The Reality of the Islamic Ummah Today: Between the Betrayal of Regimes and the Shariah Obligation to establish the Khilafah (Caliphate) Upon their Ruins
(Translated)

On the anniversary of the fall of the Khilafah (Caliphate), The Islamic Ummah is currently passing through an exceptional phase, particularly in the last two years, unlike anything it has experienced before. The defining characteristic of this period is betrayal and the exposure of the Ummah's enemies and those who have abandoned it. The meaning of betrayal is that an individual or a state has the ability to aid the distressed and yet fails to do so. This is a major sin, as indicated by the hadith,

«مَنْ لَا يَهْتَمُّ بِأَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ، وَمَنْ لَا يُصْبِحُ وَيُمْسِي نَاصِحًا لِلَّهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِإِمَامِهِ وَلِعَامَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ»

“Whoever does not pay attention to the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them, and whoever does not spend his mornings and evening advising according to Allah (swt), His Messenger (saw), His Book, to his Imam, and the general Muslim community is not one of them.” [Narrated by At-Tabarani]. And Imam Ahmad narrated, «وأيُّما أهْلِ عَرْصَةٍ أصْبحَ فِيهِمْ امْرؤٌ جائِعًا؛ فقدْ بَرِئَتْ مِنهُمْ ذِمَّةُ اللهِ» “And any people in a community where a person wakes up hungry, then the covenant of Allah Almighty is broken with them.” This is exactly what happened and continues to happen to the people of Gaza and Palestine for about eighty years, especially in the last two years, and the betrayal continues to this day, and has even extended to Sudan after it passed through the people of Burma, East Turkestan, Kashmir and others.

As for those who have failed the Islamic Ummah in general, and the people of the Blessed Land of Palestine and Gaza in particular, it is the existing regimes in the Muslim world, their military commanders, and many of their ulema and influential people. These are the ones about whom Allah (swt) said,

[وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِنْ يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ]

“When you see them, their outward appearance impresses you, and if they speak, you listen to their words. They are like propped-up pieces of wood. They think every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How deluded they are!” [TMQ Surah Al-Anaam: 106]. We will not mention here the failure of the international community and its nations, for they are not obligated to support the Islamic Ummah. Indeed, the international community, especially the Western world, is hostile to the Islamic Ummah, and has always been so. Throughout history, the Jewish entity has been considered the spearhead used in its new crusade against the Ummah. We are not talking about the international community’s abandonment of the Ummah and the people of Gaza; they have gone beyond abandonment to outright hostility and beyond, to brutality, oppression, and the disregard for noble values. This comes after they have turned their backs on the principles they have long championed, such as freedom, human rights, children’s rights, women’s rights, and others. Instead, we are talking here about the abandonment by the existing regimes in the Islamic world, in all their components, not just the rulers.

The ways in which these regimes have failed the Ummah are numerous, the most important of which are three:

First: Ruling by other than what Allah (swt) has revealed. These regimes rule by disbelief, with secular systems that separate the true Deen from people's lives. This has brought down the wrath of Allah (swt) upon them and turned people's lives into hell on political, economic, social, health, and educational levels—in all aspects of their lives. Allah (swt) says,

[وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا] “And whoever turns away from My remembrance—indeed, he will have a life of hardship.” [TMQ Surah Taha 24] This is what makes these regimes and those who run them either disbelievers, oppressors, or transgressors, as Allah (swt) says,

[وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ] “And whoever does not rule by all that Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the disbelievers.” [TMQ Surah Al-Maaidah: 44]

[فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ] “...then it is those who are the oppressors,” [TMQ Surah Al-Maaidah: 45]

[فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ] “...then it is those who are the transgressors.” [TMQ Surah Al-Maaidah: 47]. And ruling by other than all that Allah (swt) has revealed means not adopting Islam as a system to govern people’s affairs according to it, and its Shariah rulings as a standard for the actions of systems and their Shariah obligations towards the Ummah and its issues. It is because these systems are nationalistic and regional, they have taken nationalistic and regional issues as their sole concerns, and have not considered any issue outside of that as a matter that concerns them, contrary to what Allah (swt) says, [إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ] “Indeed, this Ummah of yours is one Ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anbiyah: 92]. It is also contrary to the meaning of the unity of the Ummah and what results from that in terms of Shariah rights and obligation, and this came in the hadith of the Prophet (saw) who said,

«مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ؛ إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى»

“The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is like the example of the body; if one limb of it is afflicted, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” [Narrated by Muslim].

