Massacre in Egypt & Deobandees (Part 2)

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

First and foremost, everyone reading this should make dua for our Brothers & Sisters in Egypt for Allah (SWT) to protect the believers, their life, their honour, their trust and their wealth and to give the highest status in paradise to those who have passed away (Ameen).

Secondly, this is my opinion of the state of the Deobandees in the West based on my limited experience and understanding and I am liable to error. It is your right to disagree, Insha’Allah.

Please recap Part 1

One of the unique characteristics and distinguishing factors of the Ulamah of Deoband was their ability to reach out to the world and connect the local (Indian) Muslims to the conflicts far away from their shores. When placed in the context that they were simultaneously fighting a war of independence at home (against British imperialism), it is a truly remarkable achievement.  We can elaborate and comment on many historical incidents but we would like to briefly enumerate 2 incidents where Indian Muslims poured their heart and soul into matters which were “Non-Indian” in nature. The first occurred before the establishment of Darul-uloom Deoband and the other two afterwards and it merely shows that Indian Ulamah (even pre Darul-uloom Deoband) had a keen eye on world events and providing suitable guidance for laymen Muslims to alleviate their confusion and to ensure that they are on the right side of history.

1. The Anti-Russain Jihad of Imam Shamil (RA) [1834-1859]
2. Balkans Wars [1912-1913]
3. Khilafat Movement [1919-1924]

There are historical manuscripts still available in museums and collectors around the world which point to the contribution of Indian Muslims to these causes and they galvanised around the protection of Ottoman Empire with such fervour that Mahatma Gandhi proudly joined in and claimed to the first Hindu to protect the Khilafat!

When we look across (at least the western) landscape we see the Deobandees primarily engaged in two matters:

1. Taqleed
2. Tassawuff

The sun rises with Taqleed and the sun sets with Tassawuff.  These are extremely important issues but to merely envelope the legacy of Deobandi Ulamah in these two is a travesty of immense proportions.

Al-ʾIkḫwān al-Muslimūn  in Egypt closely resemble Jamat-e-Islami and Ulamah of Deoband have frowned upon both movements and discouraged laymen from reading their literature and taking an active part in these movements; fair enough.

However, the struggle in Egypt today isn’t about al-ʾIkḫwān al-Muslimūn (anymore) it has evolved. Today it is a struggle between Islam & Kuf’r , it is between Shariah & Secularism. The affairs in Egypt need to be paid attention to because of many reasons but 3 simple ones are:

1. Egypt is the heart and mind of the Arab world. If “Islamists” take hold OR able to oppose a Secular dictatorship OR withhold against the brutal genocidal crackdown it spells “The End” for other Arab regimes.

2. Egypt is the lifeline for Palestinians  and the only border crossing to smuggle in much needed medical aid, food supplies etc. As soon as
   Mohamed Morsi was ousted Rafah broder was SHUT DOWN!

3. Suez Canal:  Overwhelming majority of European imports use this canal and if this was to shut down (or even slow down) it will have a devastating impact on European economy. The alternative route goes around the cape of Good hope (South Africa) which will add roughly 2700 miles to the journey.  Take a look at what happens to a ship enroute from Mumbai to London using both routes

What has happened in Egypt is that first Hafidh of Qur’aan ruler of the Islamic world in centuries has been REMOVED.  As previously stated that Deobandees inherently disagree with and such organisations which believe in Gradual introduction of Islam (and with good reason), however let’s look at the at Mohammed Morsi himself as a person:

1. Hafidh of Qur'aan
2. Consistent in Fajar prayers (with Jamaat) {he did this even in USA throughout his student days]
3. Consistently offered Jummah prayers in a Masjid
4. One son works in the Gulf, the other is unemployed (looking for work) in the country run by his father!
5. Sister passed away in a Government Hospital because he refused to use Government money to send her overseas
6. Forced his family to fly around in Commerical flights while he ruled the country

To the best of my knowledge, there hasn’t been a ruler of such qualities in the Islamic world certainly in decades and probably in the last century or so.

As the previous blog stated that the Deobandi support to the Egyptian affairs is largely limited to making dua for “our brothers in Egypt”, however in my opinion the Deobandees need to step up to the plate and make it abundantly clear in the hearts and minds of the masses that this is a war between Islam and Kuf’r and even if the Deobandees have reservations against al-ʾIkḫwān al-Muslimūn , Hafidh  Mohammed Morsi and the people of Egypt need their support.

Its time to belay the heated discussions on Taqleed & Tassawuff as important events are unfolding before our very eyes. Lets ensure that every Ummati of Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is on the right side of history!