AHMAD AZAM: ISLAM AND GLOBAL PEACE: IDEALS AND REALITIES, THE MODELS OF
AL ANDALUS AND AL UTHMANIYYAH
HISTORY
In a glance, there are three
historical dates which are significant in its impact on the plight of the
Muslim world. May 19, 1916 concluding the Sykes Picot Agreement by the British and
the French with Russian collusion leading to the break up of the Uthmaniyah
caliphate and the sprouting up of small nationalist states. The Balfour Declaration
on November 2, 1917 expressing British support and endorsement for a Jewish
homeland in Palestine, bringing about
the era of belligerent Zionist domination and Israeli aggression, never ending
war and suffering to the Arab world. March 3, 1924 the Uthmaniyah caliphate was
formerly abolished signalling the rise of secularism and Western hegemony over
the Muslim world.
In brief, with the fall of the khilafah, Zionist hegemony ruled with
its ambitions and the supremacy of West was left unchallenged by any Muslim world
power. Muslim nations were conquered, subjugated and colonised. It was always unhindered
Western imperialism aided by Zionist aggression that threatened time and again
world peace.
CURRENTLY
That was history and it holds
many lessons. Then what is the state that we are in at present?
There are well over 1.7 billion
Muslims, equal to 23.4 % of the world population. There are 25 million Muslims
in Western countries. However, the narrative and discussion about Islam and
Muslims are founded on baseless assumptions and outright prejudice.
The prejudices got even worst
after September 11, 2001 when a small number of Muslims, based on media
reports, attacked the World Trade Centre which resulted in inventing and
bringing “Islamic Terrorism” to the fore.
WAR ON TERROR
In what many now see as a pretext
of fighting terrorism, the “War on Terror” was unilaterally declared by the
United States of America unleashing their killing machines upon sovereign
countries beginning with the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan (7 October
2001), Iraq (20 March 2003) dan the capitulation of Libya (19 March 2011). With
the support of NATO war was declared and these Muslim countries were attacked
and defeated. Saddam Hussein was executed in front of his own people. Muammar
Gaddafi was murdered under controversial circumstances.
Strangely, the “War on Terror”
has produced and has targeted many shadowy and previously unknown so called
Islamic Jihadist groups operating and disguising under various crafty names.
There was al Qaeda then led by the infamous Usama bin Laden. There was Taliban
in Afghanistan. Later there were the Shabab, Boko Haram, Abu Sayyaf and various
assortments of names. The most devious was ISIL or was it ISIS – Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria, which then became simply IS or the Islamic State. Due to
Muslim protests at the derogatory usage of the term “Islamic State” which was
causing confusion, Barack Obama and John Kerry preferred to use the Arabic
equivalent of Daesh which is still Dawlah
Islamiyyah fi ‘l Iraq was sh Sham.
People who have been seriously
involved and actively engaging Islamists all over the world are quite surprised
and perplexed at the sprouting of such militant extremists and cold blooded
terrorists. These dark developments are surely aimed at killing the psychology
of true Islamists and suppressing the genuine spirit of jihad. The sinister
image and disheartening portrayal of the Shahadah,
La ila ha illal Lah Muhammad ur Rasulullah by terrorists
affects the hearts and minds of Muslims and Non Muslims. The evil distortion in
displaying the Seal of the Prophet on black flags amidst perpetrating acts of
terror has a deep psychological effect and leaves a bad scar on the thoughts of
many especially the young.
Hard and Soft Power
Many political analysts, scholars
and observers see the “War on Terror” as an undeclared “War on Islam”. Islam is
seen under attack from all fronts by the use of hard and soft power strategies.
Hard power is by the usage of war and physical aggression to beat basically
Muslims into submission. While soft power is by the usage of stealth, psychology
and mind control through aggressive and massive propaganda and intense
diplomacy.
Joseph Nye from Harvard
University in his book, Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics
quoted Robert Gates, then US Defense Secretary, in describing the context of
using soft power for world diplomacy as saying, “a dramatic increase in spending on civilian instruments of national
security – diplomacy. Strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic
action, and economic reconstruction and development.”