Therefore, these secular nationalistic regimes did not find it their duty to support Muslims, even if they were from the Blessed Land of Palestine. Their situation was like that of the Western regimes that are hostile to the Ummah. They either watched the criminal kill Muslims and did nothing, or they supported the killer in his crimes.

Secondly: The armies are prevented from supporting Muslims and their causes, including the cause of the blessed land of Palestine. The second form of betrayal is the regimes' prevention of Muslim armies from supporting their oppressed people everywhere, including those in the Blessed Land of Palestine, and from liberating Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa from the defilement of the Jews. This is because the cause of Palestine is primarily a military issue, not merely a political or humanitarian one. Military issues are resolved militarily, not at the negotiating table, nor in the corridors of human rights organizations or the United Nations, which is conspiring against the nation. These regimes have not mobilized the sons of the Ummah from the vast armies of the Muslim World to support their oppressed brothers in Palestine, Kashmir, Burma, East Turkestan, and elsewhere. How can these regimes claim to support the nation when they are secular regimes subservient to the disbelieving kafir colonialist who launches crusade after crusade to undermine the Ummah? How can the rulers of this Ummah feel the pain that the Ummah feels when they were raised and led astray in the West and spend most of their time there, and consider themselves Westerners who do not belong to this Ummah, and some of them do not even master the language of the country they claim to be from?! These rulers and these regimes do not understand the meaning of what Allah (swt) says, [وَإِنِ اسْتَنْصَرُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ النَّصْرُ] “...and if they seek your help in Deen, then you must help them” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfal: 92] and what He (swt) says,[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انْفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ] “O you who have believed, what is the matter with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth...” [TMQ Surah At-Tawba: 38]. The mention of military betrayal is not limited to rulers alone, although they are the primary ones responsible. Politicians, ministers, military commanders, intelligence agencies, and security services also share in this responsibility. All of these individuals wield influence and are collectively referred to as “the regime,” possessing the power to restrain the country's ruler. They collectively constitute the ruling class within the democratic structures of their secular countries, or what is termed the executive branch. It is unacceptable to claim that they are bound by the dictates of the ruler, international law, or treacherous normalization agreements. It is a fundamental tenet of Islam that there is no obedience to any created being in disobedience to the Creator, as the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,

«لاَ طَاعَةَ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا الطَّاعَةُ فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ» “There is no obedience to any created being in disobedience to Allah; obedience is only in what is right.” [Al-Bukhari]. Furthermore, betrayal contradicts the current military doctrine of the Muslim World, violates current law and international norms, and has been explicitly addressed in the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Therefore, the betrayal of the regimes, along with the political establishment and the chiefs of staff, was a consensus among them on betrayal, which is a major sin, and the words of Allah (swt) apply upon them, [إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا خَاطِئِينَ] “Indeed, Pharaoh, Haman and their soldiers were wrongdoers.” [TMQ Surah Al-Qasas: 8].

