Current Affairs

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Some people say that someone who does not grasp current affairs is not a scholar, yet they forget what the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever Allah wishes good for, He grants them understanding in the religion”. They lose sight of the reality that preoccupying oneself with current affairs distracts a person from understanding the religion and may even keep people from engaging in correct worship, which is to worship Allah alone while devoting one’s heart to Allah, contemplating Allah’s divine revelation (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah) and His universal signs (i.e. the things He has created). In reality, preoccupying the youth with current affairs prevents them from understanding the religion Allah has ordained because the heart is a vessel that does not take another thing when it is filled with something else, thus, it is not possible to fill it with this and that. Being preoccupied with seeking understanding in the religion, fulfilling acts of worship, pure Islamic monotheism, and sincerity are the better to do for the individual than learning about current affairs and what such and such a person is about.

It is possible that one receives knowledge of current affairs through flimsy and fabricated media narrations, or bases knowledge of current affairs on the analysis and speculations of a person. The one engaged in the subject of current affairs may seek to establish an analysis that is far from what the current affairs are or they look into affairs that have been concocted for them by the enemies (regarding) a specific event, but this event turns out to be something else and does not exist at all, thus, all those plans come to naught.

Therefore, it is important that one learns what Islam expects of them- the understanding related to one’s self, rectification of the heart through sound belief and wishing good for the Muslims, and this is related to the understanding of halal, haram, and other affairs of a similar nature. (However), if necessary, one can acquire knowledge about current affairs; but when it comes to matters that haven’t actually happened yet, such as lies, deception, analysis, and speculation, attaching absolute emphasis to it has no foundation. (1)

Analysing The Plots Against Islam Is A Fard Kifaayah to Be Carried Out By The Scholars and Their Outstanding Students

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee, may Allah preserve him, says:

So it is not permissible for the Ulamaa to remain heedless of their plans (i.e. the enemies of Islaam), their actions, their publications, their missionary activities and their various calls (to the Muslims). And also the various poisons they are infusing – which are in opposition to the Qur’aan and the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and his Sunnah. And nor of what plans they have for (the destruction of) the beliefs and methodologies of Islaam. It is not permissible either, to remain heedless of their concentrated efforts to Christianize or secularize the Muslim youth. And along with that, the Muslim youth and the students are not able to oppose this plan and strategy. Rather it is necessary that the distinguished Ulamaa – those who are experienced and shrewd – it is for such people, in all the places to undertake this duty. So it is obligatory for some of the intelligent and ingenious people from the field of Aqeedah to be mobilised for opposing these plans. And likewise it is a must that the intelligent and distinguished from amongst the specialists in the Sunnah – that they be mobilised for the refutation of these and similarly the eminent and distinguished from amongst those in the fields of Orientalism for the refutation of the plans of the Orientalists.” (Ahl ul-Hadeeth, p.102)

He also says: “I myself believe that it is a benefit – rather it is of necessity – that we know what the enemies are planning for us, and that it is necessary for us to prepare (ourselves in strength) to destroy their plans. However, I do not exaggerate in this matter, rather my view is the view of our Ulamaa and they have all agreed upon this – that amongst the obligatory matters there are some that are Fard Ain and others that are Fard Kifaayah – and even if knowing the state of the enemies is harmful – it is still necessary for us to know it – but it is treated as Fard Kifaayah. When some attend to it, then the harm is removed from the rest” up until he said: “So I consider that there is no criticism for the Ulamaa and the students of knowledge who take great concern for preserving the Sharee’ah of Allaah – in terms of the Book, the Sunnah and its understanding – for this is one of the duties of the Kifaayah actions. And I believe that these people are more superior, noble, truthful and of more benefit to Islaam than those who are weak in their knowledge of the religion of Allaah or those who have no share in acquainting themselves with it.” (2)

(1) An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 194-195

(2) An excerpt from an article at www.salafipublications.com titled: The Salafis and Looking into the Affairs of the Ummah]