Soft power targets the minds and
psychology of the young. To win over the hearts and minds of young Arabs,
satellite TV is very effective. Carnes Lord in “Public Diplomacy and Soft
Power” wrote “Satellite TV is actively
promoting American soft power in the Arab world in ways that the United States
had been incapable of doing. The launch of the Arabic language al Hurra channel
in early 2004 to provide news in more ways beneficial to the US marked an
important turning point in US public policy development.”
Islamophobia
The greatest impact of the War on
Terror is definitely on the image of Islam. Islam is depicted by fear and
menace. Islam is often portrayed as misogynistic
– discriminating women, regarding women as lesser humans subservient to men and
the appalling rites of genital mutilation are repeatedly flaunted. Islam is
accused of being contemptible of other religions and other beliefs, advocating
barbaric and inhumane sharia laws. Islam is condemned as encouraging violence
and terrorism in the name of Jihad. Myths have became virtual realities in the
world of Islamophobes.
In contrast, the West is
portrayed as highly civilised, modern, governed by the rule of law, enjoying
equality, freedom and justice. The West is thrust upon as the model that the
Muslim world must emulate. Ironically the world conveniently forgets and
ignores the millions of refugees suffering and lingering helplessly all over
the world as the direct result of the War on Terror. These are innocent people
seeking shelter, respect and a decent living. The West responses by coldly
shutting down its borders and putting up razor wire fences.
Endless numbers of people are
being killed by indiscriminate bombs and remote controlled mindless drones. The
loss of life, destruction and mayhem are squarely blamed on the Jihadist, the
Mujahidin and Islam. While the West is the gallant saviour of mankind and the
protector of humanity.
If we were to care and look
objectively at the history of the world when Muslims ruled before the advent
and era of Western colonialism, we shall be amazed to know that this religion
of Islam had been instrumental in providing peace and stability, flourishing a
vibrant and dynamic civilization for centuries. It was the great Andalusian
Civilization or experience (in Muslim Spain) that gave birth to the Era of
Enlightenment of Europe in the 17th century.
La Convivencia (Mutual Co-Existence) in Al Andalusia (711 – 1492)
For centuries when Medieval Spain
was ruled by the Moors (Muslims), the believers of Judaism, Christianity and
Islam lived together in peace and harmony. La Convivencia refers to this co
existence and inclusivity. For over 400 years, knowledge and spirituality
thrived in the Spanish towns of Toledo, Cordoba and Granada as students and
teachers of all disciplines helped one another to learn, translate and
comprehend ancient teachings.
Arguably, political factors were
most influential in facilitating the Convivencia process. There were two key
political figures present in the upper echelons of Islamic rule in Al Andalus
of the 10th century which impacted upon the birth of such amicable
coexistence. Abd al Rahman III (912-961) conducted his policy of reconciliation
of Berbers, Arabs, Jews and Christians of the Ibero-Hispanic population. He
also worked directly with the Mozarabs, generally referred to as Christians who
lived under Muslim rule. Jews and Christians were free to practice their
religion without fear of harassment or persecution. Abd al Rahman III rotated
posts within the government and even placed former Jewish and Christian slaves
in positions of power.
Hasdai ibn Shapmut was the Jewish
Vizier of Abd al Rahman III. He and Abd al Rahman III had a common goal of
shifting their Jewish and Muslim communities respectively from their Eastern
centre and advancing intellectual and religious independence. Consequently,
this led them to create an educational structure that encouraged the importance
of Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle which was translated
into many languages. This political manoeuvring had social manifestations – the
Jews shared the same Romance and Arab vernacular as the Christians and Muslims.
This further inaugurated the social unification among the three faith
communities of the peninsular. (Sarah Mac Thomas, The Convivencia in Islamic
Spain)
Akbar S Ahmed wrote, “We need to put Muslim Spain in the
perspective of medieval Europe. At the time London and Paris were small towns.
There was no notable art or literature or libraries or debate anywhere in
Europe. Here, in contrast, was a sophisticated and powerful civilization with
clear notions of harmony involving race and religion. Ideas of debate, love of
poetry, cleanliness and baths were pervasive. Plato and Aristotle were
discussed here.