Third: The failure of ulema, sheikhs, influential figures, businessmen, and those who establish and dissolve authority (ahl ul halli wal aqd)

Allah (swt) said,

[وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ]

“And when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, saying: ‘You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it.’ But they threw it behind their backs and exchanged it for a paltry price. And wretched is that which they purchased.” [TMQ Surah Aali-Imran: 17]. These men of influence are the linchpin of society, and no system can bypass them. They control the levers of power in society and possess the ability to restrain rulers if they so choose. No matter how tyrannical a regime may be, it cannot overcome this powerful segment of society, whose strength is equivalent to that of the most powerful armies, tribes, and other forces. The story of al-Izz ibn Abd al-Salam, nicknamed بائع الملوك “the restrainer of rulers,” is evidence of the ulema’ power not only to restrain rulers but also to even trade them into slavery. Likewise, tribal leaders impose their will on their sons in the armies and in sensitive positions. Nor is it hidden from any discerning person the role of the wealthy and their ability to influence the selection of decision-makers and to exert influence on them. Islamic Shariah Law has urged the selection of righteous advisors, indicating the importance of this segment in decision-making, and has warned against corrupt advisors. Allah (swt) says,

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا بِطَانَةً مِنْ دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًا]

“O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you any effort to corrupt you.” [TMQ Surah Aali-Imran: 119].

This segment, which has failed the Ummah and the people of the Blessed Land of Palestine, including the people of Gaza, shares in the sin of the rulers. Because neglecting the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil brings about the wrath of Allah (swt), as the Prophet (saw) said,

«لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَوْ لَيُوشْكِنَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عُقُوبَةً مِنْ عِنْدِهِ ثُمَّ لَتَدْعُنَّهُ فَلَا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَكُمْ»

“You must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call upon Him, but He will not answer you.” [Narrated by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi]. Therefore, remaining silent brings punishment upon everyone and prevents the acceptance of supplications.

The good deeds that are required now and without delay.

Now that the root cause of the problem and the source of the affliction have been identified—namely, these regimes and their proxies—the cure has become clear and an inescapable duty for all, upon which there is no disagreement, especially for the sincere believers whose blood boils at the horror of what they witness, who fear the Day of Judgment and hope for the pleasure of Allah (swt) and the gardens of Paradise, whose expanse is as vast as the heavens and the earth. The clear Shariah obligation is to overthrow these regimes and their proxies in the Muslim World and establish the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood, upon their ruins. The required action can be summarized in two points:

First: Adopting the Project of Khilafah (Caliphate): All sincere individuals from various segments of the Muslim community—movements, ulema, sheikhs, businesspeople, influential figures, and dignitaries—must adopt the Khilafah (Caliphate) project advocated by Hizb ut Tahrir and consider the Khilafah on the Method of the Prophethood as a demand for themselves and the Muslim community. The Hizb has clarified the features and details of the Khilafah in its books and publications, which are available to all who seek the pleasure of Allah (swt).

Secondly: The Granting of Military Support (Nussrah) by Those in Military Power and Protection: Those in positions of military power and protection, particularly the sincere officers in the armies of the Muslim world, must give their military support (nussrah) to Hizb ut Tahrir, overthrowing all the corrupt regimes in the Muslim World, sweeping away their cronies, and liberating the land and its people from the arms of colonialism and its collaborators. Furthermore, all movements, ulema, sheikhs, influential figures, community leaders, and the general Muslim public must demand that those in positions of military power and protection give their support to the party and pledge allegiance to its Ameer, Ata bin Khalil Abu Rashta, as the Khaleefah Rashid (Rightly Guided Caliph) under the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood.

Conclusion: Victory belongs to Allah (swt) Alone, who has no partner. Allah (swt) grants victory to those who support Him. He (swt) says,

[إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ] “If you support God, He will support you and make your foothold firm.” [TMQ Surah Muhammad: 7]. Therefore, those who sincerely work for this Deen should have no doubt that Allah (swt) will grant them victory if they fulfill their Shariah obligation. Victory is the promise of Allah (swt), and supporting this Deen is not a favor from Allah (swt). Instead it is a Shariah obligation and a great honor that only those worthy of it can attain. He (swt) says,

[وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ]

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” [TMQ Surah Aali Imran: 133].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Bilal al-Muhajir – Wilayah Pakistan