Through Force or Faith? — Page 63
Sanctions for Self-Defence in Islam 63 be on their side. May it be that Muslims take heed, and, under this command, be the champions to safeguard every oppressed indi- vidual, and be the ones to stop every tyrant from transgressing, because the security of Muslims, as I have said, is also linked to this command. In the next verse, Allah, the Exalted, says: َو ِهّٰلِل ُةَبِقاَع ِرْوُمُاْلاَنْيِذَّلَا ْنِا ْمُهّٰنَّكَّم يِف ِضْرَاْلا اوُماَقَا َةوٰلَّصلا َو اُوَتٰا َةوٰكَّزلا َو اْوُرَمَا ِفْوُرْعَمْلاِب َو اْوَهَن ِنَع ِرَكْنُمْلا١ؕ Those who, if We establish them in the earth, will observe Prayer and pay the Zak ā t and enjoin good and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the final issue of all affairs. ( S u rah al- H ajj, 22:42) This is their conduct when they gain power; when they overcome the tyrants with the help of Allah; when they have their own state where they can live according to the tenets of Islam; they should analyse themselves and realize that whatever they have achieved is a favour from God. Now, they are not going to be like those whose mission is to deprive people of their freedom. A Muslim state is expected to ensure freedom of thought and conscience for every citizen, irrespective of religion or other affiliations, where every- one is expected to participate freely in the politics of the coun- try, where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed as a citizen. This is the responsibility of Islamic governments. The etiquette of running an Islamic government will be learnt and the ability to ensure the rights of its citizens will be acquired only when it will always be kept foremost in the mind that the Being of Allah, the Exalted, is watching me all the time. If I usurp the rights of anyone,