The intermingling of race and religion in Muslim Spain produced a rich and
dynamic culture. Intermarriage between Jews, Christians and Muslims produced
many Muslim rulers with fair hair and blue eyes, according to literature. There
were alliances between Muslim and Christian rulers and a great deal of give and
take on all levels.” (Akbar S Ahmed, Islam Today, A Short Introduction to
the Muslim World)
The Fall of Al Andalus, Muslims and Jews sought refuge in the
Uthmaniyyah Caliphate (Ottoman Empire)
The glory of Islamic Spain ended
on 2 January 1492, when the last Muslim ruler of Granada, Sultan Muhammad XII
or better known in Spain as Boabdilla surrendered to Queen Isabella I of
Castille and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The spirit of Reconquista drove and
overwhelmed Ferdinand and Isabella. A decree of forced conversion to Catholicism
was enforced upon Muslims and Jews giving them the dreadful choice of
conversion or expulsion from Spain. Thus the spirit of La Convivencia which
brought glory to Spain for 800 years came to an end. Spain became totally
Catholic.
Muslims and Jews who refused to
convert chose to migrate, interestingly to another Muslim Empire, the
Uthmaniyyah Caliphate centred in modern day Turkey. Its ruler Sultan Bayezid II (1481-1512) upon
hearing of the ultimatum given to Muslims and Jews in Spain, had sent out
imperial edicts or Fermans in Ottoman
language throughout his empire to welcome the refugees. In his proclamation,
the Sultan addressed the Jews that it was God’s command to care of the
descendants of Prophets Abraham and Jacob, to see that they had food to eat and
to take them under his protection. They were invited to Istanbul and to live in
peace in the “shade of the fig tree” where they were free to engage in trade
and to own property. Around 250,000 Jews resettled in Ottoman lands, most
heading for Istanbul and Salonika. Today, present day Turkey has welcomed 3
million Syrian refugees in the words of its president as “guests”.
Al Andalus and Uthmaniyah Models of Global Peace: Spiritual Commitment
to Quranic Injunctions
This was one of the most
important virtues of the great founding leaders of al Andalus and Uthmaniyyah.
Al Qur’an provided them guiding ideas, inspiration and motivation for good
governance, universal justice, peace, toleration and harmony. Global peace and
harmony could only be achieved when the virtues of the Quran are followed in
letter and in spirit. Once these virtues were ignored for whatever reason, then
a state of anarchy, enmity and chaos will creep into the empire that will end
in its downfall and capitulation.
Briefly browsing the Qur’an, we
shall find:-
Surah al Fatiha reminds all that
Allah is the One and only Lord of Mankind and it is Allah that we worship, seek
help and guidance in life’s journey.
Al Isra: 70 tells us that all
mankind are from Prophet Adam and humans are ordained by God with honour and
dignity.
Al Hujurat: 13 informs us that
mankind were created in plurality and diversity so as to know one another and
that the most honoured are the most pious and righteous in the sight of Allah.
An Anbiya’: 106-107 brings the
message of the Messenger of Allah as the mercy for mankind.
Al Baqarah: 85 reminds us to
follow the Qur’an entirely and comprehensively.
The Ulama’ of al Andalus
An important factor promoting
universal justice and global peace is the role played by Muslim rulers and
their close relationship with the ulama’.
The Sultans especially during the formative years loved to cultivate the
culture of learning encouraging the ulama’,
scholars and intellectuals from all over to come and reside in their palaces,
residences or madrasahs in the vicinity of their palaces. The Sultans valued
their relationships with the ulama’
in seeking spiritual guidance while the ulama’
advocated Qur’anic teachings without fear or favour.
It is important to note the ‘alim during the al Andalus period was a
philosopher, scientist, sharia scholar and a Sufi master. The ulama’ mastered a
multidisciplinary field of knowledge. Al Andalus was famous for producing many
highly respected ulama’ such as Ibn Rushd, Ibn Arabi, Ibn Bajjah and Ibn
Tufail.
