benchmark and are given precedence and that concepts and values from Islam are put forth as arguments. Even if there is disagreement or a difference of opinion, we do so from the bond of brotherhood and not ‘other-hood’ and from Haqq and not Baatil.
azthebaz 