The Spiritual Foundation of The Uthmaniyyah Empire
The foundation of the Ottoman
Empire was rooted in spirituality. It was the norm for all Sultans to be a man
of God, strictly obeying Quranic injunctions. All Sultans have spiritual
advisors and these are masters of Sufi orders who only fear Allah. The early
years of the Ottoman Empire were blessed by God fearing Sultans who respected,
learned and adhered to the advice of their spiritual advisors. The founder of
the Empire, Osman Ghazi (1299-1326) was blessed with Shaykh Edebali who
interpreted the famous dream of Osman Ghazi.
One night, when Osman was a guest
in Edebali’s dergah, he had a dream.
As the sun rose, he went to Edebali and told him, “My Shaykh, I saw you in my dream. A moon appeared in your breast. It
rose, rose and then descended into my breast. From my navel there sprang a
tree. It grew and branched out so much, that the shadow of its branches covered
the whole world. What does my dream mean?”
After a brief silence, Edebali
interpreted: “Congratulations Osman! God
Almighty bestowed sovereignty upon you and your generation. My daughter will be
your wife, and the whole world will be under the protection of your children.”
Osman's dream seems to heavily
reflect the creation of the Ottoman Empire. Osman's dream was an important
piece of literature for Ottoman scholars.
Osman Ghazi’s descendants
followed the same path with Sultan Murad II who had Haci Bayram Veli as
advisor, and Sultan Mehmet II – al Fatih, the conqueror of Constantinople had
Ak Semsettin Hoca guiding him spiritually.
The Spiritual Character of Ottoman Sultans and their soldiers won
Christian hearts
The success and fast expansion of
the Ottoman Empire onto Christian Europe was not through the sword as always
mentioned. Instead it was through the shining example of devotion and strict
observance to the teachings of the Quran. People were willingly submitting to
Ottoman rule and some accepted Islam because of the good Islamic behaviour of the
Ottoman Sultan and his soldiers.
Thomas W Arnold in The Spread of
Islam in the World – A History of Peaceful Preaching (1896) wrote, “ Even in the dirt of alcoran you shall find
jewels of Christian virtues; and indeed if Christians will but diligently read
and observe the Laws and Histories of the Mahometans (followers of Muhammad),
they may blush to see how zealous they are in the works of devotion, piety and
charity, how devout, cleanly, and reverend in their Mosques, how obedient to
their Priest (Imam), that even the great Turk (Sultan) himself will attempt
nothing without consulting his Mufti; how careful are they to observe their
hours of prayer five times a day wherever they are, or however employed? How
constant do they observe their fasting from morning till night a whole month
together; how loving and charitable the Muslemans (Muslims) are to each other,
and how careful of strangers may be seen by their Hospitals, both for the Poor
and for Travellers; if we observe their Justice, Temperance, and other moral
Virtues, we may truly blush at our own coldness, both in devotion and charity,
at our injustice, intemperance, and oppression; doubtless these Men (Muslims)
will rise up in judgement against us; surely their devotion, piety and works of
mercy are main causes of the growth of Mahometism (Islam).”
CONCLUSION
In order to understand and
comprehend the events around the world today, one needs to look back to fathom
the historical background with objectivity and a balanced perspective. This is a challenge to us all. The ups and
downs of any civilization largely depends on virtues of good governance,
justice, peace and harmony irrespective of race and religion. The glory of
Islamic history was always characterized by the spiritual commitment of Muslims
to the teachings of the Quran while its downfall was related to failure in
adhering to Quranic injunctions. History shall always repeat itself.
The problem of the Muslim world
today is the lack of quality in its leaders and its ulama’. Our society would
be more informed and well guided if leaders were just and able with the
wholehearted support of competent and qualified ulama’. Ulama’ who are without
fear or favour, who are capable of upholding and expounding Islam as the
highest standard – al Islam ya’lu wa la
yu’la álaih.
(Edited and enhanced from a
presentation by Ahmad Azam Abd Rahman for the International Seminar on Islam
and Global Peace)
Ahmad Azam Abd Rahman is
President of the Movement for an Informed Society (WADAH), Deputy Secretary
General (Asia Pacific) Union of NGOs in the Islamic World UNIW and was former
President of ABIM
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